Everyone Watching Her
Everyone was watching her as she stood with a proud grin on her face. She was holding her date's arm and didn't think things could be more perfect. But she had no idea what would happen next.
The duo walked through the crowd, the stares they were getting only flattering her. That's when she saw her face in the crowd.
Kelsey
Kelsey never felt worried about her lack of a date for homecoming. She wasn't used to having a lot of attention from boys. It was normally her friend that got all the looks.
While all the other girls wore makeup and painted nails, she was content with the way she looked naturally. She wasn't the most popular girl, but she didn't mind.
A Cheerleader
Kelsey walked the walls with pride, knowing that she was comfortable in her own shoes. Unfortunately, there was always one girl that had something to say.
One of the most popular girls in school was Jessica. She was a cheerleader that rotated through boys like it was nothing. Kelsey knew that behind her back, Jessica had some mean things to say.
An Instagram Story
One day, Kelsey was minding her own business, scrolling through Instagram, when she saw Jessica's story pop up. She saw something on there that reminded her of an important event.
She saw a picture of Jessica with her arms around her new boyfriend. They looked happier than ever. Then she saw the sign he held onto - be my homecoming date? Then she read the caption.
Needed A Date
Homecoming didn't bother her at all until she read the caption. It read, "If you don't have a date to homecoming, you shouldn't come at all.
Doubt started to creep into her mind. Was there truth to this? If she didn't have a date for the homecoming, would she be judged harshly? She couldn't let that happen.
A Plan
As the day progressed into the evening, Kelsey couldn't help but think about the post-Jessica had made and the harsh words that accompanied it. The more she thought about it, the more she let the cheerleader get to her.
She tried fighting back tears as she imagined pitching up on her own. She knew that she needed to make a plan in order to make sure everything worked out.
A Text From Him
Kelsey thought about what she was going to do. She had already bought herself a wonderful blue dress. She didn't want to put it to waste and not go at all.
Then, as if by fate, Kelsey heard her phone buzz. No one normally contacted her. Who could it be? But as she looked down at the screen, she saw a way out.
A Good Life
Growing up in Houston, Texas, life was good for Kelsey Jones. She was making her way through high school and generally enjoyed her time at school. She had loving parents and amazing friends.
As far as she was concerned, life couldn’t get any better. But it wasn’t until one September that things changed for the teenager.
A Tomboy
In school, Kelsey was a bit of a tomboy. The majority of her friends were boys, and she didn’t dress like all the other girls in her year. Although she had a couple of friends, not many people seemed to notice the girl.
But that didn’t really matter to her. As long as she was left to do as she pleased, Kelsey was generally happy. But one girl always seemed to have something to say about her.
The Cheerleader
Jessica Mayer was a cheerleader, and everyone at their school loved her. Kelsey didn’t interact with her very often, and although Jessica was usually kind to her face, she had heard the things she would say behind her back.
Kelsey always thought it was strange, considering that they used to be friends. Jessica had once dated one of Kelsey’s best friends, Dylan, but after they broke up, Jessica changed and became a mean girl.
Her Closest Friend
Dylan was two years older than them, and as soon as he finished high school, he left for college, and they hadn’t seen him since. He was one of the most popular boys in their high school.
He was attractive and cool, and he was nice to everyone. He and Kelsey always shared a close bond, but now, he was gone.
Homecoming
It was early September, and all of Kelsey’s friends had been going on and on about homecoming. It was just two weeks away, and none of them could contain their excitement.
Kelsey was excited to spend the evening with the people she loved. She didn’t have a date for homecoming, but that didn’t really matter to her. She didn’t need a date to have a good time. All of her friends were going with their partners, but it wasn’t really something Kelsey thought about. Until one day.
That Thursday
It was a Thursday afternoon, and Kelsey had decided to go to the mall with one of her friends. They were on their way to the movies when they ran into Jessica. As usual, she was kind as she greeted the pair, but then she asked one simple question.
“Do you guys have dates for homecoming? My boyfriend asked me today,” she said, twisting her hair around her index finger.
Judgment
“No, I’m going by myself,” Kelsey responded casually, not seeing any problem with her answer, but she could sense the judgment in the way that Jessica looked at her.
“Oh, bummer!” The blonde girl smiled sympathetically, “Well, maybe next time,” Jessica said before turning on her heels, snickering to herself as she walked off. Kelsey thought it was strange but decided to shake it off. She didn’t think about it again until that night.
That Evening
Kelsey had just gotten home from the mall and was scrolling through her Instagram feed when she opened Jessica’s story.
Jessica had posted a photo of herself with her boyfriend, who was holding a big sign that read, “Will you go to homecoming with me?” But Kelsey’s eyes widened when she read the horrible caption beneath the text.
Pink Text
There, in small pink text, Jessica had typed the words: Only losers don’t have a date to homecoming. Kelsey wasn’t usually the type to care what others thought of her, but the post sent a wave of panic through her body.
Would everyone at school call her a loser if she pitched up by herself? All of her friends had dates. She was the only one going by herself.
Self-Conscious
That evening, as Kelsey lay in bed, she couldn’t stop thinking about the caption. She couldn’t help but feel like Jessica was intentionally making fun of her. Why would she do that? Suddenly, she felt extremely self-conscious.
She was crying as she lay in bed, suddenly anxious about something she was so excited about. Was she a loser? Boys never showed interest in her. Was she not pretty enough? She felt awful!
The Text
Her eyes were wide open as she thought about what was to come. She had already picked out a beautiful dress, she knew how she wanted her hair to be done, and she even considered putting on some makeup.
But now, she was considering not even going anymore. She was a mess. But that all changed when she heard the ping of her phone. Glancing at the screen, her eyes widened when she saw his name.
Dylan
She couldn’t believe it when she read Dylan’s name on her screen. She had barely heard from him since he’d left for college, and now, he was texting her. “Hey Kelsey, it’s been a while,” his text read. Three small dots appeared at the bottom of the screen. He was typing another text.
“I’m coming to town for my mom’s birthday in two weeks. I was wondering if you’d like to hang out again. It’s been so long.” Her heart fluttered. For the first time in so long, she was speaking to one of her closest friends.
Pop By
“Hey! I would love to hang out. We have our homecoming in two weeks, so you should totally pop by. Everyone at school would love to see you,” she responded, her cheeks aching from smiling so widely.
“Homecoming? That would be awesome,” he responded, but a second later, he sent another text that made her heart skip a beat. “Are you going with anyone? Maybe we could go together if you want?”
Uncertainty
She typed fast, not even bothering to fix any typos. Of course, she wanted to go with Dylan. Everyone at their school absolutely adored him, and she was desperate to find a date. Who better than the boy she once called her best friend?
She tried to contain her excitement, but deep down, she was also dealing with a sudden spike of nerves.
Nervous
But why was she so nervous? Kelsey had never felt this way about anything, especially not something as menial as homecoming. However, she already knew what her problem was.
Kelsey was incredibly worried about Jessica. She couldn’t help but wonder what would happen if she pitched up with her enemy’s ex-boyfriend. But one thing was certain: this wouldn’t end well, and that was exactly what Kelsey was afraid of.
What If?
What if this decision made their situation a thousand times worse? What if it would lead to even more backlash coming Kelsey’s way? Was she ready to deal with the backlash that could come from this?
Kelsey could only imagine the things Jessica would say about her. She feared that her situation at school would get worse. But was she right? Or would things take a drastic turn?
Nerve-Wracking Decision
Kelsey was suddenly tossed into a position that she never thought she would be in, and she had absolutely no idea what to do about it. Should she take Dylan up on his offer? Or should she rather play it safe?
That was where Kelsey was stuck. This went against everything she had planned, and she had no idea what the consequences could be.
She Had A Plan
Kelsey’s plan was a simple one. She would attend the homecoming dance on her own with her shoulders back and her head held high. But now…
Now, she was doubting everything she thought she knew. One simple comment accompanied by an even simpler question had turned her world upside down. What was she going to do now?
It Would’ve Been Fine
Kelsey sighed in disbelief while silently scolding herself for ending up in the position that she was in. “Everything would’ve been fine if I just stuck to my plan,” she said to herself, feeling incredibly frustrated.
But deep down, Kelsey couldn’t deny the fact that she would’ve loved to go to the dance with Dylan. The only problem was that she didn’t want to suffer the consequences.
But Now…
However, Kelsey knew that she was out of options. She had to make a choice even though both her options would come back to bite her.
The only thing she could do now was figure out which was the lesser of the two evils. Would she give up her childhood friend by turning him down? Or would she teach Jessica the ultimate lesson?
What’s Worse?
Kelsey couldn’t decide what was worse. Could she handle being called a loser for pitching up at the dance and not having a date? Or would the same of showing up with Dylan be the ultimate reputation-ending blow?
She stared at her screen for what felt like an eternity as she contemplated what to do. But it seemed like there was simply no easy way out of this.
A Change Of Heart
Kelsey quickly erased the entire message she had typed while thinking about what she was going to do. If there was one thing she was sure about, it was that she wasn’t going to lose her friend over something so silly.
She needed advice, and she knew that Dylan would tell her what he’d think the best way was to proceed. But that couldn’t be done over text. She needed to give him a call.
Questionable Choice
The minute Kelsey made the choice to call Dylan, she began to regret it. She knew it would be for the best, but she simply couldn’t find the courage she needed to go through with it.
With an exasperated sigh, she collapsed onto her bed and ran her fingers through her hair. She had no idea how she was going to start this discussion.
As Nervous As Ever
Kelsey was more nervous than she had ever been in her life. The weight of Dylan’s decision to contact her was weighing heavily upon her already burdened shoulders.
At first, she was incredibly happy to hear from him, but now she was at a loss for words. There was so much to say, so much to ask, but not a single sound was able to pass her lips.
What To Say
Kelsey spent the next few minutes trying to think about how she was going to start the discussion and how it would ultimately lead her to her point.
She even went as far as to practice her speech in front of the mirror. But nothing could’ve prepared her for what she was about to face.
Moment Of Truth
After what felt like an eternity, Kelsey decided that she should just get this over with. She had been winding herself up so much that she would give in if she didn’t just push the button.
So, with a deep breath and trembling hand, she pushed down on Dylan’s name and prayed for the best. If only she knew what she was in for.
A Phone Call
Even though it felt like a lifetime had passed, Dylan answered the phone seconds after she pressed the dial button. But that was when things took a turn for the worse.
Kelsey shut off the minute she heard his voice. It had been ages since they last spoke. “Hey, Kels, how’s it going?” He sounded optimistic and cheery, which was the opposite of how she felt.
Moments Of Silence
Kelsey was stunned into silence. She tried to speak, but not a single sound came out. That was when she knew she was in trouble. So she took a few deep breaths and tried again.
“Hey, Dylan.” Her voice was soft, and the shyness was evident as she spoke. Suddenly, her cheeks flushed and started aching. She hadn’t spoken to him in so long, she felt extremely nervous.
An Awkward Conversation
“Did you get my text? About homecoming?” Dylan asked casually. Kelsey could feel her nerves returning with full force. A lump formed in her throat, and she felt like the room around her was boiling as her cheeks turned a little redder.
So she took another deep breath and managed to wipe the shy smile from her face. It was now or never. She had to ask for his advice.
How To Put It
Kelsey thought about her response for a moment and decided to just go for it. What could possibly go wrong when all she does is tell the truth?
“Uh, yeah. I got your text, that’s why I’m calling,” she started and cleared her throat before continuing, “I don’t really know if I should agree to go with you,” she said honestly.
An Explanation
“Oh, I see,” Dylan responded, “Do you already have a date?” he asked curiously. But Kelsey could tell from the tone of his voice that he was a little disappointed. If only he knew what the real reason was.
Kelsey felt her mouth go dry as she simply responded with, “No… No one else asked me.” Dylan let out a nervous laugh, and Kelsey could tell it was because her response had confused him.
Admission
“There’s a different problem,” she sighed. She wanted nothing more than to go to homecoming with him, but she just couldn’t risk the backlash that would come with it.
“It’s Jessica,” she explained. Dylan, who had all but forgotten about his vicious ex, pushed for more information. “What about her,” he asked, intrigued by the vague response.
Disgusted
She then proceeded to explain the situation. She told him about Jessica’s Instagram post and how it was aimed at her. He was astonished and disgusted by his ex-girlfriend’s behavior.
“How could she do that?” he scoffed. He was not pleased, and he didn’t want Kelsey to miss out on homecoming because of Jessica. There was no way he would let her get away with this.
Comfort
“You are not a loser for not having a date. That Instagram post just highlights how shallow Jessica is,” he told Kelsey, which brought a smile to her face.
He really knew how to make her feel better about herself. But it wasn’t just because of his words. The thing that meant most to her was that he wouldn’t be bothered either way. So what would she do?
A Lot Of Sense
But Dylan didn’t just stop there. “Besides, who cares what her opinion is? Come on, let’s go together. We can make the most out of her misery,” he said with a chuckle.
Kelseyy burst out laughing. She just couldn’t stop herself. Dylan was right. Why on earth should her night be ruined by someone who didn’t care about her?
Agreeing
She agreed with him. She didn’t deserve to torture herself because of what someone like Jessica thought of her. “You’re right. We should go to homecoming together,” she ultimately said.
“And besides, can you imagine her face when she sees us pitching up together? I bet it’ll be priceless,” he said, laughing at his own joke.
What Better Way?
Kelsey thought about it for a moment, and she found herself picturing the scene. Jessica would be red with rage, and there would be nothing she could do about it.
There simply wasn’t a better way to make Jessica feel bad than to pitch up with the boy she was still hung up on. It seemed like the perfect revenge.
Sweet Revenge
Not only would she be getting her sweet revenge, but she would also be with the boy she adored most in the world.
She couldn’t wait to spend the night hanging out with Dylan. She missed him more than she could put into words. It was a perfect plan that would give her the best of both worlds. But would she take him up on his offer?
The Details
“You know what, I’ll go to homecoming with you, and we’ll have the time of our lives. I can’t wait,” She smiled sweetly to herself. Gone was any trace of hesitation.
That night, the two of them finalized the details. He would pick her up from her house with his car, and they would attend homecoming together. She was over the moon. She couldn’t wait to see Jessica’s face.
The Next Day
When Kelsey awoke the next morning, she had forgotten about the pain she had gone through the night before. She no longer felt self-conscious about the situation.
Dylan was right. Jessica was a shallow girl who thrived off of making other people feel bad about themselves. At the end of the day, it was Kelsey who Dylan wanted to attend homecoming with.
A Text
With a grin on her face, Kelsey turned onto her stomach and grabbed her phone from the bedside table. She had a text from Dylan.
“Good morning! I hope you slept well. Out of interest sake, may I ask what your favorite flowers are? Hypothetically…” She laughed at his text, mentioning that she loved tulips. But she didn’t think much of his question.
Daydreaming
For the entire day, she went about her business, daydreaming about homecoming. She wondered what Dylan looked like now, but she bet he was still as handsome as ever before.
She wondered what would go through Jessica’s mind when she saw the two of them together. Would she regret the way she had treated her, or would she hate her even more? She kept reminding herself that Jessica’s opinion didn’t matter.
Checking Instagram
Eventually, she found herself opening Instagram once again. Jessica had posted more pictures to her story. This time, she was showing off her pink dress on her thin body.
Usually, it would make Kelsey feel self-conscious, but after her call with Dylan the night before, she couldn’t be bothered. Besides, Kelsey knew she was far more beautiful on the inside, and that’s all that mattered.
In The Blink Of An Eye
Two weeks passed in the blink of an eye, and before Kelsey knew it, she was sitting on her mother’s bed. Her hair had been done, and she was wearing a gorgeous dress. Her mother applied the last bit of makeup to her face just as the doorbell rang.
“That’s Dylan,” Kelsey grinned as she got up. Her mother smiled proudly, admiring her beauty. “You look stunning. Go have the best time tonight,” she told her daughter.
There He Was
When Kelsey left her house in her beautiful dress, her cheeks instantly began to ache. Dylan was leaning against his car with his hands behind his back. He looked amazing.
His hair had gotten slightly longer, and he was dressed in an amazing suit. It knocked the air straight out of Kelsey’s lungs. But her heart swelled when he pulled the tulips out from behind his back, “Your favorite.”
Chatting
During the car ride there, Kelsey and Dylan couldn’t stop speaking. It was just like old times. He told her about college, and she told him about Jessica’s rude caption on her Instagram story, to which he rolled his eyes.
“You know, it’s really awesome to see you again, Kels. I’ve missed you so much,” He smiled at her as they pulled up to the venue.
They Were Late
They were half an hour late, which meant that they were the last to arrive. Stepping out first, Dylan quickly walked around the car and opened Kelsey’s door for her. She locked her arm around his as they walked to the entrance of the venue.
They could hear the loud music from outside, nervous excitement pumping through their veins. They took a deep breath and pushed the doors open before walking in.
Staring
The second they stepped through the doors, everyone seemed to stop what they were doing. Everyone turned and stared as they walked through the doors. “Oh my gosh, it’s Kelsey Jones and Dylan Beck,” one girl said aloud.
Kelsey grinned proudly as she stood beside him. But she had no idea what was about to happen.
They All Noticed Her
Every single student had their eyes on her. She had a slight grin on her face, and her arm twisted around the young man’s as he stood proudly beside her. It was no secret that she looked drop-dead gorgeous. Finally, they all noticed her.
They slowly walked through the crowd in front of them, her smile not faltering. Her eyes then locked with the girl who had always made her feel so horrible about herself: Jessica. She had finally won.
Furious
Jessica looked furious as she stood beside her boyfriend. He wasn’t nearly as handsome as Dylan, and it pained her to see her ex-boyfriend next to the girl she disliked the most in their school.
She huffed as she stomped her foot into the ground. She then turned on her heel and stormed off. Dylan and Kelsey couldn’t help but laugh as they watched it happen.
Friends
They walked together to a group of their shared friends. They were all over the moon to see Dylan. Soon, they began chatting. Many of Dylan’s old friends stopped by and greeted him. A few girls even came up to Jessica to tell her how pretty she looked.
They were the most popular couple there, and everyone seemed to want to speak to them. But just then, Kelsey felt a tap on her shoulder.
You Need To Leave
When she turned around, she was met by the principal, Mr. Peters. “Miss Jones and Mr. Beck, I’m going to have to ask you both to leave. This event is for students of our high school only. Since Dylan is no longer in our school, I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”
Surprisingly, they didn’t mind it too much. In fact, a few of their friends decided to leave with them. Together, they all headed to a nearby McDonald’s, where they continued to party on their own.
Seen And Appreciated
Dylan spent the entire evening by Kelsey’s side, and she couldn’t be happier with how the night had gone. She felt loved and seen, and she was glad that she got to ruin Jessica’s night, just as she had ruined Kelsey’s night two weeks ago.
From that point on, Kesley became good friends with a lot of people in her school. Finally, she was seen and appreciated. Long gone were the days of feeling invisible.