The four metal walls concealed her vision, yet she didn’t mind – even if the walls weren’t there, her tears would make sure she couldn’t see anything anyway.

A small buzzing began at the base of her foot, and she realized it was from sitting on the toilet for too long. So she quietly stood, wiping away at her eyes as she shook her leg.

Then she resumed her seat on the toilet lid, listening mournfully at the buzz of conversation outside of her stall.

All around her, voices of every octave rang through the bathroom, talk of the night’s prom infested in every phrase.

Girls complimented their friends as they stepped in and out of the other stalls, relaying gossip as the other changed. Laughter was tainted with either envy or pleasure, and an air of confidence hung heavily over Valerie as she took it all in her secluded corner.

Those laughing girls– one of them was supposed to be her. But what did she really think would happen, especially with luck like hers.

She had been the awkward friend in a group of three set to go together. But at the final moment, her companions had confronted her, telling of their reluctance to go with her.

For a second she had been surprised, standing there and staring at the growing concern on their faces. But it only took her a moment to put the pieces together.

The two had dates, of course. And in order to not have to worry about their image, they decided to ditch the weird girl, masking it with concern of her feeling like a fifth wheel.

So Valerie had smiled, telling them to not worry at all.

It’s prom, don’t let me ruin the fun!

And they had smiled back, pulling her into a group hug even as her heart began to swell with tears.

So here she sat, pondering on why God had supplied her with such poor luck. But before soon, not a single voice was visible in the hall.

As a new pool of tears began, she slowly reached for her phone. She had to talk to someone. Anyone.

Going to her list of contacts, she selected the first name. After several rings, a click was heard at the other end of the line.

She sniffled, before saying, “Hello?”

There was a pause at the other end, before a rough voice came at the other end. “Val? Is that you?”

Axel's voice washed over her, and she let out a shaky breath, glad she didn’t click on someone else. “No.”

“Aren’t you supposed to be at prom? Where’s Anna?”

“With Brittney. And her date. At prom.”

There was a pause at the end. “They ditched you, didn’t they? I to–”

“Don’t tell me you told me.”

“Well, I did. How long will it be before you see through their selfish facade?”

She didn’t answer, her attention slightly distracted by a small roach crawling along the wall to her left.

“Val?”

“Yeah?”

“What are you going to do now?”

Silence took over her again, pondering his question in her head. Her most obvious answer would be to go crash at Axel’s place until her mother got home from work.

But for some reason, she regarded the idea with a surprising reluctance. Another plan was slowly growing in the back of her mind, but before she could suppress it, she felt it slip past her tongue.

“You know what? I’m gonna go to prom.”

No response came from the other end, and she could imagine Axel lifting one of his thick eyebrows.

But then, his response came back just as surprising. “Fine…. I’ll meet you there in thirty.”

And before she could object, the line went dead, leaving her staring blankly at the roach in surprise.