I'll be there

Instead of confronting Rose directly, Jayden chose to observe her from a distance. It wasn’t invasive; he respected her privacy. Yet, he couldn’t simply ask, *“Are you a wolf?”*—such a question was absurd and would surely drive her away. So instead, he chose a cautious path: he cared for her, quietly, steadily, and with an attentiveness that didn’t demand explanation.

Whenever Rose seemed down, Jayden found ways to brighten her mood. A small joke here, an encouraging word there—these little acts of kindness gradually developed feelings between them. The more he was around her, the harder it became to separate his mission from his growing feelings. He wasn’t sure when it happened, but somewhere along the line, caring for her stopped being a strategy and became something he simply wanted to do.

Rose, on the other hand, didn’t know much about Jayden’s past, nor did she care. What mattered to her was that he was kind, thoughtful, and always seemed to be there when she needed someone. She felt drawn to him in ways she couldn’t quite explain. They spent hours together—studying side by side, laughing over small things, or just enjoying each other’s company. With each passing day, their connection deepened, and Jayden found himself slipping into a world where the bitter truths of his life seemed to fade away whenever she was near.

As prom approached, Jayden wrestled with his nerves. He wanted to ask Rose to be his date, but the thought of her saying no filled him with dread. He practiced what he would say, rehearsing scenarios in his head, yet every time he imagined the moment, his confidence wavered. Finally, he decided lunchtime in the bustling canteen would be the perfect opportunity. The hum of conversation around them would mask his nervous energy—or so he hoped.

“Hey, I was thinking...” Jayden started, his heart pounding in his chest. But as the words caught in his throat, he hesitated.

“You want to ask me to prom?” Rose finished for him, her lips curling into a playful smile.

Jayden blinked, surprised by her boldness. “Uh… yeah,” he managed, nodding. It wasn’t that he was inexperienced—he’d been with girls before—but none of those fleeting encounters had been about love. This was different. This was real.

“I will,” she said, her cheeks flushing pink as she looked at him.

When she left for home that day, Rose could hardly contain her excitement. She practically skipped down the street, her joy bubbling over in every step. Jayden stood at a distance, watching her with a grin tugging at his lips. Her happiness was beyond measurement, and for the first time in a long while, he felt like his world wasn’t so dark.

In the days leading up to prom, Jayden’s mind was consumed with thoughts of her. He imagined her in elegant gowns of every color, each vision more breathtaking than the last. To him, she wasn’t just beautiful—she was ethereal, a living, breathing fairy who had cast a spell over his life. Her presence had awakened a kind of magic in him, one he couldn’t resist and didn’t want to.

Prom night couldn’t come soon enough. Every moment apart felt like an eternity, and every thought of her filled him with a mix of nervous anticipation and pure, indescribable joy.

Jayden had been practicing for weeks, determined to master the perfect dance moves for prom. He spent hours watching videos online, repeating the steps until he could perform them with ease. His mother, who had watched him struggle with so much in life, was finally at peace seeing him happy again. For the first time in what felt like forever, Jayden was excited about something, and she couldn’t help but smile at his transformation.

The days flew by, and soon, the long-anticipated prom night arrived. The air buzzed with excitement as students prepared for what was sure to be an unforgettable evening. Jayden was no exception—his nerves were on edge, but his heart brimmed with anticipation. He couldn’t wait to see Rose. He could already picture her walking through the hall’s grand doors, radiant and mesmerizing.

Dressed to impress, Jayden stood near the entrance, his eyes glued to the doorway. Every time the doors opened, his heart leaped, only to sink when it wasn’t her. Minutes ticked by, then an hour. Still, there was no sign of Rose. He tried to distract himself, chatting with classmates and sipping punch, but his restless heart kept pulling his gaze back to the doors.

A clawing thought crept into his mind, cold and unwelcome: *What if she didn’t come because she turned? What if something happened?*

Panic set in, and Jayden couldn’t bear to wait any longer. Without a second thought, he left the prom and rushed out into the night. He hadn’t been to Rose’s house before, but he knew the general area she lived in. The streets were quiet as he jogged through the neighborhood, the cool air biting at his skin. When he finally reached her street, he slowed, scanning the houses for hers.

Before he could knock on any doors, he spotted her. Rose was sitting on a bench beneath a streetlamp, her face buried in her hands as she sobbed uncontrollably. Jayden’s heart ached at the sight, and he quickly approached her.

“What happened?” he asked gently, crouching down to her level.

Rose didn’t answer at first; her emotions overwhelmed her, and tears streamed down her cheeks. She tried to speak but broke into another wave of sobs.

“Hey,” Jayden said softly, brushing a strand of hair from her face with a tenderness that made her pause. “What’s wrong? Tell me.”

She sniffled, trying to steady herself. “I… I wanted to come,” she began, her voice shaking. “But Rita and her friends showed up. They distracted me, and while I wasn’t looking, they ruined my dress.” Her tears flowed harder as she buried her face against his chest, seeking comfort.

Jayden’s arms instinctively wrapped around her, holding her close as he whispered, “Ssshhh… You don’t need that dress to look amazing. You could wear anything, and you’d still outshine everyone.”

Rose stilled for a moment, pulling back slightly to look up at him. “What?” she whispered, her tear-streaked face glistening under the glow of the streetlamp.

Jayden smiled softly, his fingers slipping through her hair. “You’re beautiful in every way, Rose. You could show up in a sweatshirt, and I’d still think you look like a fairy.”

Her breath hitched, and she felt herself getting lost in his warm, unwavering gaze. Her heart pounded in her chest, louder than it ever had before. “You… you could’ve been at the party, enjoying yourself,” she murmured, her voice barely audible.