She laughs and leans over to hug me. “I told you we’d all go to junior prom together.”

It feels like she said that a lifetime ago. Before I met Ace, before I told my parents the truth, before I made my future happen for myself. It was so long ago, and yet barely any time ago at all.

“You did,” I say, leaning my head against her shoulder. God, I’m so happy. “It’s no surprise you’re always right.”

Nandini snorts. “I don’t know about always.”

Cora flips her off before pulling away. “Come on! Pictures!”

I get looped into a half an hour of taking photographs on Ace’s lawn while Mia and her mother coo from the front porch. Ace FaceTimes his own mother for a few minutes amidst the chaos and I try not to blush too much when he shows me off, waving grandly in my direction.

“You’re too much,” I whisper, nudging him lightly.

Ace offers me an impish grin. “It’s not my fault you look like the sun brought to life.”

His mother’s warm laughter rings in the background.

After Ace hangs up, his father stops by to clap him on the shoulder and whisper something in his ear that I can’t hear. Even Xander comes by to adjust Ace’s tie, which is unnecessary since I spent a ridiculous amount of time perfecting it, but he’s trying, and it makes Ace smile, so I don’t say anything.

There’s even a moment where Xander says something to Cora and a wisp of a smile appears on her face before she abruptly stomps on his foot and walks away with her date.

Nandini meets my eyes over Ace’s shoulder and shakes her head as Cora mutters insults under her breath.

I laugh in response.

At one point, I slip my phone into the mix and manage to get a picture of Ace and me in our complementary outfits, which I text to Dadu with a heart emoji.

Daduuuu :

Mashallah u look beautiful

Daduuuu :

Love u

Daduuuu :

So proud

I smile at the texts and put my phone away.

Despite all the hardships, things worked out for the better. I have a long path ahead of me, but each step I take brings me closer to my goals. For now, this is enough. I’m happy and my future is my own.

By the time we get to the venue, my nerves are hitting again. I lead Ace to the double doors marking the entrance and falter. Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one. I take a deep breath, and Ace squeezes my wrist lightly, a reminder that he’s here.

He’s always here.

“Ready?” he asks.

Ready for this? Ready for us? Ready for the future?

I exhale and straighten my shoulders. “Ready.”