“She’s always seemed really stuck up,” Lizzy adds. “Tell them what she did to you, Parisa.”

For some reason, I don’t feel like I can say no to Lizzy. And so I follow suit and tell them all about the unfortunate saved draft that made its way to my inbox.

“Whoa. What a bitch,” Cornelia says.

Instantly, I feel myself getting defensive when she says it, the way you do when someone says something mean about your family member. I’m allowed to criticize Gabriela, but these girls should keep her name out of their mouths.

“Is it true that she’s dating Wes Bowen?” Mandy asks me.

I nod. “For a while now.”

As soon as I say it, all three of them dissolve into laughter.

“Gross,” Lizzy replies. “He’s such a dork.”

“Oh my God, you almost have to feel sorry for her,” Cornelia chimes in.

“Maybe she’s into guys who shit their pants,” Lizzy adds.

“That’s not funny. Wes is a really great guy.” I quickly defend him.

The girls stop laughing and look at me like I’m a weighted wet blanket, but I don’t care. It appears that despite years of desperately wanting to be part of this circle, I have maintained a shred of dignity. I take off the tiara. I don’t want to be here. Another thirty minutes or so of tepid conversation passes, and then I let out an exaggerated yawn and say I need to get home. I thank Lizzy for the hospitality and don’t respond when she yells that I left my crown behind.

The house is dead quiet when I walk in. It’s nearly midnight, and all the lights are off. The straps of my high heels have left welts on my skin, and I let out a sigh of relief once they come off. I tiptoe into my room, ready to trade in my dress for cozy pajamas, but before I get a chance to jimmy the zipper, I’m interrupted by a knock on my balcony window. For a brief moment, I let myself believe it could be Gabs and that we’ll actually get to spend some of prom together.

When I pull my curtain open, I am stunned to find Gideon Kouvaris standing in front of me holding a bouquet of flowers. He wears a mask and holds a piece of paper up to the window… Love Actually style.

Don’t say anything, it reads. He turns it around. Can you come out? And then finally, I got tested and I’m negative.

I’m not sure what to do, but I think about Gabriela letting Wes into her apartment and Gideon and Neda making out on her balcony. Why shouldn’t I break a rule for once? I put on my mask, quietly open the sliding glass door, and walk out onto my balcony.

“What are you doing out here?” I whisper.