onth

et ropes, and in that instant, th

denly snapped back to life. Reporters s

n waiting.

lenses, eager voices, and a hundred eyes locked in atte

epped into the spotlight. The fabric shimmered under the lights, floor-length with a

ghlight on my skin. A simple diamond set added the right touch of elegance.

e crowd

is, Izale

's the dress

! Over

e you w

ned every angle like it

event banner glowed

ere - The C

st for me. Jasmine, my best friend, found me ha

he whispered, barely

his was the night we used to dream

ues waved. Interviewers lined up like worshipers at an altar. Compliments p

of my dress and leaned in close.

ieved

rted flowing, sof

they w

u're not who y

ia

on the plastic

ed, harsh, and sharp.

. A shoe flew past me, missing by inches, followed by a crumpled script. Laughter turned moc

h my name was be

n peeled awa

my mouth

sound

A chime. A

ed through

s shot

o my skin. I was still wearing the white robe from the night befo

desperate to prove it hadn't been real. But my r

as the dream twisted it. The night had ended in cel

The doorb

ent to the door, still dazed.

. Belle clutched her phone like it might explode. Leonard's

I was a stranger. My hair was a mes

ice hoarse. "This is

my eyes. "You... okay?" Hi

t?" I asked, ru

back at me. "It's... past one," s

in disbelief. "I

wer. "You were drinking last night..

est. "Alright, someone tell me The Color of Love is brea

le

hanged a

as off. Hea

nchor, anticipating what I

like this, i

poke. "You haven'

they didn't answer, as if

ation started to rise as they

. She stepped forward

ines scre

a mask? Meet Jazlyn Gab

yn G

buried so deeply it felt like a distant ghost

could have dug up a pas

as I scrolled. Eve

ing Star: Career

Surgery

er photos floo

adline made

James Gabby s

A name I hadn't spoken aloud

fat

e. His t

fi

s true?" Belle

back without a word

o," I said, barel

o be with you," Be

e door, slowly, quietly, like tha

legs g

gainst the door, arms around my kne

st fro

far I'd climbed, someone h

hing was starti