“You turned Elsie’s prom into a setup because you wanted to fix things?”

He nodded.

“You disappeared for years,” I said. “No support. No letters. No birthdays. Nothing.”

“I know.”

“And now you choose her prom? Through him?” I pointed at Mason, who looked like he wanted to vanish. “Do you understand what you just did to her?”

Darren’s face twisted with guilt.

But in that moment, I saw the truth.

He had not changed.

He was still the same selfish boy who made promises, then ran when things got hard.

Then an idea clicked into place.

I stared at him for a long moment, then let my shoulders fall.

His face changed instantly. Hope replaced shame.

“Maybe you’re right,” I said softly. “Maybe this has already gone too far.”

He nodded quickly. “Exactly.”

“If Elsie learns you planned all this before she hears you out, she’ll run.”

“That’s what I’ve been trying to say.”

“So let me talk to her first.”

He stepped closer.

“You’ll help me?”

I lowered my eyes like I was thinking it over.

“I’ll bring her,” I said.

He exhaled in relief.

“Thank you.”

I smiled.

It was the first lie I had told all night.

When I returned to the gym, students were whispering near the bleachers. Parents stood with careful expressions. The principal was near the exit with Elsie. Mason’s coach and parents were nearby too.

Good, I thought.

Let everyone hear this.

Elsie looked devastated. When she saw me, pain flashed across her face.

“Elsie,” I said.

“I don’t want excuses.”

“You won’t get any.” I took her hands before she could pull away. “Listen carefully. Your father is here. He has been here all night. He arranged this. He contacted Mason.”

The principal’s mouth tightened.

Mason’s mother gasped.

The whispers grew sharper.

Elsie stared at me like the floor had vanished beneath her.

“No,” she whispered.

“Yes,” I said. “He thought this was the only way to get a chance to speak to you.”

Her face crumpled.

For a second, I thought she might fall apart.

Instead, she lifted her chin. Her eyes were wet, but there was something steady in them now.

“He wanted a chance to speak to me?” she said. “Then bring him out.”

I nodded. I walked back to the hallway and opened the closet door.

Darren looked up fast, smiling.

“You talked to her?”

“She wants to see you,” I said.

He followed me into the gym.