My Prom Dress SAT in the Closet While I Faced a Stage 3 Diagnosis

I nearly skipped prom the night before my first chemotherapy treatment because I couldn’t stand the idea of being pitied by everyone.

Then, in front of the entire school, my date entered the stage, shaved his head, and started something I never anticipated.

In less than two weeks, I went from being fixated on silver heels for prom to gazing at clumps of my own hair in a brush.

No hyperbole.

Finding the ideal shoes to go with the emerald green dress that was hanging on my closet door was my biggest dilemma two weeks ago.

I had a whole Pinterest board devoted to my senior prom, cosmetic tutorials bookmarked, and screenshots saved.

That garment now appeared to be a cruel prank.

Rather than focusing on pictures and flowers, I was attempting to comprehend the phrase “Stage 3.”

Ever after the doctor said those words, I couldn’t stop thinking about them.

Phase Three.

hostile.

prompt medical attention.

On Friday morning, chemotherapy begins.

The morning following prom was Friday AM.

The timing was nearly offensive.
I was seventeen.

I was meant to be concerned about college applications, graduation, and whether or not my crush would ask me to dance.

Rather, I was studying survival rates, side effects, and treatment strategies.

The fact that I already appeared ill was the hardest part.

My hair had begun to fall out far more quickly than anyone had anticipated.

More strands fell loose each time I brushed it.

It felt like a scary movie every time I took a shower.

I was crying uncontrollably.
My mother made an effort to remain optimistic.

My father made an effort to be tough.

They were both unable to conceal their fear.

And how was I supposed to feel if they were afraid?

I had decided by Wednesday night.

I had no intention of attending prom.

Easy.

The issue is resolved.

Avoid staring.

Not a whisper.

No sympathy.

Don’t pretend.

I sent Leo a text.You are no longer obligated to attend prom.

Immediately, three dots emerged.

then vanished.

then reappeared.

At last, he gave me a call.

I nearly didn’t respond.”Elena?” he murmured.Yes.”What does that text mean?”It indicates that I won’t be going.”

Silence in advertising.

He then let out a sigh.That isn’t taking place.

I chuckled angrily.”Leo, I look awful.”No, you don’t.You’re telling lies.”I’m not.

I gazed at the wall of my bedroom.People will be staring.Permit them.

“They’ll feel sorry for me.” advertisementPerhaps.I really don’t want that.”

His tone hardened.Elena, you earned your evening.”

I shut my eyes.”No longer.”particularly right now.”

I didn’t respond.”Elena,” he went on. “Just trust me.”

Have faith in him.

It was simple to achieve that.

During the darkest month of my life, Leo had inexplicably become my favorite person.

We had been acquainted for many years.

He was one of those individuals that everyone found endearing.

athletic without being conceited.

popular without being harsh.

attractive without seeming to be aware of it.

The kind of person who helped instructors carry supplies and remembers birthdays.

I thought I was dreaming when he asked me to prom months ago.

He was still here now.

I’m still phoning.

reluctant to go even now.”Please,” he muttered. “Come with me.”

At last, I muttered, “Okay.”

His voice immediately conveyed comfort.”Well.”I told him, “You’re really obstinate.”I am aware.And I’m blaming you if this is terrible.”

He chuckled.I’ll accept the danger.”

I stood in front of my bedroom mirror the following evening.

The emerald dress was still a fantastic fit.

I nearly started crying over that.

I tied a light-colored silk scarf around my head and made five adjustments.

Nothing appeared to be correct.

It didn’t feel right.

I appeared to be someone posing as myself.

My stomach turned as the doorbell rang.

Mom gave me a shoulder squeeze.You appear stunning.

I wasn’t persuaded.

Nevertheless, I nodded.

Leo was standing there with a little corsage as I opened the front door.

He merely gazed for a moment.

His gaze grew softer.Whoa.

I chuckled uneasily.When attempting to avoid offending someone, individuals typically say something like that.I’m being serious.

He extended the corsage.You look fantastic.

I hurriedly glanced down before he could see the tears welling up in my eyes.I’m grateful.

It felt oddly regular to drive to prom.

We discussed educators.

graduation.

companions.

films.

Regarding the reason he wore a hat to prom.

Anything but cancer.

I felt like a normal adolescent again for twenty minutes.

We then arrived at the school’s parking lot.

Reality rushed back.

There were lights all over the gymnasium.

The entrance was filled with the sound of music.

Formal-clad students chuckled and posed for pictures.

students in good health.

typical pupils.

Suddenly, I was out of breath.

advertisement for “Leo.”

He turned to look at me.I’m not capable of doing this.”You can, indeed.No, I doubt I will be able to.

I was already reaching for the door handle with a shaking hand.

He took my hand tenderly.Observe me.

I did.Tonight, you don’t need to impress anyone.”

He spoke in a composed tone.You are not required to perform.

I forcefully gulped.All you need to do is enter.””What if they gaze?”After that, they gaze.”What if they feel sorry for me?”Then that’s their issue.”

I gave a headshake.You’re not understanding.”

His face softened.I believe I do.

I averted my gaze, but his remained fixed.

He gave my hand a squeeze.You remain Elena.

My throat became constricted.This illness doesn’t alter who you are.

I was unable to talk.

He grinned after a little while.Come on.

I followed him in defiance of all my instincts.

I felt regret as soon as we walked into the gym.

It was quieter in the room.

Not quite quiet.

Quieter, that is.

People’s heads turned.

Discussions stopped.

People took notice.

They noticed, of course.

A few appeared depressed.

A few appeared surprised.

When they realized I had caught them watching, a few immediately averted their gaze.

My face was burning.

My desire was to vanish.

I wanted to dash back to the parking lot right away.

The sympathy was worse than I had anticipated.

I felt vulnerable.

brittle.

Broken.

A couple of my buddies came over to give me hugs.

They had good intentions.

I was aware of their good intentions.

In a way, that made things more difficult.

Each hug was a farewell.

I felt diminished by every sympathetic grin.

I was about to go in a matter of seconds.

Leo then gave me a firm squeeze.

Advertising is difficult.

I raised my head.

There was a change in his expression.

concentrated.

resolute.

He seemed to be waiting for something.

The emcee called everyone to the center to dance before I could even process what was going on.”May I have this dance?” Leo extended his hand and asked me, bowing slowly.

I nodded after taking a long breath.

I was determined not to let cancer ruin our evening.

Not right now, in particular.

It seemed as though everything else around us vanished for a little while.

Leo was all I could see. His stunning brown eyes and dimples were fixed on me.Just before the song ended, he gave me a hug and said, “Thank you for coming to the prom with me.”

My heart skipped a beat.

As soon as the music stopped, he began to move toward the stage before I could respond.”Leo?” I inquired.

He remained silent.

He just continued to walk.

People started to notice.

Talking stopped.

The music ceased.

Perplexed, I followed him.

He was immediately lighted by the spotlight next to the stage.

The room became silent.

Everybody was observing.

My heart was racing.

What was going on?

Leo took the stage.

Beneath it, I stood still.

Everyone in the gym appeared to be holding their breath.

Then he lifted his hat and took it off.

The crowd let out a collective gasp.

My eyes got bigger.

He had shaved his entire head.

He had lost all of his brown hair.

I was momentarily unable to comprehend what I was witnessing.

Then suddenly, I was overcome with emotion.

He had completed the task for me.

For me, he had shaved his head.

My eyes immediately flooded with tears.

A number of pupils started to cry.

Instructors appeared astonished.

The principal seemed emotional as well.

Leo gave me a direct look.

Through my tears, the room became blurry.

At that moment, I believed I understood everything.

This seemed like the grand gesture to me.

The romantic surprise.

The lovely act of unity.

I assumed he had shaved his head to make me feel less alone.

Then I noticed something odd.

Leo didn’t appear to be relieved.

He didn’t appear to be feeling anything.

He was staring at the entrance to the gym.

waiting.

He seemed to be observing a clock.

I heard the doors explode open a moment later.

Everybody in the room looked around.

My heart stopped.

Leo’s mom was marching down the middle aisle.

She wasn’t by herself either.

A sealed official envelope was in her palm.

She moved purposefully in the direction of the stage.

directly in our direction.

I noticed the expression in his eyes at that moment.

And all of a sudden understood that his shorn head was more than just a show of solidarity.

It served as a diversion.

A deliberate diversion.

Behind my back, something had been going on.

Something about Leo.

His mom.

And that envelope.

Everything was going to alter because of whatever was within.

I could hardly hear anything since my heart was beating so rapidly.

There was silence across the gym.

Leo’s mother was marching toward the stage with the envelope clenched in her hand, and every parent, teacher, and student was staring at her.

I raised my gaze to Leo.

He continued to watch her come.

Not shocked.

Not perplexed.

waiting.

That’s when I realized.

He had always been aware of whatever was going on.

My stomach fell.”Leo,” I attempted to yell.

He gave me a quick look.

I had never seen anything like that in his eyes.

I hope.

genuine hope.

The kind I hadn’t experienced prior to my illness.

His mother arrived on stage a bit later.

The principal rushed over.”What’s happening?” he inquired.

Leo’s mom gave him a tense smile.Please. Give me two minutes, please.”

The principal appeared perplexed, but he must have been persuaded by something in her expression.

He gave the microphone to her.

There was no sound in the gym.

Leo left the stage and came to stand next to me.

His hand found mine right away.

I gripped it tightly.

Hard.I said, “What is this?”

He gave me a gentle smile.Simply pay attention.

His mom inhaled tremblingly.Diane is my name.

A few gave courteous nods.

She was already well-known to many.

She peered out over the throng.

Her gaze then came upon me.I apologize for disturbing prom, Elena.

There was a small laugh throughout the room.There’s a good reason, I swear.”

She hesitated.I was given a very serious cancer diagnosis many years ago.

The room fell silent once more.

My heart began to race.I was informed that I had few options.

Her voice wavered a little.I was scared.

She gave Leo a quick look.especially considering how little my son was.

Leo bowed his head.

Diane went on after that.I had the good fortune to see one of the top oncology specialists in the nation at that time.

The gym paid close attention.My life was transformed by that doctor.

Leo’s hold on my hand was getting tighter.I have years that I wasn’t sure I would have thanks to the treatments he suggested.

A few educators looked at each other.

Parents bent over.

No one appeared to know where this was headed.

I most definitely didn’t.

Diane then grinned.Leo returned home a few weeks ago after discovering Elena’s condition.

I gasped for air.He was heartbroken.

I gave him a look.

He wouldn’t look me in the eye.I was asked if there was anything we could do.

Her tone became softer.Anything at all.

My eyes were starting to well up with tears.

Diane went on.We began making phone calls that evening.

The gym came to a total stop.We got in touch with old patients.

She gestured to a few of adults seated close to the rear.