Spring Excitement

River flipped her wavy blonde hair over her shoulder as she walked down the hallway. The colorful murals of dragons and castles seemed to smile at her as she passed. Her best friends Emma and Sophia hurried to catch up.

"River, did you hear?" Emma squealed. "They announced prom today!"

River's brown eyes sparkled. She had been waiting for this moment all year. At fifteen, she was the most popular girl in school, and everyone expected her to have the perfect prom night.

"Obviously I'll be prom queen," River said with her charming smile. "The question is, which boy will be lucky enough to take me?"

As if summoned by her words, Jake appeared around the corner. His messy blonde hair caught the light from the windows, and his perfect white teeth gleamed as he grinned at her.

"Hey River," Jake said, leaning against a locker. "Prom's coming up. Want to go with me?"

River felt her heart flutter. Jake was everything she wanted - popular, handsome, and admired by everyone.

The Silver Gift

"Yes!" River squealed, throwing her arms around Jake's neck. "I thought you'd never ask!"

Jake's grin widened as other students stopped to watch. River felt like she was floating as whispers spread through the hallway.

"We'll be the perfect prom king and queen," Jake said, his voice carrying to the gathering crowd.

Emma and Sophia rushed over, practically bouncing with excitement. "This is so amazing!" Emma gushed.

River spent her lunch break browsing her phone, looking at expensive boutiques downtown. She wanted the perfect dress for Jake. Her fingers scrolled through silk gowns and sparkling jewelry until she found it—a silver watch that would match his eyes perfectly.

After school, River walked to the jewelry store three blocks away. The elderly shopkeeper, Mrs. Chen, smiled warmly as River pointed to the watch in the display case.

"For someone special?" Mrs. Chen asked, her kind eyes twinkling.

"My prom date," River said proudly, counting out her babysitting money.

As she walked back toward school with the wrapped gift, River spotted Jake by the water fountain. Her heart skipped—until she saw him kissing another girl.

River's world shattered.