Daisy just laughed and told her not to worry, saying she’d be with the whole group. Eleanor nodded, but the feeling wouldn’t leave her. The rest of the day passed in a blur of chores. Daisy helped her mom clean the house before heading upstairs to pick out her outfit.
After trying on several things, she settled on a simple pair of light jeans and a white t-shirt. She checked her reflection, adjusted the silver cross around her neck, and felt ready. By dusk, Andrew was home from work, tired but happy. The whole family sat down for a dinner of fresh rolls and roast chicken.
Andrew asked Daisy about her latest designs, and she described a floor-length gown she wanted to make for prom. After dinner, she packed a small overnight bag with her makeup and a change of clothes. She took one last look in the mirror, put on some lip gloss, and headed for the door.
She hugged her mom and promised to be back the next morning. Sarah kissed her forehead and told her to call when she got there. Eleanor watched her go with a heavy heart, holding her granddaughter a little longer than usual, whispering for her to stay safe.
Daisy waved goodbye and started down the familiar road. The sky was turning pink and orange, and she felt lighthearted. When she got to Katie’s, the party was already in full swing. Katie loved the handmade makeup bag Daisy had sewn and painted for her.
The party was in the backyard under a string of lights. They danced to music, ate burgers, and talked about the future. Daisy told everyone about her dream of going to Parsons in New York. Her friends all believed she’d make it. They knew she had the talent.
The night went by fast. The stars were out, and the group was playing games around the fire. But around 11:00 PM, Daisy got a sudden urge to go home. She remembered she hadn’t finished a sketch she wanted to show her dad, and she felt like she’d rather sleep in her own bed.
She apologized to Katie and decided to skip the sleepover. Katie told her to be careful on the dark roads. Daisy said goodbye and stepped out of the light of the party into the darkness of the neighborhood. The streetlights were few and far between, and the night air was cool.
