I thought we were in love.

That’s what I thought the night of prom. When she gave me that bracelet, when we danced all night, when we planned to go to a hotel after. But I was just fooled. Because when I left her alone for a second, she danced with him. And by the time I found them, they were staring into each others eyes. And I could feel my heart being ripped out when Aiden declared that he loved her.

I just wanted her to decide. I hated this little game I was caught up in. I hated them together. I just wanted it to end.

But I didn’t get my answer. Because I heard someone shout “GUN!”. And before I knew it, I was huddling on the ground.

That’s the last thing I remember before I woke up in a hospital bed. Bright lights were shining on me and I squinted to see the room around me. My dad and mom were sitting at my bedside.

I was so exhausted, angry, and heartbroken. I could barely even talk. But I was curious. Did my parents know anything about who got shot? Did I get shot? Where’s Ashley? Is she with Aiden? I had so many questions that needed to be answered.

“Wh-What happened?” I asked.

“There was a shooting at your prom.” My dad answered. “Fortunately, a bullet only grazed your arm.”

“Where’s Glen? Clay?”

My mother looked at my father and started sobbing uncontrollably. He wrapped his arms around her and looked at me with tears streaming down his own face.

“Glen is fine….but Clay. He didn’t make it” And then my own father burst into tears. I was too shocked to say anything. I couldn’t think. I could barely breathe.

And then I saw them.

In the room across the hall, Aiden was laying in bed, wide awake with a cast on his arm. Ashley was sitting beside his bed, holding his hand, and sitting up to kiss him.

My heart literally shattered on the floor. I choked on my words, I couldn’t breathe. I was disgusted. And hurt to the point where I felt living was a waste of time.

Then everything went black.