If we were in a movie, I would show up to prom in a colorful suit to match my girlfriend’s and twirl around the dance floor with her, ending the last slow dance with a long kiss in her arms – but we’re not. This isn’t High School Musical where everything is perfectly wrapped in a neat little bow. No, I’m imprisoned in my room with this pandemic being my captor, and I’m left wondering if I’m even going to graduate, if I’m going to see my friends again this year.

What has this year even been? I was told to take every day in pieces, to not worry about the little things, but focus on what’s important. This is important though. In the future it might not be, but right now? I’ve looked forward to this since I was little, and it’s been torn away from me like I’m a child who’s done something wrong, and I ask what it was I did, but get no answer.

Who knows though, maybe I wasn’t even going to go anyway. Maybe I just wanted to dream about it. It’s not like my fears would let me go anyway, but I suppose I wanted the opportunity: the ability to dream about a last time with friends, being able to dance with someone I cared about in front of everyone. But now it’s not a hopeful dream, but a foolish wish.

It wouldn’t even be the same anymore. How would I even be able to dance with my friends if I wanted to. I can’t get close to anyone because of all of the restrictions, so what’s the point anymore? I have a unique experience I guess, but I wanted to make my own experiences, not be dropped into one I never wanted.

Had you told me as a child this is how prom would be, I wouldn’t have believed you. I had always dreamed of a seemingly perfect night: one of the last times I get to see everyone I’ve always known before going our separate ways, where everyone is having fun. But I should have known better – nothing is perfect. I guess this is a movie of it’s own, but why is this the ending?