Looking back, I should have realized he was building something far bigger.
Prom night arrived, and Mason went alone.
No girl had agreed to go with him.
He sat quietly at a corner table in a navy suit, stirring punch while everyone else laughed and danced.
Then I noticed Brielle.
She was the cheerleading captain, the most popular girl in school. Every parent knew her name. Every student followed her online.Cartoons
She leaned toward her friends.
They laughed.
Then she stood and walked straight to Mason.
My chest tightened.
Please, I thought. Let this be real.
Mason looked stunned when she reached his table.
“Hey, Mason,” Brielle said with a bright smile. “Want to dance?”
His eyes widened.
“With me?”
“With you.”
For the first time all night, my son smiled.
They walked to the center of the gym.
As the music played, something made my stomach tighten.
Phones.
Students were recording.
Dozens of them.
I told myself it meant nothing.
Teenagers recorded everything.
But then I saw Brielle’s friends covering their mouths as they laughed.
And I knew.
The music ended.
Brielle stepped back from Mason.
Then she threw her head back and laughed.
The smile vanished from my son’s face.
“What’s funny?” he asked softly.
“Oh my God,” Brielle said loudly enough for everyone. “Did you seriously think I wanted to dance with you?”
The room exploded with laughter.
“I lost a bet,” she said. “Dancing with you was my punishment.”
The words landed like a blow.
Students laughed.
Phones stayed up.
My son stood frozen as the entire gym watched him.
I pushed through the crowd.
“Mason, we’re leaving.”
But he shook his head.
“No, Mom. I just need five minutes.”
Something had changed in his eyes.
Not sadness.
Not defeat.
Direction.
Then he walked toward the DJ booth.
A black USB drive in his hand.
The music cut off.
Silence filled the gym.
