teen dream queen and her high school courtiers

Date: 6/4/2025

I arrived to the field with time to spare and took my place at the table. My dress shifted uncomfortably beneath me, the satin-y fabric sliding against my legs. Students milled about looking for their name cards in the minutes leading up to show time. I scanned the expansive venue, which stretched out across the length of the football field. The tables were not placed parallel alongside one another, but weaved in an endless maze-like structure. Everyone was busy conversing with one another. I tried to meet eyes with some passersby, hoping one of them would be my table-mate, but they all averted their gaze awkwardly. After about half an hour, the stadium lights overhead dimmed, and the tapered candles at each centerpiece illuminated—seemingly of their own accord. In a single graceful motion, a group of girls approached from behind and took their seats on either side of me. The last girl stood for a moment longer, scanning the others seated before her, before turning her eyes on me. She looked me over coldly, “You’re wearing the same dress as me. Please change it.” I froze for a moment, unsure of what to say, before stammering out “Uh, yours is really more of an olive green. Mine is sage. And yours has more ruffles.” Some of the other girls gasped under their breaths, but dared not speak. They only shared alarmed glances, their postures stiffening as they held fans to their faces. “Fine.” The girl replied at last. “But you should at least wear a petticoat underneath your skirt. Your figure is sickly-looking as it is. Lucky for you this is only the rehearsal. Be sure to have one tomorrow.” She slid regally into her chair, which stood about a foot taller than the rest, and her golden- blonde ringlets danced at her shoulder. It dawned on me who I was speaking to, but I did not straighten my back as the others did. Rather, I clumsily scooted my chair forward and fixed my eyes on the parchment dinner menu in front of me, trying to ignore the judgmental eyes peeking at me from overtop the shimmery fans.