Vivian tried to recover. “Well, I mean—he probably just made that up…”

But no one was listening anymore.

Emma stood tall now. Her cheeks were still pink, but her eyes sparkled with something new: pride.

The rest of the evening shifted.

The same girl who was mocked was now the one everyone wanted to talk to.

Chelsea nervously approached. “Hey, um, Emma? Your necklace is really pretty…”

Emma smiled softly. “Thanks. My mom made my dress too.”

“She’s… amazing.”

Vivian sulked near the patio, watching the tide turn.