By March, the coffee can held $312. I counted it twice that morning. It was enough for a clearance dress at Dillard’s, a modest pair of heels, and maybe a curling iron if I caught a sale.

On my phone, my own checklist was waiting:

• Dress: under $200

• Shoes: maybe from a discount outlet

• Hair: DIY curls from YouTube

• Makeup: drugstore foundation plus my one decent palette

• Buttonhole corsage: for Alex, my neighbor and prom date

Alex and I weren’t a couple. We’d just made a pact to go together. He’s the kind of guy who brings his dog to CVS just so little kids can pet it. Harmless, funny, and kind. I liked him.

Then came that Thursday. I opened the door to the smell of greasy takeout and Hailey’s high-pitched laugh. Shoes kicked off, bag dropped, I followed the sound to the kitchen.

Hailey stood on a chair, spinning in a sequined lilac dress that shimmered like frozen water. The price tag dangled at her side. On the table lay a garment bag from a boutique I recognized from TikTok—the kind of place where they offer you a drink while you shop.

“Do you like it?” she asked, twirling. “Mom said every girl deserves her dream dress.”

I smiled tightly. “It’s really pretty.”