Maya: My hands are shaking so bad, Julian.
Julian: Take a deep breath. Focus on me, not the room.
Beth crossed her arms, rolling her eyes as she tapped her designer heel against the floor.
Beth: What is he doing? Trying to lift her up? This is turning into a total circus!
Chloe: Let him try. She's going to fall right on her face, and it's all going to be caught on camera.
Julian: Ignore them, Maya. Ready on three?
Maya: One... two...
Maya reached down under the heavy layers of her blue silk gown. She reached for the side latches of her custom carbon-fiber brace system, snapping them firmly into place with two loud clicks.
Julian: Three!
Julian gripped her waist firmly, supporting her weight as Maya leaned forward. Her facial expression changed from sheer panic to intense determination.
With a slow, agonizing effort, Maya planted her feet onto the hardwood floor. A metallic click echoed through the quiet room as her high-tech prosthetic legs locked into a standing position.
The entire ballroom fell completely silent. Dozens of students stood frozen, staring in absolute disbelief.
Beth: What... what is that?
Chloe: Are those... metal legs?
Focus shifted down to her feet. Protruding from beneath the hem of her blue dress were sleek, futuristic prosthetic legs, painted in matte black steel and fitted with custom glittering sneakers.
Maya: I'm... I'm standing.
Julian: I told you you could do it.
Maya: I haven't stood up in front of people in over eight months!
Julian: Well, you're standing now. And you look taller than Beth.
A soft giggle escaped Maya's lips, wiping away the memory of her tears.
Beth: This is ridiculous! She's using robot legs! That's not real dancing!
Julian: Beth, why don't you shut your mouth before I ask my father to look into your family's country club membership fees?
Beth went pale, her lips pressing into a tight, bitter line.
Maya: Julian, I can't move very fast. The balance is tricky.
Julian: We don't need to move fast. We just need to take the first step.
Julian gently wrapped his arm around her waist, taking her right hand in his. He stepped back slowly, guiding her forward.
The heavy rubber sole of Maya's sneaker pressed firmly into the hardwood floor. A rhythmic, sharp clack echoed through the gym as her prosthetic leg stepped forward.
Someone in the back of the crowd started clapping. Then another person joined in. Within seconds, a wave of rhythmic applause spread across the entire ballroom.
Julian: Hear that, Maya? They're not laughing at you.
Maya: They're... they're cheering for me?