Principal: In fact, over ninety percent of the senior class submitted the exact same two names on their phones via the student portal!
The crowd began chanting in unison, clapping their hands to a steady beat.
Crowd: MAYA! JULIAN! MAYA! JULIAN!
Beth: No! No, this is rigged! My mom arranged the trust fund for the new auditorium! I was guaranteed the crown!
Principal: It is my absolute honor to introduce your Senior Prom King and Queen... Julian Vance and Maya Lin!
The gymnasium exploded into deafening shouts and applause. Confetti cannons placed at the corners of the stage fired, showering the room in glittering silver paper.
Maya: King and Queen? Me?
Julian: You heard the man, My Queen. Let's go get your crown.
Julian guided Maya toward the stage, her high-tech prosthetics stepping smoothly over the wooden floor. The principal stepped down from the platform, walking straight toward them to hand Julian the golden crowns.
Principal: You showed incredible heart tonight, Maya. Your courage inspires this entire school.
Maya: Thank you, Principal Davis. I... I don't even know what to say.
Julian took the glittering tiara and gently placed it onto Maya's head, adjusting her soft curls around the metal band.
Julian: Fits perfectly.
Maya stood tall, holding the royal sash against her blue dress. She looked across the cheering crowd, her eyes finally landing on Beth and Chloe, who were standing alone near the punch bowl, completely abandoned by their friends.
Maya signaled to Julian, pointing toward the edge of the floor.
Maya: Walk with me over there for a second.
Julian: Anything you want, Queen Maya.
They walked side by side toward the two girls in sequined dresses. Beth backed away slightly, her face red with burning anger and deep embarrassment.
Beth: What do you want, Maya? To rub your pity-crown in my face?
Maya stopped right in front of Beth, standing tall on her steel prosthetics, looking down with complete calm and confidence.
Maya: You know, Beth, when I came in here tonight, I thought being in a wheelchair was the most embarrassing thing in the world.
Beth gripped her velvet purse so hard her knuckles turned white.
Beth: It is embarrassing! You're broken!
Maya: No. I lost my legs, but I kept my soul. But watching you throw a temper tantrum because you didn't get a plastic crown... I realized something.
Beth: Realized what?
Maya: Being sitting in a chair wasn't the most embarrassing thing in this room... it was your personality, Beth.