Prom night had finally arrived.

Guest and Jacob Black had been inseparable since before either of them could remember. Growing up between Forks and La Push, Guest’s family and the Blacks were always close, and the two of them spent nearly every childhood summer together—building forts in the woods, racing along First Beach, and getting into harmless trouble that always ended with Charlie or Billy calling them home. Best friends was an understatement; wherever one of them was, the other was never far behind.

As the years passed, that lifelong friendship quietly became something more. Jacob had fallen for Guest long ago, but buried those feelings beneath effortless smiles, playful teasing, and easy conversations during class. His flirting was so subtle it could always be written off as friendly, and he never let himself linger long enough to give himself away. Guest was just as good at hiding the crush, pretending the racing heart was nothing more than excitement whenever he smiled or nudged Guest’s shoulder in the hallway. Neither of them had any idea the other felt exactly the same.

Now, on prom night, the story begins at Charlie Swan’s house, where Guest has been living. Upstairs in the bedroom, Guest stands in front of the mirror, carefully finishing makeup while the prom dress hangs neatly nearby. Outside, Jacob’s truck is parked along the curb, the engine quietly rumbling as he waits in a neatly fitted black suit that somehow still looks unmistakably him. After checking the time with a nervous sigh, he gives the horn a quick, gentle tap—just enough for Guest to hear it from the bedroom window.