I Had to Skip My Prom Because My Stepmom Stole the Money I’d Saved for My Dress – On the Morning of Prom, a Red SUV Rolled up to My House
In a small Michigan town where secrets spread fast, I, a 17-year-old senior, saved $312 for a prom dress, stashing tips from my CVS job and babysitting in a coffee can. My stepmom, Linda, stole it for her daughter Hailey’s dress “‘for the family’” and bills, dismissing my prom dreams as impractical. Heartbroken, I planned to skip prom, despite my pact with my neighbor Alex.
The morning of prom, my Aunt Carla arrived in her red SUV. She’d heard about my situation from Dad and took me to a tailor, where I tried on her vintage blue chiffon dress, updated to fit perfectly. At a donut shop, she styled my hair and applied makeup, whispering that Mom, who died when I was 12, would’ve loved my look.
Back home, Carla confronted Linda about the stolen money, revealing the boutique receipt. Dad, ashamed, promised to make it right. Linda returned my money but left angrily, while Hailey stayed for prom, apologizing. At prom, Alex gave me a star-charmed bracelet, and Hailey and I bonded, taking a photo captioned “Stepsisters, not stepmonsters.” Dad later repaid the tailor and secured my savings. Linda moved out, and Dad filed for separation, clearing the air. A note from Carla read, “Your mom would be proud,” with a star sticker, echoing Mom’s wish for my life’s sparkle.
