The excitement of attending prom builds as Tami and Enzo step into the lobby of the school gym. Tami looks around, feeling as beautiful and special as a monarch arriving at a royal ball.
Enzo: You’re the best-looking girl here tonight.
Tambara: You haven’t even seen everyone yet. But thanks. You look good, too.
They push through the gym doors. Tambara stops, wide-eyed.
Tambara: Wait—is this the gym? No way.
Enzo: The decorating team went all out.
Tambara: It’s giving Bridgerton from Temu.
Enzo: *chuckles* Yeah.
Tami scans the space, prioritizing her next move. The prom royalty voting booth is near the door, so that’s her first stop. She studies the list of nominees, frustrated that she didn’t nominate herself. She belongs on that stage with a crown on her head.
But tonight, she’ll have to be royalty without it because of that slip-up.
Tambara: *sighs* I’ll vote for Kisha.
Enzo places his vote afterward. Tami is pretty sure he voted for his sister as well.
Next stop: the photography area. Tami figures it’s smart to take pictures first, before they get sweaty on the dance floor.
Desi walks over to greet them after they’ve taken their pictures.
Desiree: Hey Tami! Your dress – I’m obsessed. You look so pretty.
Tambara: Thank you! You look amazing too. Purple is definitely your color.
Desiree: We need a pic together.
Tambara: Yeah, let’s do it. Besties on three. One, two, three…
Tambara and Desiree: *together* Besties!
Tami and Desi chat for a while before Enzo interrupts, reaching for Tami’s hand.
Enzo: Want to dance?
He sweeps Tami onto the dance floor, and Tami panics for just a moment. She’s never danced with a boy before. Sure, she’s practiced a little in the mirror, but that was alone with an invisible boy. Definitely not in a room full of teenagers waiting for a slip-up and a chance to laugh at someone. She wishes she had asked her mom or dad for tips.
She awkwardly places her hands near Enzo’s waist, wondering if that’s how it’s supposed to go. At least she’s familiar with the song. It’s “Save Your Tears” by The Weeknd, a steady beat that’s not too fast or too slow.
♪I saw you dancing in a crowded room / You look so happy when I’m not with you…♫
The lyrics bounce around the room, drawing a few more people to the dance floor. Just enough to hide some of Tami’s unsteady steps. Enzo confidently adjusts their hand placement as if he’s done this a million times and guides her into a rhythm that matches the music.
She looks into his eyes and focuses on him, letting everyone else fade away. Her chest stirs as he smiles and pulls her a little closer.
Next, the DJ plays a fast dance track, and Tami gathers her friends, Kisha and Desi, for a popular line dance they picked up from SimTube. They move in sync, hitting each step like they’ve done it a dozen times.
The party is alive and the dance floor is packed when Principal Tanaka steps up to announce the start of the prom ceremony.
Since her name isn’t on the nominee list, Tami doesn’t pay much attention. She uses the break to grab food from the buffet. Desi and Enzo join her at a table near the stage.
Principal Tanaka announces the winners of the prom court, and the results aren’t surprising. Kisha wins prom royalty, just as expected. Tami doesn’t even care who won prom jester.
Kisha is her friend, but Tami isn’t really in the mood to celebrate. Her feet hurt, and she’s just about ready for prom to be over.
But Freya has other plans. She slides into the empty seat at the table.
Freya: The afterparty’s at the pier. Y’all coming?
That’s something Tami would rather not miss. An afterparty means stretching this moment of freedom a little longer with her friends. Enzo seals the deal when he pulls her aside for a quiet moment, practically begging her to come with them as he wraps her in a warm embrace.
When they arrive, a few couples scatter, looking for privacy. That includes Enzo and Tami, after Enzo suggests they ride the Cuddle Carts. The ride is popular among couples at school, and Tami has heard what usually goes on inside. It’s romantic and cozy—the perfect spot for cuddling, kissing, and sometimes more.
Tami’s stomach flips as they approach the ride and slip into a cart. She shifts in her seat, full of expectation and nerves, hyper-aware of Enzo sitting next to her, his leg warm against hers.
She’s pretty sure Enzo is interested in more than just a cute ride through a tunnel filled with love suggestions. He makes that clear when he places his arm around her back and leans in close with his eyes closed.
Tami closes her own eyes and meets him halfway. Their lips meet, completing their first kiss. It’s short and sweet. She pulls back, glad it’s too dark for him to see her flushed cheeks. That’s when the ride ends.
As they step out, Enzo has another suggestion.
Enzo: There’s a photo booth across the way. We can have some privacy there.
Tambara: More privacy?
Wasn’t the ride enough? Tami isn’t naïve. She’s heard the stories—what couples say about prom night and what sometimes happens. The pier is known for it, with couples sneaking off wherever they can. That includes the photo booth and the Ferris wheel.
Tami feels grown up being alone with Enzo for the first time. The kiss was pleasant, but she’s curious about what’s behind door number two. So she lets him lead her to the photo booth.
She and Enzo pose for a few photos, but a cute peck on the cheek turns into more when Enzo’s lips slide to her neck. The sensation shocks Tami, but she softens under the warmth of his lips.
Sitting on his lap, she turns and meets his mouth with hers. Their kisses are much more intimate than the one in the Cuddle Cart. Enzo takes this as permission, and his hands begin to explore, moving down her legs.
Tami has wondered what it would feel like to be touched this way for a long time, but this doesn’t feel like the place where it should happen. It’s dark and cramped, and she keeps banging her knee every time she tries to move.
Enzo’s hand finds the hem of her dress and pulls it upward. An alert goes off in Tami’s head. This is no longer fun. She feels suffocated and too warm. She wants out.
Tambara: No, stop.
Enzo doesn’t stop right away. Her dress rises past her knees. Tami pushes his hand away and pulls her dress back down, banging her head hard against the photo booth wall.
Tambara: Stop. I want to get out.
Enzo: But this is what everyone does.
Tambara: Not me.
Enzo practically pushes Tami off his lap and steps out of the booth, clearly upset about being turned down.
Enzo: Is this about your dad’s dumb ass rules?
Tambara: No. It’s about me not doing this with you in a crusty photo booth.
Enzo: You knew what this was. Why’d you even agree?
Enzo pulls out his phone like punctuation. Tami zooms in on his tone.
Tambara: I turned you down because you’re not worthy.
Enzo: Really? You seriously don’t know who I am? I’m the top recruit in the country. I’m gonna be rich one day. You get with me, and you’ll have whatever you want.
Tami stares at Enzo like he’s speaking another language. Is he really trying to buy her? She almost can’t believe it.
Tambara: Good for you. You’ll be running your ass off for that money. But guess what—I’m already rich. You’ll never have anything I can’t buy for myself.
Tami doesn’t wait for a response before walking away, leaving Enzo right where he’s standing. Her dad was right—she’s above all this. And Enzo is no prince.
She makes a beeline for his sister Kisha, who’s standing several yards away.
Tambara: Your brother was trying to do way too much in a photo booth. He really thought.
Tami’s looking for sympathy, but she quickly realizes she’s turned to the wrong person.
Kisha: And you turned him down? Isn’t that what prom night is for?
Tambara: Really, Kish? In a crusty ass photo booth? Maybe in your world, but definitely not in mine.
It’s time to go. Tami pulls out her phone and calls herself an S-Uber. She’s done with both of the Grant siblings for the night.
She walks over to Desi—her safe place. She relays the story and gets the reaction she was hoping for.
Tambara: Can you believe this dude? Straight clown behavior.
Desiree: You should’ve kicked him down below.
Tambara: Right? See, that’s why you’re my favorite person.
Tami gives Desi a big hug good night, just as her S-Uber driver pulls up.
(Generation 4 Chapter Summaries)
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