Frozen Prom – Chapter 1

I didn’t want to go to prom but my mom kept trying to convince me otherwise. She kept saying that it was my last ever prom before I graduate and go off to university and that I should take one last chance to enjoy it. I finally caved in when my only two friends said that they were going. Normally we’d spend the evening together, playing video games, watching movies, and eating junk food. Now I’m stood in front of my bedroom mirror wearing a suit. I’m kind of surprised by how good I look. I mean, it’s not as if I don’t workout, but normally I wear old jeans and hoodies. I give myself one last look over before heading downstairs.

“Oh wow! You look so handsome.” My mom gushes, pulling me into a hug. “Oh gosh. Wait here a second. I’ve got something for you.” She turns and bustles off into the living room, returning a few moments later with something in her hand.

“Here, wear this. It was your grandfather’s favourite.” She says, handing me a wristwatch. “He always told me he got it during the war and that it saved his life. Don’t ask me how though.”

“Thanks. My friends are here now so I best get going.” I say, pocketing the watch and giving her a hug before going out to the waiting car.

–

The prom is at the school’s main hall and it’s exactly how I imagined it. The cheer squad have spent the day decorating the hall with brightly coloured balloons, banners, and streamers. A large disco ball is hanging in the middle of the room and multicoloured lights bounce around the room. The music is loud it’s like a deafening wall as soon as I enter, completely drowning out the voices of my friends. I grab a glass of punch from a table by the door and make my way towards an empty table lined along the walls. I sit down and the music suddenly stops.

“Hello everyone. Welcome to prom!” I look around and see the headmistress, Miss Atwall stood on the stage, a microphone in her hand. “I hope everyone has a great night.” She begins going into a long speech but I zone out, more interested with the watch my mom had given me. It’s nothing special, just a simple clockface in a silver case with worn black leather straps. I slip it on my wrist and begin fiddling with the dials on the side, trying to get the time set properly.

–

When I look back up something is wrong. Miss Atwall is still stood on the stage but is no longer moving. I look around the room and everyone else is the same, not a single person is moving. That’s when I notice the candle in the middle of the table. Just moments before it had been flickering and stuttering in its holder, but now it is perfectly still. I look down at the watch on my wrist and seen it has changed.