By the time prom season arrived at Westbridge International School, the entire campus seemed to be breathing in one collective rhythm, louder, shinier, more desperate than usual as if exams, projects, and practical submissions had all been momentarily shoved aside to make room for dresses, tuxedos, rumors, invitations, and the fragile social hierarchy that suddenly became even more vicious when filtered through the promise of one glamorous night.

The corridors changed first. Girls walked around with their phones open to makeup looks and hairstyle references. Boys who had never taken anything seriously now spoke in obnoxiously low voices about cars, after-parties, and which girl was “worth asking.” Even the teachers looked tired of it all, although no one bothered trying to stop the frenzy, because in a school like Westbridge, events like prom were not really school functions - they were performances, and everyone knew it.