It's prom night. Claire is the valedictorian of her class. She is wearing a fabulous purple dress that cost over a thousand dollars. Her date is a man named Donny Cahil. She calls him Don. The only reason she's with him is because she's afraid of what will happen if she doesn't have a date for the prom. She has something of a reputation in her school, namely the fact that she's a loner. It's not her fault: she just doesn't like a lot of people in her class. They're always smoking behind the department store and getting into trouble.

In any case, she made a decent choice when she decided to go after Don. He's the most attractive student in the graduating class, so at the very least she didn't get stuck with some loser. Unfortunately, she has to dump him tonight. She doesn't love him. He seems to like her just fine, but Claire suspects that he's only interested in one thing. He has to go. Claire feels really shitty about it, but that's just the way it is. As they slow-dance in the dark auditorium, he smiles down at her.

"You look beautiful."

Claire gives a bitter laugh.

"Yeah, three hours of makeup will do that to you."

He lifts her chin with his index finger.

"Hey. I love you."

Claire gives him a fake smile.

"That's nice."

Don looks put off. He soon forgets it as they make their way to the edge of the crowd. They send a few silver balloons into the air as they dance.

"You're really good at this," he says warmly, "You have natural rhythm."

Claire nods.

"Yeah . . . Can I ask you something?"

Don smiles.

"Sure."

"Where do you see this going? Our relationship, I mean."

He chuckles and puts his chin on her head.

"Wherever we want it to go."

Claire exhales nervously.

"Well, it's going to be hard to keep in touch when we go to different universities . . ."

"We can write letters. Plus, we'll both be home for Christmas. We can hang out then."

Claire feels her stomach twist.

"I don't know if that will be possible."

Don takes her hand.

"Claire, I will do everything I can to make it possible."

Claire doesn't know what to say. She looks around for an excuse to leave. Lo and behold, her family is waiting by the door. She waves at them and turns to Don.

"I'm gonna go catch up with my sister. Don't go anywhere, okay? I have something really important to tell you."

Don leans in for a kiss, but Claire is already gone. She lifts her dress as she runs over to Karen, and they share a hug.

"Claire! Oh my god! You look beautiful. You're just like a princess . . . Sorry, like a queen."

Claire smiles.

"You look awesome, too."

"Do you wanna get some punch?"

"Sure."

They make their way over to the snack table and fill two glasses. On the way to the benches that line the auditorium, Claire purposefully avoids making eye contact with Don. She sits down with Karen, and they watch everyone dance beneath the blue light that the disco ball is reflecting.

"Your date looks nice," Karen remarks.

Claire rubs her arm guiltily. She fiddles with her corsage and sighs.

"I feel bad for leaving him, but . . . Oh, god. He's gonna be so crushed when I end it."

Karen puts her hand over Claire's.

"It's okay, Claire."

She shakes her head.

"No, it isn't. Everyone's gonna think I'm a bitch."

Karen smiles.

"It's only high school. When you go to uni, you can make yourself a whole new identity."

Claire nods slowly.

"That . . . actually makes sense. Yeah, I think that could work."

Karen kicks away a balloon with the side of her foot.

"You can be Claire Dearing: Marine Biologist Extraordinaire. You'll work with whales and sharks and . . . starfish . . . um . . . coral . . ."

Claire smiles.

"I'm not aiming for a hands-on job, Karen. I want something comfortable. I want to be able to sit behind a microscope and do some good from afar. That way, people will know who I am, but I don't have to put myself at risk."

Karen bites her lip.

"Claire, I'm a little worried about you. You can't spend your whole life away from people."

"There will be plenty of people," Claire reassures her.

"I know, I know. It's just . . . Well, you're going to be so far away from home. I'm really gonna miss you."

Claire puts her arm around her shoulder.

"Me too, but you shouldn't worry. We'll see each other over Christmas break . . ."

Karen takes a shaky breath.

"Mom says that when we grow up, we may only have each other. Are we still gonna be sisters when you're gone?"

Claire laughs.

"Karen, don't believe everything you see in made-for-television movies. Being far away from your family and working a lot doesn't necessarily mean that you'll grow apart from them. If a person is intelligent enough, they can balance every aspect of their lives."

Karen gives a weak smile as tears slip down her cheeks.

"If anyone can do it, it's you, Claire."

They share a hug. Claire closes her eyes tight, fighting her own tears.

"Karen, I promise that we'll always be sisters. We'll look out for each other, and nothing will come between us."

Karen wipes her nose.

"Are you embarrassed by me?"

Claire frowns.

"Why would I be embarrassed by you?"

Karen sniffles.

"I always say the wrong thing. I'm putting my foot in my mouth constantly. I'm so awkward . . ."

Claire shrugs.

"Only when you're out of your element."

Karen sighs.

"God, Claire. I wish I was like you. You're never afraid."

Claire notices Don weaving through the crowd. He's looking for her.

"There are plenty of things that scare me."