Prom Perfect
A Vignette
By Maryanne Peters

It was just like Mom said it would be. There they are, both in blue, Stacey and Nell – the mean girls in our school, laughing at Riley in his dress. They didn’t even notice me – the tall girl with her long fair hair pinned up and wearing a low cut crimson dress. They might not know me, but I was just another pretty girl at the prom. It was just like Mom said – “a boy in drag will be laughed at, but if you look like a girl then nobody will laugh even if they recognize it is you, Logan.”

That’s right, the girl in red hanging off the arm of Justin Hall, is not a girl at all. That is me.

Riley and I got into serious trouble in the weeks leading up to the prom, and Principal Jones told us that we would not be allowed to attend, and that was only part of the punishment. It was just that the girls we had humiliated went to him and suggested that we could be allowed to if we seriously presented ourselves as women. Principal Jones made that an order – if you want to graduate turn up to the prom in a ball gown!

And no half efforts either. Principal Jones would be looking out for us, and he would be judging if we had tru-ly got in touch with our feminine side. Stacey and Nell would be watching too, and ready to pick holes in our get up. The shoe was on the other foot on prom night and if they could use it to kick us, then they would.

I was almost wishing that Riley would not come over. If he did, they might suddenly realize that Justin’s girl was Logan Giles in a dress. But I had to be there for him.

Justin stepped in front to save me, saying – “I think you look pretty passable Riley, but it looks like your pal Logan did not turn up to take his punishment.”

Riley smiled knowingly. He did not even look at me. He just walked past teetering on his high heels, said something like – “Thanks Justin. I hope you and your girl have a great night.”

I looked across at Justin and he was looking at me. It was a moment. I just did not want the spell to end.

I could see principal Jones looking for somebody and I could guess who that was. I thought I had better go over and make myself known to him, but I steered Justin in his direction. We Justin walked right up to him but the principal was still looking over my shoulder. There is nothing like a boyfriend to keep a girl looking more like a girl.

I had to say – “Principal Jones, It’s me Logan Giles.”

“Oh my God! How can that be, the poise … and the hair. How did you do that?”

“It’s my hair at the back, Sir, but the curls on top are not.”

“It’s quite … beautiful,” he said. “You’re quite beautiful. Don’t you agree Justin?”

“I wouldn’t have asked her to be my date if I didn’t think that,”said Justin. Those words made me almost explode with joy – especially his referring to me as ‘she’.

“Please don’t let on, Sir,” Justin asked the principal. “Lo is just enjoying being incognito for the time being. Not that she is ashamed of who she is, but I just want her to enjoy being the person she wants to be.”

Principal Jones nodded, still with a look of disbelief on his face and walked away.

“What did you mean by that?” I asked Justin. “Who is the person you think I want to be?”

“Come on, Lo,” he said. After the break we are headed to college. You can be whoever you want to be, but I want you to be who you are tonight. I want you to be Loren … always.”

“I’m having a wonderful time being her, but what you are talking about is a big call. I’m not sure that I am ready.” I wasn’t – not then.

But those graduation proms are events that mark major transitions for so many. For many young women in particular, they mark the beginning of maturity and an new understanding of the power of sex. It was no different for me that night, although I was not a woman … at that moment. That happened later. Justin ce-mented my femininity that night.

It was perfect.

The End

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© Maryanne Peters 2025