Judy looks at her reflection in the mirror near the dressing room stall. She smiles and nods her head. She agrees. The color is stunning. It sets off her skin and hair color.
"Yeah, you're right. I love it." she said thinking about John's reaction to seeing her in a formal dress. "Now, about that emerald dress for you. You better get it or I'll never forgive you."
"Maybe. We still have a week before the Prom. I can keep looking around."
"No. We've been to every store in town. It's the best. Now, tell me. What's wrong with it?"
Deanna does not reply. An embarassed look crosses her face.
"I get it. It's too expensive. Well, I'm your best friend and I'll help with that. Now, go get it and we'll buy both of them together."
Deanna gives Judy one of her big hugs and fights back tears of gratitude. They had been friends since kindergarten and Judy had always been there for Deanna through the thick and thin of her life as a foster child.
They giggle as the cashier hangs a plastic wrap over each dress. As they stroll out of the store into the mall courtyard, they share dreams of the big night at the Senior Prom.
The sound of bullets discharging from Billy's automatic rifle echoes through the courtyard. Pandemonium and chaos reign.
Judy feels a searing pain in her back and collapses. Deanna screams when a bullet pierces her right thigh and falls next to Judy. Deanna reaches out to Judy and gently brushes aside her blonde hair. She touches Judy's cheek and slowly loses consciousness.