Everyone laughed when I walked into prom holding my boyfriend’s hand because of his height. One girl even asked if I’d brought my “little brother.” I was ready to leave in tears — until our math teacher stopped the music, called us onstage, and revealed a truth that left the entire room speechless.The laughter and teasing started the second my boyfriend, Elliot, and I walked through the gym doors.”Oh my God,” someone snorted near the punch table. “Did she seriously bring her little brother to prom?”A few people laughed immediately.Another voice shouted louder, wanting attention.”Looks like one and a half people showed up tonight!”More laughter. I knew then it was going to be a long night, but I had no idea just how crazy it would get.

I felt Elliot’s hand tighten around mine for half a second before he relaxed it again.”Don’t look at them,” he whispered calmly.But it was impossible not to.Girls covered their mouths while giggling. Boys elbowed each other and stared openly. Some people even pulled out their phones.And the worst part?None of this was new anymore.Some people even pulled out their phones.Two years earlier, Elliot had transferred to our school midway through sophomore year. I still remembered the way the classroom had gone quiet when he walked in behind the principal for the first time.He had achondroplasia. Dwarfism. He was short enough that people noticed before they noticed anything else about him, like his smile, his wicked sense of humor, or how smart he was.Our teacher had introduced him like any other student, but by lunch, the jokes had already started.