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Lucas was raised by his grandmother, Doris, from the moment he came home from the hospital. His mother passed away shortly after giving birth, and his father never entered the picture. From the beginning, Doris became everything—guardian, teacher, comforter, and steady presence. She worked long nights as a school janitor to keep their small home running, then spent her mornings making pancakes, reading worn books aloud, and reminding Lucas that he mattered. She never treated him like a burden, even when money was tight or life felt overwhelming. To Lucas, she wasn’t just family; she was his entire world, built on quiet sacrifices and unconditional love.
At school, however, Lucas learned to keep that world hidden. Once classmates realized that his grandmother cleaned the same hallways they walked every day, whispers and jokes followed. He endured cruel nicknames and small humiliations in silence, never telling Doris, because the idea of her feeling ashamed hurt more than the teasing ever could. He focused on graduating and starting fresh, holding on to the friendship he shared with Sasha—someone who understood what it meant to grow up without comfort or privilege. When prom season arrived, Lucas avoided the topic, knowing his choice would surprise everyone. Still, deep down, he already knew who he wanted beside him that night.
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