Steffani adjusted the white elbow-length gloves on her arms, careful not to snag the delicate fabric against the limo's leather seats. Her beehive hairdo, a towering masterpiece of hairspray and pins, bobbed slightly as she leaned forward to peer out the tinted window. She looked every bit the prom queen in her sleeveless tank formal gown-the white bodice hugging her figure perfectly, flaring out into a light pink tulle skirt that whispered against her legs with every shift. Beside her sat her date, Alex, handsome in his tux, chatting animatedly with the two other couples crammed into the spacious interior. Laughter filled the air, mixed with the faint pop of a champagne cork someone had snuck in.

But the excitement ground to a halt as the limo slowed, then stopped entirely. Traffic bunched up ahead like a tangled necklace, horns blaring in frustration. Up front, a construction worker stood firm in the chaos, his orange safety vest glowing under the streetlights, paired with a simple blue shirt and worn jeans. In his hands, he gripped a sign that read "STOP" in bold red letters. Two lanes were closed off, cones and barriers funneling cars into a single sluggish stream.

Steffani sighed dramatically, pressing her gloved hand against the window. "This is ridiculous," she muttered. "We're going to be late for prom at this rate. I wish I could do something about it-just wave a wand and make it all go faster."