This story carries a touching message about true friendship and the lengths we go to support those we care about. I really appreciated how you portrayed the bond between Saleena and her friends, showing the effort they put in to lift her spirits despite financial constraints. The way they stood up to Rubab's arrogance, not through confrontation but by uplifting Saleena, was both heartwarming and inspiring.
I also loved how the friends made sacrifices and showed persistence to ensure that Saleena could feel confident and proud at the event. It emphasizes that small acts of kindness can have a huge impact, especially when someone is feeling marginalized.
One suggestion I have is to add more depth to Saleena's emotions when she received the dress. Perhaps describing her initial surprise, hesitation, and how her demeanor changed after realizing the support her friends were giving her could make the emotional connection even stronger for readers. This would help emphasize how impactful their gesture was to her.
Great work on showing how kindness can outweigh arrogance and that even the smallest acts of compassion can have a big effect!