What would you do in this situation?

If you REALLY don't want to go to the prom than don't go. Everything happens for a reason. Personally, I don't think your mom has the right to buy you off like that, because if she does it once (and you let her do it), there is nothing that's going to stop her from doing it again. You can always get the camera in a latter date, who knows maybe they'll come out with an even better model for the same (or less amount of money). Proms and stuff like that don't really appeal to me either, but ask yourself this, is this material possession really worth doing something you hate and are not going to enjoy? Remember to think ahead, you'll be okay! : )