Chapter 5
Shelby
"We can't be late," my mother says, walking out of the house. Actually, it's more like she is running out of the house.
"Yes, we can't be late," I mumble, walking down the steps of my family home, the festivities of last night already cleaned up. "How long has she been up for?" I ask my sisters, who come in the room looking as good as I feel. All three of us are dragging our asses.
"She came into my room at five to talk," Clarabella says. "Can't believe I didn't lock the door."
I walk out of the house, and I have to squint when the sun hits my eyes. "It's so bright," I whine, looking over at my sisters, who are wearing the same thing I'm wearing. White satin pants and a button-down short-sleeve satin shirt. Each shirt has our roles on it embroidered in pink. Bride is on mine, and I look down, and I want to rip it off.
I'm about to walk upstairs when I hear the horn going and look back to see my mother with her head out of the window. "We are going to be late!” she yells and then smiles. "My baby is getting married!” she screams and honks the horn again.
"Mom, it's seven o’clock," Clarabella hisses at her. "If I was your neighbor, I would call the cops on you,” she huffs, walking down the stairs, and I see Maid of Honor Number 1 on the back of her shirt.
"Might as well get in the car," Presley says, huffing and walking past me. "Or else she's going to pull you kicking and screaming all the way to the fucking altar."
"Well, that's a picture that I'd love to see," I huff, closing the door behind me, and I walk toward the car.
"I told you girls not to stay up late," my mother scolds when I get into the car. "I said that it was a bad idea when you took out the special sweet tea that Harlow's grandfather makes."
"Mom, a little less judgment," Clarabella says from the back seat. "And a little more driving to get me coffee."
"I agree with her," Presley adds. "All she needs is coffee, and she'll feel better."
I close my eyes as the car starts going and all I can do is see the words that I read last night. Over and over again like a billboard in Times Square. I open my eyes when the car stops right in front of where the bridal suite is set up. Balloons are all in front, and Mallory is there waiting for us.
"Here, put this on," Clarabella says from beside me, handing me black sunglasses.
"Why?" I ask her, and my head feels like it weighs over a thousand pounds. I blink and suddenly realize I had tears in my eyes.
"Because you look like shit," Presley informs me.
"Can we all be nice to your sister? This is her wedding day!" my mother hisses at Presley and then looks in the back at me. "Perhaps maybe you should put the glasses on, dear."
"Wow," I say out loud, putting the glasses on and getting out.
"Happy wedding day," Mallory greets, coming out from the suite with a smile on her face, and she stops midstep. "Oh, dear."
"It's going to be fine," I hiss. "We just need ice and maybe something to drink."
I walk to the door and pull it open, stepping in, and I stop in my tracks. My sisters went all out. There is a white veil hanging from the two sides that look like curtains. I take a step in and see that my dress is on a mannequin in the middle of the room on a pedestal. The three dresses are hanging up behind mine. The photographer is already taking pictures, and my stomach lurches. I think I'm going to be sick.
"Isn't it beautiful?" I hear my mother from beside me. She puts an arm around my shoulder and kisses my forehead. "It's so beautiful." All I can do is look around. All the walls are covered with white curtains. A plush white couch sits in the middle of the wall with two monster white flower arrangements beside it on white pillar stands. Two more are on the floor on each side of the couch with glass vases filled with water and floating candles.
"It's the most beautiful room I've seen," I confirm, looking around at everything they did.
"Good morning," I hear from behind me and see Sheila coming in. "Happy wedding day," she says, smiling at me, and I smile back. "This room." She looks around. "It's beyond perfect." She comes and hugs me. "I'm so excited for you."
"Thank you," I say when she lets me go, and I look at her and then look behind her, seeing that the makeup artists are arriving as well as the hairdresser.
"Okay, people," Clarabella announces, coming into the room. "There is no eating in the white room." Then she looks at me. "Come and see the salon we set up."
I walk with her into the next room and see a long white table with hanging mirrors in front of it with four white chairs. "Go change." She motions me toward the bathroom. "Okay, we need everyone in their robes, please." I nod at her and walk to the bathroom, not saying anything to anyone. I avoid looking in the mirror, and when I grab the white satin robe, I want to tear it in half. Instead, I put it on and slide my feet into the white satin slippers and walk out.
I see Presley talking to the photographer. "There will be no pictures until she has foundation on." She looks at me, and I look over to see Sheila in her own peach robe coming out.
"Are you nervous?" she asks, putting her hand to her stomach. "I can't even imagine how nervous I will be when it happens."
"I'm a touch nervous," I admit, putting my hands to my stomach. "But I'm marrying the man who I love, so I know at the end of the day it'll be worth it." She smiles at me so big with tears in her eyes.
"I never thought of it like that." She leans in and puts her arm around me. "Thank you for making me part of your special day and for accepting me with open arms."
"Well, if Ace loves you"—I swallow down the lump—"then I know you're a great person."
"Okay, can we get started?" Clarabella claps her hands together. "We are three minutes off schedule." She looks at me. "Go sit in the chair."
I walk to the chair, take off my glasses, and look up at my makeup artist. "It was a rough night," I say, finally looking at myself in the mirror. My eyes are so puffy I'm surprised I can open them, and my nose can give Rudolph a run for his money. "Damn," I say, laughing now. "No more tears, I promise."
"Oh, please, this isn't even the worst I've seen,” she lies to me and goes to grab an eye mask with cooling gel inside. "This should help but no more tears."
"No more tears," I tell her, smiling. "I'm getting married." The stinging of tears comes, but I fight them back.
I'm doing my hair when Presley comes over with her own hair in curlers. "This is for you." She hands me a mimosa. "How are you doing?"
Like my world is spinning around me, I almost say. "Like I'm getting married." I smile at her, and she just nods at me.
I drink the mimosa in one gulp, and Mallory comes and hands me another one and winks at me. All I can do is smile; the smile is plastered on my face so much that I think my face will crack. The mask comes off, and the swelling is down. By the time she's done with my makeup, it doesn't even show.
"How are you holding up?" Clarabella looks over at me while she gets her hair pinned up.
"As good as I can be," I say, grabbing my bottle of water and taking a sip.
"Well, if it's any consolation." Clarabella looks at me, and she blinks away her own tears. "You look stunning."
I blink away my own tears and fan my face. "Don't make the bride cry!” the makeup artist yells at her. Turning my head and laughing, I see Sheila, and we share a smile.
"Okay, everyone," Presley says. "It's dress time."
I look at myself in the mirror, and it is exactly how I always envisioned I would look on my wedding day. My hair is pushed back on one side with a diamond headpiece while the other side is sleek and curled. My blue eyes shine with light smoky eyes, and all I can do is put a hand to my stomach as the butterflies start to come full force.
"You look beautiful," my mother says from beside me, and I look at her and see her dab the corner of her eyes.
"Mom," Clarabella chastises. "If I see one tear come out of her."
"Would you hush your mouth," she hisses at her. "And don't tell me what to do." She turns to look at me. "I don't necessarily care for this new Clarabella. I can only deal with one person that way, and it's you."
For the first time since last night, I throw my head back and laugh. "Well, after today, she'll be back to the carefree Clarabella that we all know and love."
"I hate to break up this moment," Mallory says. "But you guys are five minutes behind schedule."
I nod at her, and everything is a whirlwind around me. I'm placed everywhere while pictures are being snapped. I smile for all the pictures, and I feel like I'm having an out-of-body experience. Everything is a blur, and I mean, everything except for one thing.
I slip into my dress, and when I look at myself in the mirror, I wait for the butterflies to come, but nothing happens. I do everything and follow every single step that I need to do. I walk into the venue and spot Travis in his suit, waiting for me.
My mother walks in with Sheila behind her. "Are you sure about this?" Travis asks, and I look up at him.
"It's not too late to change your mind," Clarabella says, blinking away her own tears.
"Whatever you want to do, we are going to do it," Presley confirms, and no matter what it is, her own eyes are glistening in tears. "I just want you to be sure."
"I don't know if it's right or wrong," I admit, the lump in my throat getting bigger. "But I'm sure about this." I nod my head, blinking away my own tears. "Are you guys ready?"
The three of them share a look and then look at me, smirking. "Always."