Stop the Wedding!

“Are you nervous? Do you need a drink?”

Around me, everyone was rushing back and forth. Everything had to be perfect. I took a breath before looking towards my sister.

“No, not right now.” I smiled. I sat still as Claire, the make-up artist, applied my blush. I glanced at the mirror and saw a glimpse of myself.

Wow. This was really happening.

“Okay, but let me know if you need anything; I’m here for you,” Kira said. She was always so supportive of me, even if we didn’t see eye to eye.

She wandered back to the adjacent room, probably to get into her dress. I chose a light dusty pink for the bridesmaids, and a deeper, more rose shade for the maid of honour. It was going to be perfect. It had to be.

“I’m guessing you didn’t sleep too well,” Claire said. “Don’t worry, these dark circles are nothing that can’t be fixed.”

I frowned, bringing a hand to my face. I never used to have dark circles. I’d always been complimented on my youthful appearance. Although, I guess I have been worse for wear these past couple of years.

“Oh my gosh!” squealed Vivian as she slid through the door. “It’s really happening! Are you excited? You must be. I just can’t believe it!” She sat down on a chair beside me and clutched my hands in hers. “You’re going to do so well, I just know it! You know, my cousin got married last year, and she had the most gauche ceremony. I was appalled! But yours is nothing like that! Everything here is perfect, just perfect! I knew Michael wouldn't skimp on the cost,” she rambled like a train with no breaks. “You know I was just telling Kira about the time Michael …”

Michael. My fiancé, and soon-to-be husband. We met during my final year at university. I was studying medicine, and he was in finance, and during a night out we bumped into each other and hit it off immediately.

He was so charming. Like, really charming.

I guess that’s what drew me to him at first. His attitude. It wasn’t until our third date that I realised how different our worlds were. He came from money, and after graduation was set for a fancy investment banking job. I, on the other hand, had been working as a part-time barista to put myself through school, desperate to get my doctorate and finally make something of myself.

I never did end up becoming a surgeon. Michael said it was a waste of time. After all, he raked in the big money, and I was better off taking care of the home. He just wanted what was best for me.

“—So I told him that was crazy! You cannot expect to wake up with zero hangover after all that!”

I gave Vivian a half-smile. She was just trying to lighten the mood.

“Why don’t you go check on the others? I’m sure someone needs help getting into their dress.”

Vivian quickly stood. “You’re so right! Don’t worry, I’ll make sure everything goes to plan!” She scurried out of the room, the door clicking behind her.

“Wow, that woman can talk,” Kira said with a chuckle, approaching from behind. “It’s like she doesn’t have an off switch.” She handed me a much-needed glass of champagne.

“Oh stop. You know she means well,” I laughed. “Besides, who else would make sure I didn’t have the most gauche ceremony ever!”

It felt good to have a joke with Kira. Over the past couple of years we’d grown a bit distant. I hated it, really. We used to be so close, like two peas in a pod. But between her work and my life, things just drifted apart. Michael said it was for the best. Kira was an aerospace engineer. When we were kids, she was incredibly skilled at fixing things up, and it was inspiring to watch her continue that into adulthood. She dreamed of a job in engineering, and knowing she’d achieved just that warmed my heart.

“What do you think?” she asked, spinning around in front of me. The dress spun as she did, revealing flowing fabric and silver heels beneath.

“You look stunning,” I said. “I’m so glad you’re here with me.”

She smiled, her eyes scrunching. “Me too, Adaline. I’m so, so proud of you. And whatever you decide, know I’m here for you.”

A rapid knock at the door interrupted us, and Kira hurried over to see who it was. Claire had moved on to applying mascara, telling me to look up as she coated my lashes.

“Ah, amazing!” I heard from the door. “I’ll give them to her now.”

Before I could question what was going on, Kira rushed over with a bowl of … strawberries?

“I know you don’t eat them as much anymore, but they were always good luck, and I thought you could use the boost.” She handed me the bowl, along with a small fork. “I’m going to check up on Vivian and make sure all the bridesmaids are getting ready okay; I’ll be back soon.” With that, she was gone once again, leaving me with a bowl of freshly cut strawberries.

When I was younger, they were my favourite. Every day after school, our mum would have some ready for us at home, and we’d eat them while watching TV. It’s the whole reason strawberry shortcake was my absolute favourite. I’d ask for it on every birthday, or just about any event where cake was needed.

But Michael disagrees. He hates the seeds and finds them too sour. Whenever I’d have some, he’d always comment on what a gross fruit they were.

Our wedding cake is chocolate. I guess it’s okay. A relationship is all about compromise.

I savoured each bite as I finished off the bowl. Even after all these years, Kira knew exactly what I needed. But I couldn’t dwell; today was going to be great.

“Okay!” announced Kira, entering the room once again, but this time with our mum in tow. “Ready for your gown?”

“As I’ll ever be,” I answered, walking to the fitting room. It was connected to the main area, but equipped with a sofa and several floor-length mirrors. Hanging on the far wall was my dress.

I stood for a moment in awe, staring at it with my head tilted. With their help, I shimmied into it and stared into the long, ornate mirror.

It was an elegant ivory dress, covered in lace that fitted close to my body before flaring into a graceful mermaid train. It had a high sheer neckline and long sleeves which were covered in delicate floral embroidery. Michael's family were insistent on a traditional style, and while this wasn't exactly what they had in mind, it was a compromise that had to be made.

“You look so beautiful,” my mum said, covering her mouth with her hand. “Wait just a moment.” She left the room before returning with my bouquet, a mixture of white and pink: lilies, roses, peonies, tulips, dahlias, and ranunculus. She handed it to me, and I stood straight up, gaze stuck on the mirror. My hair was in a low, textured updo, with loose curls that framed my face, and a matching lace veil covering my head. It matched the dress perfectly, yet looking at myself, I felt strangely solemn.

Kira walked behind me, resting her chin on my shoulder.

“We have ten minutes,” my mum said. “Don’t go anywhere, I’m going to grab my camera.”

“You okay?” Kira asked, hugging me gently.

“Of course, this is my wedding day,” I replied, although my eyes were beginning to well up. “I’m great.” I swallowed.

“Are you sure? I’m here for you, whatever happens.”

“I—I know, but I’m ready. I’m going to get married, and everything will be fine. And I’ll be happy.”

Kira frowned slightly. “Will you?”

I quickly nodded. “Mm-hmm.” I tightened my grip on the bouquet. “I just need a quick moment.”

Before she could reply, I hurried to the bathroom. It was quite spacious, with a counter and two sinks in front of a large mirror. For what felt like the hundredth time that day, I stared at my reflection. I smiled, a wide, exaggerated grin.

It didn't look like me.

A couple of months ago, Michael and I got into a fight. I don’t even know what it was about, something stupid probably. Things quickly became heated, and the next thing I knew, a glass had smashed beside my face. It hadn't hit me; it happened so quickly, and he rushed to apologise. But as I cleaned it up, I cut my hand.

I often found myself rubbing that scar.

I took a deep breath before swallowing. Pull yourself together, Adaline. This was it. This was the moment. I’d get married, then—

Then what? I’d become a stay-at-home wife, caring for the three kids Michael so desperately wanted. I’d cook, clean, sew …

I’ll never become a surgeon. Not if Michael has anything to say about it.

My lips trembled, and I rushed to wipe away a stray tear before it could ruin my mascara. No, I couldn’t think like that. Everything would work out; this wedding would be perfect, and I was going to get through it.

Wow, this room feels small all of a sudden. I wonder if someone turned on the heat. I fanned myself with my hand, trying to compose my quick breaths.

Knock, knock, knock.

“Adaline, are you okay?” Kira was outside. I couldn’t let her see me like this.

“I’m fine!” I shouted, although my voice broke a little towards the end.

Like an idiot, I hadn’t locked the door. Kira barreled in, her eyebrows scrunched together.

“Hey, hey, what’s up?” She comforted me, embracing me in a hug.

“I …” I hesitated. “I can’t do this.”

“What do you mean?” she questioned, face contorting in confusion. “You said it yourself, everything will be fine.”

“No, no, I can’t,” I rambled, tears beginning to sprout.

“Hey, hey, none of that.” She hurried to wipe my eyes. “This is just jitters. I know I’ve been saying things, but you’ve got this. He’s your one, right?”

I shook my head. “But he’s not. He’s a one, but he’s not mine.” As though a dam had broken, the tears began to fall before I could stop them. “I can’t—I can’t do this.” I collapsed to the floor in a heap of lace, dropping the bouquet beside me.

Kira fell to the floor with me, holding both my hands in hers. Her expression was so serious, her eyebrows almost touching, as she spoke. “If it’s not right, it’s not. But you have to be sure, are you?”

I stilled. Was I? Was I ready to throw away everything for a chance at something different, something that was truly mine?

…

I was. “I am.”

Kira smiled, choking out a sob. “Then let's get this show on the road.” 

She grabbed the bouquet and pulled me to my feet—I had yet to put on shoes—and ran out of the bathroom. We ran into the corridor, laughing as she dragged me to the exit.

“Wait, what's happening?!” Our mum shouted as she came round the corner. I gave her the tightest hug I’d ever given.

“I love you, mum. But this is something I have to do.”

She looked from Kira to me before hugging back.

“I’m so proud of you.”

We continued our escape, Kira leading me as we headed towards the stairs that led to the reception. It twirled down in a wooden spiral before coming to the entrance. We ran for the door, throwing it open and running down the stone steps, holding our skirts up. Kira chucked my bouquet back to me before jumping into the driver's side of her convertible.

“You ready?” she asked.

“As I’ll ever be.”

The engine roared to life as she swerved out of the parking lot. Dust rose around us, and in the rear-view mirror I saw Michael, running out the doors. Before he could catch up, Kira pulled onto the road, her tyres shrieking as we sped away.

We sped down the road and turned to look behind, watching as the church got smaller and smaller.

I tossed the bouquet into the air, screaming with joy.

“Woo-hoo!”

We laughed. The air hit my face. For the first time in forever, I felt free.