Page 42 of Forever

I comply, although it’s hard to take eyes from my own reflection. Even pale and with bags under my eyes I can’t take away the shine of this dress.

“It’s perfect,” I murmur softly, staring at my reflection.

“Will doesn’t know what’s coming!”

*

Once we arranged everything at the bridal shop, Valentina decided it was time to go and eat something.

Finally.

I didn’t eat anything since last night and we all know how that ended—thrown up down the toilet drain. It wasn’t even strange I started to feel light headed as soon as we left the cool space of the bridal shop and started walking toward the Old Town. April can be a tricky month, but today is unusually warm.

We could have probably waited for the bus, but they pass so rarely here—even less on weekends—that we didn’t bother with waiting.

“I still can’t believe that after the whole day we found the perfect dress for you!” Val squeals excitedly.

“Actually, it was the morning, but …”

“Don’t be a party pooper, Bel,” Val scolds me with a frown. “Are you sure this is the dress? We can look more if you want.”

“This is the dress Val. I’m sure.” I squeeze her hand in mine. “And my answer doesn’t have anything to do with the fact that I want this to be over as soon as possible.”

“You’re the worst!” She shoves me and we both giggle.

On the walk to the Old Town and the Wok stand that just recently opened, Val talks my ear off with all the wedding details. She knows more stuff about weddings and has a clearer picture of how my wedding will look like than me. Val talks about wedding, jewelry, reception, colors, and cakes like a pro. At least somebody is excited about all the small details. I just want it to end so I can be Will’s wife. Nothing else matters.

We place our order, my stomach turning in the need of food. I didn’t even know how hungry I was until all the smells reached my nostrils. Nothing like rice, chicken, veggies, and sweet and spicy sauce.

Thankfully, we’re the only ones here so we don’t have to wait too long. When the food comes, I start shoving it in my mouth.

“This is so good!”

“You eat like you’re starving,” Val says and takes a small bite.

“I am! My stomach was acting all funny this morning, but now I’m so hungry I could probably eat a horse.”

Even so, I slow down. The last thing I want is to look like a starving Neanderthal. Or throw up again because I was eating too fast.

My phone rings just as I’m finishing. I look down at the table and smile, connecting the call. “Hey, Si! Did you get the picture?”

“Hey, girl! Yes! It’s gorgeous, Bel! I’m here pouting because I couldn’t go wedding dress hunting with you two.”

“We missed you.” And I’m not even lying. I would have loved to have my two best friends with me today. “What do you think of the dress?”

“It’s completely you …” She sighs happily. “You’ll be one beautiful bride, Bel. Will doesn’t know what’s coming!”

“Val said the same thing!”

There is a slight pause on the other side of the line.

“Si? You there?”

We usually do video calls or Skype, but mostly when I’m home because phone connection can be tricky sometimes and calls get cut. Trust me, in the last year I’d tried all the ways to talk to Will and Sienna.

“Yeah … I just … Have you talked to Will lately?”

“I tried texting last night, but he didn’t get back to me until after I went to bed. He texted around three in the morning. Said he was out with J.D. Why?”

---