The first half of the week passes quickly. And, before I know it, it's Thursday. The day that will determine a lot of things in my life.

The day I've been dreading all damn week.

"You'll be okay. I know you will." My mother says encouragingly, breaking the silence that has captivated breakfast all morning.

"Thanks, Mum. Really." I say, smiling as I take a sip of my coffee. "Does Dad know?"

My Dad's been working in California for the past few years. He's awfully busy building machines and shipping them out most of the time, and he only comes home for the holidays. He's also extremely hard to reach.

"I can't get a hold of him until next week." Mum says. "And that's if I'm lucky."

"Oh," is all I can think to say.

"You know he'll flip when he finds out." Mum laughs.

"Yeah, I know that so well I can picture his reaction." I reply.

We finish breakfast in silence after that. The tension is so thick, you could cut it with a knife.


After breakfast, my mum and I go raid her closet to find the dress she suggested I wear.

"Ah, here it is!" Mother exclaims as she pulls the dress out of the closet.

She holds out the dress. It's black lace, with a bit of nude fabric showing as a sweet heart neckline at the top. The lace extends past the nude fabric to create a higher neckline and out to form three quarters length sleeves. The dress appears to be skin tight at the top, and semi-loose in the skirt.

"Woah," I whisper, running my hand over the dress. "It's beautiful!"

"Try it on! Try it on!" My mother cheers.

Obeying, I step into my mother's bathroom with the gorgeous dress. Stripping off the
sweatshirt, tank top and legging capris I was wearing, I next slide on my mother's dress.

I step out of the bathroom. "Can you zip it, please?"

"Yes, yes," says Mum. I hold my brown-blond hair up as my mother slides the zipper up.

"You look amazing." Mum says quietly as she admires the dress on me. Tears are in her beautiful blue eyes.

"Mum, don't cry!" I say, bringing her in for a hug. I release her to look in the mirror.

The dress does fit perfectly.

"I'll be okay." I mutter to myself, smiling a tad.

"Shoes!" Mum says excitedly behind me, interrupting my thoughts.

I spin around. My mum's holding black suede pumps in her hands.

"Perfect." I smile, taking the shoes. I slide them on and pose. "Good enough?"

"Good enough." Mum replies with a laugh.


With curled hair, a fancy dress and two skyscrapers attached to my feet, my mother and I stand and wait for Michael and his parents by the gate. When they get here, we begin walking towards the Royale Palace to face a night of literal hell.
"You look nice," I say to Michael, who's wearing a black suit with a black tie and white dress shirt.

"Thank you, you look amazing as well." He replies, smiling.

"Thanks," I say. We walk in silence for a few more moments.

"Are you nervous?" Michael asks, finally breaking the silence.

"Honestly? Yeah, I am." I respond, keeping my voice low.

What if he chooses me?

"Regardless of if he chooses you or not, I will still be your best friend. You know that, right?"

Michael says, looking at me.

"Yes, yes I do." I reply. "Cause you will always be mine."

He smiles, then it fades a little. "I'm sorry about Saturday night, Ryn. I truly am."

"It's alright, Michael.." I say, and seeing his strained face I add, "really."

"That's good to hear. I know I got a little angry.."

"That's what any true best friend would do." I say, grabbing his hand. "I know if you had to present yourself, I'd be angry, too."

"You would?" He asks.

"Yes, I would. I would get angry, because you're one of the only friends I have. And I'm not complaining. You mean so much to me, Michael. Honestly. I have no idea what I would do without you." I explain, still gripping Michael's hand.

All he does is smile.

Notes

Papercut is such an amazing son, like holy shiz.

So, how are you all?