My internship last summer was better than I could have ever imagined. I learned so much in such a short time, and I even had my first actual girlfriend.Not that it lasted very long.
Anna and I had a great time all summer, but when she came to visit homecoming weekend, she wasn’t exactly thrilled with how close Sage and I were. She knew that I wasn’t out with my family or at school, and she thought that she would be okay with that, but seeing it in person was harder than she’d expected. She kept suggesting that Sage was into me, and her jealousy brought out a side of her I hadn’t seen before. I had planned to finally tell Sage the truth after they met, but Anna and I ended things that weekend, so I didn’t see the point.
But I did have a girlfriend, and it was great while it lasted. Even if it was only in my New York bubble. I proved to myself that I could care about someone other than Sage, which was honestly a huge relief. It helped me come back for our senior year with a renewed appreciation of our friendship without any of the lingering resentment that had started to form the year before.
I think it’s also helped that we haven’t kissed at anyparties. Luckily, it hasn’t come up at all, and it’s made having some semblance of boundaries so much easier.
This whole year has been great; socially, I have no complaints, and academically, I completed all the classes necessary for my business minor while also working my ass off to create my senior showcase for my fashion degree. MyMagic Collectionturned out exactly as I’d envisioned, and I can’t believe important industry executives are actually going to see it in person.
“Deep breaths,” Sage reminds me, dramatically demonstrating the motion for me to follow.
“Alright, Aspen, it’s showtime,” my professor says, walking up to us and offering me an encouraging smile.
Arthur and Sage hurry to take their seats where they can watch the runway, and I take up my position backstage just before the exit onto the catwalk. I give a final nod to each model before they walk. The whole experience is surreal. The collection is made up of wedding dresses, suits, and other outfits fit for someone to wear on their wedding day. It’s all inspired by the elusive magical straight-out-of-a-fairy-tale feeling that I’m always chasing—the same one I first felt seeing a bride for the first time all those years ago. I’m very proud of how everything came out, but I have no idea how it will be received.
At the end of the show, my professor introduces me, and I take a bow. At least I hope I do because this whole thing has been sort of an out-of-body experience, and I feel likeI’m floating off the stage when it’s finally over. I head back out to the audience when it’s completely done.
“That was incredible!” Sage shouts as she runs up, nearly tackling me with the force of her hug.
I laugh, feeling more grounded than I had been a moment ago, surrounded by her familiar touch and comforting presence.
That is until an unexpected familiar voice cuts in, making my whole body immediately tense. “Can we pose for a photo?” my mother asks.
I had no idea my parents would be here, but here they are, both staring at me expectantly. They’re probably only here for the PR opportunity of the picture, so I should just get it over with.
“Sage, would you mind checking in with the models to see if they need anything from me before they leave? I’ll meet up with you in a minute,” I suggest, and she nods, waving hello to my parents and offering them a smile before heading off.
“I didn’t realize you were coming,” I say as I approach them. My mother has already spotted Arthur and waved him over to be our photographer. It’s a role he’s perfected over the years in situations like this; ones where my parents want to pretend to be involved in my life but are actually only concerned with our image. We pose with practiced, polished smiles in place; the perfect politician and his supportive family.As if.
My mother steps forward to approve the picture, butbefore I can escape, my father is gripping my elbow, holding me in place. “I’d like a word before you run off,” he says in a harsh tone that leaves no room for argument. “I know you wanted to have your fun during college, and we’ve allowed that, but enough's enough. You’re already older than your mother was when we were engaged. It’s time for you and Arthur to make things official.”
He might as well have stabbed me. That might have hurt less than his little announcement. There’s a sharp pain in my chest as I imagine actually marrying Arthur.I’m only twenty-two, I thought I had more time.I’m completely frozen in place, in shock at his suggestion. I don’t think I can actually breathe, let alone formulate a response.
Luckily, Arthur must have overheard, because he steps up next to me, placing a comforting hand on my lower back before speaking up. “I know engagements were common for people in their early twenties in your generation, but they’re almost unheard of these days,” he comments casually in an overly friendly tone that’s probably meant to distract from the fact that he’s fighting back against my dad’s wishes.
“Thirty is the new twenty,” Arthur adds with a laugh. “We both have so much to accomplish in our careers before we could ever truly think about settling down. That’s why we’ve agreed to regroup then, after we’ve had time to establish ourselves a bit more.”
I know Arthur is just saying all this to get my father to back off, but I hate how true his words sound. Like that’s actually our plan.
“What’s that supposed to mean? If you plan to get married when you’re thirty anyway, why not just get engaged now?” my dad pushes back.
I finally remember how to speak. “I want to be my own person, Father. I want the chance to have a career and find love.”
My dad looks at me like I’m speaking a foreign language before barking out a laugh. Arthur interrupts before he can say anything, though. “We’re all on the same page here. We don’t want to have any regrets, but we have a plan. Right, Aspen?” he says pointedly, looking at me. “If we haven’t found ‘true love’ by the time we’re thirty, we’ll get married to each other, like you and my dad have always wanted,” he says, turning to look at my father.
I know that Arthur and I have joked around about ending up in some sort of lavender, political marriage in the past, but this doesn’t sound like a joke. This sounds like my future being carefully planned out without any input from me. His reassurance seems to appease my father for now, and he drops the subject with a curt nod as Sarah and the other industry leaders approach.
So much has happened today that I can barely focus on any one thing. A part of me is freaking out over the conversation with my father and Arthur, but I have no time to think about what it all really meant. This showcase was a huge opportunity, and I need to take advantage of the exposure I just received. I should be grateful Arthur was able to shrug off my dad, and that my father didn’t insiston a shorter timeline. I won't be thirty for almost eight years.
That’s plenty of time to figure something else out.
“Hello, I’m Amanda, Creative Director at Trend magazine,” the gorgeous intimidating woman says as she offers me her hand. Of course I know exactly who she is, but I shake it and introduce myself. “Thank you so much for coming! I had no idea Sarah would bring anyone; it’s such an honor.”
“Well, she insisted I would want to see the collection for myself, and after seeing the preview you’d sent her, I agreed.”
“Thank you. I know I keep saying that, but I’m not sure what else to say,” I ramble with a nervous laugh. I hope my makeup is hiding how much I’m blushing.
“Listen, we do a spotlight on up-and-coming designers every summer, but we’ve never featured one of our own interns. Why haven’t we done that, Sarah?” she questions, turning to face Sarah as she joins us.
