9
Hazel
It was 7 AM, and though I had the morning off, sleep eluded me. I climbed out of bed and glanced at my apartment, now reduced to boxes that held my entire life. The space somehow felt smaller.
I decided to use the time to tackle all the chores I’d been putting off. I showered—something I didn’t have the energy for yesterday—shaved my legs, and indulged in a mini spa session with a face mask. Also, I scrubbed my thighs real good because it helped the tattooed skin stay smooth and the ink brighter. Then I just sat on the shower floor, contemplating. However, I couldn’t lie there all day. I had things to do. Dress shopping for Mady’s wedding was on the agenda, followed by my afternoon shift.
I finished the last drops of my coffee and dug through a box for something to wear. I assumed it would be easier to try on a similar outfit, so I found my old blue high school dress, threw on a cardigan and a leather jacket, grabbed a box I planned to drop off at the new apartment, and headed out. It was quite heavy, but the new apartment wasn’t too far from my old one and was even closer to my work.
I walked down the street and saw O’Riley’s sign. I didn’t plan to go in, but tried to figure out who was working this morning through the glass. Thomas had been chaotically messing up the work schedule for the past couple of days. It changed three or four times, so after the third one I stopped trying to keep up since I had scheduled this morning free. I passed by the café when suddenly eight eyes were watching me from the booth through the window. Luke, Logan, Alex, and Ethan all smiledat me, waving their hands. But just as I tried to wave back, my brain suddenly forgot I was holding a box, and it slipped out of my hands.
A loud crashing sound was muffled by a way louderAhhon my part. The box fell right on the pavement.Good job. Embarrass yourself more.
I saw all the guys shoot up from their chairs. I grabbed the box as quickly as I could, mouthing “I’m fine, I’m fine” before speed-walking away, desperate to avoid a dramatic rescue.
Two blocks later, I felt a sting in my knee. A few shallow scrapes, probably from the box skimming it on the way down. At least it was just clothes and boots, not books. I could never live with myself if I had injured John Green or his beloved Augustus Waters.
I finally made it to my new apartment, dumped the box just inside the door, and headed straight for the park to meet Mady. And sure enough, there she was—holding two waffles, with what looked suspiciously like caramel sauce sliding down her chin.
“Is this the bride who’s trying on her wedding dress today?” I asked, sneaking up from her right side. She jumped, almost dropping both waffles.
“Gosh, you scared me. But to answer your question, you know I’ll be sneaking in some snacks in my dress. I’m not going to starve on my wedding day.”
“I would like to see where you are going to put that caramel waffle. In your bra?”
“No, of course not. I’m not a dummy. I’m gonna put it in my panties so that the warm caramel dripping down my legs is hidden by the underskirt.”
“Obviously,” I said, hugging her.
We headed straight to the bridal shop, where the seamstress Olga and her assistants were already waiting for us.
“How is it that your wedding dress is basically ready, but you only picked a wedding date last week?” I asked, while Olga measured me for my maid-of-honor dress.
“Oh, I’ve been planning this for 10 years like any normal girl would do. Haven’t you?” Mady shouted from the changing room while I stared at my reflection, imagining myself in a light lavender dress.
“The date and wedding details are for my fiancé and me to decide together, but the dress? That’s mine alone.”
“Fair point,” I said as Mady opened the curtains and stepped outside. I put down the champagne glass she had insisted I take because, apparently, that’s what girls always did in movies.
“Oh, Mady.” I was speechless. She wore an A-line gown with a six-foot train, a deep V-neckline decorated with lace flowers, pearls, and crystals. The neckline, connected by an almost-invisible net, made it both elegant and subtly sexy. The three-layered satin and chiffon skirt was absolutely breathtaking.
“You look incredible. Stunning doesn’t even cover it.”
“And check this out!” She spun around, sliding her hands into her skirt.
“Pockets!” I laughed.
“FOR THE SNACKS!” she announced with pride.
“Oh my God, you’re ridiculous!”
“No, just a modern woman rejecting societal expectations. If I want snacks, I’ll have snacks.”
“Please eat while walking down the aisle—for the pictures.”
“I’ll think about it,” she grinned.
“So, what’s up with John? Haven’t seen him lately.”
