Chapter 9

I was on the phone with Indiana three days after the dinner. To cut the story short, Juliet got engaged to Allen and the wedding was set for four months.

“Juliet is planning to have the best wedding of the century. I mean I have nothing against her wedding but I will hate to have to serve wine for rich snotty brats that probably had people wiped their butts everyday.”

“Look at the bright side Cher, you will get rid of the bitch—” when she said the word ‘bitch’ she made sure it was so low that if I hadn’t predicted her I wouldn’t have guessed.

Indiana was unique in her own way, while Grace was the quiet type we were the life of the party.

Speaking of Grace, “Is Grace mad at me?”

It wasn’t often that I got the chance to speak with them. I hated the fact that I had to sneak before properly talking them—the distance created the drift in our friendship.

“She is fine. Her mom’s always busy, she has night shifts now and Grace has to take care of her sister Mia, you know how that girl can be sometimes. She is worse than my elder brother, trust me.”

Indiana was just trying to make me feel better by not stating the obvious—Margaret being the obstacle in our friendship.

“Come on, you know what I’m talking about, is she mad at me?” I insisted. If there was anyone who knew Grace better than everyone else, then it was me. I was friends with her before I met Indiana and I was aware of how she could be sometimes.

“Look Cher—” Indiana stammered, and the only time she did was when she was nervous. “Grace isn’t happy about how your mom—Margaret treated us the last time we were there. And I know she has all this shitty rules around. Look at us, you don’t even talk to us unless you sneak around. Grace is still processing, give her space. She is been dealing with a lot of stuff of her own.”

I clutched the phone to my heart. I reminded myself to breathe long and hard. Indiana was still on the other side yet I was afraid of losing her. Grace was slipping away already.

“I’m sorry that this keep happening to us guys and I know I’m such a—”

“Listen Cheryl, it’s fine really.” She said to me, and to her brother she uttered annoyingly, “Go away, I will tell mom you’re going out late again!”

“But—”

“No buts, you don’t deserve whatever that’s happening to you. Now tell me, how are you and Allen?”

At the mention of his name, butterflies swarmed in my belly and a warm sensation spread all over me.

“We are not together. Jesus Indiana, the way you talk as if we are something—”

“You like him and that’s why you keep denying it. He is hot admit it, I mean when he came over he had his eyes on you, so I’m rooting for you. We have to get you two a ship—”

She went on and on—I couldn’t stop her instead I kept smiling like the fool I was.

Yes, a fool in love.

______•••••_____

“Do you think this is too short, what about this? Too greenish, oh! What about pink? Is it too girlish?”

Juliet was trying out outfits for her lunch with Allen, it was their first one as a couple. My job according to Margaret was to make sure everything went accordingly, which I wasn’t sure how, Juliet hadn’t acknowledged my presence in the room. I had been standing for hours just leaning on the door frame and getting gowns thrown my way.

“What do you think of this?” she held a purple gown that stopped at her knees. I almost thought she sincerely needed my opinion until she uttered with disdained, “Oh, you don’t know because you’ve never been on a lunch date. Besides, with Allen’s status, he demands only the best.”

I thanked my lucky stars for keeping my mouth shut. I was on the verge of tears, I could stand being ridiculed by Juliet and other day but not today. The fact that she didn’t miss a chance to remind me of how unlucky and worthless I was.

I wiped the corners of my eyes harshly, desperately needing to stop the tears that persisted. I couldn’t show weakness, Juliet was my younger sister, she shouldn’t be ruling my life.

“How are you doing sweetie?” Margaret peeked through the door. It appeared she was ready for an outing, she had on a casual Tee with a matching mommy jeans.

“I can’t find the right dress mom, it’s almost noon and Allen can arrive any minute. I’m so stressed out.”

I was just standing awkwardly trying to lay low. Right now it seemed like neither of them noticed I was there.

“I’m sure whatever you wear will be just fine. Have you seen how you look? Allen or any boy will never resist you.”

I wished those words of hers were directed towards me. Indiana and Grace were the only ones who complimented me all the times, still I wished Margaret would be the mother I always desired her to be.

“Thank you mom. You can tell Cheryl that, she did nothing but stand and observe me.”

I embraced myself for some ruthless comments or a beating but it never came. Margaret just straightened the wringles on her shirt, “Your dad and I are having lunch to celebrate your engagement. Also I was thinking of bringing you that engagement party you were talking about. I want everyone to know that my daughter is marrying into the Ian’s family.”

Juliet gushed over what Maragret’ was saying, I couldn’t stay to listen. Someone was knocking on the front door and I had to check.

Juliet probably ordered a dress online or something. As far as I knew nobody ever visited, Margaret had lunch with her ladies out all the time, and Juliet thought I was freaky so she never brought any friends over—my best friends weren’t allowed to visit as well.

I was astonished by the person standing at the entrance.

It was Allen, and he looked breathtaking.