I tried to keep the cheer in my voice as the gown kept tightening around my chest. This is not a good way to start my day. The littered gowns piled on the table in front of me says how the day's going so far. Sally was so meticulous that I almost lost my shit a few times. The rumpled dresses facing me wasn't enough. To quote her word, she wanted something "perfect". I rolled my eyes at it.
She is so meticulous that there's something wrong with the gown she's fitting, every single one of them. Now, this is the nth gown I've tried. I'm already exhausted but I'm willing to even try another one because I definitely hate this contraption I'm wearing right now.
Another heave from the shop assistant and I swore I can feel the cracks forming in my ribs. "Alright that's it, Nora, you're killing me. I can't breathe!" I complained, lips trembling a little. From the corner of the shop, I can feel the lasers coming at me. I risked a glance and indeed Sally's giving me the death glares. What a friend. I glared back at her. "Sadist!" I mouthed.
She flips the magazine she was holding on the side table and crossed her arms. Giving me that "try me" look with arching brows to match. Well, I got no match for her so I just gave her a little squint and look back at the assistant who's still pulling the strings further. My jaws dropped, aghast. I thought she would stop for a minute but this annoying creature just won't let up.
"You sneaky..." staring at the assistant accusingly, she just gave me a shrug and pull one more time. "I can still pull the strings a mile Mavis, don't be a baby. Another tug from her cut my response as another breath was stolen from me. I looked down and can almost see my chest dying from constriction. My poor breast was being strangled at this point. It doesn't help that I'm a little endowed in this area.
"Goddess save me." I can feel Nora rolling her eyes and pulled the strings one last time and the pastel mint off shoulder a-line dress clung to my form a little too tight for comfort.
"It looks good on you." Nora beamed at me and clap her hands for more added effect. "No, you devils. Do you guys wanted a zombie for a maid-of-honour?" I think I'm really turning blue this time. Another roll her eyes, Sally stood up and circled my hunch form. I tried grabbing the strings from my back to try loosening it a bit.
My utmost effort of surviving was met by a smack on my hand. "Ow! Guys this is really way too tight!" I tried reaching for it again when they just harrumphed at me. Nora grabbed my shoulders instead to straightened my posture. I wobbled on my shoes. Gasping for air, I tried to steady myself, now desperately looking at Sally in panic.
My sweet, sweet friend after checking my look finally catch my eyes. The satisfied smile on her lips disappeared as my lips start turning blue. She's catching up on my poor dilemma.
"Oh my god, Nora she's dying! She's really dying!" she screeched, she moved quickly and together we tried to uncoil the complicated strings but I'm losing strength and I'm no helped at all. I was feeling dizzy this time. Nora joined and both women were frantically loosening the dress that they didn't notice the sound of chimes filling the air. I noticed it as I slowly sagged down the floor and a pair of black loafers met my gaze. Another pair of bright sneakers followed suit and I know no more.
-----
Is there a tornado? The aggressive breeze assaulting my face got me waking up from my sleep. I reached for my phone at my side table and almost jump out of bed when a hand caught mine. My eyes went round as I looked around me. I saw Sally with her big ass fan and I don't even know where she got one. On my left side, Nora was biting her right thumb in anxiety with a glass of water in another hand. What the hell is happening?
Confused and still out of it, I just looked at the two in question. They did not fail me and Sally answered me graphically. Sally's face was red and worried at the same. Was she crying? The rim of her eyes was red too.
"I'm so sorry Mavvy, I thought you were just kidding and fussing because I'm the one paying for the dress. Nora thought the same too--" Sally was so into explaining the start of the story when Nora cut in. She gave me the glass of water and her hands start flying in the air as she explains herself.
"I forgot for a minute that you've got gigantic boobs hence me pulling the strings too far. I thought you were just playing for fun but then you fainted! I'm so sorry Boo!" she cried out, tears welling in her eyes. Just so everyone knows, Nora was one of our close friends too. Everyone's telling Sally that you don't do business with your friends when it comes to weddings because it'll be a business gone wrong. The pressure and demands of preparing a wedding usually took a lot from the involved parties and they tend to end with arguments and misunderstandings. Nora might be a shop assistant but she's a co-partner in secret. Sally was having none of it though. Besides, the shop is the best shop around town.
Upon knowing the reason, I looked at her offended. "I don't have gigantic boobs! They're normal size." the only thought I've uttered as I tried recalling what happened. I heard a coughed from behind me, clearly suppressing their mirth at my embarrassing predicament. I dare not looked back when I remembered the loafers and sneakers. "Embarrassing." I mouthed at two girls in my sides. They both look at each other and burst out giggling. Faces turning rosy as they doubled over in laughter this time.
"This is something unforgettable, just because of your jiggly hills..." Sally wheezed like she wasn't apologizing just a minute ago. I gave her a look and she busts out laughing again. This time I can hear the manly laughs from behind me. One was particularly deep, rich and husky. Tingles.
Oh, my goddess. I cupped my mouth in disbelief when I realized who's behind me. Did we just talk about my breast in front of my mate? I can feel the heat on my face spreading. Nora saw me turning red and went into another bout of laughter.
Damn. Totally embarrassing. I fainted for a stupid reason in front of my mate! Deep in my thoughts, I remembered one more thing. I feel for my dress and thank the heavens when I felt that my dress is still intact and is covering me decently.
"Know what Mavis? You're red just like my lipstick." Nora cackles more to my horror. Just how long are these idiots going to laugh at my expense? I covered my blushing face in embarrassment and glare at them at the same time.
Didn't work at all. I gave them a few moments to laugh their heart out. They're already wheezing, Nora was hugging the armchair of the couch while Sally's fighting the marbled floor. My mate's chuckle did not let up too. He is so cute, I'm gonna swoon. Tingles danced all across my heated skin but I dare not lent attention to it if I don't want my friends in front of me to find out. Also, seems like Atlas is with someone.
I dared a glance back and saw Luke laughing his heart out at my mate's chest. My mate's hands hugging Luke's shoulders close as they laugh together. Eyes squinted in disapproval, I stared at my mate's laughing face and commit it to my memory. It's not every day I can make him laugh. Maybe, he felt the bond so he looked up and saw me looking. It can't be helped, I pouted and turned back and crossed my arms.
"Are you lovely, lovely people done?" the sarcasm overflowing as I stood up and marched to the fitting room. "Almost." Sally wheezed out and crawl towards the couch. I shook my head in annoyance and locked the door to change. I was still seething with annoyance, when I'm done removing the gown. I was blindly reaching for my clothes on the door but then I found nothing. I looked at it and my clothes were nowhere to be found. I slapped my forehead in dismay.
"Oh for fuck sake!" the crisp curse made me shiver as I chide myself for my stupidity. I was already embarrassed and now I'm adding another one to the list. I used the wrong fitting room and here I am with my bare ass and bare chest gawking at the door wishing for my clothes to magically appear.
I grabbed the gown again and covered myself with it. "Sally?" I hesitated and waited for her to answer. Sadly, there's no response. Why do I always end up in embarrassing situations? Now in front of my mate and his boyfriend for chrissakes! How am I going to up my game this way?
"Sally, a little help please." calling out for her one more time is mortifying. I don't want to wear the gown again. It's awful, very uncomfortable and to think Sally wanted it. A frown etched on my forehead as I think about it. What a wicked friend she is.
If I can only have my clothes now, I can leave the shop and disappear. Sally was able to pick her dress hours ago. It's just me she's fussing on knowing that I won't be giving a damn care over the gown's details.
A few more minutes past and my hides getting cold but there's no Sally. The more I wait, the more I'm getting conscious. It can't be helped then.
"Sally!" yup, I'm outright yelling because that silly woman's not listening. I can instead hear her chat with my mate. What are they even doing in a bridal shop? They're not engaged, right? Damn it, it causes me unnecessary anxiety. I haven't even done my moves yet. And, what the heck is Sally doing? "Sally!" another urgent call.
"Chill Mavvy I got ya silly ass." finally she responded, seems like she read my mind and she knows I'm about to lose my shit. Not that I've mind link her but we know each other that much. I breathe a sigh of relief and a moment later, my clothes appear on the gap below the door. I grabbed it greedily and change my clothes the fastest I could.
Now, I need to plan my escape for now and regroup. I opened the door just a little bit. Stealthily peeking through it I found them talking in the waiting area. Good thing is, the couches were not set facing the fitting rooms. Tiptoeing out of the shop is no fun I'm telling you. It's way suspenseful and I don't need it today. I was so focused on my so-called escape that I didn't notice the amused look of someone following my moves.
The street looks deserted when I was finally out. Grabbing my phone from my back pocket I shoot a text for Sally and get the hell out of there. I better regroup and while I'm at it, I need to check papers. I've got a bunch of deliveries yesterday and I wasn't able to do it with the drama that happened.
I took off towards the direction of my mart since I've carpooled with Sally. My car's back at the packhouse. "Well, maybe I can hitch with Laura." I shrugged and went my merry way. They've had enough fun for today.