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Stacey guides me past the head of the table where each one of her stupid friends laughs and hollers. She throws a few glares their way, but it doesn’t hinder the sounds of jokes and clapping echoing down the hall. Once inside, she drops my dress and reaches for the basket sitting on the sink. “Here it is.” She adjusts herself, bending down to observe the tear.
Guilt washes over me at seeing her kneeling in her wedding gown. “Oh, Stacey, you don’t have to do this. I can fix it. Please, this is your wedding. Go back to the table.”
She smiles up at me, her eyes filled with love. “Not a chance. You’re my sister now. We stick together.” Her comment makes me lose my battle. My eyes fill with tears as I barely choke out a thank you, allowing her to pin up the back. Once she’s done, she stands, nodding in approval. “There. Good as new…kind of.” Her silly smile makes me break out of my sullen mood, offering a small laugh in return.
“Thanks, Stacey.”
“No need to thank me. We’re family.” I can’t hold back the tears that start to fall. “Hey, none of that.” She grabs a Kleenex and hands it to me. “Han, please. Don’t let them get to you. You’re amazing and beautiful. Sometimes people who have their own insecurities pick on people they feel threatened by.”
That gets a cynical laugh out of me. “And what exactly do I have that they don’t?” This should be a good one.
Stacey places her hands on my shoulders. “You have a natural beauty so many girls would sell their soul for. You have a heart of gold. And one day, you’re going to use that smart mind of yours to do so many great things.”
Stacey squeals when I wrap my arms around her and squeeze, catching her off guard. “Thank you,” I whisper, needing her words more than she’ll ever realize. Her arms lift, and she accepts my embrace. We stay like that for a few seconds, until I feel more composed, then pull away.
“You should get back out there.”
“I’ll wait with you—”
“No. It’s your wedding. Enjoy. I just want to freshen up. Plus, I’m sure they’re ready to start the speeches. I’m totally fine now. I’ll be right out. Promise.” She eyes me warily, but accepts my words and heads back to the hall. I totally had my fingers crossed. I don’t plan on going back out there anytime soon.
I’ve been hiding in the bathroom for over an hour. My stomach growls because I missed dinner. I was also a no-show for the speeches, but there was no way I was standing up to face everyone now. I couldn’t stop the anger and embarrassment. I should have told Stacey how I truly felt. How her friends are bullies. How they’ve picked on me since I was little. But I said I was fine. I’m far from it.
How can someone be so cruel?
Easy.
High school is something I’ve tried to block out. I wasn’t pretty. I didn’t have boobs. I was lightyears away from being on anyone’s popularity radar. I was the butt of everyone’s joke. I got teased, made fun of, bullied. I was a complete nobody. If there had ever been a life or death situation and someone asked what my name was, we’d all be in big trouble. Even my teachers referred to me as Kipley Matthews’ little sister. Awesome, right?
Not.
Eventually, I went to college, which turned out to be the best thing that happened to me. Everyone finds themselves in college, and I was no exception. I found a new style, boobs, Sephora, and friends. I actually found a few boyfriends, and believe it or not, at one point, lost my virginity. Can’t say it was anything great. My boyfriend at the time was drunk. Thirty seconds in, he finished and passed out. But I got the experience and finally got to say I wasn’t a virgin anymore.
After so many years, I hoped when I came home things would be different. I wouldn’t feel the sharpness of their nastiness. Maybe they would all grow out of their bitch phase. Clearly, I was wrong.
I bang my heeled foot against the bathroom stall, still angry at the way Rebecca treated me. I wasn’t that measly little girl who let people pick on her like in high school. I grew a backbone—somewhat…—and I wasn’t going to take shit from these mean girls who thought it was okay to push me to the side. I huff, swiping a tear off my cheek, even more upset I’m allowing them to get to me. I wipe another tear as the bathroom door opens and a flock of giggling girls walk in.
“Oh my god, did you see the way they were practically licking their lips! They want us. I am so in.” Rebecca.
