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The grin grew and Rory couldn’t help but laugh out loud. It felt as if she was freed from jail. For her, this little success and the financial freedom that would result from it was more amazing than anything else. She was relieved as now she could keep her grandmother’s house without having to grovel to her parents, without the threat of her sister taking it over.
“What’s so funny? Why are you laughing?” Lizzy asked, finally prying her eyes away from her cellphone screen.
“Maybe you were right,” Rory said as a huge smile spread across her face. “Perhaps this day will end better than it started.”
“Of course it will. I just know it. But before that, please go and get ready.”
“Yes, I will. Right now, I’m willing to do anything. I am so happy I could cry.”
And for a moment, as she stood in the shower, Rory did cry a little. A huge weight had lifted off of her shoulders. Maybe this was just a one-time windfall or maybe it would expose her work to a large number of people; it didn’t matter. She was just thankful that for now, she was safe.
Instead of worrying about the future, as had become a secondary habit to her, Rory decided to focus on the present and enjoy the day as much as she could. Nothing could spoil her good mood today, and since she had a party to go to, Rory decided to make the most of it.
Lizzy was done with her own makeup as Rory stepped out of the shower and instantly, she sat Rory down in the chair and started doing her up too.
“I don’t need this, Lizzy. It’s not my wedding!” Rory protested.
“Yes you do. You should be the best-looking person at the wedding.”
“Er
… shouldn’t that be the bride?”
“No,” Lizzy replied sternly, focusing only on Rory’s face, juggling between different makeup brushes.
“Seriously, how are you even so good at makeup, Lizzy? Who taught you?”
“Well, there is this little thing called the internet. Also if you don’t keep quiet and let me work, I will paint you like a clown.” The way Lizzy was taking it so seriously made Rory chuckle. She just closed her eyes and ran an image of all the money she had made in her head again. This is how it must feel to live without worry.
When Lizzy was done, Rory could not believe what she saw. She looked stunning. It was subtle, natural makeup, but Lizzy just knew how to accent Rory’s best features. The cheeks, the brows, the hair, everything was perfect.
“Oh Lizzy, my Lizzy. This is amazing!” Rory said.
“Thank you. This is the least I can do for you,” Lizzy smiled.
“I feel so bad putting on that hideous dress with such good makeup.”
“As you yourself told me, it’s just one day. Let’s just get this over with and we can get back to our nice, beautiful life in Montcove. I, for one, can’t wait,” Lizzy sighed.
“Amen, sister. Amen.” As she slipped the dress over her head, and Lizzy zipped it up, she was thrilled that it closed. And it didn’t look quite as bad as she’d feared, though it wasn’t the most comfortable.
Rory decided not to travel to the church with her sister’s entourage. Every moment away from Tara and her parents was a relief and she didn’t want to spoil her good mood.
As Rory and Lizzy entered the room the bride’s party had been assigned, all they heard was Tara’s voice, ordering everyone around. She was still getting last-minute things fixed and was an absolute nervous wreck. Rory had never seen her like this before and knew enough to get out of her sister’s way.
“Could’ve come even later,” Tara said sarcastically, as she spotted Rory.
“Hello to you too, sis. You seem to be in a chirpy mood.” Rory smirked, making Tara roll her eyes.
“Not today, Rory. Not today, okay? Please!”
“Stop bothering your sister and go do something useful instead,” Rory’s mother said from behind her. Even today, she has to pick on me. Whereas otherwise, such comments made Rory frown, today she just grinned. She was in a happy place and nothing could destroy that.
As Rory went to sit in one corner, wearing the ridiculous dress, she pulled out the phone and checked her sales page again. T-shirt sales had been increasing steadily and she realized that she had plenty of money to live comfortably for the next few months. Rory smiled as she thought about how she was going to fulfill all the orders. This is a welcome challenge, she thought.
“What are you smiling about?” Lizzy asked her, visibly uncomfortable in the surroundings.
“Well…” Rory paused.
