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“How sweet!” Her face brightened, and she winked at me. “I can bring you some dresses to try on too…”
“No, I’m good.” I smiled at her and got up to photograph Alexis with her satin train. After I snapped the pictures, she put an arm around my shoulders, and I squeezed her waist.
“Sisters,” the saleswoman sighed. “You look so much alike. Two peas in a pod.”
I stood next to my sister, reflected in the mirror. Shorter, rounder, with the volume turned to medium instead of mega.
The mirror in Patrick’s room didn’t lie. This mirror twinkled with lights on all sides, set in the middle of soft beauty, but it didn’t lie either. I looked at the truth about my sister and me, and for the first time, I didn't care.
“What are you doing for bridesmaid dresses?” the saleswoman wanted to know.
“It’s up to Christina. You pick, honey.” Alexis gave me a pearly smile. “I’m sure the girls will like what you choose. You have great taste.”
“I’ll wear whatever you want me to,” I protested. “If you want us to look like ruffly curtains or birthday cakes, I’ll do it. It’s your day. Go wild.”
Alexis laughed. “Oh, that’s me. Wild.”
My phone rang, with my mom’s name on the screen. I moved away to answer.
“Hi there!” I bubbled. “We’re in the bridal shop. Alexis is trying on every dress and they all look fantastic.”
“I’m glad you made it.” My mother sounded disapproving. “We thought you were having breakfast with us this morning.”
“Mom, I had to wake up at seven to meet Alexis here. I would have had to get up at five am for breakfast.”
“It doesn’t hurt to get up early now and then. You’re staying over tonight, right?”
I hesitated.
“Don’t tell me you’re rushing back to school to do who-knows-what, withSydney.”My mother always pronounced Sydney’s name like it tasted bad. “Spend some time with your family.”
There would probably be digs about my weight, and comparisons between me and Alexis, and a lot of wedding talk. But none of that mattered right now. I felt like I was floating.
“Okay, Mom. I will. I’ll make you guys dinner.”
“How’s Dexter?”
My stomach tightened, and I let out a breath. “I’m sure he’s just fine. I see him in Student Senate. He had a show last night.”
“You went?”
“Yeah, I was there. It wasn’t a big deal. We’re broken up, Mom. We’ve been over since winter break.”
“Yes, and he was so worried about you. Dad and I appreciated that he took the time to call.”
I shook off the reminder. Dexter had visited over summer vacation and impressed my parents with his manners and ambition. After the breakup, he called them to explain how very concerned he was about me. Drinking, partying, quitting cheer squad — like he didn’t get thrashed on the weekends. That fucking phone call had cost me a lot of effort in damage control.
“There’s nothing to worry about.”
“Well, all I can say is, the way the two of you were, we thought you'd be following in your sister's footsteps very soon.”
“Dexter?”I spluttered. Shaking with laughter, I grabbed a rack of dresses for support, earning another glare from the saleswoman. “You thought me and Dexter were going to— oh, that's hilarious.”
“Christina!” my mother reproved. “Get a hold of yourself. You could do a lot worse. That boy might be the best you'll get.”
“Whatever,” I coughed.
“Don't be rude.”
