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“Baby,” Robert interrupts her, harsher this time. “He said it was an accident, and apologized. Let’s just move on.”
“But I have gunk in my pores!” she wails. I grab her arm, and quickly steer her away before she melts down completely.
“Let’s go get you cleaned up,” I coo, reassuring. “It’ll wash out in no time. And didn’t I read somewhere that neon is great for the skin?”
I send a look to Brooke, who quickly jumps in. “Yes! That’s right. So really, it’s like you just got a full body hydration mask. Your skins is going to be glowing.”
Literally.
We escort Avery to the back of the boat, and dunk some towels in the ocean to sponge her clean. “I’m cursed,” she sobs, slumping in her seat. “This is a sign! The whole wedding is cursed! Oh God,” she adds, suddenly gripping my arm in panic. “The photos! They’ll be everywhere!”
I glance down the boat to where DeeDee and the other bridesmaids all have their phones out, clicking merrily. “No,” I lie. “I’m sure nobody would do that!”
“Call the resort, have them cut the wifi. Block the cell signals!” Avery demands.
“I’m don’t think we can do that.” I exchange a look with Brooke, who checks her phone and winces.
“Sorry, the photos are already up and… there’s a video.”
“Video?” Avery whimpers.
I look over Brooke’s shoulder. On-screen, Avery’s screech echoes, as the rush of goo rains down on her.
SPLAT.
“It’s going viral,” Brooke reports, and Avery’s whimper turns into a wail.
“I’m never going to live it down! I’ll be slime girl. The gooped bride!”
I glance back to where the bridesmaids are gossiping, delighted. DeeDee looks like she’s about to break out in a victory song.
Three guesses who uploaded the footage.
I crouch down in front of Avery, feeling terrible. I promised her that nothing would screw up this week, and all we’ve had is one disaster after another. “You can turn this around,” I insist, squeezing her hands. “You know what makes something a joke?”
“When everyone’s laughing at me?” Avery replies, through her tears.
“Exactly. You need to be a part of the joke, not the butt of it,” I tell her. “So laugh it off, act like you don’t care. Don’t give them the satisfaction of ruining your big event.”
“She’s right.” Brooke squeezes her cousin’s shoulder. “Those bitches want to humiliate you? Don’t let them.”
“But Iamhumiliated!” Avery wails.
“You’re also an actress,” I remind her. “A good one. So show them what you’ve got.”
Avery blinks, her tears clearing. She takes a steadying breath. “OK…”
I can almost see the transformation click into place as she gets to her feet again, holds her chin up defiantly, and smooths down her gooped up hair.
“Baby!” Avery calls out, fixing a big smile on her face as she sashays back to Robert. “Whoops, I think you missed a spot!” she giggles, reaching up to smear more glitter in his hair.
He laughs, clearly relieved she’s in a good mood again. “You too, sweetheart.”
Robert playfully strokes some pink goo on her cheeks, then Avery kisses him, slime and all. Brooke cheers loudly, and I join in, as Avery strikes a pose, beaming, showing off her neon-smeared gown. “I’ve got a one-of-a-kind dress now,” she trills. “A Kevin Kang original!”
The bridesmaids cluster round, oohing and ahh’ing enviously now, and I catch a scowl of annoyance on Dee Dee’s face.
Atta girl, Avery.
