Three Months Until Goodbye

The Fitting

MARA’S POV

I woke up the next morning to the sound of my alarm going off. Sluggishly, I flipped over to my side and turned off the alarm. I laid on my back and stared at the ceiling and somehow, the first thought that crossed my mind was the messages I received last night.

I laid completely sill for a long moment trying to process everything before reaching for my phone. I read the three messages all over again, hoping it would make more sense than it did last night. It still didn’t. So I locked my phone and dropped it onto the nightstand. I didn’t plan on telling Evie. At least, not yet.

I spent most of last night going back and forth over whether I should tell her. Evie’s my best friend. If there’s anyone I should be able to tell, it was her, Right?

But what would I even say? She would think I’m insane. Until I knew who was sending the messages, I wasn’t going to drag Evie into this.

I pushed the covers away and sat up. Today’s supposed to be about her. It’s the first fitting for her wedding dress and I wasn’t going to let some anonymous sociopath ruin that. I got up and did my regular routine and since we’d be meeting a really important designer, I decided to wear something nice but I didn’t want it to seem like I was trying too hard.

I wore a pretty baby blue sundress that stopped right below my mid thighs and went with a pair of white sandals. I accessorized with a dainty gold necklace and a pair of gold stud earrings. Finally, I picked up my white handbag and stared at myself in the mirror.

I was ready.

By the time I got downstairs, Evie was already sitting on the couch, shoulders hunched, staring at what looked like a wedding dress. She looked up when she heard my footsteps.

“You look pretty.”

I smiled brightly, my finger raised in a ‘clock-it’ motion. “Good morning, miss bride-to-be.”

Her smile widened as she said, “Gosh, I can’t believe I finally get to see my wedding dress in person.”

I made my way towards her. “You’re worried about your dress? I can’t believe I get to meet the queen of wedding fashion.”

Evie smiled exasperatedly.

“Girl, same. I just don’t want to seem like a fangirl so she doesn’t think I’m weird.”

“I’m going to fangirl hard. I don’t care.”

She shook her head and closed her laptop. Then got up and hooked her arm through mine. We walked hand in hand outside and found Bruce waiting for us in the driveway. He straightened when he saw us.

“Good morning, ladies.”

“Morning, Bruce.” Evie and I said simultaneously in an almost singsong way.

He opened the back door of the car for us. “Milla Nova boutique?”

“Yes, please.” Evie answered.

The second the car pulled away from the manor, Evie let out a long, dramatic sigh. I looked at her and asked, “what?”

She turned to me and started fanning herself dramatically. “I cannot believe this is actually happening.”

“Weren’t you just acting nonchalant about meeting a literal icon?” I said, while laughing.

She side eyed me playfully. “I know, I know. I was trying to keep myself calm but oh my god, It’s Penelope Paloma.”

I laughed again, my cheeks already hurting from the amount of smiling I’ve been doing this morning.

“I understand perfectly well, Evie.”

“No, you don’t.” Then she grabbed my hand. “Mara, THE Penelope Paloma is designing MY wedding dress!”

“And are you just realizing that?” I asked, shaking my head.

“She is literally making my dress.”

I burst out laughing, catching sight of Bruce smiling and glancing back through the rear view mirror.

“She’s totally fangirling, right Bruce?”

“Indeed, she is, miss Mara.”

Evie crossed her arms and sat up in her seat. “No. I am simply appreciating the significance of the situation.”

“That’s a really fancy way of saying you’re fangirling.”

She tried to look offended, but the smile tugging at the corner of her mouth gave her away. God, I’ve missed being able to tease her about stupid things like this.

For the rest of the drive, Evie talked about Penelope’s designs. She had opinions about nearly every collection Penelope has released. We even stopped for coffe and doughnuts since we didn’t get to eat breakfast. By the time we got to the boutique, I was convinced that Evie knew more about the designer than she knew about some of her family members.

Before the car could even fully stop, Evie had already practically jumped out.

“Slow down.” I called out, getting down after her.

She rolled her eyes before disappearing through the doors of the boutique. I followed her. God, the place was beautiful. Soft lighting spilled across the polished marble floors, delicate gowns hung behind glass displays, everything about this place felt elegant and expensive without trying too hard. Evie stopped in her tracks, causing me to almost bump into her. I looked up and then I saw her.

Penelope Paloma.

Even though I’d seen thousands pictures of her online, seeing her in person was different. She looked absolutely regal.

And as if she sensed us, she turned and smiled, recognizing Evie. She started for us, closing the distance between us.

“Oh. My. God.” Evie whisper-yelled.

“Evie?” Penelope smiled as she approached us, her expression softening into a knowing smile.

“Yes.” Evie’s entire face lit up brighter than lights on Christmas Eve.

“It’s lovely to finally meet you.”

“Finally?” Evie repeated like her ears had deceived her.

“Yes. I thought it was high time we met properly.”

Evie glanced at me like she was silently asking whether this was really happening. I gave her an encouraging smile. Right then, Penelope turned her attention to me.

“And you must be Mara.”

I blinked, completely stunned at the fact that she knew who I was.

She knew who I was!?

“Me?”

“Yes. Evie mentioned she would be coming with her maid of honor.”

I looked at Evie. “You’ve been talking about me?”

“Only good things,” Penelope said, laughing softly.

“I hope so.”

“Come. Let’s see how your dress is coming along.”

She turned and walked towards the back of the boutique. Evie practically floated after her and I followed. She pulled open some curtains and there it was. The dress was absolutely breathtaking. It wasn’t completely finished but even in it’s current state, I could tell it was going to be beautiful.

The fabric in the color of ivory looked soft and innocent, the lace sleeves looked very elegant, the silhouette flattering without being dramatic. The delicate hand beaded detailing along the bodice that caught the light whenever it moved. And a delicate lace veil that hung beside it.

Evie stared at it, completely awestruck. “Wow.”

Penelope smiled. “Would you like to try it on?”

“Of course, I’d love to.”

I laughed as Evie disappeared behind the fitting room curtain with two assistants. A few minutes later, she stepped out and in that moment, I think I might’ve forgotten how to speak. Evie looked absolutely beautiful and the dress looked stunning on her. Slowly, Evie turned around and looked at me.

“Well?”

I swallowed. “You look…” I shook my head, feeling my eyes well up. “Beautiful.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

We stared at each other for a moment. I couldn’t believe my best friend was getting married. It feels like only yesterday when we in elementary school. Now, she was being fitted for her wedding dress.

Penelope adjusted a section near her waist, snapping both of us back to the present. “The final version will have a little more beaded detailing right here, and we will lower the back a bit more to give it a more backless look.” She explained

“And we’re still deciding if you wanted a train or not.” She said, finally placing the delicate veil on Evie’s head.

Evie stared at herself in the mirror again. “I don’t think I want a train anymore. This is perfect.”

“You haven’t even seen the final version.”

“I don’t care. I love it.”

I laughed, dabbing my eyes with the back of my hand. She looked at me through the mirror.

“Don’t you dare cry.”

“I’m not gonna.”

“Yes you are.”

I rolled my eyes. “Go away. I hate you.”

“You love me.” She said and blew me a kiss.

And she was right. I do love her.

For the next couple of hours, I watched Penelope and Evie talk about the rest of the details that was going to be added to the dress; occasionally chiming in and giving my two cents.We laughed about the amount of decisions that apparently had to be made before two people could be legally married. And at one point, we even started taking pictures with Penelope.

Soon after that, we were seated waiting for Bruce to come pick us up. While we waited, Evie started telling me about a childhood memory that I’d completely forgotten about.

“… I can’t believe you pushed me into the pool.”

“Only because you pushed me first.”

“I was eight.”

“So was I.”

“Nuh uh, you were nine.”

“So that’s why you tried to kill me.”

“I was trying to teach you how to swim.”

“But you couldn’t swim either.”

We looked at each other and started laughing. Penelope looked amused as to how long we’ve been friends.

“You two have known each other for a really long time.”

“Not long enough.” I said to Penelope.

Evie and I stared at each other. For a second, neither of us said anything. Then she smiled and something inside me settled. I spent so much time since I got back thinking about everything that felt unfamiliar. But sitting here with Evie, watching her stand in the dress she dreamed about, I remembered that not everything had changed.

Shaking out of that thought, I reached into my handbag and pulled out my phone hearing it vibrate. My fingers brushed against the screen. There was a message from Rob. My eyes lingered on it, then I locked the screen and slipped the phone back into my bag. I would reply when I get back home.

Home. That word felt weird now.

“Mara?”

“Yeah.”

She studied my face for a second before smiling. “I thought I’d lost you to the unseen forces of the universe. Bruce is out front.”

I groaned. Honestly, I didn’t think I was ready to go back.

“Come on.”

I rose and followed after her. We said our goodbyes to Penelope before heading outside to meet Bruce.

On the drive back to the Elordi manor, I thought to myself long and hard. For the first time since returning to Westbridge, I didn’t feel like I was waiting for something terrible to happen, I was simply here with my best friend. And for now, that was enough.