Walking into my nightmare
1024 Words
“Amanda, what's holding you in there? Come on out already!”
Aunt Priscilla's voice came from outside the restroom, followed by another hard knock on the door.
I turned to look at Maddy.
My heart was pounding so hard it hurt. I had never been this scared before, not even once.
She saw the fear on my face and immediately pulled me into a hug. My forehead rested against her chest as she slowly rubbed my back.
“Calm down,” she whispered. “Everything will be okay.”
The words only made my eyes sting even more as tears rolled down my cheek before I could stop it.
“Maddy, what's going on in there?” Aunt Priscilla called again.
This time she didn't knock. She just stood outside the door.
“We're coming, Aunt Priscy,” Maddy answered.
She gently held my face and wiped away my tears.
“Hey... don't cry.” Her voice was soft enough to calm anyone. “I've got you. No matter what happens today, you're not alone. Okay?”
I wanted to believe her, I really did. But nothing she said could change what was waiting for me outside.
She gave my hand a little squeeze before unlocking the door.
The moment it opened, Aunt Priscilla was standing there with both hands on her waist.
Her face was as cold as ever.
“Aunt Priscy,” Maddy said with a bright smile. “Amy was just having a little problem with her girdle.”
“Whatever.”
Her eyes landed on me.
“And you...” she said sharply. “Don't try anything funny today. Do you hear me?”
I lowered my head.
I couldn't trust myself to look at her.
“Am I talking to myself?” she snapped.
My fingers tightened around my dress. “I... I hear you, Aunt Priscilla.”
“Look at me when you're talking.”
I slowly raised my head.
Another tear escaped before I could blink it away.
She clicked her tongue.
“Better wipe that stupid tear off your face.”
Without waiting for another word, she turned around and walked away.
Neither of us spoke for a few seconds after she left and the silence between us felt so heavy.
Maddy placed both hands on my shoulders.
“Hey, baby girl.”
I looked at her.
She smiled, though I could see the sadness hiding behind it.
“Cheer up.”
She pinched my cheek gently.
“Today isn't going to break you.”
My lips trembled and she took my hands into hers.
“And besides...” she said with a grin. “Have you seen yourself today?”
I frowned.
“You're ridiculously beautiful.”
Despite everything, the corner of my lips twitched.
“There it is,” she said. “That's my girl.”
She linked her arm with mine.
“Come on. Let's go show them how unbelievably beautiful you are.”
Together, we walked back into the dressing room.
***************
The makeup artist touched up my lipstick while one of the bridesmaids adjusted my veil. Another smoothed out my wedding gown.
Everyone around me couldn't stop smiling.
Their voices blended together, I smiled whenever they looked at me, but no one noticed how hard I was trying not to fall apart, except Maddy.
The girl on this day had silently wished she wasn't getting married at all.
A few minutes later, someone announced it was time.
The room suddenly became busy.
The bridesmaids gathered around me while someone carefully lifted the long train of my gown.
Outside, a sleek black BMW was already waiting.
A tall man dressed in a chauffeur's uniform stood beside it with the rear door open.
Aunt Priscilla gave me a look. I quietly got inside while she sat beside me.
Maddy and the two bridesmaids entered another car behind us, and off we drove.
The journey was silent.
I stared through the window as buildings, cars and people passed by.
Everything outside looked normal.
People laughed, children crossed the road with their parents.
Life was moving on, but mine… mine felt like it had stopped.
I slowly closed my eyes.
Please...Let this be a dream., please let somebody wake me up,let someone call my name.
When I opened my eyes again, the car was still moving.
Nothing had changed, i clutched my dress
A few minutes later, the car finally came to a stop.
The chauffeur hurried over and opened my door.
I stepped out carefully.
The two bridesmaids immediately came over to arrange my veil while Maddy fixed the front of my dress.
Then I looked up.
St. Angelique's Cathedral.
My chest tightened, this was it.
Maddy looked at me one last time before she and the bridesmaids went through another entrance.
I wanted to go with them.
Instead, Aunt Priscilla gently pushed me forward.
The huge church doors slowly opened.
Every voice inside faded. Heads turned toward me.
My father, his relatives,the Rowland family, Rose.
And then...
My eyes found Ethan. My steps almost stopped.
And again the pain hit me all over.
The promises we made, the future we planned…. everything flashed through my mind at once.
It felt like someone had reached into my chest and squeezed my heart.
“Behave yourself,” Aunt Priscilla whispered behind me, still smiling so no one would suspect a thing. “And put a smile on that face of yours.”
I swallowed the lump in my throat, then I forced my lips to curve.
The orchestra began to play.
Each step I took down the aisle felt heavier than the last.
My hands tightened around the bouquet until my fingers ached.
I finally looked ahead. There he was.
William Rowland.
Sitting quietly in his wheelchair, dressed in an expensive white suit.
Behind him stood Seth Rowland.
The moment our eyes met, a smile slowly spread across his face.
Not a kind smile.
A smile that made my stomach twist.
For the first time since this nightmare began...
It finally sank in.
This wedding was real.
And in just a few more steps...
- Writer
