A Sister's Long Wait.

Day of a Unexpected Invitation

The final bell just rang, what a relief. I mean, I always go to school on my birthday, but I'd honestly rather have been on my dorm room bed right about now. Astrology was always an easy "A" for me in high school, but having it for two hours long, is just straight up miserable. I just about run to my dorm building. 

Today, I am 20. Nothing much to celebrate, though there is a party tonight, I might go, but we all know what happened at my last party and well, I'd rather not go through that type of thing again. 

When I get back to my dorm room, my roommate is already there, her class is in the building right next to our dorm building. When she sees me, she holds out a hand full of letters, birthday letters, a new tradition. "These were in our mailbox, I almost forgot it was your birthday today. So, are you coming to the party tonight?" 

After I told my family I was moving down to Florida after graduation to attend University of Central Florida, which is in Orlando, Florida, we basically stopped talking fully. So, for birthdays, because we are still technically family, they send birthday cards, my sister does, too, but I didn't open her last one. 

"Ashley? Ashley?" 

"Huh, oh, I'm sorry Amanda, thank you." 

"So, are you coming tonight?" Amanda is 21, a year older than me, and notorious for going to all the parties she possibly can. Which is basically all of them, she is one of the most known girls in our building, and school. I would use the term popular, but people don't tend to really "like" her. She's not so bad though, you just have to understand what she's trying to do, or what she really means to happen. 

"Parties are not my thing remember," this caused her to shoot me a very disappointed and almost, I think hurt look, but I don't know what for. "I was just going to stay in and bing watch a season of "Friends", relaxing is just what I need." I stated as I sat down on my bed, though honestly, I'm probably going to read some of our latest English lit assignment, which happens to be sitting on my bookshelf. As I find myself about to look over at it, I spot a neat, and cleverly wrapped box. 

Amanda started up again, "well, then I guess I don't know what to do this the present... I mean, I was hoping you could use it tonight, you can still have it, but I wouldn't know what for." After she finishes her clearly planned guilt trip, and I flip through the first two cards. I interject. 

"well, I'm sure there are plenty of coming up parties that the present could be very useful in. So, can I open it now?" I wink as her as playfully as I could, hoping that would ease up some of the lingering tension that seems to be fusing out of her. 

"Sure. I hope you like it." she seems more than gleeful when she hands it to me. As I open it I feel the silky fabric, it is probably one of the most beautiful dresses I've seen in a long time. It's navy blue, with open sides on my stomach, and a V neck to show just the right about of cleavage. 

" Oh my... Amanda, It's incredible. Thank you SO much."

"Of course, I hope you like it."

"Like it? I love it." Amanda turns to look at the door now. 

"That's good, I'm going to go take a shower, see you in a bit. Let me know if you changed your mind about the party when I get back." She closes the door behind her before I can say anything back. 

I put the dress down at the end of my bed, I flip through a couple more letters, school cards, newsletters, ext., but then one catches my eyes. It was a creamy white, with golden trim around the edges. As I start to open it, I feel my stomach flip, like I tasted something horrible, though I don't know why, I mean I haven't eaten much today. 

"You Are Joyously Invited To Our Wedding. We Would Be Honored If You Would Come With Us To Watch Anna Conner and Thomas Benson Be Joined Together..."