Page 99 of Wrath

“Never mind that for a second. First, I need you to know that I’m sorry. I was a young girl, instructed to do something by my father, and I know the foundation of what we started on wasn’t legit, but the way we grew close was. I’ve never ever had a friend like you before, Eden.” She reaches forward and takes my hand. “I don’t want to lose you over this. And I know it’ll take some time for you to trust me again but–”

“Come here.” I pull at her arm and drag her in for a hug.

“Let's just forget it and move on. I’m so done with the past. No more lies, no more pretending.” I let her go and when we pull apart I suddenly pay attention to the way she’s dressed.

“You going somewhere fancy?” I laugh, looking at the satin, navy dress she’s wearing. Her hair’s pinned up and looking far too formal for a visit to this place.

“Oh, this? I, errmmmm…I had an idea, and I’m going to need you to just roll with it.” She chews on her lip.

“Rollwith it? Who are you, and what have you done with my best friend? The Laura Collard I know hasneverrolled with anything in her life,” I giggle.

“Maybe I’m a changed woman. Mom always did say you were a bad influence.”

“Is that really what she said?” I almost choke.

“I’m sure she didn’t mean it—but come on…she always knew who you were, and who your father was.” Laura lowers her voice like she’s afraid of being heard.

“Okay, what’s this idea of yours?” I still haven’t gotten round to telling her that I got the job for the new movie. I’m far too intrigued by this big, red box.

“Well, you remember you designed your original wedding dress?” Her lips raise into a smile.

“The one your mother deemed unsuitable?” I remind her.

“Yes, but it was beautiful.”

I think back to the hours Laura and I spent, turning my design into my perfect dress. It all seems like such a waste now.

“It was but?—”

“Open the box,” Laura interrupts me, barely able to contain her excitement.

“Is that?—?”

“Will you just open it?” She gets impatient, and when I step forward and lift the lid off the box, I smile when I see the dress we made together inside it.

“It really is beautiful.” I slowly pull it out and hold it in front of me.

“You should put it on.” Her eyes widen like a kid at Christmas.

“Why?” I laugh, is everyone around here taking something today? No one seems to be acting normal.

“It’s part of my idea. You know I’ve been wanting to set up my own business for a while, and I love doing wedding designs. I made this dress I’m wearing today, and I played a part in making this one too.” She takes hold of the long, lace train from the dress I'm holding. “I thought we could go down to the beach, and take some photos of us in them so I can get my website up and running.” She looks at me, hopefully. It’s been a long time since I've seen her look so excited, and who am I to stand in her way of getting her dream job, especially today, when I’ve just got mine?

“Sure.” I shrug my shoulders and take the dress with me into the bathroom.

“You’ll have to do me up.” I step out a few minutes later and when I see my reflection in the long-length mirror I’m reminded why Trisha hated the design so much. The lace covers most of my body but the way it clings doesn’t leave much to the imagination. Laura steps up behind me and I suck in while she does up the zip.

She spends a few seconds staring through the mirror at our reflection and looking pleased with herself.

“We should fix your hair.” She snaps herself out of her trance and drags me over to the dressing table that I’m using as a desk. “Sit.” She slams me down hard onto the seat and starts gripping and tugging at my hair.

“Don’t you think you're going a little extra?” I laugh at her.

“This is the most important daaaa– photo of my career. Do you want your hair to look bad?” She points out.

“You know, all this is so rushed. We could hire proper models and a photographer, if it’s going on your website it should be done properly.”

“No, we made that dress to fit you, it’s not going to look anywhere near as good on anyone else, and to hire people costs money. I don’t want to have to ask my parents for that.” She makes a valid point, so I let her continue and when she’s finallydone with the extra makeup she insists I wear, I have to admit she’s done a great job. I actually look like I’m getting married today.

---