Day 43
Today is the day.
The final day.
No more cameras in my face after this.
No more scheduled activities.
Or rules.
I can do as I please. With whomever I want. When I want.
So why am I pouting as I shove the rest of my miscellaneous items in my bags? Why am I not more excited to zip up my suitcase and bolt out of here tomorrow?
Why does my heart feel heavy? Why is my head spinning with memories of the last six weeks?
Because I love these people. They’ve become my friends. My family. Some more than others.
I was guarded when I arrived. I didn’t expect to be here until the end. I didn’t expect to make friends.
To find love.
But I did. All of those things.
I let these people in, no matter how much I tried not to. They’ve each weaseled their way into my heart and helped me heal. I don’t have just Jace to thank, or Lennon, I need to thank them all for helping me.
Even the backstabbers like Courtney and Gage.
But with less than twenty-four hours until I’m on a flight home, there’s no way for me to do that.
Which reminds me, I never did change my flight. It’s probably too late to ask for help from Claudia now, especially after the nasty text I sent her, so I’ll have to take care of it myself.
A quick ten-minute search and I’m booked on the two o’clock flight to Miami, non-stop. First class was the only available option, but I didn’t even hesitate. After tonight I’ll have a little extra money to spare, and the fact I get to see Jace tomorrow makes every cent worth it.
Bella’s knocking at my door an hour later, tote bag in hand.
“You have to help me,” she pleads as she pushes her way inside. “I can’t do this myself. I mean, I can, but I can’t. My hands are shaking. I’m afraid I’m going to break the hairpiece. I’m too nervous.”
I can see her hands shaking as she clutches her bag tightly.
After calming her down with a shot of tequila, the last one in the bottle thanks to Milo’s love of my margaritas, we get to work on her hair and makeup. Once she’s done, I start on my own.
Just like my dress, I keep it simple.
I pin my hair to one side and let it flow in long, big curls over my left shoulder. My makeup is only slightly more dramatic. A little blush and bronzer, a soft yet smoky eye, and dark lashes. The real pop of color comes from my red lipstick.
Bella’s completely ready, fastening her necklace when I walk in to get changed.
She looks timeless. It could be her wedding day today, and she’d look perfect for the occasion.
Me, on the other hand, I have a bit of an edge. At least it feels that way, but it could have something to do with my attitude. Once I’m dressed and have a visual of the entire picture, I see the edge. It’s in the subtle details. The necklace I chose. The way my smoky eye makes me look angry if I don’t smile.
The soft curves of the dress are what calm the look. So does the innocent and sweet nature of my hair. Not enough to change my perception of the message I’m conveying but maybe for others.
It’s the perfect representation of how I feel, and I couldn’t love it more.
At six thirty on the dot, Bella and I head toward the lawn. The show won’t start for over an hour, as the sun begins to set, but we’re required to be there early to get set up for tonight. The schedule has changed so much this week I’m not even sure if we’re still on time or if we’re going to be late. Bella is convinced we’ll be fine either way.