Whoa! I smell something fishy here, I'd have to ask her about it later...
Hannah and I go back to the garden once they leave, each one of us holding a glass of apple juice.
"So, what's with you and Leroy?" I constantly asked once we were away from them.
Hannah almost chokes on her drink, blushing yet again before she answers, "He's just a friend."
"Yeah, sure. I bet that's why you were blushing back then and even now."
Her eyes widened at that and her hand shot up to her warm cheeks.
Hah! Gotcha!
"Ugh! Fine!" She groans when I perk an eyebrow at her silence. "I... kinda like... Leroy?"
I punched the air in happiness, knowing that my guess was right. I knew it!!!
Turning to her, I asked further, "Uhuh…Since when has it started?"
"Um, maybe since last year, I'm not sure. That's when Eion brought them over to our house since Eion and I was pretty close back then. I guess that's the time I noticed Leroy..." She rambled.
I see…"You didn't tell me right away!" I chided.
"Well, I didn't tell anyone!" She squealed before pausing, "Well, except you." She blushed again.
I just grinned at her, "Nevermind, I'll have fun teasing you, Hannah, especially now that I know."
She sighed, "Geez, I knew I shouldn't have told you."
I patted her on the back, "Don't worry, you two make a cute couple.”
"Couple? Pshh! He doesn't even notice me.” She exclaimed. “And besides, he's one of the heartthrobs in this town. So I know I don't stand a chance," She said, sadness lacing her tone even though she tries to hide it.
I comforted her, "Don't worry, we'll do something about that.”
“And how is that?” She asked, looking at me curiously, but I just shrugged. We’ll just see about that.
At lunch, Aunt Maggie stood up for an announcement, "I have the invitations here. I'll distribute it so you'll know your partners, the details, and everything else you might need." Aunt Maggie said, passing cream envelopes to people around her and then coming over to us.
I hoped I'd be paired with Luke, or maybe Leroy or even Dax. I'd feel comfortable since I know them...
Opening the envelope, I nearly fainted at the cursive italics that peeked at me. Written on it was something I had dread. It was the last thing that I wanted to happen.
Leizel Snow Garcia Waterstrings and Eion Aurelio Hudson.
Oh, just kill me now!
******
Alas, I couldn’t escape that fate. Counting down, It is now three weeks before Aunt Maggie's wedding. Just thinking about it made me feel nervous.
Even more so when I'm constantly reminded that I'm partnered with Eion the robot.
Today's supposed to be dress fitting, and I'm up earlier than usual, getting prepped for the day.
I found mom rushing around the kitchen, looking for something. She exclaimed when she saw me, "Snow! I'm so sorry honey, I can't go! The hospital called, and they needed help. I know it's a very important day but..."
She continued ranting nervously for a few seconds before I called out and softly spoke at her, finally getting her attention. "It's alright, I can take care of me and Nathan."
She winced when I said that, "Nathan has baseball practice, so he can't go either."
My mouth dropped into an 'o' as my heart plummeted at the thought of going alone there. I mean, of course I had already made a lot of friends there like Hannah and Luke, but it’s a bit different. "But when will you fit your dress then?" I asked.
"Next time, for now, you'll have to go alone. I'm so sorry about this..."
"It's alright." I managed a smile, just so that she didn't feel guilty.
"Okay, I have to leave..." She turned around, tucking the house keys she'd finally fished out of somewhere into her pocket. "Take care. And be sure to help out Aunt Maggie."
I nodded as she walked away, sighing as I watched the car leave from the bay window.
---
"Snow!" Aunt Maggie exclaimed once she saw me stepping out of the cab, having arrived at the mansion a tad bit early.
"Hey, Aunt Maggie!" I smiled at her, my prior weariness vanishing at her cheerfulness. "Mom can't go because-"
"I know sweetie, she texted me earlier,” She said, not letting me finish my sentence. She wrapped an arm around my shoulder, "Which is why you'll be the one I shall seek advice from on this fine day!" She faked an archaic tone, making the both of us burst into laughter as we entered the house.
Hannah and Luke were in the living room talking to a few relatives when I greeted, "Hello everyone.”
Hannah shot a look at Luke, who turned away immediately.
I raised my brows questioningly at that, but Hannah just shrugged. Hmm..I smell something fishy.
Hannah starts talking about the day, something I think she's doing to distract me, but I don't complain, glad to get away from the awkward situation.
"Okay! Is everyone ready?" Aunt Maggie called, now dressed in a blue summer dress and heels.
Hannah steers me towards an expensive looking red car the moment we're out. I spotted Eion in his Mercedes-Benz black SUV, who shot me a deadpan look when he caught my gaze, looking between Luke and me before he looked away.
Strange.
Oh right, I remember that I have to thank him about yesterday for helping me out at the shop. I knew it was against his will or mom probably forced him to look after me, but I kind of appreciate it.
Dax and Leroy were in the car with him and shot me their smiles when they saw me. I subtly pointed at Eion, gesturing at Leroy to ask what was wrong with the robot. I only saw him shrug before Hannah dragged me to the front of Luke's car.
"I'll sit in the back," I called, about to do just that when Hannah slipped into it quickly.
"The only seat left is the shotgun. Oops?" She gives me an innocent smile.
Before I can think about it, Luke ushers me into the seat before getting into the driver's spot and starting the engine.
The others were already driving away and Luke and Eion's were the only two cars left at the time, and the latter was standing right next to us. I caught the robot glancing at me before he drove away.
I frowned slightly, thinking of what he might be up to, but my thoughts were blown away when Luke followed his cousin at the same thrilling speed. The window's open, causing the breeze to send me scrambling to keep my hair in place.
Luke laughed at that while Hannah argued with him about which song they should play in the car.
Luke visibly winces when Hannah turns the radio to a peppy song by a teen band. "Okay, I am certainly not driving if that junk is on."
Hannah cries out from behind, "Oh come on! You don't even give them a chance! They're amazing!" She then turned to me, “Right Snow?"
I responded with a shrug almost immediately when I saw her 'agree with me or else I'll skin you alive' look.
"See? Snow agreed.”
Luke turned to me, “Did you really like it, Snow?”
Both of the siblings now looked at me, one curious while the other triumphant.
"Uh, I like the beats...I guess?" I trailed off awkwardly.
Luke groaned at that, "Okay, okay! Two against one, you win this time Hannah."
Hannah only laughed loudly, singing along as she teased her brother all the way to our destination. When we arrived, I saw Eion, Dax, and Leroy waiting for us, their car parked at the side of the road. Dax was busy on his phone while Leroy shaded his eyes with a hand as he watched us. Eion, as you might guess, looked annoyed.
"Are we all here?" Aunt Maggie asked, checking on all of us before we entered the store. Beautiful gowns stood at the display, the elegant black door that leads to the shop separating the outside from a flurry of cloth material and mannequins. Everything spoke of elegance and grace.
Prom gowns, formal gowns, ball gowns, royal nightgowns, wedding gowns, you name it and it was somewhere around the corner.
The lady at the desk led us to the center, calling out for the helpers - who happen to be dressed as impeccably as herself, in a pair of jeans and a pale blue top with 'Sarah's Gowns' written in cursive at the front.
All of us were assigned to one of the assistants while Sarah, the owner herself worked with Aunt Maggie, each of them flitting around us with the measuring tapes, taking notes for our clothes.
Aunt Maggie called me after a while, asking me when I was beside her, "What do you think would be the perfect color combination? It's sort of hard to decide with all these options..."
I hesitated before she smiled at me, urging me to look into the book listing all the selections, "Pick whichever color you think is the best sweetie, I just wanted your opinion, no pressure,"
I pointed at what I thought would look perfect on her, slightly shy as she looked at the book closer
“Beige? Hmm, not bad. Thank you, Snow," she said, continuing to talk to Sarah as I stepped away, glad the moment was over.
"Pshh, beige? My grandma has better taste," said a familiar voice.