A Love Restored

Sunlight poured through the bridal shop windows, bathing the racks of fluffy dresses in an incandescent glow. Laughter floated on the air as us bridesmaids, champagne flutes in hand, flitted between gowns,Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

Amidst the whirlwind, I clung to the sidelines, my own flute feeling more like a lifeline than a celebratory drink. Being Lexi’s maid of honor was an honor cloaked in anxiety. My relationship with clothes was strictly utilitarian; they either served a purpose or gathered dust, never gracing my body with anything resembling grace.

Being a bridesmaid cost money. Which I didn’t really have. And now in Lex’s new life, she didn’t seem to have any dearth of money. We were at a high scale boutique in the city, shopping for her wedding dress. It was me, her friend from school Cola, and Grey’s sister Violet who were her bridesmaids.

Lexi pirouetted through the racks, a vision in white, selecting dresses for us like bouquets to carry. We had already chosen her dress. A beautiful white gown that cost a huge, huge amount I couldn’t even think of. Made of lace and silk, it was simply gorgeous. Lexi looked ethereal in it. It had been the third dress she had tried, and all four of us had known that was it the moment she had stepped out of the changing room. The bodice was tight and had intricate designs. The skirt itself was puffy but still elegant. The veil with it was custom made. She looked like a dream.

“Flora,” she exclaimed, holding up a dress made of blush tulle and delicate beading. “This screams you! Pink will be so beautiful on you!” She looked so excited as she pranced around with the dress, “just lovely. It will compliment your skin so well, too.”

1 stared at the dress, then at myself, feeling like a startled troll in a beauty magazine. ‘Lexi, if you put me in anything pinker than blush, I’ll spontaneously combust.

She

threw back her head and laughed, we were all a little tipsy by now, and the store manager was a little annoyed with us, but she also knew we were here to spend. Lexi was graciously even paying for the bridesmaid dresses. “Alright, alright,” she conceded, winking. “But try it just for giggles!”

And so, with gentle cajoling and a touch of champagne courage, I found myself squeezed into the blush tulle monstrosity. Emerging from the dressing room, I felt like a very small creature last in a glitter mountain. When I looked in the mirror, I couldn’t even see myself, just glitter.

Lexi’s reaction, however, i wonderful in this.”

was pure delight. “Flora!” she gasped, eyes sparkling with genuine awe. “You look… ethereal! Just so cute! You’ll all look

I winced, expecting mockery, but her expression was sincere, her eyes filled with warmth that sent a blush creeping up my neck. In Lexi’s gaze, I wasn’t the awkward girl in an alien dress, I was a part of her fairytale, a brushstroke in her vibrant wedding.

The day continued in a similar vein, a whirlwind of feathers, sequins, and organza. Lexi, however, remained the anchor in the storm of chiffon. She slipped into each dress with effortless grace, a chameleon of joy, yet her eyes always sought my approval, searching for my reflection in the mirror of our friendship.

was the And when I tried on a simple emerald green dress, its flowing skirt echoing the color of Felix’s eyes, it wasn’t just the dress that it perfectly. It was

moment.

Lexi stood speechless, tears shimmering in her eyes. “Flora,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion, “you look… like a gemstone.”

“What?” I giggled.

“In the best way!”

And in that moment, caught in the emerald embrace of the dress and the warmth of Lexi’s gaze, I did, sawn reflection not of flaws and insecurities, but of a friend, a confidante, a woman who had been with me through storms and sunshine, her laughter a beacon in the dark.

You make me laugh, Lexl,” I said, my voice catching in my throat. But I agree, I nodded at her in the mirror, “This is a lovely dress. If you like it, too.”

She reached out, her hand touching mine and she jumped excitedly, pulling me with her so I was jumping with her too. “Absolutely! I mean, if everyone

okay with green, we can finalise it,”

“This is it,” Lexi, the radiant bride to be, declared to everyone else, her eyes sparkling wi

is the one.”

with excitement and joy. This is

The other bridesmaids, a kaleidoscope of colors in their mismatched attire, leaned in, drawn by the dress pull and Lexi’s announcement. The fabris. whisper–thin silk, shimmered with the faint sheen of dewdrops, while delicate embroidery traced constellations actus the bodice. It was like wearing a very, very soft leat. If that made sense. It felt like I was wearing nothing

Green?” Violet, Lexis fiancé’s younger sister, tilted her head. “I wasn’t expecting green.“

“Oh, but it’s ‘perfect,” exclaimed Lola, Lexi’s poet friend. “Like a secret garden blooming just for Lexi.” She always spoke like she was in a Disney movie. It made me laugh.

“You like it, don’t you?” Violet asked me, her voice a gentle counterpoint to the surrounding buzz. I looked around, and Lexi was off in a corner discussing something with Lola.

I was caught

ht off guard, blushed. “It’s… beautiful,” I admitted, tracing the neckline with a hesitant finger. “But if you don’t, we can go for the pink one. Or anything else. Blue could be nice.”

Violet smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners. “Flora,” she said, nudging me with her elbow, “Lexi wouldn’t have chosen it if she didn’t see a bit of all of us in it too. I think its really beautiful. Plus, what the bride wants, happens,” She mocked Lola and said in a high pitched voice, “We can all look like an enchanted meadow.”

I snorted, a laugh bubbling up despite myself. “Perhaps,” I conceded, a playful glint in her eyes. “But 1 still doubt I can pull off an enchanted meadow look.”

Violet leaned closer, her voice dipping to a conspiratorial whisper. “You underestimate yourself, Flora. Grey mentioned you, actually. He showed me some pictures, too. I think you’re really pretty. Some makeup and you’ll be the prettiest bridesmaid.”

I blinked, surprised by the unexpected compliment. Violet, who had till now seemed reserved and observant, had seen something in me that even I hadn’t fully acknowledged. And she was so sweet for saying these things, if they were true or not, it didn’t matter.

“Thank you,” I whispered, touched. “Maybe you’re right. Maybe a little emerald is just what I need.”

As the day progressed, the other bridesmaids found their own emerald dresses, each a unique iteration of the shared theme. Lola chose a vibrant emerald with playful tulle ruffles, while Violet opted for a deep, moss–green shade dress that reached a little below her knees.

As the day melted into dusk, the other girls drifted away, their arms laden with bags and their faces flushed with champagne and anticipation. Lexi and I, however, lingered, reluctant to let go of the day’s magic.

We settled by the window of a small restaurant, the city lights twinkling outside like stars. “So, how’s work? Lexi asked, finally breaking the comfortable silence.

I laughed, filling her in on the usual mishaps. “But you,” I parried, “tell me all about Violet! Your fiancé’s sister? She seems lovely.”

Lexi

beamed. “Oh, she is! We hit it off like sisters already. I’m glad you two met. Did you like her?

“She’s really sweet,” I agreed.

We chatted about wedding plans and future dreams, the conversation as easy and familiar as breathing. Then, suddenly, Lexi’s brow furrowed. “Flora, have you figured out a date for the wedding?”

I winced. “Actually,” I admitted, “I was thinking of bringing Tommy as my plus one. You remember him, right?”

Lexi frowned slightly. Tommy, the neighbor? He’s great, but…..”

“But…?” I prompted, a knot forming in my stomach. Lexi seemed torn, her smile strained.

“He’s just…” she hesitated, choosing her words carefully. “He’s not exactly… you know, wedding material.

“What do you mean?” I mumbled, defending my friend without thinking.

Lexi sighed, taking my hand. “Flora, you’re radiant. This wedding is going to be so nice and beautiful.” She gestured at the empty racks, remnants of luxurious fabrics clinging to them. “I want you to bring someone who’s like…..a date date. Not your friend who is almost like a brother to you.”

Lex. I said, trying to bridge the gap, I don’t really have any one in my life, you know? Tommy is a good friend and I’ll be comfortable with him.”

Lexi chuckled, a hint of her usual sparkle returning. “Okay, okay, you win,‘ she conceded, sijurezing my hand. “Hut promise me you’ll at least consider someone new before the big day. There’s bound to be some eligible bachelors at the wedding… maybe Leila’s brother from Seattle?

groaned, rulling my eyes. “Taxi, please. No matchmaking. I laven Leven recovered from your Pinterest board of Ideal Flora Wedding Hairstyles.

She burst out laughing, the tension dissipating. “Alright, alright,” she relented

“Deal,” I grinned, feeling the weight of expectation lighten.

Chapter Comments

Valeri Burnet Lauletta

Tommy was already Lexi friends they already did the seating chart where Flora sits with Tommy

Tracey Blair Price

here is another inconsistency….they were all supposed to be close friends at one point.