Dress

Baily's POV

I wake up to my alarm blaring. I groan, sitting up off the hard tiled floor I had slept on. My neck sore from sleeping so awkwardly. I knew I'd be sleeping here, next to the toilet. I was thankful that I put my hair up into a pony at one point last night. Only a small amount of my vomit on the ends of my hair. I stand ungracefully, looking in the mirror at myself. My eyes were red and slightly puffy. The dark bags under my eyes screaming that I didn’t sleep well. I look away from my reflection and at the shower I longed to be in. I quickly strip out of my bikini, getting into the shower. The warm water that sprayed out onto my skin was steaming hot. My sore muscles appreciated the warmth.

It was after ten in the morning, and I still felt like death. No headache or stomachache which was good. My body just felt drained. I took as long of a shower that the hot water would allow. I shaved and scrubbed my body, harshly. I was going to see my dress today and Lily's. I was excited for that even though my heart still felt heavy from my run in with Wayne yesterday.

After two games of floating beer pong, which I'm horrible at by the way. I excused myself to use the restroom. My partner, Timmy was too happy at the fact I wasn't going to be his partner anymore. I slowly walked through the lake water, up the beach and to the closest bathroom. Walking as straight as I could. Which was basically not at all. I fumbled around in the bathroom; I was almost too intoxicated to remember mine and Wayne's conversation. Now, I wished I had been at that point. My heart ached in my chest. When I stumbled out of the main bathroom by the beach. I found a good spot to sit, letting the spins pass. I sat there for God knows how long. My eyes closed, the loud voices and music swirling in my head mixing together.

"You good?" I heard the last voice I wanted to hear. Well that’s a lie, I always wanted to hear that voice. I longed for it for so long. I ignore it knowing I was being a delusional drunk.

"Bailey?" The stern voice cut through me. My eyes pop open, I watch Wayne relax slightly. I narrow my eyes at him as I sit against the trunk of a random tree.

"Just got the spins." I tell him honestly. He nods, looking away from me. I was almost sure he would just walk away. Almost. Wayne never ceased to amaze me though. He sat down next to me, not touching but close enough we could have been. Even him this close had my heart twisting in pain. I wanted him so badly. I just wanted to be with him, touch him, kiss him, love him. I missed him so damn much but I knew that everyone who once warned me to stay away was right. I will never go through this kind of pain again.. But that doesn’t mean we couldn’t be friends. Right?

"How are ya doin'?" His voice softer than before. Making my heart leap at the small amount of softness he was granting me.

"I'm doing, you?"

I swear I hear him murmur "Barley doin'."

Wayne cleared his throat before saying. "I'm bout as good as I can be." His voice going back to the emotionless one. I love his southern drawl, it was more intoxicating than any alcohol. I loved just purely being in his presence. I didn’t realize how much I missed him. I knew I had for months. It hurt my heart much worse realizing just how much.

"I miss you." I blurt out, my heart twisting. The alcohol allowing me to say the things I never would sober. I sat there for a long time waiting for a reply. It never came, instead Wayne stood. I grab his hand before he could walk away. He turned back looking at my hand holding his. I watch as some emotion came over his face. He pulled away from my touch like it burned him. I furrowed my eyebrows together.

"Wayne, could we just be friends? I don't want this... This weirdness between us." Wayne's little emotion he wore after looking at our hands connected, disappeared.

"I ain't gonna ever be ya friend Bailey. You should know that much." Wayne’s voice rang out before I could respond he turned away from me. Walking back and disappearing into the lake party.

I quiver in the shower thinking of the memory. I should have never told him I had missed him. Even if every part of me knew it to be true. I felt pathetic. The bastard had cheated on me! I did no wrong and yet his callous, cold demeanor made me feel like I had. I knew I shouldn’t miss him. I should despise him. I turned off the shower once the water ran cold. I tried so hard to get Wayne out of head.

After turning up my music to max volume and plugging my wireless headphones into my ears. I brush my teeth and hair. I begin getting ready for the day. I wear the sundress I bought just for today. It fit my body in a snug way, in all the places it should. Flowing out with ruffles. The light green dress bringing out the small amount of green in my hazel eyes. I straightened my long hair. I had contemplated many times to cut it off to my shoulders. I stand here today thanking God I did not do that. My makeup covered my dark bags. I put on my sunhat and sunglasses. I got a little crispy in the sun yesterday and prayed it wouldn't peel before the wedding.

My phone rang, Lily's name popped up on my screen. I had a few different texts, snaps and a million social media notifications.

"Hello bride to be!" I say cheerfully.

"Getcha butt over to the bridal suite!" She exclaimed in a loud excited voice. She hung up and I left my room with my purse and phone. I shut my door looking down the hall. The lights dimmed by my sunglasses. My eyes were graced or cursed I couldn't decipher which one when I see Wayne. I swear this is a slow form of torture for all my past wrong doings. His eyes scanned me before looking back at his door, opening it. He disappeared behind it. Not giving me one reaction or emotion. I don’t know why this bothered me so friggin much!

like usual his amazing body was covered in sweaty. He wore one of his cut off shirts and sport shorts. That man was always running. I stare down the empty hall for a moment before turning the opposite direction.

I got to the bridal suite and heard the cheerful voice of Lily behind the door. I push open the door. Lily's mom was holding up a gown enclosed in a white fabric cover up bag. I felt my smile grow. I took off my sunglasses, hat and purse laying them on a small table.

”Bailey!” Beth exclaimed noticing me first. Lily ran out of her room. Her excitement seeping out of her. I smile brighter at my ecstatic cousin. Lily hugged me tightly as the bridal door opened. I heard multiple footsteps enter the room.

“Good to know you look good in this color.” I hear the smile in her voice.

“Why’s that?” I ask against her shoulder. Enjoying her embrace.

”You’ll see!”

I look back after Lily released me. She held onto my shoulders leaning into me. The rest of her group of bridesmaids and Sammy walked in together. She definitely had a beautiful set of bridesmaids. Each one holding their own dress. Each dress sealed in a garment bag.

“Now that everyone is here I want to show all of you my dress and Bailey hers!” Lily said excitedly. The thrilled women agreed lining up after Sammy to hang their dresses on an iron rod. You could tell it was meant to hold wedding garments. Lily bounced on her heels. Beth looked at her happy daughter lovingly.

”Mama is going to help me get in ta my dress! ‘Urs is in the closet! Try it on!” Lily ordered happily.

“Yes, Miss.” I say with wink.

”It’ll be Mrs. tomorrow!” I smile at my tall cousin bouncing on her heels to her room. Beth hugged me lightly with one arm before following after Lily. She held her daughters dress up off the ground like it was precious. It very much was. I wondered if my mom would be this supportive on the day I get married. If that were to ever happen, I doubt she’d dote on me like Beth did Lily.

“I’m so excited for this!” Sammy gushed next to me.

”Me too! I don’t know anyone else more deserving of all this!” I say brightly.

”She’s gonna be such a beautiful bride!” Amy cheerfully said.

Sammy and I nodded in agreement. I grabbed the long dress bag hanging in the closet.

“‘Ur gonna look bangin’!” Sammy said from the couch.

”I’m sure I won’t look nothing compared to you.” I call out before shutting the door to the bathroom.

”Bless ‘ur heart!” She yelled through the door. I roll my eyes. Sammy said that more times in a day than I could count. “Ain’t no man gonna be able to keep their eyes off ya!” She spoke loudly through the door. I smile in response as if she could see me. I lay the bag on the sinks black marble counter. I unzip the bag slowly, not wanting to snag the dress. The beautiful color of sage material came peaking out. I pull the soft silk material from the bag

The dress was gorgeous. I place it back down. Stripping out of my dress I was wearing. It pooled to the floor, stepping out of it. I throw my dress for the wedding over my head. I zip the small zipper on the side of my dress.

The material was soft to the touch. I grazed my hands over the silky dress. Loving the look and feel of it. Lily choose this for me. I look at myself in the tall mirror. It was beautiful! The dress was snug on my breast and ribs. The silk flowed out beautifully down my stomach and legs. The dress was simple but elegant. I was absolutely in love with it. I twirled around softly. Smiling at myself when I look back into the mirror. I was definitely not wearing a bra tomorrow. I bend grabbing my sundress off the floor. I fold it sloppily and left the bathroom. I heard a loud whistle from Sammy.

”I love it!” I announce loudly. The women all looking at me, Milly and Sammy smiled at me genuinely. Most of them just scanned me over with a fake-ish smile gracing their faces.

Lily opened the bedroom door and we all gasp. Lily came out in a breathtaking white silk dress. It clung to her beautiful body in a stunning way. The train of the elegant dress held off the floor by Beth. Lily gracefully walked over to the three tall connected mirrors. She turned toward the mirror and I got to see the back of the dress. It dipped low to her lower back elegantly. Her tan, flawless skin looking effortlessly gorgeous.

“You are the absolute most beautiful bride I have ever seen!” I gush out in admiration. Lily looked back smiling at me.

“Look at you! You look amazing!”

I smile brightly at her. Lily had amazing taste. Everything about her wedding was detailed and so elegant. We all gushed out compliments to Lily. Beth looked like she was about to cry. It was a very special moment, a moment I’ll treasure forever.