As Fate Would Have It | ✓

chapter thirty-two

Song for the chapter: Fix You, by Coldplay

To say that getting ready for dinner tonight with the Brooks was nerve-wracking was an understatement.

I was on the verge of puking, that's how nervous I was. Once Ryker had mentioned it, I knew it was going to be an important night. Somehow, I knew it would be.

I also knew that, deep down, it mattered to him. Because Ryker cared. All this pent-up anger was his way of trying to deflect his pain of how much he actually cared about his family, how much he probably missed them.

I hated his father, most of all, for doing this to him.

But I would be there, strong, for him. Even if I don't feel like it.

So even though I felt like my knees would give in at any moment, I still managed to put makeup on my face. I was able to get the eyeliner on without a problem and mascara without getting any on my lid. I put some shimmer on my lid and under my brow before putting on my chapstick and nodding in content.

Again, makeup is a very powerful tool.

I pulled up my hair in a neat, high ponytail and secured it with a black ribbon. I took a very much needed breath as I looked in the mirror.

This wasn't Maddi, the insecure fat girl. This was Maddison, the semi-confident college student. Girlfriend of Ryker Brooks.

Girlfriend. My gosh. I still couldn't stop the smile that spread across my face. Three whole days and I still couldn't get over it.

I shut the light off in the bathroom and walk over to my room. My phone had lit up, reminding me that I had received a text already.

Ryker: Almost there, baby

Shoot. He was almost here and I wasn't even dressed. I rushed into my closet and grabbed the royal blue dress I had dug up, being buried in the back of my old closet.

I bought this dress back in junior year for spring formal, but I ended up never going because my mom had just recently passed away. My mom said that this dress made my eyes pop and she couldn't wait to see me in it.

She never did.

I inhaled, long and deep, as I clutched the fabric between my hands. I walked to the bed and set it down carefully. I took off my shorts and the shirt I had on, unzipping the fabric.

While I had finally mustered the courage to put it on, I was a bit worried. I was way bigger now than when I had gotten this, and it was a perfect fit then. What happens if it doesn't fit? I'm going to lose all the progress I've made so far.

I shakily step into it, pulling it up my legs. I hold the top to my chest as I slip my arms through the holes. I close my eyes as I reach for the zipper and pull upwards. I slowly tug it up, my heart rapidly beating as I hear it zipping closed.

Until it doesn't.

My eyes shoot open, tugging at the material on my back. I could barely reach anymore, but it wasn't budging. And I started freaking out.

What made it worse was when I heard knocking at the front door. My eyes widened at that, trying to push the zipper up, but it wouldn't freaking go.

I felt a lump in my throat as I smoothed down the material and walked down the hall. I pulled open the front door, Ryker's smile instantly faded when he sees me.

"Maddison? What's wrong?"

"It doesn't fit," I breathe. "The dress doesn't fit."

Ryker steps inside and shuts the door. I can feel my breathing start to irregulate as I walk backwards.