𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑 & 𝐋𝐀𝐂𝐄 ━ girl meets world²

3│PLUS ONE, MINUS ONE

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❛ ʟᴇᴀᴛʜᴇʀ & ʟᴀᴄᴇ​​​​​​​​​​. ❜ ° . ༄
- ͙۪۪˚   ▎❛ 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐄𝐄 ❜   ▎˚ ͙۪۪̥◌
»»————- ꒰ ᴘʟᴜs ᴏɴᴇ, ᴍɪɴᴜs ᴏɴᴇ ꒱


❝ CAN THIS COUNT AS
MY WEDDING PRESENT? ❞

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Needless to say, Kendrick and Celeste were very surprised when they met up with Juliet again. For one, she was smiling—actually smiling, not the pinched, forced upturn of her lips that they'd become accustomed to over the years— when she greeted them at the door. For another, the dark hair that now framed her face changed the warmth of her usually vibrant appearance to something that was cooler. It seemed to make her appear more sophisticated— older, in a way. It wasn't necessarily bad, just different and something to get used to. However, they didn't have long to dwell on their shock because this visit wasn't strictly one for pleasantries; they were here on business.

As expected, Celeste was the first to gather herself after they'd stepped inside. "Love the hair," she complimented the other woman. "Can I ask why?

Juliet gave her another smile. Granted, it wasn't the usual exuberant beam that she'd worn when she'd been younger, but it was leagues better than it had been even days ago. "Thanks. I thought the change was necessary. It's symbolic in a way, you know?"

The Asian woman raised an eyebrow with interest. "Oh?"

"Yeah. I mean, I wanted to use it as a way to mark a fresh start."

While she trusted Kendrick and Celeste to support her in this, she chose not to share the whole reason as to why she'd decided to go dark: even though she was trying— really trying— to be happy, it still felt as if all the light had been sucked out of her life. Her vibrant, red hair was a stark contrast her usual emotions, which were more often than not sad and blue. Juliet promised herself that when she felt genuinely happy again, she'd go back to her natural color.

Instead of saying all that, she cleared her throat changed the subject. "When you called earlier, you mentioned that you had something to ask me?"

"Yes," Celeste confirmed with a nod, thankfully taking the bait. "It's a matter of some importance. With our wedding date drawing closer, Kendrick and I wanted to start working on some of the details. Since you're much easier than dealing with my relatives, we decided that you're first on our list."

"Lucky me," Juliet remarked dryly. "What's up? You know I'm happy to help you guys with whatever you need."

"That's great," Kendrick jumped in; his voice was filled with obvious relief. "We need a Maid of Honor and we— well, Celeste— wanted—"

"Would you be my Maid of Honor?" the brunette finished, cutting off her fiancé's nervous rambling with her calm question.

Juliet didn't respond for a moment as she let their request register, but then she shook her head vehemently. "No. No way. Absolutely not. I'm sorry, but I'd literally rather do anything else than be a Maid of Honor again. I regretted my decision almost as soon as I made it last time and I've learned my lesson."

Celeste made a face. "Do you really think I'll be a bridezilla?"

Juliet faltered for a moment. "No— no, of course not," she agreed quickly (a little too quickly.) "But I'd rather not have to, uh. . ."

"Deal with my relatives?" Celeste offered with an amused smile. "Or me?"

The dark-haired woman's mouth opened and closed as she tried to figure out an answer that wouldn't offend her friend. Kendrick nudged his fiancée lightly. "Stop it, babe. You're making her uncomfortable." He turned to Juliet with a warm smile. "You don't have to, of course. We'd just rather work with you than Celeste's cousin from Japan."