𝗕𝗟𝗢𝗢𝗗 𝗔𝗦 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗖𝗞 𝗔𝗦 𝗪𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗥 ⚔︎

4

chantelle looked at herself in the mirror and ran her fingers down her laced white veil, taking deep, repetitive breaths. she stood on a low platform in the mansion's dressing room, while a few of her bridesmaids buzzed around her like worker bees, sorting out the folds of her big dress.

it was the day that everyone in the five families had been waiting for. july 6th, 1988 — today, chantelle lavigne was to be wed at the grand and elegant st agnes' cathedral in rockville, queens.

"are you nervous?" rachel cooed, reaching up and putting a hand on chantelle's shoulder.

"i'm about two seconds away from a breakdown," chantelle said, hiding her anxiety with sarcasm.

"oh, you'll be fine," maria tutted, standing up from where she had been laying out the back of the dress. "all you have to do is go down the aisle, stand at the altar and repeat after the vicar."

"that's not daunting to you?" chantelle asked, eyes wide. her hands were shaking slightly. "walking in front of hundreds of people in a big fancy gown that screams 'look at me, look at me'!"

christina threw her head back in laughter. "it's your wedding day! why would you not want people to look at you? especially when you're wearing such a gorgeous dress as this."

chantelle sighed, still staring into the mirror. "i'm just worried. what if i fall over?"

rachel playfully rolled her eyes and glanced at the other girls. "chantelle! you're not going to fall over. don't be ridiculous."

"we should go downstairs," maria said. "it's best if you have a few minutes alone before you come down to the car."

"absolutely," christina echoed. "come on, girls. we'll see you at the church, 'telle."

"okay," chantelle answered.

the bridesmaids left the room, their heels clicking on the floor as they went and closing the door behind them. only tracy stayed, who had been rather quiet for the entire ordeal: she didn't like chantelle's friends all that much, they always pretended like she wasn't there. it had always been this way, ever since they were teenagers.

chantelle continued to gaze at herself in the mirror. her wedding gown was a silk white that draped all the way down to the floor. the sleeves were made of lace, travelling up to her neck and wrapping around to form a stylish, vintage hemmed collar. just below her collarbones was a rose design made of lace, joining into the other graceful patterns on her décolletage. juliet sleeves bunched at the top of her arms, slightly puffed but framing her figure all that nicely, similar to that of a princess. the bodice that clothed her chest and stomach was made from white silk too, accentuating her slim figure, the lace stopped in a V-shape at the top of her hips. it cinched at the waist. the long veil was currently out of her face and flowing down her back, onto the floor behind her. for what it was worth, it was a beautiful, beautiful dress.

tracy was just about to leave when chantelle spoke. "hey, trace?"

she turned around and looked at her through the mirror's reflection. "yeah?"

"do you think i'm doing the right thing?" she said, her voice small.

tracy chuckled. "my god, chantelle. i've never met anyone who worries as much as you."

"please answer the question."

tracy sighed lightheartedly. "do you love him?"