One Journey, the Final

Chapter 9:

I might've started to hyperventilate. I stared at the text, reread it like ten times, and had no idea how to respond. It would take a long time for me to fit it all, and I was sure she wouldn't appreciate such a blow over a simple text. Just as I was typing though, my phone started ringing. I screamed, tossed it in the air, but caught it just in time. I quickly checked the caller ID, not recognizing the name. But, I decided to answer it anyway.

                “Hello! May I please talk with Annabel Price?” a perky female soprano voice said. I could picture this lady now, short bleach blonde hair and an all-teeth white sparkling smile.

                “Speaking,” I said a little too shakily.

                “Oh, well I’m Mallory from Kleinfeld Bridal. We noticed that you’ve been recently engaged. If you’re up to it, we’d love to have you on our hit TLC show, Say Yes to the Dress. We’d love to help you in this wonderful bonding moment with you, your family, and that special dress,” Mallory said, it sounded like a reading from a script. So perfect you couldn’t say no. I wanted to say no though.

                “We can set up an appointment, and you can come to our store in New York City. Camera crews would capture the entire moment for you.” I was still not convinced. But, I hadn’t looked at any dresses yet. I should probably start.

                “Can I call you back? Can I have your number?” I asked. Mallory quickly gave it to me, and I scribbled it on the back of a used napkin. I promised to have my answer by tomorrow. Once we finished, I took a well needed shower.

                My hands shook as I picked up my phone to dial my mother. I still hadn’t told her about Harry, or the past months we’d been dating. Thoughts ran through my head of what I would say. Hey mom, I’m engaged. Want to go on TV with me to find my dress? After a couple of seconds of ringing, my mother’s all-too familiar voice answered the other line.

                “Hello sweetie,” she said.

                “Hi mom,” I said, trying to keep things light.

                “So, what’s up?”

                “Not much,” I lied. There was so many things that were up. How was I going to start this?

                “What about you?” I asked coolly. She knew I was avoiding something.

                “Uh-is everything alright?  That girl looked an awful lot like you on the magazine.” she asked nervously. Now was my chance. I had to take it.

                “Um, mom, I have to tell you something,” I paused to recollect myself, “Mom, mom, I’m engaged. I’ve found someone for me, and we’re going to get married.” My mom was quiet for a really long time. I had to wonder if she was still there or not, or if she had even fainted.

                “Mom?” I asked.

                “Yeah, yeah, I’m still here,” she said breathless.

                “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, it just has happened all so fast. And I should tell you I’m going dress shopping, I’ve even been invited to go on Say Yes to the Dress. I think I’m going to go. Do you want to go with me too?” I said getting stronger with each word. My mother wasn’t talking. This is what I was afraid would happen. She’d stay quiet, and then eventually blow up on me telling me I was crazy and too young. That I was rushing my decision, and that I should wait and see if this was the right decision. But I knew all of those things were wrong. When she wouldn’t talk for about three minutes, I was about to hang up.

                “Wait, you’re engaged?” she questioned.

                “Yes mom, I’m engaged,” I said nonchalantly.

                “To who?” she asked, started to get angry.

                “Harry Styles,” I said firmly. I had expected my mom to scream and jump up and down, but then I realized she wasn’t a fourteen year old girl, as most people who knew about my engagement were fourteen year old girls who screamed and jumped all around.

                “How did you meet him?” my mother asked.

                “Uh, mom, he’s actually a celebrity. He’s in this European band called ‘One Direction,’ and they’re really popular all over the world. You’ve heard their song, What Makes You Beautiful,”

                “A celebrity?!” she asked, shocked. Then my mom got quiet for a long while.

                “Annabel dear?” my mother asked calmly and strongly.

                “Yes mom?” I asked, nervous.

                “Why are you on the cover of People Magazine?” I was a little bit flustered. Hadn't my explanation been enough? I figured that would be enough. My mother was still in shock and denial.

                “It’s probably just an article about the engagement,” I said, wanting to get to the real answer about dress shopping. “So do you want to go on Say Yes to the Dress with me?”

                “Isn’t it in New York? I’d have to fly out there. Do you have an appointment set up already?” she asked, tiredly.

                “I can pay for the ticket, and if you tell me ‘yes,’ I was going to set up the appointment. I really wanted you there with me,” I said, getting anxious.

                “Well, if you really want me there, I suppose I can come,” she said halfheartedly. I was a little disappointed. What was the problem; I needed her to be happy for me.

                “Great, I’ll call you for the date, time, and place,” I said, trying to be cheery.

                “I love you sweetie,” mom said, sounding stressed.

                "I love you too mom," I said, even more stressed than her. At least now we were actually getting somewhere with wedding planning.