Meet Ya at the Altar

The Meetings

The girls

Bella walked out of her interview, feeling the way she always did. Awkward and wondering if she actually answered the question. The producer's kind face was encouraging after, and she was grateful that during that the spotlight had been so bright that she couldn't see the expression on her face. Bella always seemed to be wondering if she was on the verge of being kicked off the show. They would no doubt contact her, and say, "hey you. What are you still doing here? How did you make the final cut?"

After the taping of the final interview, this promo where they would take sound bytes to feature bits of each candidate, they released her with directions to meet with the gals at a restaurant. The limo picked them up, and wearing a pair of jeans and a simple white blouse, she still felt a little out of place, even with Alice in the limo beside her. They were about to meet face to face with the third bride, Rosalie.  Alice wore her skirts flowy, and a bright yellow top to go with it- she had a sense of style that Bella had never been able to find for herself. As they exited the limo, the producer advised them to act natural, to absolutely not face the camera and in fact, to pretend it wasn't there. Bella's nerves were rattled as she reminded herself to focus on Rosalie, who'd been sipping a drink at a private booth at their designated location. Lights were placed all around the booth, and though people sat at the bar, Bella was sure they were designated extras. She wondered if they were being paid to be there.

Was she going to be able to do this? Lights everywhere. Another camera was facing Rosalie, who'd been sipping a drink at a private booth at their designated location. Microphones attached to long black cords dangled from above their seating areas. The producer followed her, and Alice gestured for them to approach Rosalie.  The picture-perfect blonde rose with her perfect smile, even managing to look sincere as she embraced Alice and then Bella. Once more, Bella felt more out of place, a dark contrast to Rosalie's coif and floral perfume. The show's makeup artist had done Bella's makeup and hair and chosen her clothes based on her taste, yet she couldn't imagine in any lifetime being able to measure up to Rosalie's beauty. It's not a competition, Bella, she reminded herself. The blonde has her own mate already picked out just for her, according to her preferences.

Alice scooted into the booth between the two as natural as could be and smiled at both of them. "So, ladies, are we excited?"

"I'll say," Rosalie said.

Alice made her introduction, and Bella marveled at her friend and how easily she seemed to adjust to any situation. They began the conversation by describing their dresses and dates and while Bella stayed quiet. Rosalie seemed to hone in on this, making eye contact with her.

"So, you two are best friends already, I hear. How lucky for you to have your bestie here to go through this with," Rosalie said. Her tone was upbeat and she took a sip from her drink.

"Yes!" Alice said, extending her left arm and wrapping it around Bella's shoulder. "How lucky are we? That they found matches for both of us! I guess it works for them also because we can be a support for one another."

"How long have you been friends?"

"We met in high school. She was the quiet one and I was the weird one who befriended her in trig."

Rosalie smiled as she looked from Alice to her. "How fortunate. I've never been able to keep a friend for very long."

"Why is that do you think?"

"Hopefully this doesn't come out the wrong way. Other girls are threatened by me."

Bella took a drink, musing to herself how Rosalie had known - had she experienced this with others? It gave Bella a degree of comfort that she wasn't the only one who felt threatened.