a little death ➴ ᵏᵃᵗᵉ ᵇⁱˢʰᵒᵖ

𝟷𝟸

➴

"How did you feel initially, when your mother died, Ramona?"

"I didn't feel real. No, it didn't feel real."

The man crossed his legs, nodding in understanding. "What didn't feel real?"

"I couldn't believe my ma was gone. When my brother sat me down and told me what happened, I nearly didn't believe him— didn't cry, nothing."

"You were in denial. When do you feel you overcame that?"

"I'm not sure. I felt I stayed right where she left me, like the earth kept rotating but I remained still. I can't remember a time I stopped feeling like that."

"What does that mean?"

"Like I'm still who I am— where I was when she died. Only I'm not. When I look at myself, I'm all different. I've grown, changed. But everything feels the same."

➴

"Hm, this isn't really my color," Remy decided, examining the soft material of the dress.

"Wait, oh my God, try this one," Kate insisted, hanging another dress by the hook on the fitting room door.

"Does this wedding have, like, a theme?" Remy asked, wrestling her arms into the long, red sleeves.

"Invite didn't say anything. I mean, anything other than 'Susan's special day, featuring David!'

"Come on," Remy giggled, "aren't you happy for your sister?"

"Yeah, Yeah."

"Oh my God," Remy exclaimed, drawing Kate's attention. "I love this one."

"You look great," said Kate, admiring the ribbed, red fabric of Remy's dress. "Is this the one?"

"Mhm." Remy smiled. "Thanks for coming with me on such short notice. I had an, uhm, appointment thingy I forgot about," she explained, sliding the dress off and suspending it back on its hanger.

"Appointment thingy?"

Remy sighed, buttoning her jeans. "Therapy. Will asks me to go."

"Therapy's good," Kate shrugged, fidgeting with her sleeve.

"Guess so."

Kate glanced at her wrist. "We better pick up the pace, though, if we want to make it on time."

➴

The sun hung low in the sky as Kate and Remy arrived at the church where the wedding was being held. The venue was beautiful, with white roses lining the aisle and twinkling lights hanging by the walls. Remy trailed slightly behind Kate, who was resplendent in her flowing purple bridesmaid dress.

"Are you sure you'll be okay on your own for a bit?" Kate asked, glancing back at Remy as she joined the other bridesmaids for a few last-minute preparations.

Remy gave a shrug, masking her discomfort. "I'll be alright."

Kate nodded, leaving Remy to find her seat among the guests.

Remy picked a spot near the back, feeling more like an outsider than ever. She scanned the crowd, her unease growing as her gaze settled on a few unfamiliar faces that seemed out of place.

The wedding ceremony was halfway through when the first scream echoed through the venue.