Finding Us (Interracial Romance)

Flannel, Friendship, and Fun

Cecilia

When Sylvia first mentioned her bachelorette party theme was flannel, I thought she was joking. But nope, she was dead serious, and now here I am, up to my elbows in red and black plaid, trying to make her parents' living room look like a flannel lover's paradise. I swear, if I see another piece of checkered fabric after this, I might just scream.

"Girl, you know I love you, but this is a lot of flannel," I say, more to myself than to Sylvia, who is busy rearranging the snack table for the millionth time. She's been fussing over it like it's a high-stakes puzzle, and only the perfect arrangement of chips, dips, and cookies will unlock the secrets of the universe.

"Syl, it's a bachelorette party, not a Pinterest competition!" I call out, half-joking, half-serious.

She looks up, her face lighting up with that contagious grin of hers. "You know it's my favorite pattern! It has to be perfect!"

I roll my eyes but can't help smiling. Sylvia and I have known each other since day one and the one thing that hasn't changed is her obsession with themes and aesthetics. If there's a way to coordinate it, Sylvia will find it.

The doorbell rings and I thank the Lord for the distraction. Jacqueline barges in with her usual flair, holding a giant bag that looks suspiciously like it's full of more flannel.

"Seriously? More flannel?" I say, eyeing the bag.

Jacqueline smirks, tossing her hair over her shoulder. "You know it, Ceci. You can never have too much flannel."

"Yes, you can," I mutter under my breath as she dumps the contents of the bag onto the couch. Pillows, blankets, even a flannel-covered hot water bottle. This is getting ridiculous.

As Jacqueline starts helping Sylvia with the snacks, I catch a glimpse of Alexa, the youngest of the sisters, coming in with Draya, Becca, and Athena, all laughing and carrying what looks like enough snacks to feed a small army. My cousins Reagan and Misty are right behind them, both giving me a look that says, "What have you gotten us into?"

"Welcome to Flannel Fest 2022," I announce with a mock flourish as they walk in.

Reagan gives me a once-over. "You really went all out, huh?"

"Don't blame me; blame the bride," I say, pointing at Sylvia, who is currently adjusting a flannel table runner for the hundredth time.

"Hey, no male strippers, though, right?" Misty asks, looking around suspiciously.

"Not on my watch," I say, fishing out my navy blue pepper spray from the pocket of my flannel pajamas to show my cousins before putting it back in my pocket and we all laugh. The last thing we need is some random guy in a bow tie and little else, showing up and making things awkward. Plus, Sylvia would probably die of embarrassment. That's just not her style, and honestly, it's not mine either.

The party kicks off with a playlist that's a mix of this year's hits and all the throwback jams we grew up with. We've got everything from TLC's "No Scrubs" to Olivia Rodrigo's "Good 4 U". It's a glorious blend of nostalgia and current bops that has everyone dancing, even if it's just a little shoulder shimmy while they stuff their faces with snacks.

We set up a DIY photo booth in the corner with flannel props—because of course—and take turns posing in the most ridiculous ways possible. Alexa somehow manages to balance a stack of flannel pillows on her head while Becca pretends to be a lumberjack, complete with a fake axe we found in Sylvia's parents' basement. I have no idea why they have it, but it's hilarious, so we roll with it.

"So, Ceci, when are you getting married?" Draya teases as we take a break from the photos to grab some water. "You've been the maid of honor like, what, two times now?"