Don't Leave Us (Sequel to Something Blue)

11. Preparation

I shimmied into the skintight sparkly gold dress and groaned. The last thing I need is a tight dress over my stomach. I might suffocate.

It was the night of the awards, and we wee all getting ready. Darcy had sat on the couch outside this little room, in a tight strapless gold dress. Perrie was yet to show her dress, and El hadn't showed. 

I shoved my arms into the sleeves and pulled it up and over my shoulders. The A line neck felt tight on my neck, and the tightness of the dress accented my pregnant belly even more. Reaching behind me, I fumbled with the zipper. I couldn't quite grab it, and knew I would need help. I groaned inwardly, but stepped out of the tiny closet ike room.

"Darcy, could you help?" I asked, gesturing to the zipper at the back of the dress. She nodded and stood. I turned and stood still while she zipped it up. It felt extra extra tight now that it was fully fipped, and I breathed in deeply.

"Mattie, I don't think this is even a large, let alone a maternity dress." she said, looking at the tag on the back of my dress. I shrugged her off and sat down on the couch with a sigh. I knew it wasn't good, but really, I was too worried to care.

I will fall, I will make a fool of myself, I will be a klutz, I will-

"Mattie, are you ok? You're speaking your thoughts aloud." Perrie asked, stepping out from another cubicle.

I laughed quietly. "I'm fine." Darcy rolled her eyes at my vague answer before turning to Perrie. "Oh goodness, look at you!" she squealed. Perrie did look beautiful, in a floor sweeping gold sparkly mermaid dress. It had white corset sleeves, and suited her perfectly.

I smiled. She was totally ravishing! Our hair and makeup was yet to be completed, but she already was far prettier then I ever hoped to be.

Suddenly, she door slammed open. El stumbled inside, water bottle in hand. Her normally bronzed skin looked ashy, and she had dark circles beneath her eyes.

"Holy shit Eleanor, what happened to you?" Perrie asked, wobbling to him in her mermaid dress. El waved her off and took a deep swig of water. 

"Party got a little crazy last night." she muttered, her voice hoarse. She stumbled inside and flopped down onto  the couch beside me. She moaned and rubbed her temples, trying to ease what  assume was a pounding headache. 

"Is Lou hungover too?" Darcy asked, concerned for Lou. She and Lou were buds after all. 

"Nah, he didn't drink last night. He didn't want to be the least bit hungover today." she slurred, and took another swig of water. I nodded. Smart move on Lou's behalf, I'd hate to have the willies today.

"Do you still feel up to actually going?" I asked, rubbing her hand soothingly.

She shrugged. "Not much of a choice is there? Modest pratically forces me to do stuff like this."

I nodded. I hadn't been forced to do anything as of late, being pregnant and all, but all the girls seemed to be at the boys side every second. Darcy sometimes stayed with me, as she was never one to follow the rules, but even then she got in shit, and rumours of a breakup would swirl.

I patted her hand and sighed. "I don't want to rush you or anything doll, but we've got-" I checked a small clock on the wall "'- fifteen minutes until hair and makeup. You've gotta get ready darling." 

El nodded, and winced as the movement of her head increased the pounding of her headache. She stood and shuffled into a cubicle labled with her name. As soon as the door closed, Darcy winced. "Darn. That must suck, being under the weather today of all days."