Pink shoes, pink strapless dress, and pink flowers. God, I hate pink. The worst part was, Michael knew it, too. But ever since he met “the love of his life,” things had been different. Suddenly, the movie nights that we shared every Tuesday were gone, the little notes he used to slip into my bag on game night had vanished, and the Hershey Kisses I would constantly find in my back pocket were now becoming rare. He doesn’t see the little devil horns poking from her head. All he can see is the long strawberry blonde hair and the blues eyes that “sparkle when she smiles.” But she knows that I see them, and she knows too much about my heart. I think she can tell just by the way I look at him that I love him.
When Michael had told me that he was going to ask Andreea to marry him, I had done my best to be supportive. After all, that’s what best friends do for each other. Then again, Michael and I had promised to always be honest with each other, and when he asked me if I thought they were good for each other, I had to lie to save the smile on his face from disappearing. Later though, I found myself sprawled out on my bed going through tissue box after tissue box, and scarfing down cookies and creme ice cream. After my prom date had ditched me for some stupid science convention in eleventh grade, Michael had stayed home with me and brought over six gallons of the stuff. He always said that cookies and creme can’t stop the hurting, but it really cushions the blow. It worked then, but not now.
The pink attire lay on the hotel bed in front of me. I really don’t want to put this on. I don’t care if it’s for my best friends freakin’ wedding or not. Michael would do this for me though, if I were the one getting married. I step into the silky fabric of the dress, feeling it wash over my skin. I have a hard time putting on the shoes. I finally get them on after losing my balance and falling down a couple of times, and I hesitantly turn towards the square mirror hanging on the wall, fearing my appearance. I immediately notice how it clashes with my light red hair, butdespite Andreea’s obvious efforts to make me look like I’m on fire, the material gently hugs my curves and makes my deep brown eyes shine ever so slightly. I don’t look half bad.
The clock on the tiny desk in the corner says its 10:30 A.M., meaning Michael is probably already in the lobby waiting to drive me to the ceremony. He had called about two hours earlier to tell me he had gone to take a drive. He said that he needed to get away from reality for a bit before he said ‘’I do,’’ and then had offered to pick me up on his way back. I knew that time together was going to get me through the day’s events. These would be the last few moments of our friendship that would be truly just ours.
‘’Whoa! Ladies hold onto your men,’’ Michael yelled excitedly, spotting me walking towards him, and causing the whole hotel lobby to look in our direction.
‘’Sshh, Michael, keep it down,’’ I whisper. His reaction made my heart flutter and turned my cheeks a dull shade of red; I could feel it.
He laughs. ‘’Sorry Ree-ree,’’ he looks me over once again. ‘’Some boy is gonna be so lucky to dance with you tonight.’’
I’m hoping that boy is you, why can’t you see that? I don’t say it aloud, but I’m surprised he can’t hear it.
We start walking to the hotel doors and I stumble a little in my heels, but Michael catches me. He offers me his arm to steady myself the rest of the way, and I take it gladly. This is how it should be, I think to myself, my arm looped through his instead of that little devil he is committing to. It should be Michael and Renee Long, not Michael and Andreea Long.
The car ride to the church is like any other ride we have had together. We laugh until we cry, make fun of people passing on the street, and watch as trees and houses fly by. I breathe in these moments with him, burying them deep in my memory.
