Eight Reasons...

Chapter 6

I get up from the couch and walk up stair to where Kota told me to look for a dress. I am surprised on how many dresses Lila has, the problem for me is finding one that will fit. I think back to the dress I had picked out. It was a pretty purple dress, that fitted my skin tone and came just below my knees, with long sleeves made of see through material. I was so happy I found a dress that was fitted in the top but had a bottom that flowed and didn't hug my body. My dress is now hanging in my apartment zipped up in a bag ready for today and I can't get it. When all my hope of my dress fade I see something in back of the closet. I move the other dresses to find the exact plum purple dress I had at home. The price tag is still on it with a note that says, gift from mom TOO BIG!. I laugh, what is she a size zero?

I take the dress from the closet. I didn't think the dress was that popular, but thank goodness Lila's mother liked it. She was clearly never going to wear it which made me feel less guilty about taking it. Her mom probably didn't think twice about buying it, I on the other hand saved up for a month just to even think about it. In that moment I realize that Lila won't care for two seconds if this dress disappeared.

I take it to the bathroom and get in the shower. I can do my makeup once I get to the venue. I don't think my brother soon to be wife, Allison, would mind. After all, all of her bridesmaids are helping each other get their own done. Kota told me I was welcome to use Lila's hair tools, if wanted. I decided to take him up on his offer. I use a few sprays of her heat protect spay, that was loaded with anti-frizz as an additive. I get her hair dryer and a wide barreled curling iron and plug them up. I take a brush through my hair as I blow it dry. It doesn't take long, despite the length of my hair, it always dries fairly quick. I take the now warm curling iron and begin to curl my hair. It is much faster than mine and probably way more expensive.

When I finish, I carefully remove the tag from dress and slip it on. I zip it as far as I can reach when Kota knocks on the door. "Yes?" He speaks up, "Is it clear for me to come in, I need to put these towels up." I unplug the hair dryer and curling iron, "Uh, yeah." He opens the door and walks in, "Whoa." I shake my head, "Yeah, I know, different. Can you do me a favor and finish zipping this." He puts the towels down, "Sure." I turn and lift my hair up. I feel him zip it. "Thank you," I say and then walk out of the bathroom. "Drea," I stop and turn around, "do you want to get Avery ready? I mean she seems to enjoy you at the moment and probably wouldn't be cranky." I smile, "I'd be happy to."

I walk down the hallway into her room expecting find her asleep, but to my surprise she is wide away sitting in her crib. "Well good morning miss Avery!" She smiles and squeals my name as best as she can, "'Jea'." I laugh, "Are you ready to get dressed this morning?" She nods. I pick her up and hold her on my hip as we walk over to her wardrobe. I pick out two outfits for her then lay them out of the chair. "Do you want to wear the pink," I point to it, "or the purple outfit this morning?" She reaches her hand towards the pink. "Alrightie then, pink it is." I help her pull on her little pink polka-dotted shirt with a tulle attach half-way down the shirt to make it look like a tutu and a pair of leggings that look like blue jeans. I find a little pair of Converse high tops and slip them on. She looks as cute as a button. Kota walks in, "Aww look at you," he exclaims. I look over at the clock; eleven o'clock. "Are you ready?" He asks. "Whenever you are."

It wasn't a long drive to the venue. I hadn't realized how close I was. Kota pulls up to the side walk and I see my brother's car. "Well, it looks like everyone is here." He nods, "I guess I will see you around." I give him a sincere smile and turn to Avery. "Goodbye, little one." She smiles, "Bye" I didn't dawn on me until this moment how hard it would be to get out of this truck and leave, knowing that I will never see them again. I turn back around and open my door, "Goodbye." I slide out, ease the door back, and walk away. I feel a deep sense of regret the further I walk toward the building. I don't turn around. As soon as I walk through the door my brother, Christoper, is standing there talking to the minister. He sees me and my face expression. I quickly smile and hug him. "Is there something wrong?" I shake my head, "Nothing major, just some stress from getting here." He give me a questioned look, "Was it that bad?"

"No, not really, like I said before I got caught up in some things." He nods, "Okay." I let out a breath of relief inside, "I am going to go check on Allison and do my make up real fast. After that I will be back out to help and you can get ready."  He agrees, "Okay, it's no big deal, I can handle it." I roll my eyes, "Chris it's your wedding day. " He laughs, "Yeah that's right, so maybe it is big deal" I shake my head and laugh. "Okay, I got to go." I rush down the hallways and get started for the big day.

The ceremony came together beautifully and I have to admit I may have shed a few tears at their vows. I never thought my little brother would have gotten married before me though. Everyone from the wedding party is staying at the hotel next door. This place was built for hideaway country side weddings. It has reasonable rates too. I leave the dinning hall, apparently the workers clean up and not the wedding party, surprisingly. I push open the door to the building and start walking down the side walk to the hotel. Then out of no where someone grabs me and pulls me between to vehicles. I freak out and start squirming to get free. "Calm down, feisty."  

"Kota?" I mummer through his hand. "Yes," he moves his hand. "What on earth-" He shushes me, "Be quiet." I roll my eyes, "Why did you do that for?"

"I was afraid you would have screamed."

"I am talking about grabbing me," I whisper with a demanding tone.

"Han is here with some friends of his," he stops, "they are waiting to grab you. I came back to warn you and tell you it would be best if you came back with me until this is worked out."

My chest sinks, "How do know aren't lying to me? How do I know that you aren't just coming back here to take me back and keep your brother out trouble?"

He lets out a frustrated breath, "If I had wanted to protect Han, I wouldn't have dropped you off here in the first place. You would have had too many opportunities to say something or leave. And I didn't know if you would be here when I got back. I took a chance. Han made a stupid move when he took you and a nice girl like you doesn't deserve this. If you want to keep walking that's fine, but if you want to see the light of day tomorrow you might want to get in my truck." I nod, "Okay."

Maybe there was a better choice to make, like calling the police. The hard truth though is I want to go back with him. I want to see that he is the person I have trusted. I want to know that he is a good person, but what if he isn't? What will I do then? Maybe I will end up where I was bound to, to start with; the bottom of the Hudson River.