Inviting the Virgin: Dealing With the Aftermath (Old Version)

Nineteen :Surprise Part Two:

"Sweetie," Zack's mom placed a steady hand on my shaking shoulder. It vibrated under her hand. She gripped tighter. Even her reassuring gesture wasn't enough to calm these nerves.

"I'm supposed to be the nervous one," she clarified as if I didn't already know how minuscule my dilemma was compared to hers.

My mind was wondering if Zack liked me or if he hated me. An easy equation that had a fifty-fifty chance of going either way. Zack's mother just finished having a baby and was about to commit herself to someone for the rest of their life. Phft, and I had difficulty picking a university.

I gave her a smile but by the expression she returned told me it was more weary than reassuring. Between packing my bags and cleaning out my room all I thought about was Zack. Would he ever forgive me? Would I ever see him again?

At least my second question was answered.

Taking a deep breath seemed like such an easy concept. It's the first thing we do when we're born. One that requires no thought at all. It was simple and autonomic; but as I stood there in-between Margaret and Stella I had to coach myself through the process.

"Deep breath in," I told myself letting my lungs fill with much needed air. My peach straight jacket tightened around my abdomen as I prayed it didn't rip down the back.

Apparently this dress was supposed to be Nancy's; who I assumed kept better watch over her figure. That wasn't even a question. As I held my breath I could feel the tightness of the dress.

I held the oxygen in, closed my eyes and then slowly released. "And out," continuing to coach myself was the only thing keeping me sane.

"Are you going to be alright?" Stella snorted giving me a funny glance over her bouquet of white roses and other dainty flowers. They were wrapped in an emerald silk ribbon tied in a rather large bow.

Even my own were heavy in my hands. I couldn't imagine how heavy Zack's mother's bouquet was. It was nearly twice the size with an even more exquisite bow with embedded gems along the hem.

"Do you know that point where you're so excited you could scream but so nervous you could puke?" I questioned receiving a raised eyebrow from Stella.

"No," both Stella and Margaret answered.

My eyes shifted from between the two of them. They both had a cheeky smile. Neither of them had any fear on their faces. Of course they probably had a dress rehearsal prior to the actual play.

"Is that love?" Margaret, with all her freckles, looked over at her mother who stood looking stunning in her lace gown.

Zack and Margaret's mom was gorgeous in her glow. Even only a couple weeks after having a baby. She had dark hair just like Margaret and Zack's and even the same multitude of freckles. Her hair was braided into a halo crown with large ringlets. She had white and light orange small flowers tucked into her hair. Every time I looked at her I was in awe.

I couldn't wait until Stella's dad saw her.

"In a nutshell," she replied clearing her voice.

As the seconds ticked by her nervousness started to show. The bouquet in my hands were the only thing to keep me from fiddling.

"Oh God. That's seriously what everyone is panning over." Margaret rolled her eyes at the thought of "love" and boys. I still wasn't sure of her exact age but I figured around fourteen or fifteen. She was right before the storm hit.