Life Can Do Terrible Things // Ben Bruce

27. It's A Nice Day For A White Wedding

Song: Open Water- Blessthefall
Picture: Issy's wedding dress

Well here we go, an anticipated moment in the LCDTT story. I hope you enjoy this long ass chapter that has been so fun to write!

"Miss Spencer, I'm sorry but it really isn't fitting you. You're going to have to get it altered again." The seamstress said as she tried desperately to tighten the fabric of my wedding dress around my bony frame.

"But my wedding is tomorrow! I can't have it altered in time!" I exclaimed in frantic tears.

"Well, I can offer you my services. I can somehow, by the power of God, get it done by tomorrow morning if I work all night. But it will incur a $250 fee." The seamstress said begrudgingly.

"I don't care, just do it!" I wept like a child.

"Okay, let's take your measurements again." The seamstress pushed her half-moon spectacles up her pointed nose.

I stood on the pedestal as nothing but a pile of blonde hair, flesh and bones. My rib and hip bones were protruding sickeningly out of my waxy skin. I was packed full of scarring lesions all over my body from the constant itching of my eczema and my skin was nearly translucent. I don't know what's wrong with me but no matter what I do, I cannot put on weight. Monique, Brandi and Sarah flinched when they saw the extent of what my body had become. I knew how worried they were. My health was deteriorating on its own, and I hope it will find its way back to health.

The seamstress tutted as she took my measurements. "Promise me you'll have a cheeseburger on the way home and try to get to the doctor when you have a chance?"

I nodded coolly at her as I started to get dressed into my black shorts and Mötely Crüe shirt. I knew I had to go to the doctors and everyone was pressuring me to but I was scared of what they'd say. I was so depressed and sick. I was getting married tomorrow, how come all I want to do is curl up and cry? Ben was been away for two days under his mother's direction. I just needed him to relieve me of stress but seeing as I can't see him, all the pressure is impacting me. I tied my brittle hair into a bun and walked out with the girls. Brandi and Monique hugged me and hushed my tears as they separated to their own cars. They promised to meet me at my house so they could finish organising with Sarah.

As we drove, I noticed how beautiful it was outside today. The afternoon sun was shining its way through the pinky clouds and through the green canopies of the trees. I hoped it was like this tomorrow. We were having the wedding in the courtyard of a historical castle called Biltwood Estate. The ceremony would be outside under an oak tree and the reception would be inside. We would be having photos at the back and front of the establishment and the surrounding hills. Tomorrow was going to be the best day of my life. I would be marrying the man of my dreams, the man I will spend eternity with. I felt happy and bubbly as usual, for the first time in a while. But as usual, something smashed away my happiness. Sarah asked about my weight. She asked straight out if I was doing this on purpose and if I was trying to be anorexic and I screamed at her. I didn't want to but it just came out. After my outburst, we were both silent until we arrived at my house. I stormed inside and caught a glance of Bex playing with Noah. I stormed up to my room and locked the door behind me, throwing my belongings across the room. I screamed and cried in hysterics into my pillow until I was nearly hyperventilating. I decided that I needed to call Ben before I went insane. He was all I needed at this point.

"Hey babe what's up?" He answered after 2 rings.

"I'm having a bad day Ben." I said, trying to hold back my tears.

"Why? What's happened?" I heard him walk away from the ruckus that was in the background.

"My weight. Your mother accused me of being anorexic. I snapped. I'm sorry I know it was wrong of me but I don't need it thrown in my face left, right and centre." I raged through my tears.