"Stop moving," my mother demanded as she tugged another piece of my hair into the updo she was attempting.
"Well if you would be more careful with how you handle my hair then I wouldn't have to move in order to stay comfortable," I say through gritted teeth as she tugged another piece of my hair, this time more forcefully.
"Just sit still for a few minutes and I won't have to tug your hair to make you stay still," she shoved another bobby pin into my hair. I had lost count of how many she had used, but I knew it would be a bitch to get them out later.
Gritting my teeth and clenching my hands into fists, I sat as still as I possibly could, waiting for her to hurry up and finish. Today was the day of my wedding to Nathaniel. That jerkface better be glad I don't actually care about this wedding and I'm not going to be one of those bitchy bridezillas because I just about punched him in the face when he suggested to my mom that we just go to town hall and sign papers to get married.
The look on my mother's face was so heartbroken that I couldn't stand by and let her agree to do that even though the idea sounded fantastic.
So here I sat, my scalp stinging and my face heavy with makeup, just so my mother could be happy that she got to throw her daughter an actual wedding instead of just witnessing the signing of a piece of paper.
"There!" exclaimed my mother, turning me to face the mirror. My eyes widened as I came face to face with my reflection. It was like I had been transformed. My mother had lined my eyes with a smoky grey eyeliner and she used a sparkly green eyeshadow to go along with April's dress and the wedding colors. My lips actually looked full and what she did to my hair was just simply amazing. Why she wasn't a makeup artist, I will never know. I looked stunning. I wasn't trying to toot my own horn but even I had to admit that I looked damn sexy.
"Mom..." I whispered, unable to say anything more.
"You look beautiful, honey," my mother said, hugging me around my shoulders.
I nodded, clearing my throat, and smiled. "Thank you." It was the best I could manage. I had never wanted a real wedding with Nathaniel but in this moment I was glad that my mother had talked me into one, if only because I was able to have this moment with my mom since it was rare for us.
I turned away from the mirror reluctantly and eyed the dress that was sitting on the other side of the room. It was still in it's bag, but I knew what was inside. The dress was an ivory shade that had material that flowed out from the bottom, the front stopping just below my knees and the back billowing out in a short train. It was beautiful, but even with it's simplicity I didn't want to put it on. With dresses came heels, and I so did not want to wear the high monstrosities that my mother had picked out for me.
"Come here," my mother motioned for me to stand next to her so she could help me into the dress.
Slowly, I stood from my stood, repositioning my strapless bra and slipping out of my black leggings.
"Oh stop being such a baby, Raven. It's just a dress," my mother chided.
Sighing, I step into the dress, my mother lacing up the back. I had to hold my breath just so she could get it tight enough. If I didn't pass out from not enough oxygen by the end of the night then that would be a miracle.
Just as my mother finished tying the strings into a neat bow, Justin burst into the room, a big smile stretched across his face, and squeezed my shoulder.
"You're not mad anymore?" I asked, turning my gaze away from my dress. Justin hadn't taken the news that easily. He was angry with me for doing something that he considered crazy.
