When Lightning Strikes

When Lightning Strikes: Chapter 16

Numb. That was what my mind and body felt like. To come to such a heartbreaking and shocking conclusion made me weak. I wasn’t really aware of the squeals and sighs over Aubrey. The only thought in my head was that I had to get over this little infatuation with Jason.

I couldn’t act like a little schoolgirl, shivering every time his presence was near. I had to let him go. Who was I to come in and ruin an engagement? I was insignificant, of course. They had been dating for a few years and I had only gotten to know him for a few days or weeks …

“Gracie, come so we can take a picture!” Aubrey called.

I tried to push my thoughts away as I slowly grabbed a hold of the skirt of my dress and walked over. Every step I took towards her hurt me. She looked so happy, so opposite to what I was feeling at the moment.

The guilt and the pain would eventually eat me up soon, I was sure.

“Say wedding dress!” Reinette told us, holding Aubrey’s phone.

“Wedding dress!” we all said, although I had only murmured it.

We were there for longer to decide what type of headpiece Aubrey wanted to attach to her veil. She chose a small elegant diamond-cut tiara. It suited her. After all, she looked like royalty. Also, Aubrey had already chosen her shoes and it had just been delivered to the store. We all gushed over the satin slip-on heels, encrusted with light gold jewels. Everything for the wedding seemed so expensive and luxurious.

“We have to meet the make-up artist,” Iris announced while we were surveying some bracelets. “It’s nearly twelve.”

Soon after, we were leaving and on the way to a salon another fifteen minutes away. I tuned out of the conversation throughout the car ride and focused my thoughts on Jason. I wondered if he was thinking of Aubrey or me. Maybe both. If he was truly the caring guy I knew, then the guilt would be a constant thought.

Aubrey’s make-up woman was named Sadie. She seemed to be quite experienced. You could tell by the way she handled all her brushes. As she powdered Aubrey’s face, she constantly talked and gave us handy tips. It was actually fun and took my mind of Jason a little.

“I want to be striking,” my sister said. “But classic.”

Sadie smiled and got to work on choosing colours for her eyes, lips and cheeks. We all were expected to contribute to the discussion; Aubrey had told us in the car. She wanted all of our opinions.

“I think this blue would look good with her eyes,” Michelle said, pointing to a light colour. “Maybe you could mix it with grey.”

Iris shook her head. “Aubrey wants classic. That blue is …”

“Too bright?” I offered.

She nodded. “Maybe we should use neutral colours.”

It took us a while to create a look, but in the end Aubrey looked regal. Her cheekbones were more enhanced, her skin seemed like porcelain and her eyes were wide and alluring. The final touch was some colour to her lips. We all agreed that her signature lipstick would make her look ‘striking’. Sadie carefully painted on a dark red and we all sighed happily.

The make-up reflected her well: fierce, bold and beautiful.

“I love it,” Aubrey told Sadie, smiling at her reflection in the vanity.

“What about your bridesmaids? Should we decide on something as well?” Sadie asked.

I was made to sit in the chair as we only needed one person to test on. I sat like a doll as Sadie mixed foundation into my skin.