Chapter 199
:
I freeze under the cascade of confetti, my mouth parting slightly. It takes a second to register the decorated living room, the soft string Tights tangled with lavender ribbons, the homemade banner that reads “Bon Voyage, April!” in silver paint.
There’s glitter on the floor. Balloons on the ceiling. Laughter bouncing off the walls.
1 blink once. Twice. “Oh my God,” I breathe.
Lara grins from beside me, throwing her arm around me. “Surprise, babe!”
I turn slowly, overwhelmed, taking in all the faces I adore.
33
There’s Lou holding the confetti cannon, grinning giddily as she leans against Malik. Julian by the food table, grinning around a mouthful of macarons.
Even Penny’s here, a little busy trying to stop Jackie from cutting her brother’s hair with glittery scissors.
And then there’s June.
My little sister catapults herself into my arms, and I catch her, tightening my arms around her shoulders. She’s the most bittersweet part of this whole thing.
Counting down to my trip to Paris is the same as counting down to leaving my sister. My baby.
She pulls back and grins at me. “Surprise!”
I laugh, shaky and teary, clinging to her. “You guys…”
и
“We’re not ‘you guys,” Julian calls out, stuffing another macaron in his mouth. “We’re your tribe.”
“Oooh, I like that,” Lou adds, sipping punch.
“Your personal farewell army,” Lara finishes with a wink.
There’s music playing low in the background. Familiar scents of chocolate and something citrusy fill the room. I take it all in, my heartbeat slowing from surprise into something deeper. Calmer, Grateful.
Everyone starts settling. Lara ushers me to the center of the room, where a makeshift toast station has been set up, complete with an odd mix of fancy wine glasses and paper crowns.
She clears her throat, lifts a glass, and begins, “Before we start crying and hugging like we’re in a melodramatic indie film, I just want to say–1 expected a lot of things from the bridal selection, and literally nothing went the way I thought it would, especially you.” She points at me, smiling “You, April Farrah, are the treasure I stumbled upon while I wasn’t looking, and in such a short time, you’ve become more than just my best friend; you’re like the sister I never had.”
Tears brim in my eyes as she continues. “You’re brave and kind and relentless, and I’m just…so proud to know you. Paris doesn’t know how lucky it is yet.”
A soft cheer ripples through the room.
1/3
20:54 Mon, Oct 20
Chapter 199
I press my hand to my chest. “Lara…”
“No,” she says, mock–warning. “You don’t get to speak yet.”
Everyone laughs.
:
33
Lou steps up next, looking like she’s trying hard not to cry. “I’ve had the best roommate in the world for two years. Seriously, the only reason I’m alive is cause I had you constantly looking out for me, reminding me to do basic things like eat and sleep. Now who’s going to sneak leftovers under my door when I’m writing angry poetry at 2 a.m.? Who’s going to keep my plants alive?”
She wipes at her cheek and lifts her glass. “You better video call me every week or I’m flying to Paris to haunt you.”
Next is Julian, who saunters up dramatically. “Well. Since I’m the most eloquent one here–sorry, Lara“-he throws her a wink which she returns with her middle finger-“I think I speak for all of us when I say: April, you are irreplaceable. I’ve known you the least amount of time, and it’s not hard to see why you’re so adored.” He raises his glass. “I count myself lucky to know that for you and me, this isn’t bon voyage.”
Then June steps forward, cheeks pink and eyes shiny. Instead of a glass of wine, she holds a paper cup with apple juice.
“There’s a picture of my mom in my room, but when I think of the word ‘mom‘, I think of April.” She smiles softly as my throat tightens.
“When our parents died,” she continues, “there was you. You kept food on the table, you sat in at school meetings, you worked two jobs, alongside college, and still managed to get me to doctor’s appointments and remember my favorite cereal.”
I bite my trembling lip.
“You gave up things so I wouldn’t have to. You made sure I had a future when yours was on hold. And now…now you finally get to do something that’s just for you, and nothing makes me happier. I love you, April. I’m so proud to be your sister.”
A silence stretches, soft and sacred.
Then Lara whispers, “Okay, now we can all cry.”
I’m already crying.
They pull me into a group hug, warm arms tangled with laughter and too many sniffles. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so seen. So loved.
And I never would have found all this if I hadn’t entered the bridal selection.
So no matter the heartbreak I faced, I think it’s safe to say it was worth it because I gained all this in return.
I sip something fruity as everyone disperses into smaller circles–Julian and Malik arguing about baseball, June, Jackie, and Jamie building
a macaron tower, Lou snapping polaroids, Lara and I posing for said polaroids.
I’m laughing at a candid of Lara and Julian when I feel a hand gently touch my arm.
It’s Penny. Her expression is careful, warm, but a little more serious than everyone else’s. “April, can I talk to you for a minute?”
“Of course.” I follow her down the hallway, just far enough from the noise to hear ourselves.
2/3
20:54 Mon, Oct 20
Chapter 199
She glances toward the party, then back at me. “I didn’t want to say anything in front of everyone, and I know now is not exactly the right time to bring this up. But… I thought you’d want to know.”
I tense. “Know…what?”
She sighs. “He wanted to be here, but I forbade him. He needs a lot of rest.”
1 don’t have to ask who he‘ is.
“Why would he need rest?” I ask, panic spreading in my chest. “What happened?”
Penny tells me, and the world comes crumbling down around me.
Chapter Comments
₤1
Write Comments
SHARE
33
3/3
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
