17 October 2012
Chapter 37:
Weeks passed where I didn't leave the house. The thought of getting out of bed was enough to throw me over the edge. I felt guilty, lonely and heartbroken, despite being the person who crumpled Matt's heart. My mum would often come in and stroke my hair, telling me everything would be alright, but nothing in this world could change the way I felt. I knew getting married wasn't the right thing to do, not yet anyway, but something told me that it couldn't be worse than what I was feeling now.
Jasmine would often call, never visit. I couldn't face seeing her when I hadn't even told her I was engaged. It was Cindy who told her the Wedding was off, and she was worried about me, but I could sense the tension between us from my secrecy.
The next morning I decided to get out of bed and go to the shop. My mother had kindly been filling in for me, organising everything perfectly. I arrived to find Jasmine waiting outside the front door. "Your mum told me you were coming in today, after all this time." She said, bluntly. "What are you doing here?" I asked, I walked over to unlock the door. "Where's Amelie?" I avoided eye contact as I didn't have the energy to fight, or even speak to anyone. "Cindy's with her." She responded proudly. I gave a small nod, selfishly not really taking much interest. "So, I thought I could start today, that is, if my job is still open?" "Yes, it is." I said in a monotone voice. "Great, I'll be in the kitchen then." "Well, I haven't told you what to do yet." I held onto her arm gently. "Oh, well I've been doing some research and I've found some amazing cakes!" Jasmine said excitedly. "That's great, but you should have run things by me first, Jas." "Oh, I'm sorry." She said sarcastically. "Do you have a problem with consulting me, Jasmine? I am your employer!" My voice increasing towards the end. "Alright, alright! Calm down, Sophia! You don't have to get so touchy!" "No, I do! You can't just come in and do whatever you like!" Jasmine walked towards the chair, leaning on the back with a sigh. "Why didn't you tell me you were engaged? I thought we were friends." "I never said we weren't friends, I just wanted to keep it to myself for a while. I didn't know I wasn't allowed to keep secrets from you." I was so frustrated she couldn't see I had done it for her. I wanted her to have the attention, but she couldn't even see that. "You can, but it's not something you'd hide from me. I thought we were closer than that." She sat down, looking at the ground. "Well right now you're acting like you don't want anyone in your life anymore. First you kick Matt out, and he didn't do anything wrong as far as I can tell, and now you don't want me to have anything to do with it! What the hell's your problem, Soph? Your so weird sometimes." She stood up walking towards the door. "Who are you to criticise my relationship with Matt? Were you there?" I turned around so she couldn't see my flourished cheeks. There was silence for a few seconds, until I'd finally had enough. "Get out, please. Leave the shop." I turned back round, wiping my sudden tears. "Go home to Amelie, she needs you more than me." "Fine. Thanks Sophia; and there was me trying to help you."
She ran towards the front of the shop, slamming the weak front door on her way out. I collapsed to the floor, crying hysterically, until I finally made my way out. I looked up at my shop, the 'W' of the sign wonky from Jasmine's exit. Just as things were getting better, I was back to where I started.
by vera©
The Wedding Shop • Opuss № I