A Beautiful, Terrible Love by Lucky 97 (books for 9th graders txt) 📖

off at the knee. It was a light lavender at the top, then darkened to a deep violet using varied shades of purple in shiny sequins. Certainly eye catching, it reminded me of the midnight glories, with the way it shined similarly to the nighttime blooms. To somehow combat the splendor, a simplistic white sash was right below the bust, adding a gentler effect to the stunning design.
Delilah looked pretty good in it, the purple contrasting with her deeply tanned skin, her hair and makeup pretty also. However, the other three girls seemed to be sucking in their extra flab to achieve the same look Delilah had, and were clearly unsuccessful in their efforts.
I walked over to the rack, retrieving the last dress, examining the flower. A light purple carnation, it was very simple and sweet. Delilah had a violet, and the other three had a lily, a tulip, and a perennial. They were all purple, but in different shades and forms.
I unzipped the back, slipping into it. The fabric seemed to fit me like a glove, melding to my skin, however, it was not too tight. It lavishly caressed my figure, the sash tightening around my thin waist but loosening around my chest and hips. I stared at the dress, now on my form, in wonder, inquiring inwardly how Sadie got my exact measurements. For she must have, with the way it fit me, so different from the other three girls.
Delilah stared at me, her face struck with amazement. "You are so lucky, Eve," she said dreamily, "you have the perfect figure and face,"
Anna, Wendy, and Tally just stared at me, mouths open. I couldn't help but blush at their scrutiny. They seemed so jealous, though I really couldn't understand why. My figure was nothing, really. There were many girls prettier than me.
After a little more gaping, Anna left the room. I walked to the mirror, fingering my makeup utensils in my thin hands. It was time for a makeover... on me. Not a big one, for too much makeup made my face look caky, but a little one was needed. Maybe I would meet someone... someone who would ease my troubles.
I artfully brought the brush across my face, smoothing my slightly rumpled complexion. The brush, after a while, seemed to move on its own, the art flooding from my fingers to my eyelids. Sparkles were carefully distributed, not a speck out of place, eyeliner drawn in a thin line across the top and bottom of my eyes. The makeup seemed to work for me, doing exactly what I wanted it to do, understanding exactly what I desired. It was different from that disgusting Vogue makeup they forced upon me; cheap, sticky, and gooey. I could still remember the lip gloss when it was dabbed upon me, it's pure disgusting ickiness shaking me to the core.
When I was finished, I surveyed my face in the mirror, satisfied. Perfect.
Memories flashed to my mind, reminding me of how much I had changed in the last couple of months. I could still recall the time when I wouldn't slap on a bit of makeup, dressing like a complete and total slob. When I was an outcast, but not a reject, more invisible. Now, I had people begging to be my friend, guy hitting on me left and right, and I was even coerced into singing at the charity benefit our school was doing. They were raking in some major dollars, splashing me on the front of every flyer, telling everyone that this was going to be my first live song. I had agents begging for me to employ them. Life was completely different.
Suddenly, Anna fled back into the room, her face flushed, filled with excitement. "I didn't mean to, but I SAW the groomsmen! And they were hot!!" she exclaimed, "there's this yummy guy with brown hair, gorgeous blue eyes, and amazing lips. He had a tulip on... oh, that's you, Tally! My groomsman had-" Anna went on, her voice of amazement. I soon tuned her out. Peace was always hard to achieve, especially in my circumstances, but I always eventually managed to achieve it, to retreat to that corner in my mind where everything was silent. I could still her voice as she gossiped, but I didn't really comprehend her words, suspended in my quiet place. She seemed to be talking about an amazingly hot guy with red hair... or did she say blonde?
I didn't realize that my eyes had shut until it was too late, falling into the comforts of dreamland, my chair swiveling in unpredictable directions.

"Eve!" A chorus of voices woke me from my slumber. As the blurriness came into focus, I recognized Delilah, her eyes signaling urgency. "Come on, we got to go!" she urged, pushing me from my seat.
"What?" I asked groggily, picking myself off the floor, "is my makeup ruined?"
"No, don't worry about that. Eve, you have been sleeping for three hours. The wedding is going to start in thirty minutes! We have to go get ready," she tugged at me, forcing me to follow her. I stumbled after her fleeting form, still wondering where I was and what the crap I was doing here.
We turned down a strange hallway, to a room I had never noticed before. I could sense movement inside it, spiking my heart's tremors. Who was going to be the best man? I was undoubtedly curious, hoping he didn't look absolutely hideous. Hoping he might be the answer to my prayers.
Delilah threw the doors open, showing the mass of identically dressed groomsmen and bridesmaids, and Sadie in the center of them all. I felt a pair of eyes upon me as Delilah pushed me into the crowd, closer to Sadie's words.
"And so, we are going to find our partners," she was saying, "best man and maid of honor go first, than lily, tulip, violet, and perennial. Oh, and then the flower girl. Where is she, by the way?"
"The bathroom with her nurse," a melodious voice erupted, spiking recognition inside my chest. I felt my jaw drop as the man I had never expected to be here emerged from the crowd, crossing to my side.
Why was Dex here?!
I glanced at his shirt, and realized with horror that he wore a carnation also. "Looks like we are partners," he said, flashing me a heart-melting smile. Reaching out with his long, slender fingers, he placed them on my chin, snapping my jaw back into place.
I soon felt myself grow intoxicated with his cologne, the same scent I had detected earlier in the hallway. I knew I had recognized that aroma. He had been here all along.
"Why..." I choked out, my breath stolen by this seductive man I had never expected to see again. But my assumptions were defied, for here he was, right in front of me, smiling.
"Jack was my former bodyguard, remember?" he said, his voice slippery and smooth, flowing like syrup from his lips. I had forgotten how much I missed his beautiful voice. Sadie crossed over by us, shooting me a wink.
And, somehow, I didn't have the power within me to grimace back.
Sadie stepped on a chair, her face perfect, her dress awe-inspiring. "Everyone," she called, "we are now going to gather right in front of the two double doors, in lines, so we can be ready to walk down the aisle. I'll have to stay in here until Jack leaves to go to the front of the church, so he won't see me... just go on without me. Okay?"
We all nodded. Lining up in pairs, we slowly marched out of the room, heading to our destination, anxiety pounding in my chest. We really were about to walk down the aisle.
And Dex and I were first.
I could feel the other bridesmaids' eyes scour Dex, envy pulsating from them. The groomsmen were all hot, but Dex was voted, last year, the hottest teen on earth. So you could understand their jealousy. Delilah, too, was rather envious, comparing her mediocre guy to the greek god standing by my side.
I looked up at him, seeing his ruby red hair, sparkling in the rich light. His eyes were so green that the grass outside looked duller, emeralds the only thing truly matching their color. His perfectly clear complexion sparked envy in even my chest, making me want to stroke his beautiful cheek.
A small, petite lady stood beside us, looking out unto the crowd. The organ dwindled on the last few notes of its song, signaling readiness. The walking soon begun.
The grandfather and grandmother walked down the aisle, Sadie's grandparents dead. After that, Jack's parents found their places at the front. The pastor and Jack themselves trumped through the door next, marching to the altar. I could sense the time coming, the time when we would be descending the small steps to the aisle ourself.
And of course that time would sooner rather than later.
The petite lady jerked a finger towards the door. "Your turn!" she urged, pushing it open so we could emerge. I subconsciously held his hand close to my own, my heart pounding furiously.
The crowd.
With judging eyes, they raked over us, staring with their blank eyes. It was a small wedding for sure, no one from high school visible, but a couple eyes less didn't really make a difference. It was still terrifying, their gaze blank, but always there. Excitement pulsed through them, I could tell, at Dex's presence, but except for a scream or too, they kept themselves in check. That was actually pretty good, with Dex being a rockstar.
I kept my eyes glued to the midnight glories, my face burning with heat.
"You look absolutely gorgeous," I could hear a soft, seductive murmur, my nervousness quelling as he spoke quietly, "everyone is wondering if you are the real bride,"
I looked up at him, thankfulness in my gaze. However, his eyes were glued to the altar, to the destination we both were reaching. His grip was firm, but caring. He released me after we reached the end, and I went on the left side, and he went to the right. We stood, my face still blushing slightly from the stares, the never-ending gaze.
Anna arrived next, then Tally, Delilah, and finally Wendy. They didn't seem to be as nervous as I had been, walking confidently, their faces unblushing. Silently I regretted having such a pale face, one that would show my every emotion whether I wanted it to or not.
Suddenly, the doors swung back open, this time to admit a little girl that took my breath away. I could feel Dex's eyes shift to watch me, as I absorbed this sudden shock.
Time seemed to stop as I realized that she looked exactly like Dex.
With long, ruby red curls and startling green eyes, the girl was an absolute knockout, even now. Her complexion was exactly like Dex's, her body slender, her face absolutely perfect. It was heart shaped, framed by her miraculous hair, her cheekbones pronounced slightly. Everything about her was beautiful.
And the way she walked. It was so full of energy, so confident, a smile bursting on her tiny face. Without a stumble, she glided to the front, throwing flower petals around, never missing a spot. She had such performing ability, already, at a young age.
She had to be Dex's daughter.
The pretty girl walked to my side, looking at Dex, then looking at all of us. She seemed to be debating on which person she wanted to stand by, seeking confirmation from her dad. He gave a slight tilt of the head, confirming her choice, and she halted beside my form. A huge smile was on her face as she