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By two-thirty, Tala’s name is also on the missing person’s list. Tala gives me a
look filled with so much vehemence that I briefly catalogue our acquaintance
trying to pinpoint if I’ve done something to deserve this treatment.
She places me on keepsake duty which requires me to go to each place setting

of every table and place a keepsake on the plate.
I asked her if I would be doing it alone and she bitches, “You just can’t expect
to enjoy the party and not contribute to any of the work.” Her glossy bob shakes
as she speaks. “You didn’t help put them together; the least you could do is put
them out.”
That’s it. I’ve had enough. I am about to tell her exactly what I think of her
wedding and what she can do with the keepsakes when I see Teo and Lizzie lean in
expectantly. Then it hits me; they are trying to get me to lose my shit. They want
me to go off and give Tala a reason to ban me from the wedding and probably my
room.

I take a deep breath and pick up the bags.
“I only asked a question.” I retreat but turn back to her. “And Tala? I cannot
help with something I wasn’t invited to.”
She has the nerve to look ashamed. She knows damn well she didn’t invite me
over with the rest of the girls. I can bet and win money on the odds that Lizzie was
there. I hold my head up and walk to the back of the venue where the reception
will take place.
I hate them, but I like my money more. I am going to get my money’s worth,
and nobody is going to be sleeping in my plush bed but me… and Henry, if he ever
shows. I check my phone again. This is the hard part – not knowing his progress. I
suck back my emotions. None of these people are going to see me cry.
I plug my phone into the AUX on the stereo and pull up my P!nk playlist. I
need some mood music to make it through the rest of this day.