Chapter 2

This is not my bedroom.

Oh, right. I’m already in my aunt’s apartment. Stupid me.

The walls of my new room were painted white instead of my pale yellow walls. It had a vanity and chair at the other side of the bed and a bookshelf on the other. It had a few posters and paintings but that was all it was decorated with. The bedroom was simple, just the way I like it.

At least the bedroom was nice.

My eyes drifted to the big door that was covered with light blue curtains. The sun’s rays were shining through them and into my eyes, practically screaming at me to wake up. I groaned and buried my face back into my pillow. I just wanted to go back to sleep and pretend I wasn’t starting work today.

I will not step foot in that wretched place.

“Rise and shine, Riley!” I heard Stella scream after my door burst open. I heard her footsteps close to my bed. She started shaking me to get me to wake up. “You don’t want to be late for your first day.”

“I don’t want to.” I mumbled, wrapping duvet around me.

“Fine.” Stella huffed then I heard her stomp out the room.

She’s leaving me alone? Hoorah!

 “Wake up!” She screamed then I felt ice cold water splash onto my face. I sat up with a screech. I was greeted by a smirking Stella. The empty bottle of water she was holding was evidence that she did this to me.

 “What the hell was that?” I demanded, glaring at her.

“That, my best friend, was a new way to wake you up.” She told me, smiling triumphantly. “Come on and get in the shower. I’ll help you get ready.”

“I didn’t pack anything remember?” I smiled triumphantly. When we left home yesterday I just brought my backpack of essentials (iPod, ear pods, etc.) as an act of protest. My mother just rolled her eyes and said, “Fine then. You’ll regret this later.”

Of course I didn’t know what she meant by that.

Until Stella said, “Lucky for you, your mother packed in advanced and had it sent here.”

“My mom packed for me?” My jaw dropped.

Stella nodded in response. “You should be happy you have a stylist slash fashion designer mother. Most girls would.”

“Well, I’m not most girls.” I said scornfully. My mom’s idea of a casual outfit is a frilly sundress paired with heels, which probably is for most people. But not me. I’d rather wear sweats and flip flops everywhere I go if my mom doesn’t force me to at least wear a shirt and jeans.

“I know that hon.” She said, patting my back and pushing me to the bathroom at the same time. She shoved me in and closed the door, not giving me a chance to escape.

I smirked to myself and thought I’ll just sit on the toilet until she lets me out.

“Riley,” She shouted on the other side of the door. “If you don’t get showered, I’ll eat your not-so-secret stash of Pringles.”

“You wouldn’t,” I growled. I love Pringles as much as I love ice cream. Stella knows that and she also know that I’d skin her alive if she eats them. I know you’re probably thinking that I’m overreacting but don’t you have a favorite snack item that you stash in some place so no one can eat it but you?

“Oh,” I could almost see Stella comfortably leaning against the bathroom door smirking evilly. “I so would, Riles.”

And I know she would. She’s an evil, pringle eating, best friend pushing witch.

“Fine!” I huffed.

I turned the knob and waited until the water was my preferred temperature. I took as long as I could in the shower, partly because I want to piss Stella off and partly because I was trying to delay the day from starting. I reluctantly got out of the bathroom.

I wish I could stay in the shower forever.

But sadly, that’s not possible. Stella dragged me to my vanity and sat me on the chair in front of it. She put my hair out of the towel and dried it a bit. Then she took out a blow dryer and comb.

“What are you doing?” I asked as she plugged the dryer in. “You know I like air drying my hair.”

“There’s no time for that.” Stella said, shaking her head. “I just want to make you even prettier than you are for your first day. First impressions are important you know.”

“I would be fine if I go in my shirt and jeans with my hair wet.” I grumbled, crossing my arms over my chest. Stella rolled her eyes as she set to work on my hair. She dried my blonde hair into parts. She finished drying my hair in just a few minutes, surprisingly. Before I knew it, Stella got out a curling iron from who knows where and started curling my hair.

“No. No!” I said, trying to pull my hair out of the iron. “I was forced to get my hair blow dried but you can never force me to get my hair curled.”

“You say it like it’s a bad thing.” I could hear the irritation in her voice.

“It is a bad thing.” I say in exasperation while still trying to resist the curling iron.

“Oh, stop moving, will you? You’re going to get your hair burned.” I immediately stopped moving and grumbled in defeat. Stella knew she won so she continued curling my clumps of my hair until every inch of it was curled. She even put a tiny bit of make up on my face.

I will get revenge for this.

I stood up from the chair as Stella went into my closet to get my outfit. She came back with it and set it on the bed. One look and I already know what to say.

“I am not going to wear that. Not in a million years!” I exclaimed stubbornly. She may have blow dried my hair, curled it and forced me to let her put on makeup but no way in hell am I going to wear that. Why didn’t I just pack my own clothes instead of being the stubborn girl that I am?

I could already hear my mom laughing in Paris evilly.

“Are you really going to complain every step of the way?” Stella asked, rolling her eyes.

“Yes.” I said, nodding my head.

“Would you stop?” But it didn’t sound like a question. A command is more like it. “Just wear it and be thankful that flats matched this outfit.”

I eyed the pieces of clothing that were sitting on my bed. It was a white dress with lace designs on it. Stella paired it with a baby blue blazer and matching flats. There was also a pair of pearl earrings, matching necklace and a chunky bracelet. She even picked the bag that goes with all of it.

I scrunched up my nose and said, “Isn’t it a bit too much for work?”

“Haven’t you learned anything from spending time there when you were eleven?!” She exclaimed, throwing her arms up in the air. “This is what they wear on casual Fridays!”

As much as I wanted to disagree, I couldn’t because I knew it was true. People there dress like snooty rich people that think they’re better than everyone else. Some really are snooty rich people but there are always some good hearts out there.

“Fine.” I huffed, getting the dress. “But tomorrow I’m going to wear jeans.”

“Deal.” Stella smiled as I went to my closet and put on the dress. I walked over to the floor length mirror and looked at my reflection.

Ugh. I looked like a Barbie doll.

“Now put on the other things.” I did what Stella said and slipped on the blazer and flats. I put on the earrings (Thank God I had my ears pierced), the bracelet and necklace. I sauntered back to the mirror.

A beautiful, confident and smartly dressed girly girl was all I saw.

“This isn’t me.” I muttered and plopped down on the couch.

“That is you, Riles. It’s what was inside.” Stella said and poked the left side of my chest. “It just took better clothes to make it shine.”

I rolled my eyes but smiled nevertheless. She laughed and hugged me before saying, “Let’s go eat some breakfast.”

We went out to the living room and saw my aunt talking to someone on the phone while she flipped pancakes on the stove. Stella and I sat down in front of the breakfast bar.

“Mandy, just make sure the bride gets there on time. Oh and don’t forget to check in one last time with the photographer. Make sure he gets the list Arianna sent, ok?” Mickey said into the phone. She turned around and smiled at us. “I got to go. See you when I get there. Ciao, darling!”

“Sorry about that, girls.” She apologized as she set down a plate of pancakes on the table for each of us. Then she looked at me with a wide smile on her face. “Riley, you look so pretty!”

“Thanks.” I muttered, pulling the plate of stacked, chocolate chip pancakes closer to me.

“You too, Stella.” She added. She got a carton of milk from the fridge and placed it in front of us.

“Thanks!” Stella beamed. “It was a lot of work getting her into that outfit.”

 “That’s Riley.” My aunt shook her head, amused. “Now eat up, we have a busy day ahead of us.”

*****

“Come on Riley, get out of the car!” Mikayla said, sighing tiredly.

“No.” I said firmly, glaring at the town car’s front seat. My aunt sighed in defeat and turned to go in the building, leaving the task to Stella.

“If you don’t get out, I won’t tell you where I hid your iPod.” I looked up at my best friend to see her smiling smugly, knowing she got my attention. I opened my bag and looked through it. Nope, my iPod is definitely not in there.

“How could you hide my iPod?!” I cried, glaring at her.

“It’s for your own good. Now get out.” Stella said, jerking her thumb to the high rise behind her.

“No.” I said again. I heard Stella sigh before saying, “You asked for it.”

I felt two hands grip my right arm and pulled. “You are going to get out of the car, Riley!”

“No, I’m not.” I argued, gripping the car’s armrest so she can’t drag me out.

“Get out of the car!” She shouted while still trying to pull me out.

“I don’t want to! It’ll be like walking into a pit of depression.”  I huffed trying to tighten my grip on the arm rest. I bet people are having a ball watching this go on.

“Stop being a drama queen and suck it up!” Wow, Stella was strong.

“Stop pulling my arm! It hurts!” I whined trying to move to the other side of the car.

“You’re being a baby.” She rolled her eyes and pulled me harder. “I’ll stop pulling when you get out of the car. Also, I’ll tell you where the iPod is and buy you a new phone case.”

I am so ready to buy the most expensive phone case I could find.

I reluctantly got out of the car then turned to her. “Now where’s my iPod?”

“It’s at home.” She said as she got back in the car to go to her workplace. “Bye, Riles.” The tires screeched as it drove off, leaving me in the dust. I scowled as I watched it retreat, ignoring the people staring at me before walking to the building.

I thought I could just catch a cab and head home since neither Stella nor my aunt are here to push me to go to work. But Mickey sent over her assistant to make sure I don’t ditch.

“Hi, Clara.” I tried smiling at her but it turned out a grimace.

“Follow me.” She said calmly and went ahead of me.

The moment I walked in, I was enveloped in the hustle and bustle that is Fairytale Weddings. The lobby was full of people in blazers or blouses, holding a clipboard, talking on their phones or rushing around holding flower bouquets, clients’ wedding dresses or wedding binders.

They all bring back so many memories of me and Nick, dashing around helping my aunt on a wedding. I had this small clipboard to check things off the list while we went around finishing the small wedding-day tasks my aunt assigned to us.

I can’t believe I walked in here.

“We’ll meet up with the other inters.” Clara informed, taking something from the reception. “Then I’m going to show you guys around.”

I raised an eyebrow though she couldn’t see me since her back was turned. There were other interns?

Clara led me to the lounge of the ground floor. Three people stood up when we neared. Clara cleared her throat and said, “Hello everybody. I’m Clara McKinley and I’ll be your tour guide today. We’ll start when you introduce your selves.”

I looked around our group. A girl with long red orange hair that ended above her shoulders started. She had a dark blue halter neck on with black dress pants and open toe heels. She looked like your normal girly girl. “I’m Missy. I’m seventeen years old and I’m from Chicago.”

“I guess I’m next?” The girl with cropped dark brown hair asked. She had rectangular glasses perched on her nose and was wearing vest over her maroon shirt. She had a white lace trimmed skirt and oxfords. She reminded me of Spencer Hastings from Pretty Little Liars. “Hi. I’m Emmalyn but I prefer to be called Emma or Em. I’m eighteen and a New York City girl.”

“Hi all!” The only boy of our group said flamboyantly. His coppery hair was styled with tons of gel. He was wearing a short-sleeved polo with a colorful bowtie around his neck. “I’m Eric, eighteen and fabulous. I’m a friend of Missy’s”

His short introduction made all of us crack a smile. Clara was flipping through her clipboard, barely listening. I cleared my throat and started my introduction. “Hello. I’m Riley Summers. I’m seventeen and from around here.”

“Let’s carry on with the tour.” Clara said in a monotone. She walked away, expecting us to follow her. Emma, Eric and Missy gathered their things. I started following Clara and as I was walking I felt an arm loop around my right one and another on my left. I glance sideways and saw Eric and Missy. “Uh… hi?”

“Quick question, Riles.” Missy said already calling me by my nickname. “Your last name is Summers right?”

I didn’t even get the chance to answer before Eric cut me off. “Are you, by chance, related to Caroline Summers?”

“She’s my mom.” I answered. Emma was walking quietly beside Missy. I saw her role her eyes when Eric and Missy squealed in delight.

“That definitely explains why you’re wearing her latest” Missy said, eyeing my dress up and down. “Can you ask her for another one for your dear friend Missy?”

“Throw in a cute blazer for me.” Eric smiled widely. They were all talking fast that I couldn’t catch up. Thankfully Emma pulled me away from the chatty two and let me walk beside her.

“Would you guys give her a break? She just got here.” Emma said, rolling her eyes again.

“Are they always like that?” I asked, scratching my arm.

“They are.” Emma sighed. “They’ve been talking non-stop since we first met in the lobby. I already feel like I’ve known those two since forever.”

I chuckled as we followed Clara to the elevator.

“Well, you know the lobby.” Clara gestured in front of us before the elevator doors closed.  “The café, garden and mail room are also on this level.”

We rode to the elevator to the top floor. “The rest of the floors have offices. We have a huge library where we keep the wedding books and magazines. You know the bridal, lifestyle, fashion, gardening, design, and food magazines. That is located on the 15th floor.”

We nodded making sure to remember them all. I didn’t remember there was a library with all of that. I just remembered the dozens of big offices and cool lounge room with a frozen yogurt machine.

“There’s this new ‘inspiration’ room that’s located there.” Clara continued. “That’s where we have the fresh flower bouquets, a few readymade wedding dresses for display, cake samples and pictures of wedding themes we’ve done in the past. That, along with the magazines, are very useful when a bride doesn’t know what she wants for her wedding.”

Well, the company’s still the well-oiled machine I remember. It’s amazing how everything and everyone has a place in this company.

The elevator stopped on the second to the top floor. “I’ll show you your offices.” Clara led us to the end of the hallways and stood in front of a big brown door. She got the keys from her pocket and unlocked the door. She let us enter the room first.

“Wow.” I hear my three co-workers breathe out. The room was big and was decorated nicely. It looked like the lobby with its pastel wallpaper and works of art hanging on the walls. Instead of cream couches, there were two white couches facing each other in the middle of the room. Colorful pillows adorned the couch. A desk was placed in each corner of the room, one for each of us. The place wasn’t at all what I expected. One wall was covered in floor to ceiling windows that were covered by a curtain. I didn’t remember the offices were this trendy.

“I’ll let you guys settle in and by the way, it’s almost lunch break.” Clara said, giving us a small smile. “I’ll just call you guys when you’re needed.” She sauntered out the door and closed it behind her.

Eric threw himself on the couch and put his feet on the glass coffee table. “Can you believe that we have this awesome room all to ourselves?”

“I love this room.” Missy exclaimed, putting her hands up on the air. “I’ll have this desk.”

“This is our office guys.” Emma said, putting her bag on a desk. “Remember that.”

“This isn’t a office.” Eric said. “This is my dream living room without the plasma screen TV and fireplace.”

“I am totally going to ask my dad to buy me a frozen yogurt machine so we can put it here.” Missy sighed happily when she plopped herself on the couch.

“Make it a strawberry one.” I smiled, deciding to enjoy the office and forget about Nick and the memories.

“And now I’m suddenly in the mood for yogurt.” Eric stood up and got his satchel. “Come on Missy. I think I saw a store down the block.”

Missy stood up and slung her bag on her shoulder. Emma looked up from her phone. “Where do you guys think you’re going?”

“To The Yogurt Factory.” Eric said in a ‘duh’ tone.

“No you can’t. It’s still office hours.” Emma told them. I can already see she’ll be the responsible mother of the group.

“Chillax Em.” Missy said with a wave of her hand. “Clara already said it’s almost lunch time. It’ll be fine.” She glanced at her watch. “It’s already twelve. Let’s go. We can also grab lunch.”

“Ok fine.” Emma gave in and got her purse. They all seemed like good friends even though they just met a few hours ago. Missy and Eric have such outgoing personalities that I bet they make friends with everyone they see.

“Great!” Eric cheered. “You can choose where we’ll eat.”

I was about to decline, not wanting to intrude.

“Come on Riley. You’re our friend too ya know.” Missy smiled, showing her pearly white teeth.

Eric’s words made me smile. Well they did talk to me as we’ve been friends since middle school.

Oh what the heck. I’ll go.

I let Emma pull me off the couch and she looped her arm around mine while the four of us exited the room.

I guess the only upside to this job is the room and my three new friends.

_________________________________________________________________

Hey guys! So what do you think of Missy, Eric and Emma? 

Nick on the side >>>>>

Sorry if there's any spelling  mistakes or grammatical errors. Don't forget to vote, comment and fan! Dedication to a random commenter. :) 

Oh and if you have any idea who you want me to cast Riley's new friends as, comment below! :D

- Cassie xox