CHAPTER EIGHT: BRIDESMAID?
May 29th, 2020
Only four days had passed since Gemma and Marcie made the big decision of staying in Michigan for the summer, and luckily, everything had been going smoothly. Despite Gayle's constant wedding talk, and Avery's random stops by their house -- Gemma was somehow able to avoid it. The more she worried about running into Avery, though, the more she thought about running into Rowan. Although it was shocking seeing him again, after two full years, Gemma knew deep in her heart that she was fully over him and their breakup. She did sometimes wonder where the two of them would be today if she never pursued her dream in New York -- so she worried about running into him, just in case those feelings would resurface. All she could do though, was avoid him at all costs, to avoid any wondering feelings from coming back to her.
How the two ended up together was a mystery to Gemma, though she knew deep in her heart that as long as she avoided the wedding entirely, these thoughts wouldn't eat away at her.
"How's the job hunting coming along?" Marcie peeked her head into Gemma's room. She walked in, closing the door behind her, with her hair soaking wet from just taking a shower.
"Not great." Gemma sighed, closing her laptop. She couldn't find a part time job for the life of her, because everything within a thirty minute distance just wasn't hiring. The only available options Gemma was coming up with were within a few miles of her childhood home, where she did not want to work. The closer to home Gemma worked, the more she risked running into Avery or Rowan. Marcie on the other hand, did not seem to care about running into them at all.
"I have an interview at Dunkin' this afternoon," she chirped, hoping she would get the job at her favorite coffee place.
"Great," Gemma rolled her eyes. "The one that Avery goes to all the time."
"Hey," Marcie put her hands up in defense. "I'm not the one trying to avoid her. I don't mind working close to here. Plus, I don't even have a car. I need something within walking distance."
"Fair point," Gemma sighed, as she opened her laptop to try and search again. Her car wasn't here with her, either. And it would cost way too much to have it shipped to her, when she was only going to be living in Michigan temporarily. It made more sense to get a job within walking distance, so Gemma wouldn't have to borrow any family member's cars. But that came with the risk, one in which Gemma was not willing to take.
"Still struggling to find something?" Marcie asked as she combed through her wet, messy hair.
"Yeah. All I'm coming up with is fast food places, and I never want to work in that field, again."
Every fast food place imaginable was coming up on Gemma's search list. Though after working at a poorly managed fast food restaurant throughout high school, she vowed to never work in such an environment again. The only other option was retail, though there weren't any positions Gemma was entirely interested in. And sadly -- Gemma's degree was in film. Marcie's was in fashion. In Michigan, there were basically zero jobs where their degrees could be put to use.
"Hey, what about Target?" Marcie pointed to the result on Gemma's screen.
"Maybe. Not sure if I want to be a cashier, though."
"Can't be picky. We're only going to have these jobs for two months, max. Just enough to make sure our rent is paid and maybe a little extra for spending money."
"I know," Gemma sighed. "Fine. I'll put in an application."
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June 1st, 2020
A week into living in Michigan, and things were still running smoothly. The more days that passed, the more at ease Gemma felt. Marcie had been hired at Dunkin' on the spot, and began her training that day. Gemma, on the other hand, had an interview at Target, two days from now. This Target was approximately a twenty-four minute drive from her house, as opposed to the location only seven minutes from her, which she felt was far enough to the point where she wouldn't run into anyone from her past.
"Gems," Olivia called from the hallway. She didn't wait before bursting into Gemma's room, with a panicked look on her face. "Just heard mom on the phone. Ninety-nine percent sure she was talking to Avery, because wedding was the topic of conversation. Mom ended the call with, 'okay hon, see you soon' so I'm assuming Avery is on her way here. You should probably leave."
Marcie laughed. "Thanks for the warning, Liv."
"Man, I was just about to watch American Horror Story. I don't wanna leave my bed."
"I mean, technically we can just stay in here, and lock the door." Marcie suggested, though Gemma immediately shook her head no.
"Not happening. I don't want to be in the same proximity as her."
"Gems, I know you hate Avery for dropping you unexpectantly, but come on. You live here. You shouldn't have to leave your own home." Olivia laughed. She hated Aves just as much as her sister did, though she didn't see the point in leaving the house. Marcie's suggestion seemed reasonable; just locking the door and staying upstairs. Or, Liv thought, Gemma didn't even have to go as far as locking the door. Avery had no idea they were here, and it wasn't like she was going to come looking for Gemma.
"Nooope," Gemma mumbled stressfully. "I'm grabbing mom's keys, and taking a drive around the neighborhood. Come on, Marcie."
"Whatever you say," Gemma's best friend rolled her eyes in laughter.
Though to her surprise, as soon as Gemma was walking down the steps, the front door opened. And no one other than Avery Nelson was behind the old wooden door.
"How the hell did she get here so fast?" Gemma whisper-yelled, as she stood only a third of the way down the stairs.
"Maybe she was already on her way here when mom was on the phone with her? She doesn't live very far." Olivia mentioned.
"Fuck," Gemma groaned, a little too loudly. She clamped her hand over her mouth, hoping that neither Avery, or Gayle, heard her. "Go back upstairs."
Though before Gemma could make it to the top of the steps, Avery's voice was heard yet again. Gemma could feel her heart beating through her chest, as her name left her former friends' mouth.
"Gemma?" Avery now stood at the bottom of the steps. "Oh my god, I had no idea you were here!"
"Just leaving," Gemma gulped. She continued to walk up the stairs, with every intention of locking herself in her bedroom.
"Can you stay a minute? Please?"
Gemma turned around, her eyes wide. "Now why would I do that?"
"Oh Gems," Gayle called from the kitchen. "Come downstairs, don't be rude."
"Oh no," Olivia shook her head with a slight laugh. She had no idea what was going on, or why Avery and her mother insisted upon Gemma's presence. Though she, and Marcie, were slightly curious to find out why.
"I'm grabbing the keys," Gemma softly mumbled to her sister and best friend. "And we are leaving."
"Good luck with that," Marcie rolled her eyes, followed by a stifled laugh. "You've already been spotted."
"Fuuuck," Gemma groaned again. Turning around, she faced the bottom of the steps. She locked eyes with Avery, who had a slight smile on her face. Her bright red hair was neatly combed back into a braid; her outfit showing her very visible tattoos. Gemma hadn't noticed the butterfly tattoo on her thigh, before. It was strange seeing Avery with multiple tattoos, when she used to despise them.
Sighing, Gemma walked slowly down the stairs. Marcie and Olivia followed closely behind, both very intrigued about what was about to happen. Avery and Gayle sat at the dining room table by the time Gemma entered the room. A large binder was open in front of them, with various notes which Gemma assumed were wedding plans.
"We were just about to go out - " Gemma began, wanting desperately to leave the house until Avery was no longer in sight. Though before she could finish her sentence, her mother cut her off.
"Oh no," Gayle shook her head. "Sit, there's something Avery needs to ask you."
Gemma wanted to move; she so desperately wanted to leave the house. The more her mother's eyes tore into her, the more she wondered if staying in Michigan was a good idea. She was doing it for Liv, but why couldn't Liv just come stay with her in New York? That seemed like a much better solution.
"Sit," Gayle said again, with attitude thick in her voice. Gemma gulped. She knew she was being immature, but she couldn't help it. This was an odd situation.
So she sat. Olivia and Marcie stood behind Gemma, both eager to hear what it was Avery had to say.
"So, Gems," Avery used the nickname that only her family, and Marcie, were allowed to use for her. Gemma fought back an eye roll.
"Yes, Avery?" a sense of urgency weighed heavy in Gemma's voice. She was hoping this interaction wouldn't take longer than a minute.
"You remember Danielle, right?"
It took everything in Gemma not to start gagging. Of course she remembered Danielle; she was Avery's first college friend. Her first friend at the University of Michigan, who she basically cut Gemma off for. Gemma had a deep, rooted hatred for Danielle.
"Unfortunately,"
Avery ignored Gemma's rude comment. "Well, she was supposed to be a bridesmaid in my wedding - "
"Okay?" Gemma's eyebrows knit together in confusion. "What does this have to do with me?"
"She broke her leg, and can't attend the wedding anymore. She's going to need intense surgery, and can't be apart of the wedding at all."
"And?" Gemma wished Avery would get to the point. Her legs were shaking with anxiety; she was ready to bust out the door and not come back for at least a few hours.
"Well I was wondering - " Avery paused for a moment. "If you would take her place, and be a bridesmaid in my wedding?"
Gemma's eyes felt like they were going to bulge out of her head, at Avery's absurd question. "Absolutely not." She did not hesitate before answering.
"Gemma - " Gayle began, but was quickly cut off by Avery.
"It's okay, Gayle. I didn't expect her to say yes."
"You expected correctly." Gemma chimed in.
"This would be so great for you, Gems! You and Avery have the chance to rekindle your friendship - "
"I don't need to rekindle our friendship, mom. I have Marcie." Gemma said as she stood up. She couldn't handle anymore of this conversation.
"Just think about it - " Was the last thing Gemma heard out of Avery's mouth, as she let the front door close behind her.
Bridesmaid? Gemma thought to herself as she unlocked her mom's car, ignoring Marcie and Olivia's calls from behind her. She sat in the car for a moment, her heart feeling as if it was going to beat out of her chest.
"Bridesmaid?" Gemma yelled as Marcie and Olivia entered the car. "Is she fucking insane?!"
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a/n: it's been MONTHS since I wrote a chapter for this story. omg. it doesn't seem that way because I'm uploading them later on lol but wow. college is kicking my ass. I legit have no time to write.
anyyywaaaayyyyssss I am happy to be back!! I have so many plans for this. holy shit. you aren't ready.
a/n part 2: that first author's note was written in literally 2021 LOL it's so weird to think that I let this story sit for awhile without writing. hehe i love looking at past me's notes. go her for being a good college student