March 29th 2015

My alarm goes off at nine, waking me up. I swipe my finger across my iPhone 5.

This wedding is going to be a Shit Sandwich.

I opened my cupboard door and found my beautifully handmade bridesmaid gown. The dress took me three years to make by hand. It has a shoulder strap and goes straight down. I bought the perfect white heels to go with it. Everything for my wedding to Kayne is boxed up in the spare bedroom.

I need to get rid of everything that was for my wedding.

There's a knock on the front door.

My best friend Peyton is on the other side.

Peyton walks into the house. "Are you ready for the Shit Sandwich Wedding?"

I laugh. "Yeah, it's a dream come true," I say sarcastically. "I get to watch my ex-fiancée and sister walk down the aisle on my wedding day. You know what sucks? I planned this whole wedding."

Peyton shakes her head. "Let's get smashed first."

"Nah, Peyton. I'm doing this sober even if it kills me."

"You're braver than I. I'd be a complete mess."

I storm into the spare bedroom and look at the boxes loathingly. "Peyton, can you help me get rid of these boxes?"

She nods. "Sure, what's in them?"

"Some stuff for my wedding. I need to take them to Mum's. My bloody sister would be happy for more shit at her wedding."

Peyton and I take the boxes to my car. I stack them carefully in the boot.

"What's the time, Peyton?"

She looks at her wrist. "It's 11."

I'm late for hair and make-up.

My phone starts ringing. I looked at the caller ID and showed it to Peyton. I hit the decline button. It starts to ring again. Again, I divert it. It rings again. I power down my mobile. "I have to go, Peyton. Shit's going to hit the fan when I get to my parents."

She laughs. "I'll see you at the wedding?"

I roll my eyes. "I suppose you will."

I climb into my car.

***

Gina storms out the front door, and she yells. "Where the hell have you been?"

I shrug and step out of the car. Gina walks to the car's boot, and I pull out a box. "Take this inside you ungrateful bitch. This is more stuff for your wedding, Gina."

Gina harrumphs. She turns and takes the boxes into the house.

When I enter the house, Mum is going nuts that I'm an hour and a half late. "Jesus, Mum. I'm here. I found some stuff that Gina needs for the wedding."

Gina walks into the kitchen with a necklace and matching earrings. They look superb on her, and it makes me want to spew. Gina gushes, "Mum, you should check this out. It's gorgeous. Samantha's got great taste in jewellery."

Mum smiles at me and mouths. "Thank you."

I give Mum a genuine smile and not my head.

Fake it, until you make it. That's my motto for the day.

I sit at a table and get my hair and makeup done. A couple of minutes later, all I want to do is walk around instead of getting tortured with hair and makeup. Gina can pay for mine.

After my hair and makeup, I walk into the room where my bridesmaid's dress hangs in the cupboard. I pull the dress off the coat hanger and slip into it. It has some wrinkles, so I run my hand over them to smooth them out.

Gina opens a bottle of champagne. "Gather around, ladies. Since it's tradition to have a drink before the wedding, I want you all to know how thankful I am to have you all in my life and a part of my special day." She pours each of us a glass of champagne.

Madeleine looks at Gina. "Aren't you going to drink?"

Gina shakes her head. "I can't."

"Why?" She asks.

Another girl says. "Isn't it obvious. She's pregnant."

A couple of girls look at me.

I zip my lips and throw away the key. I know it's selfish to do that. It's not my place to tell everyone exactly how cruel and heartless those two are.

Madeleine reaches into her purse and pulls out my wedding invite. "Gina, how could you do this to your sister?"

Some of the girls look confused. They look at me and back at Gina, waiting for one of us to explain. I'm not going to tell them anything. It's none of their damn business.

Gina opens and closes her mouth like a fish.

I remain in my seat, looking at Gina, waiting for her to defend herself.

Madeleine says. "Well?"

Trina asks. "What's going on?"

Madeleine gives Trina my wedding invite. The girls peer over Trina's shoulder, gasp, and turn to me.

I shrug my shoulders and pretend everything is normal.

The girls start leaving the house one by one. My sister is on the verge of tears. She wraps her hand around her stomach.

I need to stop the girls from leaving.

Mum has a scowl on her face. "What did you do?"

I shake my head. "I didn't do anything, Mum. Madeleine had my wedding invite in her purse, and she wanted answers from Gina."

Mum shakes her head. "Did she show the girls the invite?"

I nod. "Yeah. If you don't leave my way right now, your precious Gina won't have a good wedding. Are you willing to do that to your daughter?"

Mum moves out of my way. "I'm ... "

I turn to her. "Don't you fucking apologise. Your words have meant shit to me since I found my cheating ex fiancée in bed with my fucking sister. I told you I would be on my best behaviour, but you're making it worse, Mum."

Mum walks away from me.

I'm happy My Dad left early. He wouldn't want to see me butting heads with Mum. Dad is always the peacekeeper.

The girls stop when I call them.

Madeleine hugs me. "I had to do that; I'm pissed off on your behalf."

I smile. "Thank you, Madeleine. You didn't have to do that."

She nods. "Samantha, I had to. It's wrong that everything you booked and paid for is the venues they use."

"Mr and Mrs Waterhouse are reimbursing me on everything for the wedding and they're giving me extra money to keep quiet about all the shit there son's put me through."

"Are you taking the money?"

"I got it last week." I look at the girls. "I know you are all disgusted with my sister, but can you please come into the house?"

Madeleine sighs. "Fine, for you, I will stay."

The other girls nod and walk into the house.

I saved the day for a Shit Sandwich Wedding.