Symone took one last look at her dress before putting it back in her closet. Tomorrow was the big day. After the most tiring week of her life, it was almost over.
She put on a quick spritz of perfume before leaving for the dress rehearsal. Terri’s sister, Trisha, was the maid-of-honor, and Krysti, Symone and Nicole were bridesmaids, along with Chris’s 2 sisters. Even Adrienne was the flower girl. Terri said that since the three of them had been so helpful and good to her the past few months, they had earned their spot in the bridal party. Symone was a little nervous, especially with all the media coverage.
At first, the management was apprehensive about letting the media know about the upcoming nuptials of one of their stars. Once word was out, reporters were everywhere, and Symone knew they would flock the wedding.
Symone checked her watch as she ran down the stairs. Justin was picking her up in about 15 minutes. Everyone was surprised, least of all Justin and Symone, about how quickly the friendship developed. Symone was surprised to hear the doorbell so early, as she was looking for her shoes.
“Hey Justin,” she greeted him, opening the door.
“Hey, Sym,” he said stepping inside. Symone noticed the fidgety manner he had almost right away.
“Okay, I’ll bite, what’s up?” Symone asked, looking at him questioningly.
“Well, I kinda wanted to talk to you about something.” Justin twisted his hands together in front of him. Symone smiled at his shy habit, as she slipped on her shoes.
“Shoot, Curly.” Symone stood in front of him waiting. To her shock, Justin took a step forward, and placing his hand on her waist, kissed her tentatively.
Symone was shocked, but pleasantly. She responded, curving an arm around the back of Justin’s neck. They kissed for a few moments, before breaking away. Justin, at this point, had wrapped his arms around Symone’s waist, and she smiled at him.
“Well, you certainly have an interesting definition for the work ‘talk’,” she joked.
“I figured I didn’t know how to say I really like you, so I would just show you.” Justin admitted. “Are you mad?”
“Sweetie, if I was mad, you would of known it a long time ago. Actually, I’m kind of relieved. I wanted to let you know the same thing, but I didn’t know how.” Symone confessed.
Justin’s grin lit up his whole face. “Great! Now let’s get going or else we’re going to be late and people will start suspecting things.” He gave her a wicked grin, and grabbing her hand, pulled her out to his car.
The rehearsal had gone off well, and everyone was just relaxing at dinner. People were mingling, dancing and eating. Symone and Justin had been dancing, but Symone had to make a quick run to freshen up. Justin went outside for a moment to take a breather.
“Well, just who I was looking for.” Justin froze at the sound of the voice he knew well. So sickeningly sweet, it gave him a toothache. He spun around and saw her. The same honey colored blonde hair and doe eyes, the same sweet expression, everything was just as it had been.
“Kayleigh.”
“Miss me baby?” She said, putting her arms around his neck.
“Not really.” Justin said, unhooking her tentacles. Almost everything was as it had been when he was with Kayleigh. But, now he was in love with Symone.
Kayleigh pouted. “But, baby, I miss you. Very much.” She tried again to sink her claws into him, but he backed off.
“Look, I don’t know what you’re doing here, but you should leave. This is private.” Justin said coldly.
Kayleigh smiled sweetly. “I’m allowed to be here, I’m a waitress at this fine establishment. And I wanted to wish Chris all the best with that witch he’s marrying.” Kayleigh never forgave Terri, who was the one to finally open Justin’s eyes to what Kayleigh was doing to him.
“Oh, back off, Kay. And just leave. No one wants you around. Especially not me.” Justin said, putting his hands on her should, as to turn her around.
Kayleigh was to quick and instead of turning around, moved closer to him and covered his mouth with hers. Justin pushed her away and turned, just in time to see Symone running the opposite way.
“You little…uh! Look what you’ve done now!” he screamed, as he ran after Symone. It was useless, she had gotten a good head start and was no where to be seen when he got to the street. Dejected, he headed back to the ballroom.
Symone ran out onto the street, not knowing where to go to escape her pain. She couldn’t believe that one minute Justin would be kissing her, and saying he liked her, and then be kissing someone else. It was as if she was cursed when it came to guys. First Ian, now Justin. She just couldn’t win, no matter how hard she wanted to. Symone ducked into a little shop without bothering to read the sign. As she entered, she realized what it was. A little boutique and hair salon, probably about 60 years old, or so. She walked around, admiring all the little trinkets and trying not to let her anger show.
“Miss, I’m sorry but we are closing…” the woman stopped when she saw the pained expression on the young girl’s face and the tears glistening in her eyes. “Is there something the matter?”
Symone just looked at the lady. She didn’t really want to tell this complete stranger her sob story. Hell, talking to strangers is what got her into this mess in the first place. “No, nothing’s wrong. I’ll leave now.”
“No, that’s all right. You look like you need someone to listen, and I need someone’s hair to play with, so we can help each other out. What’s your name?”
“I’m Symone. I really should be going though…”
“Nonsense. Now, I’m Jennabel, but everyone calls me Momma J. You just sit right here in this chair and tell me all about it.”
Symone sighed, defeated. She did need someone objective to listen to her problem and getting a new hairdo wouldn’t be a bad thing. She plopped down in the old-fashioned chair and began the story, and Momma J got to work, snipping and wetting and painting. She responded to all of her questions and listened intently, getting the feel for what exactly was making this beautiful girl so upset.
“…so then, I walked outside because JC said he had gone out there, and when I looked in the garden, I see him in this major lip lock with some blonde! I can’t believe that he would do that to me…to us.” Symone said, sighing. “I thought we really had a fighting chance, ya know Momma J?”
“Sounds to me like you are in love with the boy, dear.”
“What? No. I mean, I like him a lot, but love…love is very complicated.” Symone said, quickly.
Momma J smiled, knowing. “Ahh, but that’s where you are wrong. Love is a very simple thing. It happens before most people notice it.”
“Well, this is not one of those times. I don’t even know if I like him at all right now.” Symone was trying to convince herself, as much as Momma J. It didn’t seem to be working, in any case.
“We’ll see dear. Anyway, I just have to do a quick blow-dry and you will be all set.” She plugged in the blow dryer and ran it over Symone’s hair.
It took about 5 minutes and as she finished and brushed out her hair, Symone finally got a glimpse of her new look. She was shocked. Her hair was cut into chunky layers that framed her face and was now highlighted with a wine-colored red. She grinned, in spite of herself. She jumped up and hugged her new confidante. “Oh, Momma J, it’s beautiful. I love it, thank you.” Symone went to reach for her purse, but remembered that she had left it back at the banquet hall. “Momma J, I have no money with me…but I could run back and get it real quick.”
Momma J swung her hand at her, as if to say ‘forget about it’ “This was my treat. You will knock that boy out of his socks tomorrow. At least it won’t be out of his towel again, eh?” They both laughed at her little remark.
Momma J walked into a back room and came out with something in her hand. “This belonged to my daughter Cassia. She always said to give it to someone that I felt needed it. But this is just on loan, until you find someone who needs it more.”
She opened her hand and revealed a beautiful necklace with a sapphire pendant. The color reminded Symone of Justin’s eyes. She gasped. “You want…me to have it?”
Momma J nodded and placed it around Symone’s neck. As she stepped back to admire it, a jingle was heard at the front door.
“I was wondering if you had seen…Symone!” Krysti ran into the shop and hugged her best friend. “We have been looking all over for you, ever since Justin said you ran off. When you weren’t at Nic’s or Terri’s we just started checking all the stores. We were really worried about you!” She finally stepped back and noticed her hair. “Wow, your hair! It looks great!”
Symone laughed. “Thanks. Momma J, this is…”
“Let me guess. Quirky, talkative blonde. You must be Krysti, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you, too Momma J.” Krysti turned back to Symone. “I hate to meet nice new people and run, but we have to get some rest. It is a big day tomorrow.”
“That’s true. We should be getting home.” Symone enveloped Momma J in a hug. “Thank you again.” She placed her hand over the pendant. “For everything.”
