I stood in front of the full length mirror, adjusting my gown. It was a strapless, white gown with black lace crawling down the corset in a zigzag pattern, before meeting just below where my belly button was. From there, it descended in overlapping layers, placed sideways so the edge of layer on the top drooped over the next, and so on, till it met the floor. My shoes weren't noticeable underneath the white fabric of my gown, but when I walked, just the tip of my toes showed.

Once I got the dress to rest on my body exactly how I wanted it to, I inspected myself, making sure I looked in tip-top shape. My freshly dyed dark cherry hair hung in little curls down my back. I didn't like how my bangs flapped in my face and I realized that I was missing something. My veil.

I searched frantically on the table full of all types of cosmetics and hair spray, and spotted it hanging on the chair next to it. I picked up the intertwining black and white lace, and pinned it into my hair with bobby pins, pulling back my bangs in the process.

I smiled as my whole face finally became visible. My light green eyes shone brightly and sparkled as I blinked. My cheeks were lightly blushed with a hue of magenta. My lips were a faint pink and they glistened from the light.

'"Well, maybe if you weren't such a fucking perfectionist, it wouldn't matter."' Mike's chilling words rattled through my brain, and if it weren't for the blush, I knew I'd have absolutely no color left in my face.

I shook his drunken words off, and focused instead on the next nerve-wracking half hour.

"Vera?" My maid-of-honor, Maggie, stuck her head inside the door frame, "Time to get in the limo!"

I took one last look at my figure before following after my red-haired best friend. Maggie looked beautiful; her short purple dress fit her skinny frame nicely, and I couldn't help but envy how gorgeously petite she was.

I climbed into the back of the sleek limo, carefully so I didn't mess up my hair or veil.

One of my bridesmaids, Natalia, cat called at me as I entered the car. "Looking good, Rebel!" She called, referring to my old nickname back in high school.

I smiled brightly at her and wiped my sweaty palms on my dress, "Oh my God, I am so nervous."

"Don't be, Mike is going to love you!" Another one of my bridesmaids, Tasha, encouraged.

Maggie laughed, "Who wouldn't love this Rebel? I mean, look at her, she's stunning!" She emphasized the word 'stunning' and I couldn't help but roll my eyes.

"Maggie," I laughed, "Have you seen yourself? You're freaking gorgeous!"

"I can honestly say that you're going to steal the stage tonight. You look absolutely amazing. Everyone's going to have a hard time looking away from you!" She squealed.

"That makes me feel better," I said sarcastically.

"You'll be fine. If you fall, we will pick you up!" My friend Annaliese said reassuringly.

"Guys, you'll be in front of me!" I groaned.

They ignored my comment as we pulled up in front of the church.

"Oh my God, we're here!" Maggie bounced in her seat, excitedly.

The nerves dancing in my stomach grew as my friends helped me get out of the limousine. I walked up the concrete steps and into the big archway, being careful to not be seen. I looked inside the church, and nearly fainted at the massive crowd.

The music started up, and my friends all filed up the aisle as planned. I met the eyes of Mike's father as he extended his hand out for me to take, signaling my entrance. My stomach did somersaults as I put my hand in his. He smiled kindly at me, sensing my nervousness, and whispered a quick 'You'll be fine' in my ear.

I glanced at the ground and stepped out from behind my barricade, exposing myself fully to the crowd. I looked up after taking a deep breath and felt determination run through my veins.

It's now or never.