Chapter one hundred and thirty six:

After changing from the bridesmaid dress that Christy had finally chosen for her to wear, Becky smoothed her blonde hair down and adjusted her plain white t-shirt over her jeans.

“Jen?” Becky called, pushing back the change room curtain and stepping out into the hall. The bridal shop was essentially empty, with the exception of two bored associates and the girls. Mrs. H. had gone along with them to help Christy make the final decision, and Becky was appreciative for that. Christy was far less judgmental and more open to the suggestions of her fiancé’s mother. “Are you still in here?” Becky called again.

“Yeah, in here.” The curtain to another change room opened, but Jen didn’t come out.

Becky found herself thankful for the moment alone with her best friend. “Can I talk to you?” She stood in the doorway to the change room and peered in.

Jenna was sitting cross-legged on a bench, in a pile of pink skirts and ruffles.

Becky stepped into the small stall. There was barely enough for both of them, but Becky closed the curtain anyway.

“What’s going on?”

“Nothing, everything is fine,” Jen forced a smile.

Becky narrowed her eyes, and saw straight through the charade. “I don’t believe that for a second. You’ve been passive and willing all day, and Christy had you in some pretty hideous dresses. You didn’t even make jokes.”

“So?”
 “Did you and Luke have a fight?”
Jenna sighed heavily. “What do you have ESP or something?” She demanded, then continued in a gentler tone. “Yes. We had a fight.”

“I’m sorry… Do you want to talk about it?”

“Do I have a choice?” Jenna looked up at her.

“No.” Becky smiled warmly.

“It was stupid. It doesn’t matter.”

“If you’re fighting over it, than it isn’t stupid and it does matter.” Becky pointed out.

Jenna rolled her eyes. She really hated it when Becky was always right.

“He planned this whole lunch in the park thing, and I freaked out on him. I mean, its hard enough having a long-distance relationship, and I understand that he’s trying to do school and work at the same time, but…” Jenna sighed heavily. “I mean, would it kill him to call me once and a while? And then when we get together, its like nothing ever happened.”

“Okay…” Becky crouched down, leaning heavily against the wall. “Do you think that maybe you could solve things by talking with him?”

“Probably,” Jen picked at the hem on one of the underskirts of her dress. “But maybe I’m on to something… maybe this relationship can’t work… maybe… Maybe we need to break up for a while.”

Becky reached out and took her hand, squeezing it tightly in her own. “I understand what you’re saying, but you have to admit that you are a bit of a pessimist, right? I mean, things might work out. Maybe you and Luke really are perfect for each other… I thought you were.”

“I thought so too.” Jenna swallowed hard. “But I’m thinking that maybe I need some time to kind of… think things over, you know?”
”I think you should talk to Luke.”

“I know, but I don’t think I want to make this any harder than it already is.”
Becky nodded. “Why don’t you take a few days to think about if you really want to break up, okay?”

Jenna nodded.

“And maybe we can go out tonight, as girls and just have a good time?”

“Yeah, I think that sounds alright.” Jenna forced another smile.

“Okay… can I just ask you one more question?” Becky quickly continued before Jen had the chance to respond. “Are you eating okay?”

Jen looked slightly taken aback by the question, but there was still a trace of fear in her eyes. “I’m fine.”

“You promise?”

“Yes. I’m okay, really.” Jenna asserted.

“Okay.” Becky smiled. “Now change out of that hideous dress, Christy is buying us lunch.”

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