Sorry, love, but only the pretty friends will be on the wedding day, the bride said, a hint of triumph in her voice.
Emily, youve forgotten the milk again! shouted her colleague Sarah, slamming the fridge door. We agreed yesterday! Thats three days running!
Im sorry, Sarah, it completely slipped my mind, Alison glanced apologetically at her friend. Ive had one of those days where nothing makes sense.
Did Victoria ring again? Sarah asked.
Yes, Alison sighed. Shes called five times already. She doesnt like the dress, she hates the shoes, she wants a different photographer. My heads spinning.
Honestly, you brought this on yourself, Sarah poured herself a cup of tea, no milk. Why are you trying to do everything for her? Let the wedding planner handle it!
But shes my best friend! Weve known each other since nursery. How could I say no?
Friend, Sarah snorted. The kind who lets you run around like a lunatic while she lounges on the sofa?
Alison stayed silent. Sarah was right. Victoria had dumped the entire wedding preparation on her: sourcing flowers, collecting invitations, meeting the decorator. Twenty years of friendship felt like a lifetime contract.
Theyd met in nursery. Victoria was a bright, striking girl with honeyblonde hair and blue eyes, the sort of child every boy adored and every girl wanted as a mate. Alison, by contrast, was plump, quiet, with red braids and freckles, often left out of games.
Yet Victoria chose Alison that very day. Shall we be friends? she had asked, and from then on they were inseparableschool, university, first crushes. Victoria collected dozens of boyfriends; Alison never managed a romance at all.
Emily, your phones ringing, Sarah called out.
Alison answered, and of course it was Victoria.
Alison, where are you? Im in the bridal boutique trying on dresses for the bridesmaids. Come quickly, I need your opinion!
Im at work, three hours till lunch, Alison replied.
Then ask for time off! Its importanther wedding is next week!
Alright, Ill try, Alison exhaled. She begged her boss for a few hours, got a grudging nod, and hurried to the boutique. Victoria greeted her in a pristine white gown with a veil, beaming.
Look at me, love! Im a vision. Igor will be over the moon!
You look gorgeous, Alison said honestly. Victoria truly was a princess in that dress.
Here, Ive picked the bridesmaid dresses, Victoria said, pointing to mannequins in soft pink, floorlength. Five of them, exactly. Itll look perfect in the photos.
Who are you inviting? Alison asked.
Tanya, Olivia, Katie, Martha and Natalie.
Alisons heart sank. Five friendsand she wasnt on the list.
What about me? she managed.
Victoria glanced away. Emily, you know its a wedding photo shoot. Everything must look harmonious. And youre not exactly the pictureperfect type.
The words landed like stones. Only pretty friends. It meant she was considered unattractive.
Youre serious? Alisons voice trembled.
Dont take offense! Its just aesthetics. The photos will be everywhere online. I want everything flawless!
So Ill ruin your perfect pictures? Victoria snapped.
Well youre a bit on the fuller side, and the dress wont sit right on you
Tears welled up. Twenty years of loyalty seemed to crumble under that comment.
This is it? Alison whispered. After all these years, youre excluding me because Im not pretty?
I never said I wasnt inviting you! Of course youll be at the wedding, just not as a bridesmaid.
Fine, Alison said, grabbing her bag. Very clear.
Emily, wait! We still have to choose the flowers! Victoria begged, but Alison was already out the door. She walked the streets, tears streaming, strangers turning their heads, but she didnt care. The phrase only pretty friends echoed in her mind.
At home she collapsed onto the sofa, sobbing. Her phone buzzed with Victorias calls, but she let them ring. Later, her mother, Margaret, sat beside her.
Whats wrong, love? Margaret asked.
Alison poured out the whole story.
Darling, maybe its for the best, Margaret said gently. She didnt say youre ugly; she just showed how shallow she is. She only cares about the image, not the person.
But weve been friends for twenty years!
Think about what that friendship really was. Did she ever help you, or was she always the one receiving help?
Alison reflected. Victoria always received supportsomeone to shoulder her problems, a listening earwhile Alison gave everything and received very little.
I love her, Alison whispered.
A true friend is there through the hard times, not just when you need a pretty picture, Margaret replied. Remember when your father died? Victoria didnt come. When you lost your job, she didnt put in a word. When you broke up, she brushed you off. Yet you were always there for her.
Alison felt foolish, but also relieved to see the truth.
The next day Victoria called.
Emily, why are you upset? I didnt mean to hurt you!
You said I wasnt beautiful enough for your wedding.
I never said that! I was talking about aesthetics!
Its the same thing.
Honestly, love, if it matters so much, Ill make you the sixth bridesmaid.
The sixth?
Yes, five pretty ones, and youll be the extra one, hidden in the back so you wont be seen.
Alisons stomach turned cold.
Victoria, do you hear yourself?
Im trying to be nice! Ill still have five lovely bridesmaids, and youll be there, just not frontandcenter.
Nice doesnt mean hurtful.
Do you understand now? Victoria asked, pleading.
No, Alison said firmly. I wont attend your weddingnot as a bridesmaid, not as a guest.
What? Weve been friends twenty years!
Friends are a thing of the past, Alison replied. Im tired of being a convenient shoulder.
Thats not true! Victoria protested.
It is, Alison said. I finally see that you value looks over my feelings. I deserve respect.
She hung up, feeling a strange calm for the first time in months.
At work, Sarah listened and gave Alison a hug.
Well done! Im proud of you, she said.
Really?
Absolutely. Youve finally set a boundary. Victoria was getting full of herself.
Im scared, Sarah. Twenty years is a long time what if Im wrong?
Youre not wrong. A real friend would never make you feel worthless.
A week later, the wedding day arrived. Alison stayed home, watching a film, trying not to think of the ceremony. Her phone rang; it was Tanya, one of the five chosen bridesmaids.
Alison? Its Tanya. Can we talk?
Sure.
Victoria told us what happened. Were all shocked. She said those pretty friends things. Olivia even wanted to quit being a bridesmaid but was scared.
Is that true? Alison asked, a bitter smile forming.
Yes. We thought it was a joke, but she was serious.
Thank you for telling me, Alison said. Everyones afraid to stand up to her, but I did.
Later that evening, Victorias mother, Susan, called.
Emily, can we meet?
They met at a café. Susan looked remorseful.
I heard what happened. I raised Victoria to think shes the centre of the world, that everyone should adore her looks. Im sorry.
Thank you, Alison replied. Your daughter chose vanity over friendship.
Susan nodded. Maybe this will be a lesson for her. Real beauty is inside.
Months passed. Victoria and her exhusband Igor split; she realized a pictureperfect wedding didnt guarantee happiness. She began therapy, working on her ego. Alison, meanwhile, started going to the gym with Sarah, took up yoga, and ate healthiernot to look better for anyone, but because she cared for herself. She lost fifteen pounds and felt lighter, both physically and emotionally.
One evening, there was a knock at Alisons door. Victoria stood there, makeup stripped, plain clothes, eyes red from crying.
May I come in? she whispered.
Alison let her in. They sat at the kitchen table.
Igor left, Victoria confessed. The honeymoon was a nightmare. He told me Id lost the best thing I hadmy true friendover some stupid pictures. He said Im beautiful, but Im empty inside.
Alison listened.
Ive ruined everything, Victoria sobbed. I lost my husband, I lost you. I only now see that you were the only one who loved the real me.
It hurts, Alison said quietly.
Do you think I can ever be forgiven? Victoria asked, voice trembling.
Not today, Alison replied. I need time. But if youre willing to work on yourself, Ill be therenot as a doitforme friend, but as an equal.
Victoria nodded, tears drying.
Over the next year, Victoria made amends. She visited old acquaintances, apologised to a former classmate shed bullied, to a colleague shed undermined, to a neighbour shed spoken ill of. Each apology felt like a small weight lifting.
Strange, Victoria said after one visit, I spent my whole life thinking I was better than everyone, but I was actually the worst version of myself.
Alison smiled. What matters is that you realised it.
Thanks to you, Victoria replied. If I hadnt walked away, Id still be that shallow girl.
One day, Alison said, youll find a partner who values the soul, not the runway.
A year later, Victoria met Tom, a humble engineer with kind eyes. He wasnt a supermodel, but he was genuine.
Before, I chased looks and status, Victoria confided to Alison. Now I see the heart matters most.
Alison laughed. Im happy for you.
Have you found anyone? Victoria asked.
Not yet. Im learning to be happy on my own.
Thats true strengthbeing content with yourself.
They raised their coffee cups.
To real friendship, Alison said.
To real beauty, Victoria added.
The wedding saga taught them both priceless truths. Alison learned to value herself and to set healthy limits. Victoria learned that external beauty fades, while inner kindness endures. Their bond, once teetering on the brink, emerged strongerbuilt on respect, not convenience.
When Victoria finally decided to marry again, she asked Alison to be her sole bridesmaid, not hidden, not an afterthought.
Really? Alison asked.
Yes. Youre my true friend, and I dont care how it looks in photos.
Alison embraced her, and the old wound finally healed.
On the wedding day, Alison stood proudly beside Victoria, not in the back, but right there, arm in arm. The photographs were beautiful, not because everyone was flawless, but because they radiated genuine happiness.
The lesson lingered: true beauty lies in the heart, and true friends are those who stand by you when the cameras are off.
