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We grouped in a circle, putting our fists together “Wedding!” we shouted before breaking the huddle and lining up in formation behind Isabel

This still seeht I wondered what Oould say about eloping Actually, he’d probably be all for it if it didn’t require him to stand up in front of people We’d even discussed it, but had realized that too many people we cared about would be hurt if we cut the

Instead, ere planning teddings The legal cereical (literally!) event at the Magic, Spells, and Illusions, Inc, headquarters We were telling our nonic that ere just getting the legalan unofficial “blessing” ceremony at my family’s church back home in Texas There were too ic, like I was, but not in on the secret, so they’d notice anythingwith the allowed us to acco, but, on the bright side, I’d get to weardress more than once

There was a stirring ahead in the line, and I got ready, feeling like I aiting for the starter’s pistol to go off for a race The crowd surged forward, and I kept close to Isabel’s back as the people behind us pressed againstthrough the still-opening doors

Afterit inside, I founda wedding gown: an old brick warehous

e lit by industrial fluorescent lights hanging on chains froarine how anyone would find anything in this place

But that’s what our scout tea for dresses, andto Geet separated in the melee

Anddress shopping very seriously, letting nothing get in their way as they attacked the racks I wouldn’t have been surprised if there were fistfights before this was done There seeh for everyone in line The trick was finding the right one and hoping that a dozen other people hadn’t already claimed it

“Katie! Over here!” Nita called out, and Gemma and I hurried over

Nita had two dresses off the rack Gelanced at one and said, “Nope,” then looked at the other and said, “Let’s see”

I shrugged offrather exposed in my skimpy clothes, and Gemma and Nita helped , but Ge to make it fit properly I wished I could see myself, but there weren’t any ment She studied me for a moment, then shook her head “Nope”

I glanced down at myself “I think it would be okay”

“Never go with the first one”

Connie called out from nearby, and Geo look at her finds And then there were more dresses to look at I wasn’t sure howwe’d been in the warehouse Time seemed to have come to a standstill I existed in a sea of white, crea The dresses somehow all looked the same to me, even when they were vastly different Gemma had passed three dresses on for final consideration, and ere still searching I’d given up on having an opinion at this point I just did as I was told and ith the flow I figured I’d get my input in the final selection

As Gemma and I rushed over to Isabel, who held a dress out of reach of soet it, I heard raised voices nearby—wo over a dress