The rehearsal

“And now you come, Alexa,” Tessa instructed.

Alexa started to walk feeling flustered as she walked, tripping over her own feet and face planting into the floor, her diaper flooding as she did. Alexa felt so embarrassed as they went through this for the 5th time. The only one not seeming to get it right was her. “Come on, Lexi, stop slacking,” Amy said. “You’ll ruin the whole thing with your clumsiness. Maybe you should be a flower girl instead.”

Alexa squirmed, face burning red as Tessa sighed. “Let’s go through it again. Come on, Lexi. You can do it,” Tessa said.

Alexa felt like she wanted to cry. This wasn’t going well at all. She kept tripping and making a fool of herself as she walked. She wasn’t used to wearing the heels that Tessa had given her. She was stumbling about like an idiot while everyone watched her. “I’m sorry,” Alexa cried.

“Don’t be a cry baby about it,” Amy sneered. “Jesus, how old are you?”

“Amy! You can’t say that in a church!” Her mom scolded. “And don’t talk to your cousin like that.”

“Yes, mom,” Amy said, rolling her eyes.

“Again,” Tessa said.

Alexa waited for her cue and then started to walk. Her body was shaking, her hands were sweating, and she just wanted to get this over with. She stumbled again and this time landed on her butt as she lost her balance. Amy burst out laughing while the others groaned again. Alexa felt overwhelmed and embarrassed. She made a run for it, not wanting to see Tessa’s disappoint look. She ran out of the church, kicking her stupid heels off and kept running for her car. She collapsed on the sidewalk next to it and started to cry. She heard footsteps approach her and looked up.