Avery stood in front of her full-length mirror, smoothing down the hem of her little white dress. Her hair was perfectly styled in loose waves, and her makeup was just enough to make her feel glamorous without overdoing it. She couldn’t help but smile as she adjusted the sash Janice had given her that read Bride-to-Be in bold, glittering letters.
“Janice is going all out tonight,” Avery muttered to herself, thinking back to her best friend’s cryptic texts.
Just then, a loud knock echoed through her house. Avery opened the door to find Janice standing there, decked out in a sparkly pink jumpsuit and a crown that read Party Queen.
“Bridezilla, are you ready?” Janice exclaimed, pulling Avery into a hug.
“Not a bridezilla,” Avery protested, laughing.
“Yet,” Janice teased, stepping back to look Avery up and down. “Okay, you look stunning. But this sash needs more pizzazz.”
She reached into her bag, pulling out a tiara adorned with tiny rhinestones. “This will do.”
Avery groaned but let Janice place the tiara on her head. “Fine, but only because you’re hosting.”
The night began with a party bus, complete with neon lights, a booming sound system, and a fully stocked minibar (mocktails for Avery, of course). Avery stepped inside to find a group of her closest friends cheering.
“Bride-to-be in the house!” someone yelled, and the crowd erupted into applause.
Janice handed Avery a glittery cup. “This is your signature drink for the night: a virgin strawberry mojito. Hydrate, queen. We’ve got a long night ahead.”
As the bus rolled through the city, laughter and music filled the air. Avery leaned back, taking it all in.
“You really pulled this off, Jan,” she said, raising her cup in a toast. “Thanks for making me feel so special.”
Janice grinned. “Oh, honey, this is just the beginning.”
Their first stop was a lively karaoke bar that Janice had rented out just for the evening. The group spilled inside, greeted by a stage lit with flashing lights and a playlist of every guilty pleasure song imaginable.
“Alright, Bride-to-Be,” Janice said, dragging Avery toward the stage. “You’re up first!”
“Oh, no,” Avery said, shaking her head. “I don’t sing.”
“You do tonight,” Janice insisted, thrusting a microphone into her hand.
The music started, and Avery’s eyes widened as she recognized the opening notes of “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” by Whitney Houston.
“You planned this, didn’t you?” Avery asked, narrowing her eyes at Janice.
“Obviously,” Janice said with a mischievous grin.
Avery rolled her eyes but stepped onto the stage, belting out the song with surprising enthusiasm. By the time she hit the chorus, the entire room was on their feet, dancing and singing along.
After a round of karaoke, the group gathered around a table piled high with gift bags. Janice stood at the front, holding a small clipboard.
“Time for games!” she announced.
The first game involved answering trivia questions about Ryan, and Avery quickly realized how competitive her friends were.
“What’s Ryan’s favorite dessert?” Janice asked, glancing at the group.
“Chocolate lava cake,” Avery answered confidently.
“Ding ding ding!” Janice cheered. “Now, what’s his most embarrassing high school moment?”
Avery blushed. “Oh, I know this one. He tripped during a basketball game and accidentally threw the ball at the referee.”
The room exploded into laughter as Avery won yet another point.
Next came the gifts, which ranged from heartfelt to hilariously inappropriate.
“This one’s from me,” Janice said, handing Avery a box.
Avery opened it to reveal a pair of fluffy handcuffs and a cheeky note that read: For when Ryan steps out of line.
“Janice!” Avery exclaimed, her face turning red.
“What?” Janice said innocently. “Every bride needs them.”