My little sister always resented me growing up, so when she asked me to be her maid of honor, I was thrilled. But nothing prepared me for the shock of seeing my bridesmaid dress. My sister’s cunning prank nearly made me cry until I found the perfect way to turn the tables on her.
The invitation sat on my kitchen counter, mocking me with its elegant script and floral design. My little sister, Sadie, was getting married, and against all odds, she’d asked me to be her maid of honor. I, Nancy, the bane of her existence for the past 32 years, was suddenly worthy of standing by her side on the biggest day of her life.
A wedding invitation on the table | Source: Unsplash
I couldn’t help but laugh at the irony.
“What’s so funny?” my best friend, Liz, asked as she sipped her coffee.
I held up the invitation. “Sadie wants me to be her maid of honor.”
Liz nearly choked on her drink. “You’re kidding, right? The same Sadie who put gum in your hair at your high school graduation?”
“The very same,” I sighed, running my fingers through my now much shorter hair, a lasting reminder of Sadie’s ‘prank.’
Two women talking to each other | Source: Midjourney
“Nancy, are you sure about this? I mean, your relationship with her has always been—”
“A dumpster fire?” I finished for her. “Yeah, I know.”
Growing up, Sadie had always been in my shadow, but not by choice, mind you.
I was the sick kid, the one who spent more time in hospitals than on playgrounds. Our parents’ attention was constantly divided, with the lion’s share going to keeping me alive and somewhat functional.
Sadie, always healthy and vibrant, was left to fend for herself more often than not. It bred a resentment in her that festered over the years, manifesting in snide comments, cruel pranks, and a general disdain for my existence.
An upset woman sitting on the couch | Source: Midjourney
“Maybe she’s changed,” I mused, though the words felt hollow even as I said them.
Liz raised an eyebrow. “People don’t change overnight, Nance. Be careful.”
I nodded, but deep down, a small part of me hoped that maybe this was our chance to finally be real sisters.
The bridal shop was a sea of white and pastels, with Sadie at the center of it all, resplendent in a gown that made her look like a princess.
Grayscale shot of a woman in a bridal dress | Source: Unsplash
“Nancy! There you are!” she called out, waving me over. “What do you think?”
I smiled, genuinely impressed. “You look amazing, Sadie. Truly.”
For a moment, I saw a flicker of the little girl who used to beg me to play dress-up with her. But it vanished as quickly as it appeared, replaced by a cold smirk.
“Great. Now, let’s find you a dress that won’t make you look like a beached whale,” she said, turning to the racks.
And there she was, the Sadie I knew and… well, knew.
A woman in a bridal shop | Source: Pexels
As we sifted through dresses, I couldn’t help but ask, “Sadie, why did you choose me as your maid of honor? I mean, we’re not exactly close.”
She paused, a dress halfway off the rack. “You’re my sister, Nancy. It’s expected.”
“Right,” I muttered. “Wouldn’t want to disappoint the family, would we?”
Sadie’s eyes narrowed. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing,” I backpedaled. “Let’s just find a dress, okay?”
A woman in a bridal dress staring at someone | Source: Midjourney
Weeks passed in a flurry of fittings, flower arrangements, and forced sisterly bonding. Despite my initial reservations, I found myself actually enjoying some of our time together.
Sadie seemed different. Softer somehow and less prone to her usual barbs and jabs.
It was during our final dress fitting that I dared to hope things had changed.
Close-up of a woman fixing a wedding gown | Source: Pexels
“You know,” Sadie said as we stood side by side in front of the mirror, “I never thought we’d be here.”
“Getting you married off?” I joked.
She rolled her eyes. “No, dummy. Here, together, without wanting to kill each other.”
I smiled, surprised by her candor. “Yeah, it’s kind of nice, isn’t it?”
A woman smiling | Source: Midjourney
Sadie nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. “Maybe we can keep this up after the wedding. You know, actually be sisters!”
My heart swelled with hope. “I’d like that, Sadie. I really would.”
The day of the wedding arrived, and with it, a flutter of excitement and nerves. I made my way to the bridal suite, garment bag in hand, ready to transform into the supportive sister I’d always wanted to be.
A bride getting ready in the bridal suite | Source: Unsplash
“Nancy! Thank god you’re here,” Sadie exclaimed as I walked in. “The other bridesmaids are running late.”
“No worries, I’m on it,” I assured her, hanging up my dress and getting to work on her hair.
As I pinned up her golden curls, our eyes met in the mirror. For a moment, I saw a flash of that little girl again, the one who used to trail after me despite our differences.
“You look beautiful, Sadie,” I said softly.
“Thanks, Nance.”
A bride looking in the mirror | Source: Pexels
The moment was interrupted by the arrival of the other bridesmaids, a whirlwind of giggles and champagne. I stepped back, letting them fuss over Sadie as I went to change into my dress.
I unzipped my garment bag, eager to slip into the stunning lavender gown we’d chosen together. But as I pulled out the dress, my heart sank.
“What the…?” I gasped.
The dress was enormous, easily several sizes too big. I held it up, my hands shaking. “Sadie, there’s been a mistake. My dress is huge!”
A lavender dress in a hanger | Source: Midjourney
Sadie turned, her eyes widening in mock surprise. “Oh no! Did you lose weight or something?”
I stared at her, realization dawning on me. “Like, 33 pounds. And no one noticed? Are you kidding me? We had fittings last week! There’s no way this is an accident.”
She shrugged, avoiding my gaze. “Well, I guess you can’t be my maid of honor now. Don’t worry, Jess can take your place.”
The casual cruelty in her voice sent me reeling. All the progress I thought we’d made and all the hope I’d held onto shattered in an instant.
A bride frowning | Source: Midjourney
“How could you do this?” I whispered, tears stinging my eyes.
“Oh, please. Did you really think things had changed, Nancy? That we were suddenly best friends? Grow up, girl. This is my day, and I’m not letting you ruin it by upstaging me like you always do.”
I stood there, clutching the oversized dress, feeling like that sick little girl all over again. Just then, a familiar voice cut through the chaos.
“Now, what’s all this fuss about?” Aunt Marie strode in, her eyes narrowing as she took in the scene.
A senior woman smiling | Source: Pexels
“Aunt Marie, I—” I started, but she held up a hand.
“Save it, honey. I’ve got just the thing!” she beckoned me to follow her out of the room.
Once in the hallway, she offered a box from seemingly nowhere and said, “I had a feeling something like this might happen. Open it.”
