“You do understand this day is about me, right?” My sister snarled after I asked our friend, Samantha, if my makeup looked okay. As her maid of honor, I wanted to look my best, and makeup was not my specialty.  

Sam looked up at me with sympathy as she put the finishing touches on Kacy’s upsweep. Our old friend had witnessed my sister’s angry outbursts all week. Taking a deep breath, I relaxed in the knowledge that after today, I could return home to Wyoming and my quiet mountain community, leaving my sister, her anger issues, and the busy Bay Area behind.

This week had been hell; she took all her wedding worries and frustrations out on me. This reminded me of why I moved away from our hometown in the first place. Kacy lived in a world of insecurity; she always doubted herself, and now that Dad had passed, her self-doubt worked overtime, along with her ill-tempered flare-ups. 

Stepping back, I apologized for interrupting and watched as she rolled her eyes. I silently reminded myself the wedding would be over soon, and I could make my escape.

“Perfect!” Samantha stated. Kacy stood and twirled in front of the mirror. She looked dazzling in her white off-the-shoulder dress that swept to the floor.

“How do I look? Do you think I will knock his socks off?” My sister questioned.

Gazing at her, I smiled and replied, “I have no doubts.”

Sam handed us our bouquets and snapped pictures before we headed to the clubhouse. Walking along, Kacy grabbed my hand, digging her nails into my skin. My twin angrily whispered, “You almost ruined everything! Everyone adores you! All week, I had to listen to everyone tell me you are just wonderful.”

Before I could pull away and respond, our stepmother appeared at the clubhouse entrance, concern blazoned across her face.

“What’s wrong?” Kacy seethed, her anger steadily increasing.

“Mark is missing,” Andrea softly replied. “And no one knows where he is.”

Frozen to the sidewalk, I watched the two women rush into the charming establishment. Before deciding what to do, I heard a voice behind me. Turning around, I saw Mark in his Jeep. With the window down, he shouted, “Hurry, get in.”

Without thinking, I lifted the hem of my dress and quickly raced to his ride. Climbing in, I sat in stunned silence. Was I really leaving my sister in a lurch, with the bridegroom in tow?  

Mark sped off before I could come to my senses. He pointed to the backseat, and I saw the suitcase I packed earlier that morning. He had also grabbed my faded jeans and Northwest College hoodie that I had left unpacked.

“Where to Cinderella?” Mark laughed. “Looks like we both escaped the evil twin just in a nick of time.”

Writing Prompt:
For today’s prompt, write a story that takes place that takes place in the aftermath of something huge.

What is flash fiction?

Flash fiction is one of the most fascinating creative mediums in this day and age: incredibly difficult but also incredibly rewarding. After all, flash fiction requires writers to effectively cram a whole narrative into 1,500 words or less.