Ashley Bucknum

The Bouquet

I stood amongst the other single women. The bride stood with her back toward us, and we all prepared ourselves as she gracefully tossed the bouquet over her head. My eyes followed the pink and white flowers as they sailed across the room, falling straight towards me. The other women shoved each other and swiped at the air. But the bouquet dropped perfectly into my hands, like it had been drawn to me by fate. The bride turned around and saw that it was me, her niece, who had caught the bouquet. She beamed at me with her enchanting smile, and little nine-year-old me lit up with excitement.