In the past week, my sweats have started to melt into my skin. Funny how I can turn into such a slob, so quickly. Taylor was my reason for everything. For getting up in the morning; for wearing his favorite perfume; for smiling, even when my mood wasn't so great.

He could kiss me and make me forget everything that's wrong with the world. Mama used to say, "If you can trade up watching Days of Our Lives for a man, then you're as good as married." Come to think of it, today was the first day I was tuning in, ever since I left the dorms.

I promised myself I'd never get this way. My sisters were the type to fall in love, but I wasn't. When my roommate, Jenn, had left the dorm room, because she wanted to stay with her fiancé, I was sure I was the only sane person left in the world. Who would want to miss Days? Well, of course, when Marlena had been possessed, ages ago, I officially tuned out, but I came back. Who would want to miss the birth of Mike and Carrie's second child? I watched my screen, grasping onto my half eaten honey bun with all my strength, as Mike held Carrie's hand in the delivery room.

It was almost enough to send me into hysterics again. Haley Morgan, the girl who played on the guy's football team in high school; the girl who made fun of the cheerleaders in their short skirts and big hair; Haley Morgan had gone female.

"It's been days since you've bathed." Karen's no longer patient voice interrupted my soap opera.

"I swam a few days ago. Doesn't that count?" I huffed.

"All right, Taylor's gone! Does this mean you're going to give up good hygiene?"

"He's gone," I sobbed.

"This is it. Get in the shower now! I am way too pregnant to put up with this!"

"Yeah, Karen! How long has it been? Almost two months now?" I quipped. She announced the news as soon as she heard, and the spine of What to Expect While You're Expecting was already worn thin. She hadn't completed her first trimester yet, and she went around blaming her "very" pregnant condition for everything. I swear David's always out for Chinese food, because of her alleged cravings. Only Karen would capitalize on a barely beginning pregnancy as an excuse not to cook.

"Hush! Get in the shower, before I hose you down, myself." I reluctantly, and very loudly, shuffled to the bathroom, where I preceded to have the longest bath of my life.

"Phone's for you, Haley," Daddy said when I walked out of the bathroom. Robe on my body, towel around my hair, I rushed to answer it.

"Hello?"

"HALEY!"

"OH MY GOD! THERESA!"

"Tell me why on Earth you aren't here for my time of need."

"Well, Taylor and I . . ."

"Oh, don't give me that. I've heard the story from Taylor. I sent you the invitation ages ago, when you were back in Tulsa, like you should be now. I'm getting married tomorrow, and by hell you're gonna' be there!" Her voice was frantic, and I giggled. It was nice to know that someone in Tulsa hadn't given up on me. I was sure, by then, that everyone else had.

"But Theresa. Taylor hates me now. I'd just mess things up."

"Who gives a damn about Taylor? I need you here."

"I do, Therry. And anyway, my dress is at Diana's house. How do I get there without anyone noticing me?"

"Diana misses you, Haley. And so do all the rest. Zac keeps trying to convince Taylor that you kissing Mike was an illusion."

"With no avail, I suppose."

"Well . . . no. But tomorrow is going to be the best day of my life, and Taylor's not going to ruin it for me."

"Why would he ruin it?"

"Are you kidding? This past week he's been moping around like someone who lost his best friend, Haley. And he has, he really has. Why, it was just this morning that Ike actually convinced him to take a shower." I gasped. No way. This couldn't be my Taylor. My Tay would never mope around.

"No way. I thought he'd be at it with Helen, the magazine girl, by now."

"Don't act so surprised, Haley! And if you really thought that, maybe all my confidence that you'll be back, should be thrown out."

"Theresa, I didn't mean to kiss Mike."

"I believe you, Honey. There's only one man in Tulsa who doesn't, and he still needs you. Whether you admit it or not, you still need him too. I know you do, Haley."

"How soon can I get to Tulsa?" My once shaky, unsure voice was replaced with a smooth, urgent tone. I now had a mission. A sigh of relief escaped from Theresa.

"There's a plane from Asheville coming in late tonight. You'll have to hurry, though, in order to make it."

"You'll be there?"

"I'll meet you at the airport, yes. Don't worry. I won't be able to sleep tonight anyway. In case you haven't noticed, I'm a mess of nerves and jitters." I grinned. "I'll tell Diana, and she'll help me sneak the dress out of your room. You'll stay with me. Tomorrow, we'll get everything ready. We'll get there, you'll watch me become Mrs. Isaac Hanson, and we'll call it a day." She glowed. Even though I couldn't see her, I knew it.

"You've been planning," I spoke, slowly and calmly. She laughed for no reason.

"Yes, I have. Oh, I've gotta' go get ready for the rehearsal. Pack your things, and get on that plane now. See you soon."

"Okay, bye." I heard the click of the receiver, and hung up my phone, too. Theresa had just successfully made me smile, and it hadn't washed off my face just yet. I was positively blushing by the time I'd yanked my suitcase out of the closet. I tossed it on my unmade bed, and began packing it with random items.

"Haley, it's time for dinner . . ." Karen barged in unexpectedly, to catch me over packing with a vengeance. "Where do you think you're going?" She raised an eyebrow.

"Home, Karie. I'm going back to Tulsa."

"How was the flight?" Theresa gushed, as soon as I'd gotten off the plane.

"Great!" Her exuberance couldn't help, but brush off on me.

"Good. Okay, I've got your dress. It's with mine."

"Ooh, I can't wait to see your wedding dress."

"It's beautiful," she sighed. "This is my dream come true. I've always dreamed of having a big, traditional wedding."

"You've got me excited," I smiled.

"Taylor saw me get your dress."

"He what?" I asked eyes wide.

"He looked hopeful for a second, but I told him one of my friends needed it. Good thing you aren't a bridesmaid, or he would've known something was up. I just told him that this friend had her dress dry-cleaned, and it'd been messed up. I mean, that's a pretty believable thing, right?" I nodded. "I need to warn you that if . . . when you confront Taylor tomorrow, he won't be sad and depressed like he is now. He's too stubborn for that."

"I know, Theresa. I'm nervous. I saw how angry he was after, um, you know, and I know it'll only be worse tomorrow."

"You have to go to him tomorrow; you know that, don't you? If you want anything to be all right, you have to talk to him."

"I know, Theresa, I know."

The stylists at the salon were a flurry of activity. I had my brown hair put up, ringlets falling down to frame my face. I wanted the stylist to make it look nice, but I didn't want him to overdo it.

"So, Theresa, do you have something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue?"

"She's got a blue garter," her mother answered. "And I made sure she packed your bridal shower present," she grinned.

"Mom!" Theresa was enjoying every minutes of this, despite how embarrassed she acted.

"She borrowed my earrings," Michelle smiled.

"She's wearing Grandmother's old bracelet. Actually, it was Great-Great-Grandma's, but they've been passed down." A girl, I presumed to be Theresa's sister, added into the conversation.

"And the dress is new, so we'll leave it at that," Theresa sighed. I couldn't help but wonder what it was like to be Theresa. I almost wished I was her.

"Oh, those are pretty." I watched as the stylist pinned tiny, silk flowers around the front of Theresa's hair. When her veil was lifted, those would peak out. "You look gorgeous, Therry," I grinned, and rested my hands on her shoulders.

"Thanks Haley. You do too." I glanced in the mirror at my reflection. Was this really me? This makeup covered, hair done face? I smiled. Taylor probably wouldn't even recognize me.

Back at Theresa's house, we finished getting ready. I looked down at my dress. Taylor wanted me to get red. Who was I to deny him his pick? Now, I felt almost stupid for buying it. Couldn't I have bought anything less . . . well . . . loud? Red satin. At least I could lie low, in the back, and not steal attention.

"You look so pretty, Theresa. Isaac is going to drop dead at the alter." Michelle put in her two cents, but Theresa ignored her.

"Red is Taylor's favorite color," Theresa gave me a once over. "And I've heard he likes low necklines too. You've been taking lessons." I looked down at myself and blushed.

"I had to get a special type of bra to wear this damn thing. I'm not particularly sure where it's located, but it's definitely not on my breasts," I snorted. There's only so much gushing and complimenting you can take.

"Thanks. I needed that," Theresa cracked up. "I'm so nervous. I've been asked if I had cold feet four times. Aching feet is more like it. These shoes are cutting off my circulation. Oh, and Diana brought her van, so everyone can fit in. You can ride with us, if you like."

"Well, actually, I'd rather drive alone, if you don't mind. All that big hair, I'm liable to suffocate."

"Then take the silver car in the driveway. That's mine; the keys are on the shelf."

"Okay, thanks. So, you about ready to go?"

"Close, I think. You just follow us to the church."

"Sure, I'll be there."