"Absolutely not, Wen. I appreciate the offer, but I can't do it." Eden shook her head in disagreement, knowing full well that her friend could not see the gloomy look on her face.
She hadn't moved from her couch all morning, wrapped in a soft warm blanket as she tried to enjoy her day. The weather in Colorado Springs was rather chilly – two weeks into winter and mother nature was already relentless. Eden hated it. She used the snow as an excuse not to leave the house, but honestly, she just didn't want to upset Wendy. Her reasons were her own.
"Can't or won't?"
Eden pouted; of course, she'd ask. Wendy was a pretty curious person; she wasn't afraid to ask the right questions. Even during high school, she knew just how to open Eden up and get her to speak. Luckily, she had another excuse to fall back on.
"Isn't there someone else that can walk down the aisle with Eric Cartman? What about Heidi Turner? She and him used to date."
Wendy snorted. "Trust me, I already asked her. She, Bebe, Red, and Nichole all said they'd rather scoop out their eyes then be seen next to Cartman. You're all I have left, and I'm more than willing to hire you if need be. The photographer I hired canceled on me – the nerve of her – and last I checked, we're best friends and you swore to be involved in my wedding if ever I had one."
She wasn't wrong. Eden pinky promised her – like the other girls.
"I remember, but does Cartman have to be in the wedding? I thought Stan hated him."
The line went silent for a moment, but Wendy could be heard moving through the house. She returned with a huff. "Sorry about that … but yes, he does. He basically forced himself into the wedding as the best man, even though Stan asked Kyle first. We all know he'll ruin my big day if he isn't included; you know how he is."
"Yeah, Wen, I know." Eden grabbed the bridge of her nose in annoyance – fuck Cartman. She may not have spoken to him much in school, but his antics alone were enough to frustrate her. He wasn't even the reason she was so against returning to South Park. Cartman she could ignore.
"I better get paid extra for this."
A sudden squeal nearly made her drop the phone in shock. Over the line she could hear numerous voices merrily talking over one another. Her name was heard over the sound of laughter and a second later they all went silent. Eden realized that Wendy must have put her on speaker phone.
"The girls and I are excited. Red flew down last night; all that's left is you," she mentioned.
A gentle smile pulled at lips. "I can leave out tomorrow afternoon and be there in a couple of hours."
"Good to hear. This means a lot to me; thank you."
Eden congratulated her again on her marriage to Stan and hung up the phone. She laid her head on the arm rest of the couch and stared glumly at the TV. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad, returning to South Park. She might even be able to persuade Shelly into letting her stay the week; just for the wedding.
Will he be there?
Despite the fact she shouldn't, Eden certainly hoped so.