Wynter woke up early at her aunt's house and the first thing she did was begin unbraiding her hair. She took a shower, shampooed her hair, and detangled it with conditioner. She let it sit for a deep condition when her aunt knocked on the door. They spoke and made plans to leave together to be at the ball early enough to help set up. Amira mentioned that the social media push had sold an additional 80-something tickets, and Samantha planned to sell more at the door. She also asked if Wynter would have time to install another wig, to which Wynter happily agreed.
After Amira left, Wynter went to rinse out her hair. She spent the next few hours blow-drying and silk-pressing her hair. After putting her hair in rollers, she replied to Jackson's good morning text before looking at the group chat with her cousins. Liberty texted first, asking if they wanted to get together to pregame and get ready at her house. Grace and Valentina confirmed they would, but Wynter was glad she had already made plans with Amira. While things were cordial with Liberty the night before, she knew they still needed to talk, and she didn't want to hash it out before the Gala.
Wynter: I wish I could, but I have to be at the lodge early to help set up and I told Amira I would do her hair and makeup. Y'all have fun- take a shot for me 🍾
They all texted suggestions for Amira's look before Wynter had Amira pick a wig. She chose a long, auburn colored wig which Wynter straightened and parted asymmetrically. Wynter also helped her with her makeup to compliment her aunt's lovely pecan brown skin and deep brown eyes. After finishing Amira's look, Wynter went to her room to start her makeup. She went for a natural glam look, with a full face of makeup and a vibrant mahogany matte lip color. She kept her hair down in deep waves and adorned it with pearl hair clips. Her mask was pearl-encrusted, and she complemented it with pearl jewelry - pearl drop earrings, a gold chain with a single pearl necklace, and a pearl bracelet. To complete her outfit, she wore pearl Chanel heels, her mom's faux fur white shawl, and a Chanel brooch pinned in the middle of the shawl. Amira and Wynter loved their looks and took photos together before heading to the lodge.
When they arrived, Wynter handed the banner and sign to an employee who quickly posted one in the entrance next to the large New Year marquee letters and another on the front of the photo booth. She got her camera out to take test shots in front of the sign, the banquet room, and outside on the adjoining patio. When guests started to arrive, Wynter stayed out in the reception area to take photos of guests by the marquee. She loved that she recognized pretty much everyone, mask or no mask, and they were eager to chat with her and have her take their pictures. She promised all the pictures would be posted on the Lodge's website and she would send the digital copies if requested.
Wynter took photos of the band when they arrived, first all together and then only Lindsay, David, and Cameron, the lead vocalists of the band. When the photos were done, David and Cameron disappeared to meet up with the rest of the band. Lindsay stayed back, taking solo photos while they chatted about how surreal it was being back in Lucky.
They were in the middle of the conversation when she saw her dad, his wife Lisa, his mother and father, Denise, and Michael walk into the reception area. She paused when Denise noticed her and started heading her way. She turned away to focus on Lindsay.
Lindsay looked over at Denise, confused. "I have plenty of pictures. Do you need to get back to work?" she inquired, quietly.
"Nope. I'm not getting paid." Wynter told her under her breath. When Lindsay snorted, Wynter clarified. "That's my dad's stepdaughter and my ex."
Lindsay gave them both a disgusted look. "If you're not getting paid, let's bounce."
"You can. I'll see you inside." Wynter told her, determined to show all of them how she couldn't care less about them.
Denise cleared her throat, interrupting them.
"Can we get a photo please?" Denise asked, in the same annoying high-pitched voice Wynter grew to loathe.
"One moment," Wynter said, unphased.
"Handle your business sis," Lindsay said before she left.
"We don't need a picture." Her father spoke up when he noticed Denise waiting by the marquee, tapping her foot impatiently.
"Of course you do. You have a beautiful family, you should commemorate the new year with a photo." Wynter said, her voice pleasant.
"Hello, Wynter." Claudia, her dad's mother greeted her. She last spoke to both of her parental grandparents at her college graduation. They had no relationship outside of birthday and holiday messages.
"Ma'am," Wynter said, looking down at her camera to set up the shot.
"Is this what you're doing now?" Lisa asked, jovially.
"Tilt your chin down please," Wynter said dryly, playing on Lisa's weight insecurity. She was obsessed with her looks and the threat of wrinkles or gaining weight. Her lips formed a grim line, but she pointed her chin down. Wynter had to hide her smile as she took the picture. She shivered with disgust as Michael gave her a lingering once-over. She took one more before giving them the spiel about checking the website for the photo.
"Text it to me." Denise requested, offhandedly.
"Again, you can download it from the website. Have a great night." Wynter dismissed her.
"Wynter, I understand you're still mad-" Denise started, her voice dripping with fake concern.
"You should be mad at whoever sold you that ugly-ass dress!" A voice sneered from behind them.
Wynter looked over to see Liberty, gorgeous in a white one-shoulder jumpsuit with a waist train and sequined mask, looking ready to pounce on Denise if she said another word.
"Calm down Liberty. That's not necessary." Wynter said, giving Liberty a look to stand down. "Besides, the dress..." Wynter paused to look Denise over. "Is appropriate for her."
Liberty snickered and Denise glared at them both.
"This is all uncalled for. We need to sit down and talk it out." Walter, her dad's father, spoke up.
"I've said everything I need to say to all of you. Can you please move aside? I have other guests to attend to." Wynter declared, sternly.
"Wynter-" Michael began, but her dad stopped him.
"This is not the time or place. Let's go inside." When Denise huffed and stalked inside, her mother Lisa followed her. Claudia took Walter's hand and he led her inside. Michael stood staring at Wynter until her dad gave him a sharp look and he turned to leave too. Her dad faced her when they left. "I don't like the way our last conversation ended. It doesn't have to be tonight, but I hope to have a moment to speak again soon."
Before she could think of a neutral way of saying hell no, he turned to leave.
Liberty turned to her, questions all over her face. Instead of interrogating her, Liberty simply asked, "Are you ok?"
"I'm ok." She said, instinctively, but when Liberty frowned, Wynter shook her head honestly. "I will be ok. As long as they stay far away from me."
"Done. Even if I have to uppercut a bitch, I got you." Liberty promised.
Wynter smiled, knowing Liberty would proudly do it.
"Thank you, Libby," Wynter said, moving in to hug her.
"Anytime," Liberty hugged her back.
"Aww! I knew once y'all talked it would be all good!" Valentina exclaimed, joining them with Grace and Jo trailing her. Valentina looked incredible in the vintage Betsy Johnson dress. Jo was wearing a similar jumpsuit as Liberty, only hers was black, and Grace was rocking a mini gold glittery dress that flaunted her petite, toned body and flawless caramel brown skin.
"Group hug!" Jo cheered, pulling them all in for a hug.
They laughed and hugged and Wynter took group and individual pictures of them until a line was starting to form again. Wynter told them she was taking photos in the reception area for the first hour only and she would see them inside soon. She had the line cleared in 15 minutes and took a brief break when Janet, Chris, Elijah, Elena, and Jackson arrived. They all looked fantastic, but Wynter's attention was all on Jackson. He looked incredible in a champagne Tom Ford suit. It fit his body perfectly and the undone buttons of his silk button-up showed off his lean chest. The subtle sheen of the suit caught the light when he moved and the color complimented his golden brown skin. His necklace had a few pearls between the gold links and matched not only with his gold studs and watch, but the pearl details of her dress and jewelry.
She turned to Jackson after she greeted everyone else. "Your stylist needs a raise."
He chuckled. "I'm gonna let that slide, only because you look amazing."
"Thank you. You look amazing too." She said, hugging him.
"Amazing enough to skip this ball and go back to your place?" He asked in her ear as he held her.
She gave him a flirtatious smile. "Nope..."
She turned away from his heated glance to offer them all a family photo. They took a couple of photos before Janet insisted Wynter and Jackson take a photo together. Janet took the picture on her phone before they headed inside. When Wynter told Jackson she had about 20 minutes left to take pictures, he decided to wait with her.
When her time was up, she put her camera away in her bag and went to the main banquet room with Jackson. They both needed drinks, so they headed to the bar first. After securing drinks, they joined her cousins and their friends at a table. She drank her drink and ate a few passed Hors D'oeuvres before she had to go take photos. She got both candid and posed photos of guests sitting at their tables, mingling around the dance floor, or lingering by the bar. The band began to play so she made sure she got plenty of shots of them. They began to play a Nicki Minaj classic, and Liberty made her put her camera down to dance. The dance floor quickly filled as the band played a block of female rap songs. Liberty and Wynter pulled the rest of the table to the dance floor with them. Wynter grabbed Jackson's hand and led him to the dance floor.
They danced as a group, hyping up whoever decided to dance in the center. Wynter couldn't help taking photos, especially when Jo's fiancee Corey started to poplock. She was having a blast dancing with everyone but was glad when the band played an old-school Mariah Carey ballad. As the girls sang their hearts out together, Wynter wrapped her arms around Jackson's neck and they swayed to the ballad. When the song changed to a slow jam, Wynter couldn't stop herself from grinding against him. Jackson held her hips, pulling her closer as he matched her movements. While dancing with Jackson, she completely forgot everyone in the room that would be scandalized by their "dirty dancing". Typically, she wouldn't be grinding on a man if his mom was in the same room, but she didn't care when she was with Jackson. The last thing on her mind was her image, the opinion or disapproval of other people. She was her authentic self with Jackson and the only thing she cared about was being as close to him as possible. They didn't stop dancing until the band took a break.
"Do you need to take more pictures?" Jackson asked her as they walked off the dance floor.
"I should, but I'm not going to." Wynter smiled at him.
