“I’m sorry, too.” Allison says, looking down. “I can’t force you to believe it, even though it’s really obvious-” She stops as soon as she sees my stare. “Right. I just think you deserve more than you set for yourself.”
“I know.” I start to smile, and she looks up, and she starts to smile too. She rolls her eyes and then throws he arms around me, squeezing me like those grandmas who take your air out of you.
The ceremony is going to be at 5 PM, so I have three hours to prepare, one hour remaining for us all to hang out. So, after that hour passes, the boys leave for Jake to get ready, and the chaos in the household begins. I shower before the others realize they have to get ready, so I am now taking my time getting ready.
“Brandon, I swear to god I’m going to turn on the cold water!” My sister’s shouts can be heard through the hallway.
Allison and I laugh, and then she proceeds to do my makeup.
“So, a makeout session on the couch, huh?” Alls says, raising an eyebrow.
My hand freezes, and the Chapstick stops with it.
“The kids were doubting our thing, and they already had seen us kissing, so we had to raise the bar.” I explain, trying not to smile.
“How was it?” She smirks.
“It was…Fake. He put his thumbs over my mouth. But my first kiss wasveryreal.” I sigh and start to trail off. “I wish he were a bad kisser, and he didn’t have good taste in music, and hedidn’t sing, and he didn’t have that hair and thosedimplesand thoseeyes…”
“And we’re smitten. Again.” Allison cuts in reasonably.
“You’re right.” I close my eyes. “I’m not ready for the reception. That’s the place where I’m going to have to be all in love.”
“I say, enjoy it while it lasts.” She says, widening one eye in front of the mirror, putting on mascara.
She does have a point, but there’s a flaw in enjoying. Because if I enjoy it, I might think it’s real and mutual, therefore, I can go from liking him to falling for him. And we don’t want that. We would want it if he fell for me, too. But, I’m the cheap thrill, not the real deal.
I shrug, not revealing my thoughts to Allison. After that, I straighten my hair and put on the usual jewelry. Just as I’m about to dress, Allison glues me to the chair and puts on more makeup. Between laughing and singing, we finish up, and I put on my beautiful dress. We are ultimately ready to go downstairs, where some people already are.
As Allison goes down the stairs, I hear male voices.Jake. I take in a deep breath and remind myself that I can do this. I can control my emotions, been doing it for years, only a couple more days won’t hurt me.More.
I hesitantly put my right foot on the step and then slowly go down the stairs. Jake stops talking when he looks at me, because the only words that can get out of his mouth aren’t even words.
Goddamnit. I look away, my cheeks the same shade as the dress.
“Beautiful…” He breathes out, and I almost didn’t hear it. But when Allison mutters something to him, I definitely don’t hear it either. He’s wearing a tux, and I swearHopelessly Devoted To You by Olivia Newton-Johnstarted playing. It’s like a never-ending staring contest, seeing who budges first. Turns out mybrain was frozen, and I was just on autopilot going down the stairs, so I continued, and when I got to the last step, I tripped over.
Steady arms catch me just in time. My heart doesn’t understand the difference between tripping and dying, so it’s beating crazy. This fall could’ve ruined my dress, my makeup, or I could’ve broken something. Sometimes I hate being clumsy, but as I’m holding onto his arms, I couldn’t be happier for it.
He gets me on my feet, still not releasing me, and his intense gaze turns into a mocking one.
“Now Brown, falling for me this quickly?” Jake speaks, his signature smirk wearing his face.
I smirk back but only to mask the panic that was building inside me, because I have a feeling that at the end of this day, he’ll be right.
“Jake West, that is the most predictable pun you have ever made.” I crack up, his arms still around me.
“I try my best.” He winks, and I shake my head, smiling.
“If you two are done over there, you kind of have a wedding to attend.” Riden interrupts, his face screaming the humor he found in the situation.
Jake coughs, looking away, and I get out of his arms.
When we got to the church, it was just like I imagined. It’s simple, but with white everywhere and enough decoration. Ribbons on the benches, flowers everywhere you could possibly fit them, and a ton of well-dressed people.
We sit down in the third row and wait. Not much time later, the church is packed, and Patrick is already at the altar. His red hair is all neat, and his brown puppy eyes practically shine. His whole face is light, and his freckles almost seem to be dancing with the smiles he gives every other second. The doors that lead outside open, and an even more gorgeous Linda steps in,her father supporting. She slowly walks over to the top, and the ceremony starts.
This is quite boring. I lay my head on Jake’s shoulder, and I’m this close to falling asleep when the priest asks, “Vows?”
