Black Dress Wedding

Chapter 3

I found myself on the wedding venue's balcony with the doors behind me, muting the reception music. Of course, Jake would get married overlooking a lake. It shouldn't feel like a slap. Jake's wedding was not about me. But like everything, gazing out on the tranquil lake stretching out to the horizon brought back more memories. Fond or callous, memories always feel warm. The fond ones have a soft yellow glow like a gentle breeze filled with the sweet smells of freshly cut grass and apple blossoms. The callous ones burn with an orange tint that could erupt into engulfing flames at any moment. Most memories are tied to love; friendly, lustful, sweet, romantic, love is the thread that ties the bonds.

"Jen, you will not believe this. It's amazing; the best news ever!" Ari was about to explode right in front of me.

"What?" Her excitement was spilling over to me.

"A boy likes you, and not just any boy; Will Turner likes you."

"What?"

"Will told Adam, who told his older sister, Julie, who told Johnny because they are like totally together and have zero secrets. So, of course, I heard from Sarah." This made sense; Sarah was Johnny's little sister. "So, this is basically first-degree intel," Ari continued. At least it was when you were thirteen years old.

"This means..." I trailed off thinking of the implications. Will was cute, one of the cutest boys in school, and he liked me.

"This means you have a boyfriend."

"I mean, we haven't even spoken... but," I was still in shock.

"He is going to ask you out today after, well, right now. Sarah said he would look for you after school and ask you to Tricia's end-of-the-year party. You're going to say yes; you have to say yes." All Ari's words strung together when she was excited.

"Yes," I paused, "if he asks me." I slung my bag over my shoulder, trying to act cool. "Let's go."

"Wait, you can't just head out there at a time like this. You have to primp!"

Ari pulled me into the nearby girl's room and began to unload an entire store's worth of prep products: hairbrush, scrunchies, lip gloss, all the necessities. She was always prepared. I half expected a wardrobe change to pop out of her bag as well. She was the fashionista of our pair. I found myself gravitating to t-shirts and jeans. Ari was constantly pushing sundresses and blouses that flowed in the breeze and had little flower patterns on them.

"Okay, you are boyfriend ready," she announced after a few moments of primping. "No more bride of Frankenstein."

"Bride of Dr. Frankenstein's monster," I corrected. Jake and I had watched the movie recently.

"What?" Ari's tone was annoyed.

"The monster's name isn't Franke.."

"Jennifer Morse, it does not matter. Seriously, you are about to get your first boyfriend, and you are in here talking about monster movies with me. You're so weird sometimes."

"Jake and I..."

"Nope, we agreed no more talk of he-who-shall-not-be-named."

"Ari, Jake and I are friends; we can say his name. I am so over him." I meant kind of over him, but she didn't need to know that. "Besides, he has a girlfriend," I said almost to myself.

"And you will have a boyfriend if I can ever get you out of this bathroom! Now go before your face melts!" I don't think Ari knew what that meant, but she had heard her mom complain that her face was melting just after getting ready so many times, she probably assumed it was applicable.