Clementine

chapter 87

87

When Mina said the wedding was happening soon, she wasn't kidding. She meant soon.

It only took a week for the invitations to arrive in the mail <<à Clementi

ne +1>> to a wedding that was only 1 month away, give or take.

Of course, Mina's mother invited Clementine's mother and father. It was a whole black-tie affair.

Mina approved Clementine's choice of bridesmaid dress, and Clementine accompanied Mina on several opting's to the dress maker to search for the one. The dress that would adorn Mina's perfect, small figure.

All this wedding talk, Clementine couldn't help but think about the whole thing.

She never really did. She felt it was just something that was always assumed – that eventually Clementine would marry in her class and socioeconomic rank and would make a smooth transition from one successful family to another.

But what if she was born to be free...or what if she loved someone so, so different from what she could have ever imagined.

But even her concept of love did not necessarily necessitate a wedding.

She understood, that with the baby on the way – a fact not largely known yet - they had to make it quick.

It was so strange having to think about it, so she decided to not delve too deep into it.

Finally, in about week 3, they found the one.

A drapey, wispy white lace thing with a full bodice. It was beautiful.

Meanwhile, Zico and Clementine would meet up during the day, for lunch or to go to the beach. They still haven't been able to spend the night together since, because there was no way to escape.

Clementine was kept under close watch, her intentions questioned daily by her father and security guards. A day escapade was easy enough, but a weekend overnight- no way.

This was one of the many reasons she was looking forward to the wedding. She still hadn't asked Zico openly, but she fantasized and toyed with the idea of having him there. Having them there, like that out in the open.

Dangerous, yet liberating.

She didn't even want to admit to herself this wish, if only because it would be so painful to have it taken away from her.

Finally, after repetitive encouragement from Mina, she caved in and decided to ask him

"Sure," he said so plainly and easily that she almost didn't believe him at first.

She was already ready to go into a long rant of explanation, the pros and cons, the benefits nad the cons. The sweetest con.

But, after he said sure, all the pressure was suddenly lifted from her shoulders, and she felt she could breathe again, having brooded over it for so long by herself in her mind.

"Okay," Clementine finally said, grinning from ear to ear.

She couldn't even tell if Zico was playing cool, or if he actually was cool about it. Probably a combination of the two.

She realized then that maybe he didn't bring so much weight to the whole thing as she did. He didn't consider the 'class' differences and the outrage, though she was sure he understood it. Maybe he really was fine with it.

They were sitting in a lush, green park, on a bench across from each other. Zico was leaning back, catching the sunrays on his face.

"There's...one problem though," he said, still with his eyes closed, face up toward s the sun.

"What?" Clementine asked, feeling her heart pound faster, the hesitation rolling in.

He turned his face away from the sun, and grinning asked her, "what am I going to wear?"

Clementine breathed a sign of relief and playfully hit him.

"That is, like, my specialty. Leave it to me." She was already doing the calculations in her head, which stores she could bring him to. She already knew most of them, because of Mina.

Zico leaned over and gave her a quick peck on the cheek, and they got up. He took her on his bike to the bus station.

"Why don't you ever let me drive you home?" He asked.

"Have patience," Clementine told him, feeling that they were nearly there.