Clementine

chapter 106

106

Everyone was by the beach anyway. With big buffet tables set out, a live band and incoming fireworks, it was a party by all measurements and everyone was too busy drinking or dancing or singing to notice a pair of lovers deciding through the night.

It was the right time at the right place.

Once they descending into the crowd, she leaned in to talk to him over the live Bossa nova band music: "I have to go find Mina, and change! Stay here, I'll be back!"

And as Zico went off to the open bar to get a beer, Clementine ran off to the tents they set up by the beach as the girls changing room and there she found Mina and the rest of the bridesmaids. She ran over to give her a big hug.

"Congratulations!!" She yelled in combination of euphoria for her friend and also because of her reconciliation with Zico.

"Where were you? I'm married, have you heard?!" She flashed her ring and the bouquet and her smile was so wide. The other girls were already busy changing into their more free, shorter party dining dresses.

It was the feeling of a traveling circus or carnival; beautiful, glittery chaos, candy apple smells, twinkling lights and champagne flutes. Loud music penetrating all the barrier.

"I know, I was there!" Then Clementine pulled something out of her corner that she was waiting all night to give to her friend, handing it over to her in a gently wrapped, silver box.

"Aw, Clem, what is it?" Mina shook it to hear what's inside.

"Gently!" Clementine giggled, "open it and see."

Clementine watched Mina grow wide eyed as she pulls out a fuji film camera.

"Oh my god! This is the best ever! Thank you thank you!! Obrigada, I'm going to start using it TONIGHT!" Mina was visibly excited, being an amateur photographer this was definitely a step up.

"Only fitting," Clementine added teasingly and lovingly, "now that you're a wife." s

She helped Mina change into there party dress and fianally added, "oh, and there's one more thing."

"What?!" Mina asked, and though Clementine wasn't sure if she should share this news she knew she had to or she would burst and that Mina's happiness was impenetrable at this point anyway.

"He's here!" Clementine said as if trying to keep it on the down low.

"Zico?!" Mina screamed so loud, and she was sure even Zico would hear that.

"Yes!"

"Well, what are you waiting for?!" Mina asked her genuinely and that was ab better response than she was expecting.

"Love you!" Clementine gave her a quick kiss on the cheek, and now that she had her blessing (it was her wedding after all) she quickly changed into her own party dress, a lighter free flowing light number, and ran out of that tent like her life depended on it.

She found him where she left him, at the bar, and it was strange seeing him out of his comfort zone slightly and yet still adapting seamlessly.

She paused taking in his figure for a moment, and then jumped in running up to him and giving him a tight hug, taking him by surprise again.

It felt like such relief, being able to love him out in the open.

It was such a large crowd that it felt intimate enough.

"Just in time," he said, smirking and nodding past her. Clementine turned around to see the first firework pop and it was like the loudest beat going through her heart and it wasn't sure if it was the sound or the situation.

Instead of watching the fireworks, it felt like he watched her watching it more than the spectacle.

"What are you doing?" She laughed, "look at them!" Pointing to the glitter in the sky.

"But I' rather look at you," and this time it was him who leaned in and kissed her, long and slowly, a perfect moment of stillness within the chaos.

Clementine cocked her head to the side, and kissed him one more time before returning to the fireworks.

Then, as hep pulled way, Mina ran up to them.

"Hi! I'm Mina!" She extended her hand to Zico out of nowhere and Clementine watched wide eyed.

"Congratulations," Zico said politely and friendly at the same time, being a gentleman.

"I know a;l to about you!" Mina exclaimed, the champagne clearly doing the talking. "But erm," she was tried collecting herself, "thank you for coming." The country club manners kicking in even when she did't want them too.

Zico loved it though, and seeing the camera still in her hands, he offered to take a picture of the two best friends to which Mina obliged easily. He also sneaked in a couple of photos of just Clementine, staring at the fireworks like a little girl.

Then again out of nowhere, Mina yelled "your turn!" And started taking pictures of Clementine and Zico together which was fine. Except for the last one where he kissed her by surprise, and that's when it felt so uncontrollable. Somebody else having evidence of the two of them. It felt almost too real.

Once the photos were done, and as the fireworks kept coming, Clementine relished in Zico's presence beside her. She leaned into his body, and the way he was slightly taller than her created the perfect crevice for her to rest her head in between his shoulder and his neck.

Then near the grand finale, all Zico had to do was turn his head, and his lips found hers and all the stars aligned momentarily.

It was the most cinematic moment of her life, she thought. But it was suddenly interrupted by Mina's new husband, who came up to both of them: "We're going swimming, come with us!"

"What!? Now?" Clementine looked between the two of them, and Zico just shrugged.

She caught herself wondering for a moment if maybe he was high on anything, but quickly swept the disturbing thought out of her mind.

"Come on! You only get married once." Mina was doing her best to do a convincing face, and then adding "or at least I hope so." They all laughed and Clementine weighed her options. This would be aligned with her intent for the night. Plus, she was right.

They were already on the beach. So Clementine downed a champagne flute that was passing by with a waiter and said. "Let's do this!"

Both Mina and Zico cheered.