Never Had A Chance

6.0. Friends break up, friends get married.

I apologize for the length of this chapter. It is abnormally long but I promise, this will be the only one of it's kind. Be kind, I would love some feedback. 

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3 years ago.

CLARISSA AMELIA DRAKE'S POV:

I could hear the commotion on the floor below me. My mother yelled at my little brother, Jacob, while my father tried to keep my sister out of the mimosa's that were in the kitchen. I was dressed in a trumpet-style dress with a sweetheart neckline. I was graced with my mother's ruby necklace, along with the matching earrings. I was beautiful, but I couldn't shake the feeling of dread that loomed over me.

So, with a deep breath, I made my way downstairs to join my family. My older brother, Kaiden, stood with our baby brother, Ryan, just outside on the balcony. I could see the smoke radiating from where they stood, knowing very well that it was not the original cigar that our father had given them, but instead a blunt.

Sneaking past the busy crowd, I went straight for the two men. My eyebrows furrowed as I listened to Kaiden speak. "Yeah, I feel bad having him here but-" He cut himself off when he laid eyes on me.

"You can talk about him, yknow."

"Who?"

"Ha,ha," I joked, punching the older of the two men in the arm. "Linc and I are good. We're friends now," It was a lie, and I instantly regretted saying it out loud.

"Are you sure?" I blinked a few times before sighing and leaning into Kai's side.

"Of course, plus I'm only here until tomorrow," I reassured him, taking the blunt from Ryan. Proudly puffing on the marijuana, knowing I would need it to get through the day. "I can deal with Lincoln and Hayle for another 24 hours."

This time it was Ryan's turn to be confused. With knitted eyebrows, he looked at the two of us like we were stupid. "Didn't you guys hear? Lincoln and Hayle broke up last night, she spent the night at her own apartment last night."

My skin ran cold, and this wasn't what I wanted. I knew how in love Hayle was with Linc; he was her everything, the same way he was mine. I didn't want this for them, and I wanted her to get the life she wanted. Once again, Linc was running from the best thing that could have ever happened to him. "What?"

"Yeah! Look," Ryan handed me his phone, a video up and ready to place.

"Don't say you're sorry. I just want to hear you admit it," Hayle had tears streaming down her face, and Linc looked as though he had been kicked in the gut.

I knew what stemmed this argument, and I hated myself for it.

"I wanted to love you, I really did. It should have been you, but you're right. It was always going to be Clarissa," He was defeated, his shoulders slumped, but Hayle looked relieved. Like a weight had been lifted off of her shoulders.

All eyes were on me, but I didn't say a thing. Instead, I handed the phone back to my little brother, leaving both of the men in my dust.

***

I had extreme anxiety as I met with the whole bridal party outside of the church. My palms wouldn't stop sweating no matter how many times I tried to calm myself down. I knew what caused the demise of Linc and Hayle's relationship. He even stated it. Everyone looked at me like I was the homewrecker when all they had for context was the video.