She Had No Intention of Being There

Kallen stood in the corner of the wedding hall. She had no intention of being there. She did not even want to be there. Everybody had a smile plastered on their face, and greeting the bride and groom, but Kallen did not pay any attention to them. It was as if she was standing in a street during peak hours — alone and out of place.

Kallen, Shirley and Lelouch were childhood friends who could be seen together all the time. They played together, ate lunch together, and even moved into the same apartment after graduation. Most people might have thought that it would stay this way forever, but reality ripped them of a happy ending. Deep inside, both Kallen and Shirley in that Lelouch would have to choose between Shirley and Kallen.
Kallen was not the lucky one.

She had to watch every day as her beloved snuggled up to someone who was not her, and pretend that she was totally fine with it. She did not move out and tried to tolerate the pain swelling up inside her chest. Every night, she would look at the old, yellowed photograph, reminiscing the carefree past. She wished it would go back to how it was like the last time, the three of them, always together.

The dreaded day finally came — the wedding day. Lelouch was welcoming the guests at the front door, while she stood below the stairs, as usual, alone. After what seemed like eternity, Shirley descended the stairs like a princess at a royal ball, looking fabulously enchanting in her lacy wedding gown. She smiled at Kallen and she forced a smile back, before going up to hug Shirley, congratulating her on her big day.

Minutes ticked into hours and the ceremony was finally over. Kallen dashed to the balcony for some fresh air. ‘Ah…. Fresh air,’ Kallen said as a teardrop trickled down her cheek. She could not suppress the pain inherent chest.

Just then, Lelouch flung open the door and dragged Kallen to the hall.

‘Cheese!’ said Lelouch, Shirley and Kallen.

‘Snap!’ went the camera.

Looking at the photograph, Kallen’s tears welled up. With trembling hands, she tore it, separating her and the couple.Then she took the piece of her, and placed it over Lelouch’s figure. She wanted to be with her beloved.

Her beloved Shirley.