Here Lies the Lives Left at the Altar (On Hold)

Prologue

Hello everyone!!!

Welcome to my page or welcome back if you came from another one of my works.

I am so excited to start "Here Lies the Life Left at the Altar", I've missed writing so much and I finally got an idea that I can see being enough for a plot.

Now, I wanted to get this chapter out to celebrate my Watty win for Just for Tonight, but I have only written this chapter. I've only even planned four chapters total so far and I plan my books completely before writing. It will likely be a while until I post another chapter, but I wanted to get you guys excited for what's to come!!

Truly just so excited and honored to have won a Watty for Just for Tonight. I've been on Wattpad since 2014 and it's always been my dream to win a Watty. I am beyond grateful. I can't even describe how happy I am, still over the moon!! I probably won't ever shut up about it!!

I'm hoping people love this new plot and these new characters just as much as they loved my other work. And who knows... maybe you'll even see an appearance from Scarlett and Nate somewhere...

Anyways!! I hope you enjoy this teaser, please let me know what you think!!!

⭑

In separate parts of Seattle, two strangers stare at church doors, two very different events are waiting for them on the other side.

The bride rubs her clammy hands up and down her long satin dress.

The mourner fiddles with a worn photo in his hands.

The bride can hear her sister's concerned words echo through her mind, begging her to reconsider.

That was months ago. The bride should've done this months ago.

The mourner can hear the phone ringing still, the dreaded news stuck in his mind.

That was only days ago. He said goodbye barely days ago.

The bride can picture the rest of her life. In fact, she's already living it.

She'll publish a few more books that only added to her collection of works that she wished she could change. She and her soon-to-be husband will likely live in their penthouse for a few more years until they formally decide to start building in their family. They will then move to a larger space in the city, spending more money they didn't need to spend. They'll be fine, living comfortably with little to no change in their life.

Her children will grow up proper and poised, naturally have a rebellious phase, and then straighten up and grow to be mini versions of their parents. They will have a distorted view on love, considering their parents would likely never show affection towards each other.

Because you can't truly fake something you didn't have.

She can picture it now.

And she hates it.

The mourner can remember the last time he saw the one who is mourned.

He can remember the first time as well, though it's hazy considering it was almost seventeen years ago.

He's hiding in the bleachers, watching his school's hockey team practice. He waits until the team's gone before slipping into the ice, knowing he has time in between practice and the maintenance schedule. Having done this daily, he knows how to sneak around there. Though, his plan must have a flaw, because while skating around, a gruff voice booms through the ring.

"You almost finished for the day?" The mourner instantly wipes out on the ice, startled by the sound. He frantically gains his composure and stands up, mouth open and ready to spew out excuses.

"Cause maintenance is coming early today to fix some things," the coach of the hockey team continues, arms crossed over the rink boards. "So, you best get going unless you wanna deal with them. Tomorrow you can go back to your normal schedule, kid."

And the next day, the coach stays after practice, and waited. Eventually, the mourner comes out of hiding, and the two get to work before arranging for a new team member the following week.

He can remember advice the mourned had last given him.

"You get one life, kid. Not everyone gets a full one, but it's the only one you'll ever get. Make the most of it, and don't ever hide behind the bleachers again. I won't be there to yank you out from behind them next time."

The mourner remembers it all.

The bride can hear the low, judgmental murmurs of the crowd as the bridal party makes their way down the aisle. The music from the choir and pipe organ can be heard by anyone passing by.

The music sends a shiver down her spine, because she knows what's waiting for her if she opens those doors. She knows that a life filled with intolerable rich people and dreadfully long lunches waited for her. She knows that she'll hate herself if she follows through with this.

Most of all, quite plainly, she just doesn't love him. She never has, and she never will. But that part was never in question for her. She would almost feel bad if she didn't know for a fact that he doesn't love her either, and this is for reasons other than love.

She has never been one to run, but she's beginning to think that trying new things might be for the best.

Not to mention, the groom has a wretched last name.

And so, Rosalie Keller turns from the church doors and flees down the steps just as "Here Comes the Bride" begins to play.

Just a few blocks down, Archer Calloway has already long left the church doors and gotten into, what he believes to be, his vehicle. He doesn't seem to notice the "Just Married!" sign on the back. It isn't his fault the keys are also where he always had left them.

Though, his plan to go home and sleep it off is decidedly ruined when the car door unexpectedly opens and some crazy bride jumps in.

⭑

I hope you guys are as excited to meet Rosie and Archer and follow their journey as I am!! This is my first time writing more of a grumpy/sunshine trope and I am SO excited to get a bit of an enemies to lovers type of vibe in here. But of course, still a healthy relationship.

AH I am so excited. Please comment any sort of thoughts or ideas on where this could go. (Trust me, I could use some ideas!! Haha)

See you guys soon with more!!