Within The Shadows.✅ (WLW)

5 | Congratulations

⚠️Chapter Trigger warning: Anorexia⚠️

It's now 7 o'clock and most people have arrived by now and I have heard the word 'Congratulations' a thousand times by now. Okay, maybe not a thousand but you get the idea.

If I must say, it looks amazing. There is a sign outside, welcoming all the guests, the table in the corner of the room is set beautifully, and in the middle of the room is my mom's proud possession, the chandelier.

If this is only my engagement party, I don't want to know how crazy my mom is going to go to my wedding.

After greeting everyone, I slip outside just to rest a little bit. Sitting down on our garden bench, I take my shoes off.

"Shit, my feet are killing me." Whoever invented heels, may they suffer the worst death.

"You know when we were younger, you used to tell me you would never wear heels. You said it was the creation of the devil himself to punish women." I stiff, I know that voice better than anyone else's.

I feel her presence, sitting down next to me. But I can't seem to look at her.

"I still stand by that," I mumble, but she heard me.

"This is quite a party Ms. Fiancé." She says but I can hear the humour in her voice. And when I finally look at her, it's like my voice is stuck in my throat.

There she is.

The girl I fell in love within high school. The girl I cried about for months on end.

Ava Larson.

Before I could answer, Nate called for me.

"Hey M, your mom..." he stops with what he was about to say when he sees me looking at Ava, I clear my throat and look at Nate. I quickly put back on my shoes and stand up, to go stand next to Nate.

"Ava this is my fiancé, Nate. Nate this is Ava an... old friend from high school." Ava just raises her eyebrows at me. I take this opportunity to observe her. She may be the only woman sexy enough to pull off a suit because damn, she looks fine. I also noticed that she cut her hair since the last time I saw her.

"It's very nice to meet you." He offers Ava his hand to shake. "M, your mum is calling. Dinner is almost being served." With that, we head inside for dinner.

At the table, it's my dad at the head of the table then my mom on his right, and Nate's parents on his left. At the other head of the table, it's Nate and I'm on his right. And guess who I'm facing? Ava Larson and some bimbo I have never seen in my life before.

"I'm sorry but, who are you, I don't think we have met before?" I ask the blond next to Ava.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I'm Lizzie. Ava's girl-."

"Date." Ava interrupts her before she can complete her senses.

I just nod slowly. "I just want to say, congratulations on the engagement, you are a very lucky woman to be marrying such a handsome man." She says eyeing Nate.

So much for being Ava's date, she is checking out Nate as she has never seen a guy before.

"Why don't you pay more attention to your 'date' rather than check out my extremely handsome fiancé," I tell her with a fake smile. I don't know why but this girl is starting to get on my nerves.

She was quiet for the rest of the time being until desserts were being served.

I was busy talking to Anna, next to me when a very annoying voice interrupted me.

"Are you sure you should be eating dessert? I mean after all that food." What is she suggesting? I'm fat?

"Lizzie, that's enough."

"No, it's fine Ava. At least I don't have anorexia like your so-called date over here." I look at Lizzie. But out of the corner of my eye, I can see Ava smirk.

God, why does that smirk have to be so sexy? Why does time have to be so good to her, why couldn't she become ugly? But no, now she is more attractive than ever.

Before Lizzie could comment, my dad cling the champagne glass. Telling everyone to be quiet.

But I don't look at my dad, Lizzie and I are sending daggers at each other from across the table.

"Thank you everyone for coming tonight." My dad starts, and I break my gaze from Barbie to look at him.

"Tonight, we are celebrating the engagement of my beautiful daughter, Melanie, and her fiancé Nate." I can feel someone grabbing my hand from across the table when I look to see who. I look into the eye, which shows so much love. I know Lizzy is right. I am very lucky to have Nate because I don't deserve him.

When I break eye contact my eye catches, Ava, staring at our joined hands.

I have a feeling this night is long from over.

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Anorexia is a real thing and needs to be taken very seriously.

If you are or know of anyone who is struggling with anorexia. I recommend that you seek help.

Love you.

ℳ.