The Next Chapter

Chapter 60

Emery's POV 

"No, no, no, no, no! The flowers need to be on the left side, not the right!" I hear Auden yell from the kitchen. This wedding planner of theirs is not very good at his job but apparently, he was a relative of Oliver's so his parents kind of forced him to hire the poor man. 

The wedding is one day away. ONE DAY AWAY. It's crazy, they managed to plan an entire wedding in the span of three months. It's now September 21st, the wedding being September 22nd. 

As for Jake and I, we haven't spoken since the night at his place. And as for me and Michael... I honestly don't know what's going on. He's been so distant ever since we came back from England. Doesn't answer my calls, and if he does he's always quick to end it. I don't get as many 'I love you's' as before. I don't know... Something's just off.

But enough of those thoughts. Today and tomorrow all of my attention will be on the wedding. About a week ago Auden found a tuxedo and I'm going to look for a dress today. A bit too late but I've been crazy busy with all the plans. 

"Hey, honey. You okay?" Mom walks into the living room with her hands full of wedding decorations. I help her put them on the table. "Yeah, I'm good. Just a bit stressed." I laugh. "Aren't we all." She chuckles. "When they told me that they were getting married in September I thought they were kidding! But they managed to put it together. And it'll be amazing," She's tearing up. "My son's getting married."

"Mom..." I lean in and hug her. I can hear her quietly crying. "I'm sorry, it's just so much to take in. Soon you'll get married too and-"

"And then you'll have Jaelyn for a good 15 more years." I laugh, trying to hide my face when she mentioned me getting married. I don't know why but I can't picture myself in Auden's shoes. Planning a wedding and spending the rest of my life with someone. Michael and I... I don't know. 

"Okay, " I say, pulling away from the hug. "I have to go. The dress isn't going to buy itself."

Mom smiles and nods, heading towards the kitchen to Auden. I go upstairs and get ready to head out, grab my keys and wallet, and head to the car. The ride to the store takes about 15 minutes and when I arrive I can see Michael through the window.

"Hey! What are you doing here?" I ask and hug him. Did we agree to meet here today and I forgot?

"Thought I'd accompany you, give you advice, and so on." Okay... Weird.

"Sure. But don't you have work?"

"I took the day off. Anything for my girl." What the hell? 'My girl'? He's never called me that before. I put on a smile and head towards the dress section. I need to focus on this right now, if I don't find a dress today I'm screwed. 

* * *

"What about this?" I ask.

He looks up from his phone and shrugs. "Looks the same as all of them."

"This is green, the last one was purple. What exactly looks the same?"

He sighs, "I don't know, just... It's great, we'll take this one." 

"Look you came here okay? No need to stay if you find this boring."

"Fine." With that, he stands and walks out the door. What the fuck? What's his problem?

Turning around to face the mirror I look at the dress again. Was it that hideous to make him want to leave? And I've only tried on six dresses, and I'm quick so we haven't even been here for that long. Why would he-

"The purple one was beautiful." I jump at the sight of Jake appearing behind me. "Sorry! I ehm..." He scratches his neck. "Didn't mean to scare you."

"It's fine..." I turn around. "How did you see the purple one? Are you stalking me?"

The corner of his lips twitch. "No. I'm here with my sister and I saw you."

"Oh."

Silence. 

"It was though." He says. "The dress. It was beautiful on you."

"Thank you." I smile. This is weird right? Us talking like this? We haven't talked since... The shower day. And now, here we are.

"Where's Michael? I thought I saw him before."

"He left just now, work emergency." Why am I lying?

"Oh, okay..." He looks around the store. "Actually, do you mind helping me with something? If you're not busy."

"What?"

"My sister. I've never been good with fashion and she needs a dress so could you maybe... I don't know, help her?"

I've never met his sister, he's only mentioned her a few times. "Ehm, sure why not? I just need to find a dress-"

"Pick the purple one. It was the prettiest."

"You haven't even seen the rest of them?"

"Yes I have, I was watchi-" He cuts himself off, realizing what he said. I know I should be offended and creeped out so why am I smiling?

"Purple one it is. Where's your sister?" He points to a black-haired girl in the corner of the store, looking at dresses. "Okay, I'll just change out of this and I'll be right there." I tell him, walking back into the changing room.

 I gather all the dresses I'll be returning and put the purple one in my basket after changing into my regular clothes. Once I'm done, I leave the five dresses on a pile of clothes that the workers collect and make my way to Jake and his sister. He's standing beside her, nodding at whatever she's saying. "Hey..." I tap his shoulder and he turns around, smiling. "Hey." We stand there like this, looking at each other, smiling.

"Mind if I interrupt this thing? Could really use your help." His sister starts laughing. "I'm Jessica by the way." She reaches for my hand. "Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too! And I'm glad to help! What are we looking for?" I ask as we both turn our attention to the dresses. 

"Something for a first date." 

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So... Hope you liked this one, haha. See you soon! And I'm also updating more frequently now, think you'll like it, haha.