Safe Place

24

ZARA

Maybe going to a wedding won't be so bad of an idea. Honestly I think I need a break from being in this school all the time, I feel like an inmate.

"Hurry up!" I hear Aiden's stressed voice outside my room.

I let out an annoyed grunt while sitting in front of a tall skinny mirror in my sophisticated, tight fitting red dress.

I stare at the mirror for a bit longer, my hair is straightened and I managed to do my makeup quite good today. It's more of a natural look, but I feel pretty.

Okay I'm ready.
A combination of dread, anxiety and excitement hit me all at once.
What if Aiden's family doesn't like me?
They probably have very high expectations for his girlfriend.

They're probably expecting a celebrity to be holding his hand as he walks into that wedding.
Fuck this.
When have I ever cared about what anyone thinks about me?

"Love, please come out." He says quietly, his voice a little raspy.

As I walk, my loud steps practically shake the room. Heels are painful! But at-least I can walk in them.

When I was 6 years old my mom forced me to learn how to walk in heels for God knows what reason.

I open the door putting a huge smile on my face as I leave my room. "Ok, let's g-" My voice cuts off right when I see him.

Wow.
He looks...very, very attractive.

His skin is flawless, almost perfect, if anything perfect, it's unblemished and his jawline is sharp and strong, it could probably cut paper.

He's wearing a suit, no tie.
Expected of him.
2 buttons of his shirt are unbuttoned and you can see hints of his chest, like the tease he is.

I pick my head up to look at his eyes, expecting us to make eye contact but his eyes are trailing every curve on my body.

My family body shamed me my whole life.
I've heard,
"You're too skinny."
"You're looking bigger than usual."
It left me with no real perception of my body.

A wave of nausea hits me and I try to cover my body with my hands, but as I look into his eyes again my confidence comes back. He looks at me like I'm the most beautiful thing he's ever seen and it actually makes me feel better about myself, something a look never made me feel.

"Hi." I manage to say even though I probably look as if I'm about to drool while looking at him.
I close my mouth to save me the embarrassment, looking back up at him.

"As much as I would love to rip your clothes off and kiss every square inch of your body, we have to go." He keeps a straight face, maintaining eye contact as he grabs my hand, leading me to the car.

I was at-least thinking a "Hi." could work as a response but what do I expect from him anymore.

AIDEN

As me and Zara finally made it to the wedding, I got scared.
Scared to see my family.
How long has it been since I seen them?
Months. Months since I saw the people who pretty much ruined my life.

We continue waking into this fancy ass wedding, I'm surrounded with shining bright lights all over the place. Damn, this looks like a whole palace, it's beautiful. Since when did my cousin earn this much money.

It's indoors.
It looks like a huge party room but if it took place in a Disney movie.
Most weddings are just one big room but it looks like there's many floors and rooms that guests are all gathered in.

As I set back into reality the nerves start coming back.

I take Zara's hand off my bicep and hold her hand instead, my nervousness going down right when I feel her touch, my goosebumps going away, my breathing slowing down.