You || lrh

luke

its time. its time for me to marry her. i dont remember how we got here, or why i even agreed to this. but i didnt want to do it.

i know taylor doesnt love me, its obvious. she loves armando, a man she met in brazil during spring break. i, of course, dont care. but once she came back she never forgot about him. theres no way their relationship would work. our wedding was pretty much set in stone.

shes a beautiful woman, really. but im just not ready.

i stared at myself in the bright framed mirror, giving myself a pep talk and running my hand through my hair several times in stress.

"you got this. just act happy because if theyre happy, youre happy. right? right." i whispered to myself. the person staring back at me wasnt who i thought he was.

calum burst in the room, a hopeful smile on his face. he knew i didnt want to
do this. i ranted enought to him about this silly marriage. "you ready, bud?"

"as ready as ill ever be."

'why am i lying to myself?' i thought but shrugged it off. i shook my shoulders, shaking off the nerves and followed calum.

it was a nice church where the ceremony was taking place. the aisle was a pink velvet color, matching taylors bouquet as discussed while wedding planning. family and friends of both sides of the family littered the pews.

i approached the back of the line of bridesmaid and groom men pairs. some of taylors friends were paired up with mine. i spotted michael and ash, arms linked with their partner. then, calum,
my best man, gave me a curt nod before going and pairing up with the maid of honor.

i heard as all the pairs talked to each other, excitement in their voices.

i however felt like i could barely even speak.

mum and dad appeared by my side out of nowhere. i was so in my thoughts i couldnt concentrate on my surroundings. mum linked her arm around mine as dad stood straight on the other side. i leaned down and whispered to my mum, "you look beautiful, ma."

"oh my boy. im not the one whos getting married." she chuckled.

dad looked over and joined the small conversation, "you know, taylors a keeper son." i smiled in response but im actually internally panicking.

as rehearsed, wedding music started to play and the pairs walked down the aisle slowly as family and friends watched them. i could feel the air around me get tighter and tighter. each step of each pair was a step closer of me walking down the aisle. im not ready.

the last pair was calum and cindy. with my parents by my side, i approach the beginning of the aisle as heads turned to look. i took a big gulp and placed one foot in front of the other, making sure not to trip.

we walked as everyone watched. i tried not making eye contact with anyone, but from my peripheral vision i could see aunts and grandmas sniffing into handkerchiefs.

all i thought was why are they crying? they barely even know me.

with a few more steps, i was at the alter. mum kissed my cheek and dad patted my back before walking to their designated seats. i eyed the wedding officiant, and he seemed to know my pain like hes been through this plenty of times in his career.

i watched as everyone stood, and the big wooden doors opened. it was like a movie really. a huge beam of light coming through the doors and out comes her. stunning as always but not what i wanted.

i put on a nice smile and act like i want to do this. that i want to be here. i watch her in her extravagant white gown and think please trip, please trip. do something that will make you not want to do this, please.

but she makes it all the way to me. she doesnt look at me once, but more at her bridesmaids. the girls that she considers her bestfriends but are the people she tries to one-up and the people who envy her.

as rehearsed, she stands in her place across from me and gives her bouquet to cindy. she takes my hands, clammy and sweaty, but she doesnt care. i look into her brown eyes and i mentally cringe. this cannot be happening right now.

the officiant starts talking long and slow, as if he wants me to suffer. taylor stands there, a big, bright smile on her face the whole time.

"now its time to exchange vows."

i take a gulp and let go of her hands. i turn to see calum with the vow i printed. the vow i got from weddingvowgenerator.com.

i read it aloud, but as if i were in the third grade, reading a paragraph from a textbook to the class. i see taylor and shes tearing up. i finish with the lie and give the paper back to cal. he looks at me with sorry eyes. im getting into deep shit. and he knows it.

she starts her vow, "i knew i had fallen in love with you when...". i tune her out and stare into space. my body is tense. my forehead is bloched with sweat. is this how all grooms feel on their wedding day? i think of all the events leading up to this moment. mum and dad telling me i should marry her. her parents saying i need to hurry and propose. it was all too fast. all too sudden.

she finishes and looks up at me. i look at her with a straight face. we're almost married. lastly, before the i do's, the officiant looks at the crowd and says, "if anyone has any objection against this holy sign of peace and matromony, speak now or forever hold your peace." 3 seconds of silence.

someone please object, someone please obj-

"i object!"