Ecstasy

Chapter 1

- Third person • Alyssa focus -

Alyssa stood proudly in the line of bridesmaids for her cousin, Cecilia's wedding. They weren't blood relatives, but they grew up together, held each other very close, and made a promise when they were 8 years old to be at each other's wedding. She watched Cecilia pick her dress, helped with planning everything involving the bridesmaids from the bachelorette to the colour of the dresses they had to wear — which was a soft plum. So here Alyssa was, watching one of her best friends marry the love of her life. She couldn't have been happier for the two.

She didn't notice the woman behind the camera at first, too wrapped up in smiling and posing for the pictures. But when she was stood off to the side for the bride and grooms first dance, ignoring the eyes of a curly haired person with blue hair, her gaze landed on the photographer. She watched, tilting her head at the camera that looked twice her size, taking note of how her hair fell from her shoulders every time she shuffled to change the angle. Alyssa decided she had to get to know this woman before the night was over.

By the time the bouquet toss was over, all she could think about was how she was going to get this mysterious woman's attention. Alyssa had no intention of just going up to her at first, but after a couple glasses of champagne and the wines served with dinner, she decided to go up to her. The alcohol making her more confident and bolder than normal. Alyssa approached the woman behind the camera, taking in her soft features in the dim lighting of the reception hall. She wasn't going to let this chance slip through her fingers. Her cheeks were flushed pink when she took the spot next to her, either due to the alcohol or the nerves. She couldn't tell the difference.

"Have you uh.. have you gotten good pictures so far?" Alyssa asked, glancing at the camera that stood on a tripod in front of the other woman. It felt much bigger up close, and she wondered how someone who looked just barely taller than herself carried such heavy equipment.

The woman looked at Alyssa and smiled, and Alyssa felt as if she were going to melt. How could anybody have such a warm smile? She was beautiful, too. Big brown eyes and long straight dark hair. A complete contrast to Alyssa and her erratic red hair and pale complexion. She was smitten and she didn't even know the others name.

"Of course I have, what would I be paid for if I didn't?" She giggled at her own joke, before speaking up again. "You're Alyssa, right? I heard your speech, you and the bride seem very close." The woman hummed. Her voice was soft, coated in sugar, and carried a slight accent Alyssa didn't mind.

Alyssa giggled and nodded, her eyes creasing as she smiled. "Indeed I am, but I don't know your name, even though I've seen you around all evening."

"I'm Evangeline, Eva for short. It's a pleasure to meet you." Evangeline said, glancing around the reception hall before offering to shake hands. They shook hands, maintaining eye contact as they took in each other's features in the dark setting. The freckles that dotted Evangeline's face and the eye bags that were evidence she didn't get much sleep. Evangeline took note of Alyssa's soft blue eyes, they contrasted the rest of her features — especially her wine red hair. The rest of her seemed to carry confidence, from the way she held her head up to her firm handshake. They separated, and Eva turned back to the screen of her camera.

"A pleasure to meet you too, Evangeline. That's a pretty name." Alyssa said, moving to clasp her hands behind her back.

"Thank you, Alyssa." Eva gave her a smile, letting silence fall over the pair before speaking up again.

"What drew you to me?"

Alyssa sat in silence for a few seconds, before shrugging. "New face, I know almost everyone here — or they know me. It's nice to be able to talk to someone without them breathing down my neck about what I do."

Eva furrowed her brows. "What do you mean?"

"Like- relatives or in general people who recognize me from whatever. It gets tiring talking about the same thing over and over again with the same people." Alyssa hummed, turning her gaze to the mellowed crowd.

"Oh, okay. That makes sense." Eva mumbled, glancing over at the redhead. "Your eyes are pretty."

Alyssa blinked, her blush blooming across her face, spreading to the tips of her ears, and down her neck. She was grateful the venue was as dark as it is, and prayed that her horrible flush wasn't noticeable.

"You think so? Thank you." Alyssa finally said, looking back at her. "So are yours."

Eva merely giggled at the compliment, muttering back a thank you. She turned her attention to taking a few pictures of the guests and their festivities, and Alyssa just watched in awe. She almost envied how comfortable Evangeline seemed over this whole ordeal. Eva felt the redheads eyes on her, her face warm under the watchful gaze, but her concentration never dared to break just because a stranger was watching her. The two fell under a blissful silence, and eventually breaking off to mingle with others for a while.

The party was coming to a close, and Alyssa drunkenly stumbled through the thinning crowd, in search for Evangeline. She searched every corner of the damned open space, top to bottom, but still couldn't find the woman she wanted to so desperately connect with. She decided to check the few backrooms where they let important people set up after having an unsuccessful bathroom search. She checked the one where Cecilia changed, frowning when it was empty, before looking in the room next to it. She twisted the door handle, opening the door and was met with a familiar black haired girl, and a heavy scent of vanilla coconut perfume. It was addicting as soon as it filled her senses. Eva turned as soon as she heard the door open, locking eyes with the woman who seemed too wasted to know what she was doing, and merely smiled.

"Are you stalking me, 'lyssa?" Evangeline asked, raising a brow as she slid her camera bag on her shoulders. The question was obviously a joke, but she watched Alyssa wordlessly stumble to stand in front of her.

"You- you carry all of that heavy shit?" Alyssa mumbled, furrowing her brows.

"I mean, I don't have any other choice." Eva shrugged.

"Oh."

Eva dug into her skirt pocket, fishing out her phone and checking the time. "I think we should go." Eva said, looking back up at the woman stood before her and tilting her head.

"Wait- wait," Alyssa started, gathering her thoughts the best she could before speaking again. "Can I get your number?" She asked, mirroring Eva's head tilt.

Eva blinked, before grinning. "Yeah, of course."

Alyssa smiled, before going into her purse and unlocking her phone, handing it to Eva on the add contact screen. She watched as Eva put in her information, before handing it back.

"I'll message you?" Alyssa said, it sounded more like a question than a statement, but she didn't care. She was glad to be able to have this moment at all.

Eva nodded, and left the room with a shared goodbye. Alyssa giggled to herself and went to message her best friend about this.