The Story of E & A

12 YITF, Chapter 12: Back to the Past Pt. 3

Drew POV -

16 days until wedding

We decided our wedding day would be June 25th. It was after graduation (June 18th) but before we had to go away to college to prepare for the season with our teams (July 6th).

It was going to be a strict timetable, and we wouldn't get a honeymoon. But I couldn't have asked for more.

Mamá was mostly against this, but when she realized that she couldn't talk me out of it, she had been completely infatuated with me having a giant Spanish wedding. Ev's mom Emma jumped on the crazy train with her once Mamá showed us her ideas. Sitting in my living room with our mom's, Ev and I tried to keep them from throwing a royal wedding.

"Por favor mijo? Just a little bigger?"

"Mamá," I sighed, running a hand over my face, "This guest list is almost fifty people long! We said small. Fifty people is not small! I don't even know half these people! Why do we need to invite Ev's second cousin's husband? I don't even know la esposa del padre de mi tio!" (My uncles dad's wife)

"And how are we going to afford this?" Ev added. We were paying for everything and we didn't want anything crazy. But we had to be extra careful and the majority of the money was supposed to be spent on the officiant.

Emma inclined her head and gently began, "You could ask your father-"

"You know what he thinks. I'm not asking that man for a penny." Ev stated coldly.

He and his dad had gotten into it a week before and I hadn't seen him like that in a long time. Maybe never.

His dad said things about me, Ev, our relationship, our lives. I wasn't there, but from what Ev said, it was bad. Like, they might not speak for a few months if not years. I don't remember seeing Ev cry in our friendship or our relationship it was scary. And weird.

I didn't really know what to do. In the end I just hugged him while he talked about what happened. It was a long night but I don't regret anything. It did make me realize just how much we would miss out on because we would be apart for the first year of our marriage. But we would be fine. We had one week before graduation and sixteen days before the wedding. We would be fine. Right?

9 days until wedding

Graduation was great. People cried, long boring speeches were given and I accepted my diploma to loud cheers from friends and family. Two hours after we graduated and the field was emptied I sat in the top of the stands looking out at the field thinking about everything.

Ev sat beside and looked over the field. I hadn't heard him come up, but now seemed like a good time to give him it.

"I got you something." I told him, digging  through my pockets. I pulled out a gold band with swirling details on it out of my pocket. It was a little nicer than my band but it was very generic.

"I didn't have enough time to personalize it, but maybe for our anniversary we'll get new ones that are matching." I explained as I slipped the ring on his finger.

"You didn't have to do this."

"I know. I wanted to. I just can't believe that we're going to be married in nine days."

"It's crazy. I feel like we just got together. Like we just started high school. It's wild that we're adults now and we're going to be married."

I began to fidget with my ring, a habit I was quickly developing, and decided to ask the question that was on my mind.

"Are you upset that we're not going to get to see each other? In a year we might see each other for two, maybe three weeks all together. We could go two months without seeing eachother. I know we were going to try to make it work when we were just dating, but doesn't this feel...I don't know. Like it isn't going to work out?"

He moved from his seat and got in front of me taking my hands. "Are you getting cold feet? Cause it sounds like you don't want to do this anymore."

"I'm not getting cold feet I'm just nervous about the future."

"It's just graduation. Brings out a can of emotional worms that's hard to put back. I promise in a few days you'll feel fine."

I nodded but knew it wasn't true. I was getting cold feet. I didn't want to break up. But maybe marriage wasn't a good idea. Maybe we were rushing things.

Ev POV

4 days until wedding

Drew was acting diffrent. But I put it off as wedding jitters. We had four days left to make sure everything was set but I felt like every five seconds something else needed to be done. I had barely slept and was at the end of my rope the night before the rehearsal dinner.

I was bored and decided to go to Drew's house.

"I'm going to Drew's," I told my mom who was in the living room, "I probably won't be back until tomorrow morning but I'll be back early enough to head to the church together."

"No! You can't go over there!" Lily exclaimed.

"Why not?"

"The groom can't see the bride until the ceremony! It's bad luck."

"Drew is not a bride, this is just the rehearsal dinner, and I think we'll be fine."

She scoffed and asked, "This is a practice so it's pretty much the same thing! Do you want to jinx the rest of your marriage?"

I wasn't superstitious, but I did need the sleep. And maybe Drew would sleep off the rest of the wedding jitters he had gotten.

"You know, I could use some sleep..."

"Yeah lover boy. Go upstairs and don't talk to your groom." Lily pushed me up the stairs.

I hated the nickname lover boy but Lily was giving good advice so tonight it was fine.

I called Drew but it went to voicemail. He texted me he couldn't talk and goodnight but it was weird. Brushed it off like I had so many things. I was still excited for the day ahead.

Ev POV

1 days until wedding

I wish I could say the rehearsal dinner had gone great but it was the complete opposite. During the practice ceremony, Drew's abuelita objected. She was old, catholic, and very traditional so I was expecting something like this but it was still hard to see. And hear.

Dad made a last ditch effort to keep us from making 'A mistake that could mess up the rest of our lives'. Drew handled it but looked sickly as his brother gave his speech and Lily followed.

After the applause ended he stood and practically ran from the room. I found him hurling his guts out. When he stopped, he stood and ignored me while he washed his mouth.

"Want to tell me what happened?" I questioned.

"Nothing happened. Let's just go back out."

"You don't  throw up for no reason. Is something bothering you?"

"Our wedding is cursed! That's what's bothering me!" He exploded. I was stunned to silence and he walked out without saying a word.

Thats why the night before the wedding I wasn't surprised to find this note on my bed.

Ev, we can't do this. We can't get married.

I love you and I know you love me, but maybe everyone was right. Maybe it's too soon to make a decision this big.

By the time you read this I'll probably be on a plane to San Diego. I decided to leave early so you could have time to get through this without the constant reminder of me being around.

I hope you'll understand my decision and maybe we'll get back together again in a year or two.

But until then I love you and I wish you the best,

Andrew Jose Garcia Caviero

P.S. I'm sorry I took the ring. I didn't have the heart to leave it behind.

Now we know where all there problems came from. This was honestly my favorite chapter in the story. What's your favorite chapter so far? See you next week - Naomi