Weddings Bring Everyone Together

Chapter 1

I sighed in relief at the work I had done today. My kitchen was completely painted a sunset orange. The cabinets were white with silver hardware. My granite countertops were set in place and I finally had new appliances.

The work men did a good job and I paid them a goodbye two hours ago. My paint brush was done being used and I could finally take off the blue tape that was protecting the original crown molding.

I wiped my hands on my old jeans and put the lid back on the paint can. Sweat covered my forehead and stray hairs were flying out of my pony tail. I furrowed my brow when I saw that the sun was already set outside. What time was it?

I checked my watch and practically jumped out of my tennis shoes. It was six til seven, which meant I was an hour late for Sophie's party. She's going to kill me!

I turned around and run out of the kitchen and upstairs to my room. I was stripping myself of my clothes as I went up and hopped into the shower as soon as possible. Luckily I had my outfit already picked out and laid out on the bed. I took the quickest shower I could and patted myself half dry. I threw on my undergarments and pulled my formal, yet casual dress on. My hair was blow dried into a disaster and the stupid waves wouldn't cooperate so I pinned half of it back. My makeup was quick, simple, and natural looking. I grabbed my bag while slipping on my heels and jacket and was out the door so fast I didn't even have time to hang up my wet towel.

I jumped out of my car and ran as fast as I could in heels up the long driveway. Clumsy me tripped over a rather large rock and fell forward face first. I yelped but got back up as fast as I feel down. Taking a deep breath, I straightened out my dress and fixed my already messy hair. Slower this time, I sped walked up the driveway and to the front door of Sophie and Tom's place.

Inside the place was live with chatter. The front room was covered in coats and bags. I shed myself of my coat and wrapped it around my handbag before placing it on the couch.

I walked into the more open part of the home and was immediately greeted by Sophie's parents.

"Alexis! Oh it's so great to see you!" She gushed while squeezing me in a warm hug.

"Mrs. Ralf, its wonderful to see you as well." I smiled when we pulled away and hugged Mr. Ralf.

"Dear, how many times do we have to tell you, call us Darrel and Lauren," Sophie's dad said.

I smiled and walked past them to find Sophie, hoping she wouldn't be too mad. On my search I got stopped by Kathy, one of our close friends.

"Where the hell have you been! We've missed you!" She yelled and squeezed me so tight I thought she was going to burst my boobs.

"Uh Kathy, you know I love you but I can't breath right now."

"Oh sorry honey, its just you never hang out with us anymore! We miss you so much!" I smiled and told her the same. "Come with me, the other girls are conversing in the kitchen."

She grabbed my wrist and dragged my through the crowd of family and friends. I followed unwillingly until we reached the kitchen and the other girls flipped.

"Alexis Clearwater, get your ass over here so I can hug you!" Shania said.

I beamed as the girls all surrounded me and hugged me one by one, each giving me a piece of their mind for 'not being around anymore'.

After Sophie revealed her excitement to seeing me she pushed me away from her and frowned. "Where have you been young lady? You're half an hour late!"

"I know Soph and I'm so sorry, but I promise I'll make it up to you! I was so busy I got distracted and lost track of time. Forgive me?" She continued to give me a hard stare so I gave her a puppy dog look. "Pwease?"

"Alright, fine! You know I can't stand the puppy dog!"

"Yay!"

We all laughed and hugged - again. It was fun. It felt like the old days when you couldn't separate us. We chatted about our lives and caught up with each other. It felt nice to be with my four best friends again. It reminded me of home.

"Hey Lex, Tom is on the back porch grilling some burgers if you wanted to go see him."

"Alright, I'll do that."

I poured myself a cup of soda and left the girls to go talk to Tom, Sophie's boyfriend. Tom and I go way back. We haven't been friends since the first grade, nor have we been super close like Sophie and I have but we are good friends.

I through the open french doors and spotted Tom right away. He was flipping some burgers and whistling to an unknown tune. I set down my drink on a patio table and decided to sneak up behind him. The friend he was talking to (I think his name is Steven) saw me so I put my finger to my lips and crept up behind Tom. I got close enough to where I wouldn't touch him, but far enough away that there was a fist between us. I stood up a little straighter and put my lips close to his ear and whispered as loud as I could, "I'm back!"

Tom's body jumped and he flung the tongs he was using into the air. He whipped around and placed a hand at his racing heart when he saw it was me. "Jesus Christ Alexis! What the hell was that for?"

"Eh, no reason. I just like to annoy you."

He glared at me for a second but soon pulled me into a bone crushing hug. "How are you?"

I pulled him at an arms length away. "Well I'm great now that you grew some balls! I can't believe you finally asked her!"

"Shhh!" He shushed me. "Must you speak so loudly? You're the only one that knows and Sophie is bouncing with joy to tell everyone. Don't spoil it for her."

"Oh please, everyone out here is too idiotic to know what I'm talking about." I started to look around the porch at all of Tom's crazy friends and insane cousins. But there is one in particular that stood out. One that made my head stop dead in its tracks and my breath to go shallow. I couldn't think straight and I must have looked like a retarded fish with my mouth opening and closing. He was here?