The Return of the Hunger Games [FALLEN ASHES] Book II

(22)

I sit in the room with the Bride and admire her from head to toe. She looks incredible. Perfect. So happy. Her smile is stunning.

Manara and Tau walk in, all ready and dressed up. Tau looks like he's about to burst in tears, just as he looked when he was doing her hair and makeup. He clasps his hands together. "Amazing! Absolutely amazing!" Tau says, giving her a hug.

Manara holds her hands after Tau finally lets go. "You are beyond a perfect bride." She says.

There's a knock at the door, and soon a servant enters the room.

"Sorry to interrupt, would the bride like a tea?" She asks.

"I would love some thank you." Rayla says, fixing the pearls on her neck.

"All the guests should be here by now and the wedding begins in 15 minutes. We should head out and find our seats." Manara says to Tau.

Once they leave, it's just us two again. Rayla smiles at me. "I love the color Blue on you." She says.

I smile at her. "I absolutely ADORE you in white." I stand up and walk to her. "Are you ready?" I ask.

She takes in a sharp breath. "Ready than I'll ever be."

There's another knock at the door and in comes Rayla's mother and Father who immediately stop at the door once they see her. Tears begin to spill from Rayla's mother. "I can't believe it. My baby girl just looks so, brilliant!" She exclaims, rushing towards her. Rayla's father gives me a hug and then goes to her. In comes the servant with Rayla's tea and sets it down on the table next to me. I decide to take a small gulp, I haven't eaten or drinken anything since yesterday because It's all been crazy and hectic.

Rayla walks towards the tea and sits down before she drinks it.

"Trey looks so handsome!" Rayla's mother says. "He looks so happy." She adds on.

I wonder if he's faking it, or if its really happiness.

"Are Effie and Haymitch here yet?" I ask.

"Ah yes, they arrived a few minuets ago. Effie looks well and very elegant, so does Haymitch." Rayla's father says.

"Can't wait to see that." Rayla says, taking another sip of her tea.

We have small conversations before Rayla's parents have to position themselves.

Rayla finishes her tea and just sits there, emotionless.

"No, no, no dont do that. Don't cry! This is suppose to be the best day of your life." I kneel down infront of her and hold her hand.

"But is it the best day of your life? Seeing me with Trey? Us getting married?" She says.

I hold my breath. My feelings shouldn't matter, they obviously never did to him. I know I shouldn't make excuses towards Rayla but I can't help it. She is my best friend and I guess its just too difficult on me to blame her for everything thats happened. Maybe it's easier to blame Trey because, maybe I dont love him as much as I thought. "I have been perfectly happy for these past few days helping with the wedding, because its YOUR wedding, because its YOUR special day. Because I want YOU to be happy." I say.

She smiles, and I give her one last hug. The servant knocks on the door and informs us that the wedding will begin soon, and how we should position ourselves. The servant takes the empty cup and walks out.

"Again, you ready?" I ask.

She smiles so incredibly again, and we walk out the door, down the hallway and find ourselves outside of the room where the ceremony will take place. Trey's cousin, Raymond, is his best man. He's about 18 years old, looks more like Gale. I stand next to him and turn to see Rayla next to her Father.