Rhythm of Love

Chapter One

Do I really want to do this? Am I really about to do this? I feel like this decision could easily ruin my life by causing major problems. A big hiccup in the universe. Do I want to? I mean I did say yes, so I should go through with it right? Maybe I should have said no. That would have made my life over one-thousand times easier. I'd still be in Florida if I had said no. I miss that beautiful state. But I said yes, so no turning back.

I smile the best fake smile I can possibly muster to my closest friends who are surrounding me. I'm answering them as politely as I can and laugh along when I need to, but on the inside I know I've made a mistake. I don't know what I'm going to do. They're all staring at me, did someone ask a question? Oh, no. I should have taken my anxiety medicine this morning. Maybe that's why I'm thinking all of this.

"Scarlett?" I know that voice from anywhere. I physically cringe before turning around. I don't want this. I don't want to see him. Why did he even get invited? Why is he even here?

"Yes?" I say as I turn around to face him. He looks good. It's been four years since I've seen him, and yet he still got invited. I don't even know who invited him.

We lock eyes for a few minutes before he smirks and looks me up and down. I feel my cheeks getting hot. I'm not sure if it's from embarrassment or sudden anger, but I do not like it. I don't like why he's here.

"It's been a while," he says while smiling. Who let him in here? I don't like that he's seeing me like this. I hate it, actually. I want him to go away, and yet I can't find the nerve to tell him to. Or at least not yet.

"Four years." I say as coldly as possible. I want to take it back. No one in this room except for him and I know what happened. They all assumed we're still friends. Maybe they'll think where it's just stress. I don't want to start anything with him. Not right now.

"I know. I remember that day quite well, don't you?" He came to pick a fight. He's staring at me with his eyes boring into me like a laser. I'm clenching my fists and I know everyone can feel the tension. He has his hands casually in the pockets of his jacket. I don't want him here anymore.

"Get out."

He smirks again. I guess he still knows me well enough. I haven't changed too much in four years. "Only if we can meet up sometime tomorrow." Is he insane? I don't have time for him or meeting up tomorrow. I'm too busy planning my own wedding and getting everything ready. I only have two weeks until I'll be walking down the aisle, feeling as anxious as ever.

"I'm not leaving until you say yes, Scarlett." He really won't leave. I don't have time for this, but I want him to leave. I need to make a decision right now.

"I'll give you two hours, Allan. Meet me at the park at 3:00. We can talk there. Now please just go away." I'm holding back tears at this point. He's the last person I wanted to see at this mini rehearsal and four years too late. And I'm going to tell him that tomorrow.

"Thank you. It was good seeing you." He says before walking off. I hate this so much. And I need my anxiety medicine. Right now.

"Okay, ladies, thank you for coming to help set this place up! But I feel exhausted and I'm sure most of you all do as well since we've been here for over eight hours trying to fix the place up and rehearsing a few things. Thank you and I can't wait for the actual rehearsal on the 26th!"

I make sure that I'm the last person out of the run down building. Jason and I bought it to fix it up as our first house after the wedding. It's an old barn, but it's huge. Definitely enough space for a few bedrooms. The only things we have in here are stuff for the wedding and a heater. It's the middle of January in Virginia, so it gets really cold and heaters are a necessity.

I look around the building one last time to look at the progress we've made. We didn't make much progress which scares me a little, but I'm sure I can get the rest of it done on my own since I took a month of vacation for this and the honeymoon.

After a few moments I decide to turn off the lights and heater and close the door, not forgetting to lock it. I walk towards my car and drive home, careful to watch out for black ice on the roads.

Once I'm in my small apartment I decide to take some anxiety medication and go to bed. I'll take a shower in the morning before I leave to meet up with Allan. Right now I just need some peaceful rest after such a stressful day.