Close As Strangers~L.H.

Chapter 48

*The morning of the wedding, Luke's POV:*
"Are you alright, Luke?" Dad asks, clapping me on the back
"Yeah," I say, playing with my cereal, "just nervous."
"That's perfectly normal. Have you talked to your brothers today?"
I look over at him and shake my head.
"I'm scared to."
"Why?"
"Because I picked Michael to be the best man instead of one of them." I say, bouncing my leg
"That's nothing to get upset over. You and Michael have been friends for years."
"Yeah but they have known me since the day I was born."
"So?"
"So I feel like I'm obligated to choose one of them."
"That isn't true. Besides, it's a little too late to change your mind."
"I guess it is." I say, bouncing my leg faster
"Honey," Mom says, coming into the dining room, "you're pale as a ghost. Are you alright?"
"I guess. I'm just really nervous."
"Why don't you go do something to get your mind off of things after you eat? You don't have to be there until one o'clock."
I consider what she says.
"Okay...I will."
I finish eating and go to Michael's apartment. I can't go to Ashton's because of course, Mary is there and Calum practically lives at Michaels place anyway.
*
"Hey Luke," Calum says as he opens the door, "Michael! Luke is here! You nervous?"
"Very."
"It's a big day."
"Can I ask you something? Hey Michael." I say as he enters the room
"Sure."
"Okay, so I don't have any vows written or planned or anything."
"So you're going to wing it?"
"Not really. I just thought I would speak from the heart. Tell her everything I've ever wanted to tell her. Would that be okay?"
"Sure," Michael scoffs, "Just don't let her ever find out."
"I'm just not good at writing things down. You guys have seen it."
"Yeah," Calum says, "you try writing a song and before you know it, you're singing about how much you love fruit snacks."
"Not really but yeah, that's how it feels."
"I think that would be okay."
"Yeah, me too."
"Okay, that's enough about the wedding. I'm getting so nervous I feel like I'm about to explode. I came here to get my mind off of my nerves."
"Okay..." Calum says
"What do we talk about."
"I don't know," I say, shrugging, "let's talk about Calum."
"Me?"
"You. You hardly ever talk about yourself."
"I don't find anything interesting about myself."
"Okay...that day you came to my house."
"What about it?"
"You know Sarah, right?"
"Yes. The girl who was so passionate about cake. And Mary's friend."
"Yeah. You should talk to her."
"Yeah, you should."
"I don't know..." he says, "I just get so nervous around girls. Especially pretty ones."
"Just, talk to her like you talk to Mary."
"But I don't talk to Mary that much."
"Why not?"
"Because she makes me nervous."
"Just don't think about how pretty she is."
"Then I'll just think about how pretty she is by trying to to not think about how pretty she is."
"All I'm saying is, I think you guys would make a good couple."
"I agree," Michael says, "besides, you deserve to have a girlfriend."
"No. I'm fine right now."
"Come on, you have to think about it sometimes, I know I do. Luke is getting married and I'm just here."
"Wait, what about Audrey?" I ask
He rubs his hands on his jeans and looks at the floor.
"She- she thought we should see other people."
"Oh man..."
"I'm sorry."
"No, it's fine," he says, getting up, "enough about that. We've got a wedding to get ready for."
*
"God I'm so nervous." I mumble, tugging at the sleeve of my suit
"Luke the wedding starts in an hour and I can't-"
"Is Mary not here? Oh no, she got cold feet. She doesn't want to marry me."
"No, she's been here for ours. It's Ashton I can't find."
"He should be here."
"He isn't."
"Mom, he said he'd be here."
"No one can get ahold of him."
"Ok," I sigh, rubbing my eyes, "let me go try to find him."
"You have to be back in time."
"I will be."
I walk out to my car, tuxedo and all, and go look for Ashton.
I check everywhere. My house, Michael's apartment, everywhere. Of course I'm an idiot and don't go to his house first.
He's sitting there on the steps in his tuxedo, looking down at the ground.
"I can't do it," he mumbles, not even looking up at me, "I can't give her away."
I sit down next to him.
"I understand Ash."
"No, you don't. She's my only sister and I love her with all my heart. I want to protect her and I can't stand the thought of her getting hurt."
"I won't hurt her, I promise."
"That's what you said last time."
"I was stupid last time. I'm different now."
"Please promise me you'll take care of her."
"I will...I promise."
He looks over at me and shakes his head.
"I just...I can't stand the thought of letting her go. She's grown up so much and her getting married means she's growing up even more."
"Ashton, it's just a part of life. People grow up, they get married. Besides, it's not like you're never going to see us. We're literally going to live ten minutes away."
"I guess you're right," he says, standing up, "come on, we've got a wedding waiting on us."
We get back in time but I'm rushed down the aisle to the front. I stand on the right and Michael is closest to me. Then there's Calum, Jack and Ben.
I stand there for what feels like forever. There aren't that many people here, but it's enough to make me nervous on top of the fact I'm getting married today.
Eventually the music starts playing and everyone stands up. The bridesmaids walk in and I realize what's about to happen. Stacey winks at me, Sarah smiles at me and so does Audrey.
I'm about to marry the love of my life and she's about to walk through those doors. I see Ashton's shoulder, my stomach drops to the floor and then my eyes instantly go to her.
She's absolutely breath taking. I just...the word beautiful doesn't even do her justice. My hand goes up to my mouth and my eyes start to water.
'Don't cry. Not right now.'
Ashton hands her over to me and takes his place beside Michael.
This is it. This is the moment I've been waiting for.