Behind The Uniform

The Leaves That Fall

"And you may kiss the bride." The vicar said as everyone started to clap. Teal jumped up first and kissed her husband to his surprise. She jumped back down and took his hand, holding it up in the air. She looked so happy. My mother was smiling holding a bouquet of flowers that she passed to Teal as they came past. 

"You look lovely." I heard my mother whisper as I was only in the first aisle. The suit I was wearing felt tight and hot but I had endured it for the last few hours, I was sure that I could endure it for five minute more. The wedding was almost over but the wedding reception was tonight, I was definitely going to change. 

Annabelle was on the other side of me looking slightly bored. Ross was looking at Brynn. Brynn didn't seem to be noticing her staring. Instead she was entranced by Teal's dress.

Once Teal was outside and the church bells began to ring. The people in the pews all began to trail out, leaving discarded pamphlets in their wake and kicking through the confetti that had landed on the floor. Ross and Brynn headed out as well talking to each other. One of Teal's relatives had wheeled my mum sometime when  everyone had left. 

"Annabelle aren't you coming?" I asked walking to the end of the pew. Annabelle had her eyes closed and her hands were gripped on the wooden edge of the pew.

"Yes." She said calmly letting her hands off and opening her eyes. There were tears in them.

"What were you doing?" I asked.

"Thinking about Megan. I've never been a religious person but churches and places of worship. They remind me of the dead." She said walking into the middle of the church.

"I never went to church either. They don't mean much to me but you can't forgot that for some they are happy places. Churches have seen weddings, baptisms, services with old people singing their frail voices out and communions." I counteracted.

Annabelle just smiled as I came to stand next to her. She turned towards me and there was no-one in the church. It was quiet. She looked so pretty underneath the sunlight that was streaming through the stained glass windows. The rest of the church seemed dull.

I reached my hand out and cupped her cheek. Annabelle blinked but she didn't move away. I began to reach across, wanting to kiss. She was looking at me, her eyes wide like she was surprised but she still didn't move away. I felt confident, I wanted to kiss her.

"Jamie!" I heard Ross's voice call as he came back into the church. 

I pulled away exchanging a glance with Annabelle. She was looking at me but we still didn't say anything. I just shook my head and walked over to Ross who was standing at the church entrance. I didn't want to look back.

Outside Teal was standing with her husband as the camera flashed constantly as relatives all tried to pry in, to get their pictures taken. My mother had been placed by some graves where lilies grew in between them. There were some growing near the wheel of my mother's wheelchair.

Ross tapped me on the shoulder. "What were you doing in there?" He pointed inside the church where Annabelle still hadn't come out.

"Just talking. I haven't seen her for a while. Since school is taking over our lives. I'm so glad half term's here, what about you?" I said trying to change the subject.

"Just talking, of course." Ross mumbled.

"We were Ross. Nothing's going on." I lied. 

"Jamie, you really like her, don't you?" Ross nudged me and I couldn't help but let out a smile.

"You know I think I do. I've liked her for a long time." 

"I liked someone once but things didn't work out. Someone kind of got in the way." Ross said looking up at the sky.