365 Reasons

Chapter One

I remember in the 3rd grade when I met him. He had these gorgeous blue-green eyes, which he obviously still has today. My friends and I would always fascinate over him. Thinking maybe one day we would be the lucky girl that would marry Josiah Parker. The first time he talked to me, we were playing outside at recess in May, he brought me a dandelion with this adorable smile on his face. That was the start of our friendship. From that day on, we vowed to be best friends forever.

We left the friend zone freshman year of high school. We went to every dance together all throughout our high school careers. Our years together were perfect, for the most part. We had our occasional fights, of course. Mostly ones that involved him being with his friends and lying about it or me not spending enough time with him. He was my high school sweetheart. We really thought we would be together forever. We even won cutest couple and won most likely to be together forever in our senior class yearbook. When we started looking for schools to go to, I went simple and chose NYU for business and fashion merchandising, not wanting to leave home and hoping Josiah would also choose a school here in New York City. I was crushed when he told me that he decided on going to Boston University for medicine. But being very selfish, there was a part of me who was praying he wouldn't get in knowing if he moved to Boston, he would never come back. He would forget about me. He would forget about us and the memories we have had together since we were 8, the good and the bad. When he told me he got accepted into Boston U I was so upset. I stayed in my room and cried for days. The boy I thought would be with me forever, who promised me forever was leaving me. Just like that, we graduated and the last four years of our lives were over. He said he figured it was a good idea if we went our separate ways and saw other people.

I knew he would never come back to New York. He would forget everything here along with everyone. I cried for months because he didn't call or text me. I was so upset. This man that I had loved so much with all my heart was gone, forever. I finally decided that I needed to move on. I can't pretend like he's not going to fall in love with some perfect, pretty, pre-med student. I came to the conclusion that he's going to forget about me. I went into a typical college girl phase after this. I started going out every night. Partying like there was no tomorrow. I found myself always at some frat party waking up next to some random guy the next morning. I did this for months. I finally woke up and realized that wasn't who I was. I was here for one reason, and one reason only. School. Don't get me wrong, I went out on my 21st birthday with a few friends, but that was about it. I decided that it was time to focus on my school work so I can finally be done with school. My parents weren't paying all that money for no reason.

So that's exactly what I did. I finally graduated college in business and fashion merchandising. I'm now 22 years old. I only graduated a few months ago. I'm working at a wedding dress store. I design some of the dresses and tuxes for stupid couples who've found the love of their lives. My boss is irritating, always yelling about everything. Complaining about the couples that come in. Oh my gosh, my boss is me in 20 years. That's a horrifying image.

"Spencer, you're late...again. Let this happen one more time this week and I will not have a problem firing you." I told you she was a bitch. "I'm so sorry Shauna, I promise it won't happen again. I've just been having some rough mornings lately." I replied with a little sass and a lot of lying. To be honest, I just don't want to come to work. It's boring and it's not what I went to school for. I want to own my own shop selling clothes and wedding dresses that I designed. I just need some money for that, which I don't have because I'm broke.

The store has been open for about 45 minutes and there is a ridiculous amount of people here. I don't understand why because wedding season ended last month, in August. I hate couples. There is this girl here with I'm guessing her bridesmaids and she's also with two men. I wonder which one she will be marrying. Probably both, she looks like she could be from Utah. "Hey Spencer, your clients just walked in." My coworker Annabelle points to the girl I was just talking smack about in my head. Of course, they're my clients. Time to put on my fake happy voice and pretend like I actually enjoy this place.  Oh my gosh. No way. It's not. There's no way that's him. It is, oh yeah that's definitely him. It's Josiah. Oh of course. Of course he's marrying her. She's perfect and so is he. Maybe he won't recognize me, just don't make eye contact. "Spencer?!" Oh no he knows. "Oh my gosh. Josiah? I didn't even recognize you." Way to play it cool, Spencer. Get it together girl. "How have you been? You look great, as usual" stop flirting with me pig, you're getting married. "Oh, thanks. Same with you! I've been great. Ya know, went to school work here now. How have you been?" "I've been pretty good. Still in school, 4 more years of med school which kind of sucks." He's so hot. Look at him. Look at those muscles. Those eyes. That body. How does he still look this hot. "Oh wow that must really suck. I would die if I still had 4 more years." I said. "Oh trust me, I am!" he replied.

"Okay everyone, my name is Spencer Lopes. I will be helping you all with this exciting journey! I'm also a dress designer so if you don't see anything that you like, I can always make it for you! I did go to school for design. I want to make this a fun and enjoyable experience for everyone! Now, which one of you are the groom and bride?" "I'm the bride! My name is Alyssa Hannington, and these are my bridesmaids. Emma, Lauren, Jessie, Emily, and Blair is my maid of honor. We have been best friends since we were 5!" She said. Wow she's so pretty. She has gorgeous long brown hair, gorgeous green eyes, and supermodel long legs. "and, this is my fiancé, Jake Corth and that's his best man, Josiah. The other men are still in Boston and couldn't make it today. If we can make an appointment to come back with everyone within the next couple of weeks that would be really great!" Said Alyssa. This means that Josiah isn't getting married. For all I know he could be single. This is the best day of my life. "Okay, nice to meet all of you and yes we can totally come up with another appointment that accommodates to everyone's schedules. I'm going to start with the men first since there is only two of them. I will be back in a few minutes with the men and then I will come grab you ladies after. Feel free to browse the floor while you wait. There is champagne and water that you can sip on." I said.

The men followed me to where we keep all of the tuxedos. As I was guiding them, we all small talked about life. Jake was telling me what he went to college for and how he met his bride to be. I couldn't help but glance at Josiah every once in a while as we walked upstairs. After we got up there and they were looking around, I just sat and waited for them. When Jake was on the other side of the room, Josiah came up to me and started talking to me. "I've really missed you Spencer." I was daydreaming about what it would be like if this was us looking for a dress and tux for our wedding, not realizing he was talking to me. "I'm sorry, what did you just say?" "Nothing important. I better go look for some more tuxes before Jake notices that I'm gone and gets mad at me." I smile and say "yeah, okay. You should probably go!" Damn. I blew my chance.

"Okay men, have you found some tuxes yet?" I ask because they are taking longer than most of my brides. "Yes we have." Says Josiah. "Awesome. I will show you guys to the dressing rooms. Annabelle and Jones will be right around the corner if you need anything. Just ring the bell in your dressing room and one of them will come assist you." They follow me to the dressing rooms. It's a little awkward because I can tell that Josiah wants to talk to me. The men try on the first few tuxedos and the woman are in awe, they are making comments about how handsome they look. While they do this I went to the break-room and finally breathe. I cannot believe he walked into my shop today. I genuinely never thought I would see this man again. Okay, Spencer, breath. You have got to act professional.

When I came back out, the men decided to keep a few options for the other grooms men to see when they come. The bride and her entourage looked around the store to find the perfect dress. She found a couple of options  and tried them on in the dressing room. Every single dress looked perfect on her. I brought back a couple more options for her to try on. She finally decided on a gorgeous mermaid gown. I've been waiting weeks for someone to buy it. It's my favorite gown in the store. The bridesmaids all pick out a couple of options and finally all decided on a gorgeous navy dress. The bride told the girls they could pick whatever style they want. I love this trend, it makes all the girls feel comfortable in a dress rather than picking one dress that only fits some of their body types.

"I will get these dresses ordered for you ladies. I will give you a call when the are in and you can make an appointment to try them on and we will also see if anything needs hemmed during this appointment. Sound good, ladies? Men, your appointment will be in 6 weeks. Make sure you don't forget to bring the other groomsmen." I say with a smile on my face. As they all say their goodbyes to me and thank me for all the help, Josiah comes up to me after everyone has already walked out. "So Spencer, I was wondering if you wanted to meet up later tonight? Maybe when you get off work, at a restaurant or something, just to catch up." I can't believe he just asked me out. "Yes, of course. I would love to catch up with you, Josiah. I get off at 7. Where would you like to meet?" "How about Ristorante Italiano? I can pick you up at 8?" He says. "Yeah, that works! I will give you my phone number and address." He leaves the store. He's taking me to the restaurant we went to on our very first date. A smile was on my face the rest of the day. Maybe we are making a way back into each other's lives. I never thought that this would ever happen.