What Makes You Beautiful

You are not My Date

28th March

9.15 a.m.

Rachel took a deep breath. She had borrowed a lilac dress from Dorothy. It had nice sequined patterns around the hem of the dress, and it fell slightly below her knees.

She did not know what she was doing there. She woke up yesterday morning and decided to come to the wedding after all. What made her change her mind-she didn't know.

She showed the invitation card at the door, and walked into the Carter's beautifully tended garden.

There were blue and white drapes everywhere. Rows and rows of chairs had been set up, and everything looked very fairytale-ish. The wedding cake sat on a table in the far end, with a bottle of champagne and a silver knife. She stood staring at the intricate patterns on the cake.

"Beautiful isn't it?"

She looked up in surprise and found Flynn looking at her. He was looking so heart wrenchingly handsome in the tux, that for once she thought that coming at the wedding had not been a waste.

"Yes it is," she replied. "I brought this." She handed him a present wrapped in silver wrapping paper.

"You look beautiful," he said.

"Thanks. You don't look bad yourself."

They walked side by side, when a girl sauntered towards them and looped her arm through Flynn's.

"Umm.Rachel? This is Belle. My date," he said.

Rachel's throat constricted. She gulped and tried to ignore the feeling of emptiness suddenly threatening to take over her senses. Belle had pretty blue eyes, and she looked like some Greek beauty. She had flawless, milky white skin.

"Hi," Rachel croaked out. Her eyes were beginning to sting.

What did she think? She would just change her mind and decide to walk into the wedding and get Flynn to herself? Well, of course not. She was the one who had told him that she didn't want to be his date. He had every right to get another date.

"Excuse me," she said and walked away from the pair. Flynn's eyes followed her and never left her.

The wedding song played, and all the guests took their seats. Flynn's mother spotted Rachel and her eyes grew so huge they looked like they would pop out any moment.

She glared at Rachel, and Rachel avoided any seats near her, and took one in the last row. Flynn was seated with the Greek diva, and they were holding hands.

The bride was escorted by her father. She looked absolutely stunning. The hem of her dress swished around her ankles as she smiled at everyone and walked through the crowd. Rachel was smiling all along.

When they had finally exchanged vows and kissed, the whole place exploded in shouts of joy. Bouquets were thrown; young maidens flocked around to get the bride's bouquet. Children played Tag and the adults were busy congratulating the newly wedded couple.

It was finally time for the bride and groom to make a speech.

Cassidy clinked a spoon to her glass, and called for everyone's attention.

"Thank you for your attention," she began. "The past few weeks have been a roller coaster ride for me. I wanted everything to be perfect, hence all the fussing around. I am so sorry Mom, Dad, Flynn, for making all of you work and shop with me. I am so glad of the outcome. This is forever going to be one of the best days of my life. Thank you everyone for joining us on this happy occasion. And Gavin's Mom and Dad, I am so pleased to finally be able to call you my Mom and Dad!" Gavin's parents smiled fondly at their daughter-in-law.