City Of Dreams

One

Charlotte.

I step out into the streets of New York.

This place has changed me.

And it's changed me for the better.

A taller blonde girl steps out of the taxi behind me.

She sighs deeply.

"I love this city."

I nod in agreement.

Addie pulls up her long white dress so it doesn't scrape the ground.

She slams the taxi door shut, causing me to jump into the air.

"Shit, Charlotte sorry."

I nod slowly and adjust my earrings.

The same theatre masks my mother got me when I was a kid.

God, I wish I still had a mom around.

Or a dad.

Someone that acted like a real parent.

But today isn't about me.

Today is about Addie.

She's getting what she's always wanted.

What every girl dreams of.

Her wedding.

I follow her into the church.

I smile, remembering my wedding.

It wasn't nearly as big as this.

But it was amazing.

Best day of my life.

No doubt.

A few of Addie's old friends travel behind us.

I start biting my nails.

I don't know these people.

And now I'm going to have to sing for them.

I should have said no.

But Addie seemed so happy when she asked me to sing for her reception.

And after all I'd done to her, I wanted to do something good.

So I agreed.

Addie noticed my discomfort and smacked my hand.

"What the hell?"

She shook her head.

"Don't chew on your nails, Charlotte."

I put my hands to my sides.

"You could ruin your manicure."

I looked down at my fingernails.

Too late.

Music began and we all began to walk.

I hesitantly took the arm of a random cousin.

He winked at me.

I held up my ring finger.

"I'm married, asshole."

He blushed deeply and turned away from me.

I shook my head and tried to keep up with his pace.

We settled to the side as we reached the end of the isle.

Addie swooped in on her fathers arm.

I tensed up, thinking about my own.

The wedding droned on hazily.

I tried to focus and pay attention.

My best friend we getting married and I was spacing out every two minutes.

____________________

After the wedding finally ended, we all went across the street to a restaurant for the reception.

I stood around with Darren and some of Addie's family members.

I recognized her mom and dad from shows.

They used to come all the time.

We chatted for a bit.

"So Charlotte,"

Addie's mother began.

"I hear you're in an up and coming musical."

I shake my head.

"No ma'am. Wicked had been a big deal since 2009. I would hardly call it up and coming."

She nodded.

I was surprised that she wasn't angry for me speaking to her that way.

"Now Charlotte we've never met your family before. Correct?"

My blood ran cold.

"That would be difficult, ma'am."

She cocked her head.

"My mother passed away when I was 12 and my father..."

I stared past her head.

Is standing over there.

"Lives in Tennessee."

I cursed internally.

Lies.

She smiles.

Darren punches my arm.

"Charlotte, why didn't you ever tell me that? We would have gone to visit when we were down there!"

I glanced back at the man in the corner.

Why is he here?

He's never around unless he's going to...

"Shit."

I mumble.

Addie gives me a look.

"I...uh...e-excuse me for a second."

Darren runs off to find Oak.

I run outside the restaurant.

"I see you finally want to discuss this."

Someone calls from behind me.

I spin on my heels.

"No. I do not want to discuss this. I want you to leave me alone. What do you want with me anyways?!"

I say, a little too loudly.

He laughs.

"This is a wedding fit for a princess."

I scowl.

"Fuck you!"

He nods toward the restaurant.

"Id hate to ruin it, but you gotta do whatcha gotta do sometimes."

I raise an eyebrow.

I was confused.

Until I heard the loud boom.