Limerence [2] - | J |

| Vows |

"I can't breathe,Harper. I can't-" I cry, my voice coming out very hoarse as I broke down in front of my cousin.

The windows open wide, allowing the sunlight and warm breeze inside the large room as I sat on the floor in a white silk robe, my hair pinned up and bare face seemingly red and tear stained as I looked in the full body mirror.

"Em,get Alfred in here-" Harper begins as she gets floor level with me, her hands caressing my arms as she lowly speaks reassuringly to me.

"I can't do this-not like this-" I croak as Harper shakes her head.

"Youre one of the strongest people I know,Ronnie. You know more than anyone what's good for you. I know you. You wouldn't be doing this if it wasn't right-"

"-I know,I know it is. I just can't breathe right now-"

"-is it that other guy? That guy named J?"

I stop my crying as I look at her with blurry eyes, my mouth parting slightly.

"What?"

"I saw the messages,when you asked me to run through the guest list on your phone. He was texting you when I was looking,"

"-Harper,don't say anything,please-" I begin to cry again as she shushes me, a small smile on her face.

"-I know you're smart. The relationship would've never worked, had it? Even if you wanted it to,right?"

I nod slowly and she continues,

"Then you're moving on. You're going to be happy with someone that loves you enough to give you what you want. You're getting married,Veronica."

She wipes under my eyes and down my cheeks as she engulfs me into a hug.

"I love you,V. We're all we've got."

Alfred suddenly enters, dressed to the nines in his tuxedo as he moves his hands behind his back.

"What's got you under the weather,dear?"

-

I stared at myself in the vanity mirror, Harper gently smoothing my veil behind me with a smile as my face mirrored fear. I was scared, being that this was a huge step in my life. I was putting my life in someone else's,permanently. I didn't want to screw this up, especially with someone as wonderful as James. He deserved the best.

"So. I'm going to give you 10 minutes for yourself. To have time to think,and breathe. No more crying." She says, kissing me on the cheek before exiting the room and closing the door behind her.

I stand, walking past the full length mirror to the open window before stopping. I walk backwards until I'm in the
mirror again, looking at myself fully for the first time. My dress was very beautiful, a mermaid shape which accentuated my figure while also allowing me to look elegant and classy.

My hair was in its signature beachy blonde waves, parted to the side in my favorite way. I smoothed the dress down, the silken fabric smooth against my figure as I took deep breaths into the mirror. My sadness shifted from worry about my relationship with Joker, to my overwhelming sense of isolation. I was getting married all alone. I didn't have my father or my mother here, and it really hurt. I moved past my reflection as I walked towards the sunlit window, closing my eyes briefly as I felt the warm breeze kiss my skin.

Opening my eyes, I looked out of the window briefly, watching people arrive and cars being taken by valet to park. I stepped away, my face turning to the vanity where my phone began to vibrate intensely. I reached out, looking at the name on the screen before I prepared to speak. Raising it to my ear, I let out a soft "hello," as silence enveloped the line.