Seven Summers Gone- A Kissing Booth Continuation (Fanfiction)

Chapter 19

Later in the night when most people have gone to bed, I sneak back down for a bottle of wine. 
It's going to be a big day tomorrow and I need some sleep after a restless couple of nights and I'm pretty sure a whole bottle should do the trick.
As I get closer to the restaurant I notice it's really quiet with just a couple of staff pottering around.
When I'm just outside the door I hear voices and stop dead on my tracks.
"You should have seen her face 'You two deserve each other'. Pretty sure I made that pathetic wimp cry too."
It's Bethany talking to someone about what happened earlier.
I'm tempted to march in there and slap her again, but I don't move. 
I stay well hidden just outside the door and continue to listen.
"But you and Noah aren't actually together though, is that right?"
It's Liv, she's there as well, two conniving peas in a bitchy pod.
"Well yes, but she doesn't know that."
"Does he want you back?" Liv asks.
"By the end of this trip he will, he's the best shag I've had in a long time and I won't be giving up very easily."
"But you don't care that he's in love with Elle?"
I can't believe what I'm hearing,  looks like my midnight wine dash was well worth it.
"He just said that because he was annoyed with me. He's hot, I'm hot.  We belong together and I won't let that stupid ex of his ruin it."
"So what are you going to do? He seemed pretty pissed with you earlier."
"I just need to remind him how great we are together,  he's been bunking with Lee, but he'll be all alone tomorrow night after the wedding, so that's when I'll make my move.  Some sexy lingerie hidden under my Louis Vitton trench should do the trick."
Man she is in denial,  they are in separate rooms and he claims he loves me, she really is a bunny boiler.
Why on earth did he even bring her?
Just after I think that to myself,  I get my answer.
"You forced your way onto this trip, which doesn't seem to be going too well,  do you think it's a good idea to force yourself onto HIM? Noah doesn't seem like the type of guy to put up with anyone's crap."
"He's a guy who loves sex, they're all the same.  Flash a bit of boob and I'll have him eating out of the palm of my hand, or somewhere else if you know what I mean," she says with a laugh.
Argh, she's disgusting!
I think I've heard enough,  I head back up to my room without the wine, my mind going a hundred miles an hour over what Bethany just unknowingly revealed.
I plonk myself on top of my bed and just lie there.
A feeling of determination coming over me.
Right! I'm going to ignore their drama for one more day because tomorrow is Lee's wedding and I want to focus all my attention on him.
Then after that, I'm getting answers from Noah.
No more secrets, no more awkwardness, I want to know what the heck is going on!

I wake the next morning feeling quite refreshed.
Today is going to be a very interesting day!
After breakfast I head up to Lauren's room, it's massive so we are getting our hair and makeup done there.  I bring Renee along as well so she's not too lonely and Lauren insists she gets done up too.
I actually really enjoy it, we have wine, nibbles, we get pampered and fussed over. 
I'm feeling super relaxed after a stressful few days.
I try to talk to Liv a few times but she seems to be quite evasive today and avoids me as much as she can.
"What's that all about?"  Renee asks me when she notices Liv acting all shifty.
"Well!" I say A little too excitedly
"I overheard an interesting conversation last night between the caniving harpy and her new BFF, " I say looking at Liv.
"Ooh do tell!"
I fill Renee in on the situation and the first thing she says is,
"Wait, you slapped 'they're totally fake' Bethany across the face and not only did I miss it, but I'm only hearing about it now!"
"Yeah, sorry, I was feeling a bit sorry for myself last night, but on the plus side, you would have been so proud.  The look on her face, my red handprint on her cheek."
"I've taught you well," she says.
We stand there with smug grins on our faces, then Lauren calls my name.
"Hey Elle, you're up."
It's time to get me hair done, I'm the last one so I better get a wriggle on.  We are all having the same style which is a side sweep with small white flowers called gypsophila at the top then beautiful big curls flow down the one shoulder.  We all have different colour hair Liv is dark brown, Jess is blond and I'm in between but it suits us all really well.
Then it's time for us to put our dresses on before we all help Lauren put on hers and help with any last-minute bits and pieces.
We are all wearing the same colour which is a really pretty light pink but we all have different styles. They are all floor-length gowns but Liv's is a strapless chiffon dress with draped sweetheart bodice, she actually looks really gorgeous,  pity her personality doesn't match.
Jess is wearing a one-shoulder, A-line chiffon dress with flounced shoulder detail and she is killing it.
Then mine is a chiffon dress with a ruffled V-neckline and cold shoulder sleeves.
"Wowee, if I was a guy and you weren't my best friend, I'd be all over that," Renee says dramatically eyeing me up and down.
"Don't you agree Liv, what straight red-blooded male could resist this," she adds, making Liv look very uncomfortable.
"Um--yeah, you look lovely Elle, " she says reluctantly.
"Lovely? More like a sex goddess!" replies Renee.
I try suppressing the laughter that is trying to escape, but I'm unsuccessful and end up making a weird sounding cough slash choking noise.

It's finally time for the ceremony to start.  We are just out of sight when the music comes on.  Lauren is a big One Republic fan so she has chosen a really nice song called 'Won't Stop'.
I make my way into view first and as I scan the guests,  I see my Dad standing there with a big smile on his face, then I see Lee giving me a cheeky grin, then as I keep walking I notice Noah just staring,  his face looks completely expressionless but he doesn't take his eye's off me.  As I get closer to the front I see Bethany looking directly at Noah with a super annoyed look on her face.
Looks like her plan to seduce him isn't going so well and I smile to myself.
As I stand at the front waiting for the other bridesmaids I can see out of the corner of my eye Noah is still looking at me.
He finally looks away as Lauren makes her way down the aisle that's covered in scattered light pink rose petals,  it looks so magical and so does she.
Her hair is a mass of beautiful curls, with big thick braids wrapping around her head like a crown with gypsophila and small pink rose buds intertwined in the braids.
Her dress is a crazy gorgeous boho dress with a sheer bodice accented in allover lace, straps gliding from V-neckline to illusion back, a beaded belt with crystals and a tulle A-line skirt.
The look on Lee's face says it all.
I love how they are so in love!
As I watch them say their cute, silly vows with a goofy grin on my face I notice Noah smiling at me, I smile back.  Then all of a sudden he looks away and avoids all eye contact for the rest of the ceremony. 
Man, he is so annoying, this is exactly why I'm determined to get some answers!

After the ceremony, we all gather in another part of the garden for some nibbles and family photos.
Again, Bethany is stuck to Noah like glue.
I'm standing by the drinks table talking with Renee and Chad, who seem to be very buddy-buddy by the way.  When we witness an embarrassing scene.
The photographer asks for the grooms family to stand with the bride and groom for a photo.  As Noah stands next to Lee, Bethany shuffles up beside him and drapes herself all over him trying to get in the family photo.  Then Noah not so subtly unlatches her and tells her in a not too friendly tone, "It's family only Beth."
"Oooh DENIED!" Renee says a little too loudly and Bethany shifts her murderous look from Noah to us.
"Run!" I say to Renee, kind of joking, but also not.
I'm kind of surprised Noah is still standing after calling her Beth.
When she finally realises everyone is looking at her she storms off.
"Good riddance," adds Chad.
Then I notice a sneaky smile between Renee and Chad.
"Wait, what is happening here?" I ask.
They look at me confused,
"Huh?" Says Renee.
"Don't you 'huh' me.  You two had sex Didn't you?!"
As I say this Chad chokes on beer,
"Wa...wa...what? He squeaks out.
"Don't you dare try denying it."
"As great as this topic is, and it is really great," Renee says as she winks at me.
"Would you look what we have here."
I turn to look in the direction Renee's looking, and what do I see.  Bloody Liv with her grubby paws all over Noah.
"Didn't take her long, perhaps not 'best friends forever' after all, " says Renee.
Yup, today is turning out to be very interesting indeed!