Speak Now

Chapter Twelve

Chapter 12

“I’m really glad jou decided to show, Birdie,” Julchen said as the two girls weaved through the crowd, “at least zhis vay I’m not stuck here alone.”

Madeline let out a breathy laugh, she knew her friend was just glad to see her out of the depressed state she’d been in recently but she just wished for silence. Maddie wasn’t entirely sure of what she was doing; before she physically got in the car, she had a vague idea of what to say, but now she was having second thoughts. This whole thing was out of character for the sweet little blonde. She wasn’t the type to break up a wedding let alone sneak into a wedding uninvited. She kept her head down, afraid of her identifying mark - her violet eyes - give her away, not that anyone paid her much attention. As the two girls weaved through the crowd she could hear Antonio’s voice, “Oh seriously?”

“Mmmm,” a mellow tone answered back. Maddie wasn’t quite sure who he was talking to, but that was about the extent of their actual conversation from what Madeline could tell. Julchen grabbed the blonde’s tiny wrist, yanking her through the crowd and towards the hors d'oeuvres. Ludwig, Feliciano and Lovino were standing together talking, and as they approached Madeline heard Lovino cursing out Antonio. “Bruder! I’m back!” Julchen announced.

Ludwig motioned for her to keep her voice down, signaling to Antonio to return to the group. The Spaniard said goodbye to his wavy-haired conversation partner, then help encircle Madeline. Feeling slightly claustrophobic, Maddie asked what they were doing, “Um, why am I -?”

“So that-a big-a meany pants Alice doesn’t-a see you,” Feliciano smiled.

Lovino rolled his eyes. “Si, this bastardo here told us Julchen was going to-a get you, so we’ve-a been-a waiting - don’t fucking touch me, bastardo! You-a ignored me to-a go and-a talk to that-a bastardo Herkules!” the older Italian swatted at Antonio’s hand, cursing him out. I’m going to assume Herkules is who Antonio was talking to? Madeline thought to herself, trying to seem not out-of-sorts.

“How’d you two get in, amigos? Don’t they have security out front?” Antonio asked, laughing as he tried to detain his tsundere lover.

“Oh, um yes,” Maddie tried to keep her voice down, “Alfred said he got the keys from Francis for something and ‘accidentally forgot to return them,’ or so he says. So Julchen and I were able to come in through the back. Actually, we almost got lost on our way here.”

“Ja, zhere’s an unnecessary amount of rooms here,” Julchen chimed in, “Ve almost valked right into zhat hündin* bride und her bridesmaids on our vay to zhe main hall. Und zhen ve valked around a corner und I smacked into Francis! Of all zhe zhings zhat could happen…”

Maddie giggled as Julchen grumbled to herself about her horrible luck.

“Vait, jou valked into Francis?” Ludwig’s voice was full of concern.

“Ja, but I told him I vas looking for zhe bazhroom. He sent me back zhe vay ve came. He even said he vas vondering who he vas hearing down zhe hall. Don’t vorry, I just told him I vas on zhe phone vith Birdie. He did look kind of sad, zhough. But vhatever,” Julchen shrugged.

Maddie quickly spoke, “We didn’t get caught though and that’s what’s important right?”

“Si~!” Feliciano answered.

Just then, Julchen’s phone buzzed to life in her hand. “Scheiße! Sorry guys, zhe man of zhe hour requests mein awesome presence. Stay out of trouble Birdie - und Ludvig, keep an eye on her for me,” Julchen directed as she darted off, her black sparkly dress bouncing around her. Leave it to Julchen to wear a sparkly tutu to a wedding, Maddie smiled to herself. She glanced around the room; now hidden in front of Ludwig, she felt it was safe enough for her to lift her head up. The decor was very elegant: the walls were pale lilac, with gold accents on the trim near the floor and ceiling. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, bouquets of lilies and white roses were strung around the two marble columns near the entrance. Even the hors d'oeuvre table was elaborate; Maddie could definitely tell Alice spared no expense. “She certainly does have expensive taste,” her eyes darted around the room in awe.