My Idiot (A Ralbert Story)

Weddings

Racetrack Higgins hated going to weddings. But of course, his stupid cousin Gianna had to go and get married. Race loved Gianna, she was his favorite cousin, and he loved the man who would be Gianna's husband, Matteo, who was like a brother to him. In fact, Race was going to be one of the groomsmen. Still, he hated weddings. 

It wasn't that he hated what they stood for. He just hated being in church for a long period of time then going to a reception afterwards where he would be forced to interact with his family for even longer periods of time. Sure, there was food and alcohol and really good cake, but that could only do so much to help Race when he was stuck talking to his weird aunt Brenda. 

Still, Race played along. He did everything for the wedding, from helping to plan the bachelor's party to going dress shopping with Gianna. Of course, he wasn't allowed at the bachelorette party, but he had heard from the girls that it had been a pretty good time. 

The day of the wedding, Race couldn't be prouder. He cried a little as he watched Gianna walk down the aisle. Even if it wasn't his wedding, his cousin still looked beautiful, there was no denying that. When he listened to the vows, he felt a smile creep onto his face. As much as Race hated weddings, he couldn't deny he wanted one.

After the wedding, Race was in charge of bringing one of the bridesmaids to the reception. Luckily for him, Gianna was close friend with one of Race's close friends, Katherine Plumber. So instead of taking someone he barely knew, Race drove Katherine to the reception. 

"That was so beautiful." Katherine commented in the car while she fixed her makeup. 

"It really was," Race agreed. When they reached a red light, he pulled out a tub of lollipops from under his seat. "Would you like one?" He offered. 

"You have an obsession with those things." Katherine laughed, but still took a bubblegum flavored lollipop. 

"No I don't." Race denied as he unwrapped a Tootsie Pop. Once they arrived at the reception venue, the duo went to go check where they were sitting. They were seated at the same table like all the bridesmaids and groomsmen were. "Thank goodness." Race mumbled. "I'm not sitting with Aunt Edna." 

"Is she the one that smelled me?" Katherine asked as they walked to their table. 

"Yeah." Race nodded, running his fingers through his curly blonde hair. He looked around the room, taking it all in. There was a bar in the corner and a dance floor in the middle. On his right was a door that Race assumed would open up to reveal the food. There was also a lot more people than he thought had been at the ceremony, but maybe that was just his imagination. Race didn't sit down right away. Instead, his first instinct was to go to the bar. "You want something?" He leaned over to ask Katherine. 

"Hm?" Katherine asked, looking up from her phone where she was texting Davey, a close friend of her and Race. 

"Do you want anything to drink?" Race asked again. 

"Race, we got here two minutes ago. At least wait a bit to start drinking. You're going to hate yourself tomorrow morning." Katherine warned. 

"I'll hate myself tomorrow morning even if I don't drink." Race responded, already walking off. He sat up at the bar, waiting for the bartender to come over. He considered Katherine's warning for a moment and decided to order a soda instead of alcohol. After all, this was Gianna's big day. He'd want to remember most of it. 

As he waited for his soda, Race saw someone else come up to the bar and sit next to him. 

"Drinking already, huh?" The stranger asked, and Race turned to look at him. He had red hair and was only a few inches shorter than Race. 

"Well, you're up here too." Race commented. 

"I'm getting a soda for my dad." The redhead explained, then turned to the bartender. "Pepsi, please." Then, the man turned back to Race. "I'm more of a Coke guy, myself." 

"Me too." Race nodded. "Something about it is just better than Pepsi."

"You can say that again." The shorter of the two nodded. 

Race smirked. "Something about it is just better than Pepsi." 

"Funny." The redhead laughed. "I'm Albert." He stuck out his hand. 

"Anthony, but friends call me Race." Race shook his hand. 

"Nice to meet you, Race." Albert nodded. 

"Hey, I never said we were friends." Race pointed out. 

"Oh well." Albert shrugged, taking the Pepsi from the bartender as Race sipped his own soda. 

"Nice to meet you, Albert." Race said as he stood up. 

"Nice to meet you too." Albert walked away, handing his Pepsi to his dad. Race made his way back to his table and sat down next to Katherine. 

"What took you so long?" She asked, sipping the water that had been at the table when they got there. 

"I was talking." Race shrugged. 

"To a weird family member?" Katherine questioned. 

"No." The blonde shook his head. "I think he's from Matteo's side. It's a shame we're related now, though. He was kinda cute." 

"Well, maybe he's a family friend of Matteo's." Katherine suggested. 

"I sure hope so." Race nodded. 

"Aw, little Racer has a crush." Katherine teased. 

"I do not! I just met the guy!" Race insisted. 

"But you said he was cute!" Katherine argued. 

"Doesn't mean I have a crush!" Race defended. 

"Okay." Katherine sang. "Whatever you say." Race rolled his eyes at his friend, scanning the room. He caught a glimpse of red hair and smiled. He was about to wave, but his attention was drawn elsewhere when Gianna and Matteo walked into the room. So instead of getting to talk more to a cute boy, he stood up and applauded his cousin and his cousin's husband. By the time everyone sat down, Race had lost Albert to the crowd. 

"I'll be right back." Race whispered to Katherine before getting up and beginning to search again. After all, he knew Albert was in the building. How hard could it be to find him?