Grace

I

"Love starts as a feeling, but to continue is a choice. And I find myself choosing you, more and more every day." - Justin Welch

                                                                                              

'Just breathe, Grace.'

Grace was sitting on a wooden chair in the corner of the room, clutching on to the beige pillow that used to be on top of the chair. Her lips quivered, tears starting to swell up in her blue eyes. Grace was fighting every urge not to bite her nails. She knew this was scary, and she knew she should be nervous, that's expected. But now, Grace knew how it feels. As soon as she walks down those steps and out of this house, it will start, and when she does, everything will change.

'I..I... w-what if he doesn't want to marry me? What if he changes his mind any minute? I-I'm nervous Darci! What if it isn't meant to be? I-I don't think I can do it!' Grace wailed. Many possibilities of how this could end popped into her mind, exposing her to the worst ideas.

Darci turned around, her back now facing the mirror. The light from the sunset gently grazed its way over her dark golden-brown curls. The pale pink tea length dress her, and all the other bridesmaids were wearing fitted her hourglass shape perfectly. Darci looked gorgeous, and Grace felt uneasy, knowing she could never pull off something as breathtaking as her best friend. 'Grace. He loves you. I mean, come on, you are his everything, Grace! Dan looks at you as if he were cherishing every second, he has with you, when he's around you, his eyes smile with his mouth. And you're lucky that you found him, because if you didn't there would probably be a ton of girls lining up! Don't forget, after he first saw you, he told Nick that you were going to be the woman he marries.'

Darci sighed and turned her attention to the window. "Grace, if there's one thing I'm certain about, it is that you shouldn't second-guess yourself. The love of your life is waiting outside for you, and he probably is nervous too, that's normal. But this is meant to be. Don't waste your life worrying about the 'what ifs', just choose the one reason, above all the others, the reason you should do it; and go with it."

Grace looked down, knowing Darci was right. And she smiled to herself, knowing that she was lucky to have Darci by her side. What Darci had said made Grace realize that this is what she wants, and that Daniel didn't put up with her for seven years just to tell her he didn't want her anymore.

'You know, Dan found you in your darkest hour, yet look at you. Look how much you've grown, blossomed into a beautiful butterfly. From seven years ago to now, you look so much more alive.... yourself. And I know that this chapter you two are about to open together is going to be an ever more wonderful time in your life, other than meeting Dan of course,' Darci chuckled. She was grateful, as Dan helped Grace when she couldn't. They both smiled and laughed with each other; remembering how clumsy and cheesy Dan had been when him and Grace first met.

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Seven Years Ago

It is night time. Stars cover the sky and the moon glistens, shining brightly from above. A young seventeen-year-old Grace laughs and smiles at her best friend, Darci. They sit at a wooden table next 'Gabby's Goodes', a place at the 'Rico Pero Pier' where food and drinks are sold. Grace, who should be studying for her upcoming exam, snuck out to take a break, bringing Darci with her. Together, they've gone on a couple of rides, but Grace never felt entirely happy. She did feel like a rebel, though. Sneaking out of the house and enjoying the cool breeze was, cool.

Across from their table, on the other side of the pier, next to the dancing hormonal teenagers, a seventeen-year-old boy watches as Grace laughs with her friend. In his hand is a Cola, which he sips from as the boy makes is way towards her table. On his way, though, the Cola slips from his hands, splattering over the ground. He groans at the fact that he lost his drink, but continues to walk forward, thinking of the perfect line to say.