The Disney Book

Chapter One - Kiss the Girl

"You may now kiss the bride."

"Kiss the girl," Grandma silently mouths to me from across the chapel; her seated in the front row, I standing as a bridesmaid. I smile at her as she snaps a picture of the bride and groom, together at last.

******

I check my watch. Grandma fell asleep exactly one hour ago,  and the wedding reception only started an hour and a half ago. Without her to talk to, I can tell this night is going to be a long one. The music is playing so loud in the outdoor pavilion, I can't even hear Grandma snore. How did she fall asleep in the first place?

I set down my glass of punch and begin to wander out from under the canopy. Outside is a field, and a fallen tree a little ways out from here. It seems obvious to me to venture over and perch myself on the log, and I decide that that's what I'll do. The stars are climbing out into the sky and the moon is nearly full. I find myself humming, as I often do at times like this, when the world is spinning too fast for me to concentrate.

"It's crazy, isn't it sis?"

"Yah," I say without turning around. The log creaks as my sister sits down next to me.

"Aria! You're going to ruin your wedding dress!" I say frantically.

"What does it matter? I'm never going to wear the thing again," she smiles down at me. "I saw you leave. I know you're not really a party person."

"I just like being outside. The temperature is perfect tonight, you know."

"It's frigid!" she shakes her head. "I'm going to miss you."

"I know you will." Aria elbows me.

"But really Ryann, can you believe it? I'm married. I'm actually married. I think that makes me a grown up. That's terrifying."

"You're not grown up until you want to be. Now, this is the happiest day of your life. You better get back to dancing and not wasting it with me."

"Don't be ridiculous. Maybe for some people the wedding day is the happiest, but I'm not in an ordinary relationship. Aaron and I don't work that way. You see, we've got true love, and that means every day we're together we'll get happier and happier. Tomorrow will be better than today. So... the only one wasting time is you. Why aren't you dancing?"

"You can't be serious. You're joking," I laugh. Aria rolls her eyes at me. "You know as well as I do that I am physically incapable of dancing."

"You should have at least brought a date. You'd have someone to talk to," she pauses a moment, considering. "What about that Aiden kid who asked you to prom?"

"Do you not remember me turning him down?"

"I do, but I don't know why. He was nice, athletic, and pretty cute."

"He's so... serious. Why are you so concerned with my love life anyways?"

"I'm your sister. And if you had a love life at all, I wouldn't be worried. Since you don't, I'm here to help."

"Aria!" A masculine voice shouts from the pavilion. "I've been looking for you!" Aaron, Aria's new husband runs over to us. "Oh, hey Ryann. Didn't see you there. I mean, your dress is dark green, it kind of blended in," He smiles at me. "Thanks for taking care of this sister of yours until I came along."

"I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself! Unlike you, as we all know," Aria pokes him teasingly. "I saved you from drowning, if I remember correctly. Isn't that right, sis?"

Before I can answer, Aaron kisses her on the cheek. "Let's get back to our reception," he says softly.

"You coming with us, Ryann?" Aria asks. I can't say no to her. Not on her wedding day.