The next morning I was woken up by a team of stylist. The wedding was to start no later than noon. My hair and makeup was done first, then I had some downtime to 'relax'. My bridesmaids, who I didn't know very well, were acting as if we had been friends our entire lives.
"Are you nervous?" one of them asked.
"Nope." I relied, snacking on a bag of chips.
"I would be! You're so lucky to be marrying Waylon." my cousin, megan, blurted.
I looked at all of them and laughed. They looked back with confused looks. I set my bag of chips down and wiped my salty fingers off.
"I would be nervous if I was marrying someone I loved. Considering Waylon and I have nothing in common, we had no time to get to know each other, oh and the marriage was arranged, I do not love him."
Everyone, including the stylist turned and stared at me with blank expressions.
"What? You all were thinking it, might as well say it out loud."
My mother burst into the room making everyone act as if I hadn't said anything. Mother instructed everyone to leave so that I could get my dress on. I didn't have much say in the wedding. I did get to pick from three dresses. I choose the that was the least modest.
"Oh you look wonderful." my mother shrieked.
A stylist helped me put on the rest of my jewelry and shoes. They fixed my hair and makeup right as my mother's assistant knocked on the door. It was finally time.
The elevator ride down was filled with giggles and compliments. I on the other hand, stood motionless and quietly. The doors opened on the bottom floor. Everyone stepped out, I followed closely behind. Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted him.
He was sitting on the arm of a chair next to Zac. I turned completely towards him. He smiled a little. He had never seen me in a wedding dress. I took a step towards him but was quickly stopped.
"This way Melody."
My mother grabbed my arm and pulled me down the long hallway.
All the guest were seated and quietly talking. The clock struck twelve and the wedding procession began. I had opted out of having my parents walk me down the aisle. That tradition is for families that get along. The doors shut behind the last bridesmaid and the bridal march started playing.
"Ready?" the wedding planned asked, smiling at me.
"I don't want to do this." I responded, grabbing her arm.
She rolled her eyes.
"I was paid to get you down the aisle. So just buck up and do it."
She gave me a little push and the door opened, revealing a crowd of people. They all smiled and quietly whispered to the person next to them. I tried to smile but I knew if I did, I would break down. I got to Waylon and stood across from him. The ceremony started.
I didn't really listen much. The guy just kept going on and on.
"If any person here can show cause why these two people should not be joined in holy matrimony, speak now or forever hold your peace..."
The room got extremely quiet. My mother looked around and smiled because her plan was working. Nobody is going to stop this wedding. If they tried, she would murder them herself.
The minister nodded his head. He opened his mouth to continue but was interrupted.
"Actually, I object."
Every turned to the end of the aisle.
It was Shawn. He had dressed up in a nice suit, did his hair and had ran all the way back down here to stop the wedding.
"What are you doing?" my mother screamed. "You're married!"
"Kendall and I got married by a random guy on a random island. It means nothing in the United States."
He jogged down the aisle and stood next to me. My mother and father jumped up and stood next to Waylon.
"I want to thank you all for coming to the wedding. I'd appreciate your going even more. I mean you must have lots of better things to do."
I looked up at Shawn.
"But I'm not getting married today."
He grabbed my hand and we ran out of the room. My parents lost it. Shawn and I ran straight through the lobby and out onto the busy street. People cheered as if we had just gotten married.
We ran down the street and right into a park where the guys were waiting.
"I didn't think she would come." Andrew joked, patting Shawn on the back.
"Nice dress." laughed Zac, making me blush.
"The car is straight through the park." Nick said, scrolling through his phone.
Shawn grabbed my hand and led me through the park to a dark car with tinted windows. He opened the door and gestured for me to get inside.
"Where are we going?" I asked, picking at the skirt of my dress.
"Away from here. I have a place we can go to."
I looked around nervously. He took a step towards me and grabbed my arm. I pulled away and stepped back to I was out of reach. He was being so aggressive.
"Where are we going?"
"With or without you, I need to get out of the country and I'd feel much better if it was with you." he replied. "Can we please go? We don't have much time."
Out of the country? Why exactly did he need to rush me away to another country.
"Get in the car and I'll explain even more." he gestured.
"Tell me first."
"Oh my god Mel. Just get in the car for fucks sake!" he said, starting to get angry.
"Tell me or I'll run."
"Fine... I had some stress with your parents because yesterday." said Shawn.
I gave him an annoyed look. He was avoiding telling me the entire truth.
"Jeez, will you get in now?"
I continued to look at him.
" He figured out what my actual Job is. He threatened to call the Police if he ever sees me again." Shawn grabbed my hands and led me closer to the car. He gave a slight nudge to get in.
"What?"
"Get in now, we really need to talk."
