Nora's POV
This was quite the mistake. I should have just stayed at home, Shawn and I could have hung out all weekend, had a quiet time. But no, here I am sitting in the back of the church, where my ex-fiance and my cousin are marrying. This is some soap opera shit.
I try to stop giggling at myself. I'm rather funny if do say so myself.
"Stop." Shawn whispers in my ear, and I know he's smiling. I duck my head down and tighten my lips. I'd rather just make out in the back of this church as they exchange vows.
"We should sneak away." My eyes wide when the idea hits me. I can see Shawn struggling to keep his composure but he's trying to be nice. He doesn't answer me so I decide to take matters in my own hands and place my hand just above his knee, pausing to wait for his response. When he doesn't do anything, his face doesn't change I move my hand just a little further and try not to giggle. This is terrible. We are in a church.
When my hand starts getting closer and closer to his upper thigh he stops me and takes a deep breath.
"Nora Rose. Stop." He whispers again but as he's turning away, I can see the smile on his face. I'm being a terrible tease but I have to admit it's a little fun. "It's almost over." He squeezes my hand. The buzz from the shots I had earlier are starting to wear off as I slump in the pew and start to look around the church. My aunt and uncle are all the way in the front of the church obviously, I can see my cousin sitting with them bent over, so I can only assume he's texting. I fight the urge to text him but I'm at least going to try to be respectful and not interrupt the front of the church.
Vera. My eyes land on Vera, with her fake blonde hair, long nasty press ons, and gaudy dress. Who gets married in a blush colored dress that has lace cut outs? She literally has so much make-up on that I can see it from back here. And all of her fake bridesmaids. I know a few of them, and they're all just like Vera. One is trying to lock eyes with a groomsman but she's not having any luck.
Then there is Piero. His hair is sticking straight up, which it reminds me of that awful show that came out forever ago, The Jersey Shore. I don't know what I was thinking about when I was with him. Thank God I saw the light. It looks like he's taken steroids of some sort, because his bulging muscles have taken over his suit. I'm not really attracted to that body type. I don't mind a bit of muscles but it really is too much.
Piero's family has sent me death glares the whole time. Like him getting married to Vera is the ultimate demise. It's his choice. I don't really care, I've smiled at each one of them the whole time. Our families have never really gotten along. His family is from Northern Italy, and mine is from Southern Italy. The first big dinner everyone attended to, didn't go so well. I laugh at the memory of that night. That's about all I can do now about the situation. Laugh.
Nonna and my mom are being appropriate, sitting in the second pew. Mom is not noticing the random tension in the church. Or she does and she's just not acknowledging it. As much as I love my mom she's really good at avoiding confrontation. It's nice for a hot minute but she's always one to just let others speak their mind and not say anything.
I sit there, tapping my toes in my shoes when the lady in front of me turns and glares at me. I mumble apologies and I finally hear one of the sweetest sounds. Shawn trying not to laugh. I look over at him astonished and elbow him slightly as he holds his hand over his mouth.
"Stop." I mock him slightly and he laughs even more, making more people turn around towards us and glare. I bit my lips to prevent myself from laughing, trying to think about something somber to calm my frazzled emotions.
When we had first gotten to the church Ysabella and Sal were there to greet people. I would have loved to have skip over it but I couldn't get in another way. Ysabella was there in a pressed dress, her makeup done to perfection. She's always ready to go and presentable but her personality is something of a turn off. She accused me of attention seeking because I brought Shawn here. Then she was confused as to why I insisted on sitting in the back. She had also commented on my dress saying it was lovely yet I could have dressed up a little more. Thank you auntie.
"You may now kiss your bride." The priest proclaims and I turn my attention to the front of the pew just in time to see my ex-fiance and cousin kiss. I roll my eyes and turn away, blowing all the air out of my lungs. Thank God it's over. But of course, the lovely bride and groom have to make their way out of the church and then the wedding party, and of course come back in and usher everyone out personally.
"Lets sneak out the side." I suggest, I'll have to face them eventually but I'd just rather not at the moment. Thankfully Shawn nods his head in agreement and allows me to pull him through the back side door, the fresh air hitting me.
"Sneaking away Nora-Bora?" I turn to see Leo, smiling from ear to ear, he's always been one to make up nick names for me.
"Leo!" I let go of Shawn's hand and rush for a long overdue hug from my cousin. Leo and I were always ones to team up against Vera. She had always despised him because in her words, if he wouldn't have been born she would be an only child. And as we all know, the world revolves around Vera.
"Oh, how are you?" I ask, letting go of him and looking at his face. His hair is a little bit longer now, it's always been styled to perfection. His gray suit no doubt pressed per his mother's request.
"I'm doing well. Just working." He looks past me. "Are you Shawn Mendes? Like the real Shawn Mendes?!" I turn just in time to see Shawn smirk just a little bit.
"Um, yeah, I am." Shawn takes this opportunity to walk closer to us, taking a few steps back when Leo had shouted at me.
"What the hell are you doing with my cousin?" Leo laughs as I elbow him. "No, but seriously, Nora, are you drunk?" He asks me, trying to pry the sunglasses from my face to see my eyes.
"No." I laugh. The effects from the alcohol have worn off but not completely. "Not anymore."
"Well we should be. Vera and my mother have been a nightmare for the last six months. Every time I call its wedding this and wedding that. I don't give a shit about the details, I just wanted to make sure it was open bar." He rolls his eyes.
"So is it?" I ask.
"Of course. I'm not attending a wedding that isn't." He acts proudly, pushing his chin out in the air as I erupt in laughter.
"When does the reception begin?" I ask as I look beyond him and see the wedding party gathering into the limos to take them to a few bars before heading to the reception. The wedding party always arrives later then the guests anyway.
Leo looks at his watch, "In about an hour, but it takes half an hour to get there." A bitter north wind comes out of nowhere and I find myself gravitating towards the crook of Shawn's arm for warmth. This gray sweater isn't thick enough to push away that kind of wind.
"I'm starving." Shawn speaks. He hasn't said much since we've run into Leo but if one thing I've noticed about Shawn is he likes to sit back and watch others interact. He likes to just study people and take it all in before he does anything.
"You and me both." Leo points to himself. "Lets get out of this shit hole of a town and eat all the snacks at the reception. Vera insisted on a candy bar, tons of chocolate, jellybeans, and sweet tarts." My stomach aches at the mention of it. I haven't really eaten and the idea of sweets after so many shots of Captain Morgan make me sick to my stomach. I need real food.
"You want to ride with us?" Shawn suggests as I link my fingers with him.
"You two aren't going to be all relationshippy are you?" I squish my eyebrows together in question. "You know, holding hands, talking sweetly, kissing at stoplights." He rambles.
"I think you'll be okay Leo." I assure him. "I'll sit in the back, you and Shawn can bond in the front seat." I suggest and I can see Shawn trying to bite back a smile.
"Good, I can grill him on his intentions with you." He winks at me as I shake my head and tighten my grip on Shawn as we lead Leo to the car.
