One last time/Zauren

27.

L:
When I got out of the church, I just started to run. I ended up 3 blocks away, heels in hand. "Look a runaway bride!" Someone shouted out their car window and they zoomed past me. A run away bride.. I was a fucking runaway bride. What have I done? I dropped down on the dirty sidewalk, and just started to cry. I'd been wanting for this moment, and I ruined it. I self sabotaged my own wedding.

"Are you okay?" I felt a tap on my shoulder. I looked up. There were so many people gathering around. "She was probably stood up at the altar." Someone in the small crowd added. I slowly stood up. Could I make myself look anymore foolish? "Is this like a modern day art piece?" Another asked. "Because, I don't get it."

The realization of what I'd done really started to sink in.

Zayn's family probably hates me. My family probably hates me. My friends probably hate me. Zayn definitely hates me. I've embarrassed myself. I've embarrassed him.. I've wasted everyones time. All of the people that came down from England and family that traveled across the country... I knew after this it was definitely over between Zayn and I.

I took off again, pushing through the crowd. I didn't even have my phone. I knew people were trying to get in contact with me to figure out what the hell I just did and why the hell I did it. Did I even have an answer? My mind was telling me to stay, but my feet were like run. Run now.

I stopped at a thrift shop, and begged them if I can have something to change into. They let me dig through the lost and found. I found a purple pair of biker shorts and a rocker tee with a variety of holes in it. They gave me a bag to carry my wedding dress in. They clearly thought I was in distress, probably that I got stood up at the altar and made of run in embarrassment.

Where was I supposed to go now? I couldn't show my face. I sat down on the curb and sighed. A couple walked by me and tossed me a money. "I'm not home-" It was a five dollar bill and I was starving. I hadn't eaten all day due to nerves and wanting to fit into my dress like a glove. I picked up my bag with my dress and headed across the street to the pizzeria.

I sat there alone in a beat up booth eating a slice of pizza.. Well, trying. I was so hungry and yet all I could take were three bites. I felt sick. I was sick of myself.

Z:
No one had heard from Lauren. My runaway bride. She ran away.. Everything was paid for. I couldn't just have everyone leave, so I had them go to the reception and there they are celebrating something that didn't even happen. It's now just a huge paid for fancy dinner party. They said it wasn't right, that they couldn't. I insisted. I pleaded, that they have a good time for my sake.

As soon as it happened, and I was able to gather myself from the shock, I ran out of the church but Lauren was not there. I the. headed to the brides chamber, thinking- hoping, that she just needed a moment to gather herself and the wedding would commence. She wasn't there either, all of her belongings were still there though. That included her phone. I had no way of contacting her. I had no clue where she was. She was just out on the street with a wedding dress on somewhere, looking out of place.

I gathered mine and Lauren's things and headed back to the flat. I thought she'd be there, but she didn't have her keys. I was now in possession of them. I was hoping when I got out of the elevator that she'd be sitting in front of the door. I needed to know why. Why would she do that to me?

My mother was calling me when I got inside. "Have you heard from her?" Was the first thing she said when I answered. "No.." I sighed.
"Are you going to report her missing? I can't believe this. I can't believe her."
"No, I have not heard from her and no I am not going to report her missing."
"But she's missing. No one knows where she is and no one has heard from her." My mother was trying to talk over the music and people having a good time in a rather awkward situation. "I know that she's going to come back."
"And what makes you so sure of that?"
"I know Lauren."
"Well, not enough. You didn't know she was going to embarrass you like that at the altar. When she decides to show her face again I want to have a word with her." I made my way to the refrigerator and grabbed the bottle of whiskey. "That won't be necessary." I said. My phone started to ring again. I was hoping it was some unknown number Lauren was calling from, but it was Louis. Maybe Lauren ended up at the banquet hall and he was the first person she ran into. "Mum, I've got to go. I'll be okay."

I placed my phone on speaker and answered the call. "Hello?" I twisted off the whiskey cap and took some straight. "Are you back home?" It was just Louis. "I am, yeah." I took another.
"Come over to the hall."
"I can't do that."
"You can do that. Don't let what Lauren did stop you from having a good time. You deserve it especially after what she's done to you."
"I am not showing up there."
"Take back the power."
"Can't I just be alone?" I rhetorically asked.
"I mean you can, but the vibes are a tad off because two other highly important people are supposed to be here." I didn't respond as I took another swig. "What do you say we bring the party to you?"
"I say please don't do that."

"Are you done with her?" He asked. My eyes caught on a picture of Lauren and I. My hair was a mess. She was wearing no make up. We were happy. I thought we were still happy. What could have went wrong? "I have to go."
"Do you need me to have anyone check on you?"
"I'm good, really. I just need to be alone today. Let everyone know."

It'd been five and a half hours since I was left standing there with my jaw on the floor of the altar.

I was just still sat in my tux on the sofa. Shit, even my dog was at the reception with his little satin red bow tie on.

I was sat in the dark and just about finished with the bottle of whiskey when I heard footsteps in the hall and they sounded like they stopped in front of the door. I sat up. There was a rustling in the plant beside the door. I forgot that's where we kept a spare key. It had to be her.

The door knob started rattling and then it slowly crept open. The light from the hall showed the shadow of a persons arm reaching inside and for the light switch. All of the lights came on and Lauren gasped when she saw me sat on the sofa.

She was carrying a bag with her wedding dress peeking through. Her hair was still in tact. Her eye makeup was smudged however. She was in a ratty t-shirt and purple shorts. She dropped the bag to her side and looked like she wanted to make a run for it again. I dropped the whiskey bottle beside me. "You're not going anywhere," I said rushing to stand in front of the door.