Almost a stranger

Getting married

The rest of the week I mostly spent on the beach with Jack and his family. His mom Emily and I were talking about books and movies no one else knew about. It was fun, I guess. But after everything I was doing with Travis and his friends, I'm not sure how fun this was. 

On Friday, Jack and I went to buy my mom a present. We were walking around the biggest shopping center in Tampa. 

Abigail: I don't know what should I buy her.
Jack: She likes movies.
Abigail: I know, but try to find one movie she didn't already watch. 
Jack: That's true. Maybe a book?
Abigail: My mom and books, please. Like you don't know her. 
Jack: Well, in that case, there's nothing else we can do...

I rolled my eyes and looked at him. 

Jack: Okay, okay. 
Abigail: I'll just develop an image of us and put it in a nice frame.

In the end, we came out of the shopping center with a framed picture, big chocolate, and a bunch of sweets for us. 

Abigail: We should do this more often. 
Jack: You mean buying half of the store with candy? 
Abigail: Yes. 

He smiled. The week passed, it was Saturday. It was my mom's birthday, so we were eating dinner at a fancy restaurant. We both drank champagne and ate seafood risotto. I didn't like it much, but my mom seemed to enjoy it.

We were both nice dressed. She, in her white dress with her golden neckless and me, in short, black dress with black heels she gave me. The weird thing was that we were sitting at a table for 4 people. But I soon discovered why- Paul and Travis came.

My mom stood up and hugged Paul. That was weird. In the silence, Travis sat down next to me. And Paul sat down next to my mom. 

Our parents were laughing and talking the whole night. They seemed to enjoy this dinner way more than Travis. He looked like something's wrong, so I had to ask, 
"Is everything okay?"
For a second, he looked at me somehow, like he's not really here. 

Travis: Yeah, everything's great. 
Abigail: How was Miami?
Travis: Great. Miami's beautiful. 

He didn't look like everything's okay. For the whole night, he was looking like he's constantly thinking about something. When we were done eating, my mom and Paul were silent. 

Paul: There's something we have to tell you. 

While Paul was looking at my mom Tarvis leaned and said, 
"Here it goes."
His hand was holding mine on my thigh. 

Molly: Paul and I are engaged!

For a moment, I didn't even breathe. My mom and Travis's dad are engaged. Which means we'll live together. I can't believe this. For a good minute, I was just staring at my mom. He's almost a stranger! How can she do that!

Abigail: I'm... I'm so happy for you two!

They both looked at Travis, expecting him to say something. But he looked as if he's not really here. I squeezed his hand, wanting him to say something- anything. Then he stood up and simply left. We were all silent. 

Abigail: I'm sure this is a big shock for him. I mean, it's for me too. 
Paul: We know, but I didn't think he would react this way. 

What did you think, you're marrying an unknown woman! Paul stood up as he'll go after Travis.

Abigail: Maybe you should leave him alone for a bit. I'm sure he's just in shock. 

His dad sat back down. 

Abigail: So, how did you two even meet? I assume the high-school thing was a lie.
Molly: Yeah... It was about a year ago. We were both staying in the same hotel. 
Abigail: It was on that business trip in New York you went to?
Molly: Yeah. 
Abigail: And what do you do?
Paul: I have a company in New York. 
Abigail: Wow. That's great. So, I know I maybe shouldn't ask this, but are we all gonna live together now? I mean, if you thought so far in the future. 

Molly: Actually, we did. 
Paul: We already have a house ready to go in after the vacation. 
Molly: And it's close to your school, so you don't have to switch it. 
Abigail: That's great! I'm so happy for you. 
Molly: I'm glad. 
Paul: If only Travis could be more like you. 
Abigail: Don't say that. I'm sure he's happy. He just needs time to process everything. 
Paul: I hope you're right. 

I went back home, leaving my mom alone with Paul. Two of them looked so happy. I can't believe we'll live together Travis and I will be brother and sister now. This is chaos. We'll be brother and sister now! Since I didn't want to go home, and I had no idea where Travis is, I went to Tuners.

Lauren: Aren't you having dinner with your mom?
Abigail: Yeah, she got back home and I don't feel like sleeping yet. Where's Jack?
Lauren: He's in the back yard, playing with Mia. 
Abigail: Thank you. 

Mia had her dolls and bears out again. I knew she's making another wedding. 

Jack: Hi. What are you doing here?
Abigail: I don't feel like sleeping yet. What are you two doing?
Mia: Anna and James are marrying.
Abigail: Really? How nice. Wich one is Anna?
Mia: This one, with a white dress. 
Abigail: She looks beautiful. 

I wonder what was I doing when I was so young. 

Jack: What's up?
Abigail: Nothing. I'm just tired. 
Jack: You said you don't feel like sleeping. 
Abigail: And I don't. It's complicated. 
Jack: What's so complicated?
Abigail: Nothing. It's nothing. 

Mia: Are you two gonna marry?
Jack: Us? No. 
Mia: Why not? Can't Aby marry twice?
Jack: Twice? She's already married?
Mia: Yes! But that's a secret. You can't tell anyone. 
Abigail: Thanks, Mia...
Jack: Who did you marry?
Abigail: No one. It was a joke. 
Mia: It wasn't. You left to marry. 
Abigail: Hey Mia, can you go for some crayons so we can draw something?
Mia: Yes!

She disappeared into the house. 

Jack: An explanation?
Abigail: It's nothing. I ran away from babysitting her. 
Jack: And you told her you're getting married?

Well, it wasn't me. It was Travis. 

Abigail: Yes. 
Jack: I don't believe you. You would never run away like that. 
Abigail: You don't know me. 
Jack: I'm sure the guy you married with knows you. 
Abigail: He does!
Jack: So there was someone with you. 

I said nothing. I don't have any strength to tell him everything that happened. I just walked away. He was calling my name, but I was outside. I was just standing in front of their house, not knowing what to do. He ran out of the house behind me. 

Jack: What's happening, Aby?
Abigail: Nothing. I'm fine. 

I was leaned against a wall, looking at him. 

Jack: Something's wrong. I know you. 

Just now I realized how close he actually was. I got free from the closeness we were in. Why did I even come here... 

Abigail: You don't know me. 

And I started walking toward my house. My face was in tears and I couldn't breathe. I just wanted to cry.