One Time Thing [Wattys 2021 Shortlist] ✔️

Chapter 29: Small tragedies

MIA

It took five hundred photographs to satisfy Lucy's mother, Esther. Fortunately, Mia emptied out her camera before she came to the wedding because she wanted to take pictures anyway. Of the people, the dresses, the motives. Now she got to do that for a thousand dollars.

She was thoroughly enjoying herself, even though people grunted and swore that they were hungry and didn't care about the pictures. But Esther shot them all a threatening look and they instantly shut up.

The woman that owned the place, Therese, helped out with fetching people and handling the timing of the food.

"Mia, you should take a picture with Luce." Noel gestured for her to come over and Mia moved away from the camera. The pictures were taken under a wedding arch made of stone, with moss and roses climbing over it. Mia loved the scenery, the shade and the dark colours left a romantic touch and somehow, everyone looked princess-like.

"Sure. Just press the button, it's all set up." Mia informed Noel and he leaned over the camera.

"Maybe we should fetch Jeff." Lucy suggested. She was tired of smiling for the camera, but the smile underneath, the visceral, deeper one remained.

Mia had never seen a bride so calm and so happy at her own wedding.

"Mia," Therese, a business-like woman wearing a suit and her black hair tightly tied, approached. "There's a couple of tables left. Do you think the food can be served in half an hour?"

"Yes, we'll be done by then." Mia smiled at the lady.

Mia couldn't remember last time she was this happy. When the camera clicked and caught this moment forever, Mia's smile was honest. She hugged Lucy tightly, so happy that her best friend was happy. Not even her mother could bring down the pure joy that seeped off this woman. The same happiness surrounded Noel, who paid attention to no one at this wedding, but his wife. Almost like all of these people didn't even matter.

"Hey, Therese, can you go get Jeff? We should all take a picture together." Lucy called for the woman.

"Sure, just point at the table." Therese approached with a sheet of first names and last names of all the people invited. It was easier this way, since the arch was behind the stony house. Mia pointed at the table and Therese smiled widely.

"Jeff is your boyfriend?" She asked and laughed a little. "I knew I recognised your surnames."

"Uh, yeah, he's my boyfriend." Mia was somewhat confused and she even exchanged a glance with Luce.

"Congratulations!" Therese exclaimed happily. But the smile disappeared once she realised everyone was staring at her, utterly confused.

"On what?" Mia asked, feeling the pain start somewhere in her stomach, reaching her heart in one quick manoeuvre.

"Uh, Jeff," Therese stuttered, "your boyfriend, he booked the house for next summer, for a wedding, I thought... I'm sorry I thought you were engaged."

"Oh, my God." Mia's heart skipped a couple of beats, as that pain turned to nausea.

"He booked the house for a wedding? Whose?" Lucy raised her voice and grabbed Mia by the arm, like she predicted Mia might need physical support.

"Well, well, his own." Therese's eyes widened like she couldn't believe what was going on.

"Oh, I think I'm gonna be sick." Mia said slowly and headed for the house, hearing Lucy follow.

"I'm gonna move food by twenty minutes, then!" Therese smiled nervously, but the girls were already half-running to the house.

"Oh, my God, oh, my God." Mia talked while her stomach turned. The feeling was similar to the drunken feeling of the world suddenly spinning by 180.