#now i realize i missed a bit on jessie's hair too- i've fixed it here and ingame

[monarch-boo]

Just a week away! I am so happy about this information.

[lyon-amore]

    I greet the guests arriving at the church. It's a fabulous day. The sky is clear, there's not a breath of wind and my chosen dress looks amazing on me.

    Both my family and Stephan and Jessy's friends.     My cousin is even nervous when he talks to his parents, and his sister tries to stop his monsters from getting into mischief.

    Klaus walks over to me, smiling. We've both helped the couple with the wedding rehearsals and of course he's the best man so I've had to see him quite a bit these past few months. I appreciate him for being a nice guy, but it's been awkward because it was all about weddings.

   “Nervous?’’ he asks me while brushing his hair out of his face with his hand in the manner clearly like a boy in a romance movie would do.

    “It's not my wedding, so I'm fine,” I remind him, keeping my distance. “If I were you, I'd worry more about your friend,’’ I point my thumb at Stephan and he laughs.

    “He thinks he's nervous, but he's actually happy,’’ I let out a small laugh. I don't argue with him on that. “I was thinking you could save me a dance at the party, you know... like old times.’’

    I bite the inside of my cheek, trying not to be rude. He’s one of the reasons I had to box up some things, thinking I was being ridiculous with the things I liked. But in the end I realized that we didn’t fit and… because something was missing when I was with him. Those special moments that never came. Yes, a good guy, but I didn’t feel special and he wasn’t who I was looking for in the end.

    “I'd love to, but―’’

    “I've already asked the princess for the first dance,’’ Phil comes over and puts his arm around my shoulders, “sorry man, she's already taken.’’

    I step on him with my heel when saying those last words. What do you mean taken’? What am I? A fish now?

    “Oh! I didn't know you were dating Phil,’’ he lets out a nervous laugh and slowly walks away, “well, see you later.’’

    When Klaus walks away, I look at Phil with a slight bow, while crossing my arms.

    “And my thanks for getting rid of him, princess?’’ he asks me with open arms “At least a kiss.’’

    “I only accept that attitude from a man, and he is not you,’’ I answer with a sigh “What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be with Jessy?’’

   “They are fixing her makeup,’’ he points with his head to the end of the street “, she started crying with happiness and the girls started fixing her, so I preferred to wait for her to come here.’’

    “The brother of the year.’’

    “I know,’’ he looks me up and down and smiles mischievously. “The dress suits you well. But do you know where it would be better?’’

    “Surprise me,’’ I say sarcastically.

    “Tonight, after the party,’’ he places his hand on my waist, pulling me closer to him. I look at his hand while frowning, “we can have our first night too. What do you think, princess?’’

    “Well… The truth is that I don't―’’

    I then feel a strange electric current throughout my body. I feel as if someone is watching me.

    I turn around and see a man dressed in black, with his hood up, at the end of the street. I can't see his face very well because of the hood, it shadows his features.     But something about him… Strange. He's kind of familiar.     I apologize to Phil and walk over to Stephan, interrupting the conversation.

    “Do you know who he is?’’ I ask him, looking discreetly while playing with my earrings, to hide the fact that I'm pointing at him.

    Stephan looks at him and shakes his head, although he makes a small nod for a second.

    “Uh… I have no idea,’’ he shrugs his shoulders, “Maybe he's just coming to mass?’’

    I look at him again. My curiosity about him is growing.

    “I'm going to ask him,’’ I finally say.

    “Macie! Not everything has to be… bad…’’

    I hear him let out a sigh as I move away from him, to approach the stranger.

    I see that the closer I get to him, the more nervous he gets, even taking out his cell phone as if to pretend to do something else.     When I'm in front of him, I notice his green eyes. His look is tired, and from time to time he looks at me surreptitiously, as if he thinks he's pretending to be invisible by ignoring me.     I can see his hair is a little long, on his neck. He even seems a little unkempt, but something about him makes him attractive. Or maybe it's because he has something that attracts me?

   “Hi,’’ I greet with a smile. Oddly enough, it makes me feel more comfortable to be next to him than next to Phil or Klaus. “Are you here on behalf of the groom or the bride?’’

    He blinks in confusion; I even notice how his face turns red.     I wait a little. Something… There is something that seems familiar, it is as if I have seen him before.     I wait for him to answer, but he looks away shyly.

    “Oh, no…’’ I bring my hands to my face, embarrassed.“Damn, I should have learned to speak in sign language, how embarrassing… Maybe he don't―’’

    “I am not… here on behalf of either of them,’’ I freeze when I hear his deep voice. It seems as if it even costs him to do so. “I am here for mass…’’

    I lower my hands, slowly. I'm still looking at him like a hypnotized fool.

    “Okay,’’ I nod slowly, “ it's just that since I'm greeting the guests, I wanted to make sure you're coming to the wedding.’’

    The boy looks at himself from head to toe, then looks at me.

    “Am I dressed appropriately for a wedding?’’ He arches an eyebrow and smiles. A beautiful smile that makes me feel my cheeks burn. I hope that thanks to the makeup my blush isn't noticeable, how embarrassing. “With a sweatshirt and jeans?’’

    “I don't judge,’’ I raise my hands so as not to be critical of each other's clothes, “it's just that you've caught my attention. Do we know each other?’’

    He looks away, almost sadly.

    “No I do not think so…”

    It's then that something crosses my mind, but it can't be true, right? I mean… he decided to walk away.     I open my mouth to ask him, but it is at that moment that they tell us to enter.

    “You should not stay out here,” he tells me and I look at him, “the others are going to be waiting for you.” His voice sounds pleasant to the ear, soft.

    A pleasant sensation runs through my body when I look at him.     He passes by me and I'm completely on fire when I feel our hands brush against each other. Noticing the electricity I had felt when I saw him.     I breathe a little heavily, trying to come back to reality.

    I look for the boy when I sit down. He is sitting on the end benches, alone. I raise my hand and wave at him, which makes him pull his hood further up in embarrassment.     I avoid letting out a laugh, looking adorable.

✴.·´¯`·.·★·.·`¯´·.✴

    Everyone at the party dances and laughs. The night is now for those who want to continue dancing.     I dance with my friends, I am grateful that thanks to Stephan I have met them, he really has a group of incredible friends. 

    I then decide to go out for some fresh air, feeling the cold of the night sink into my bones. And with a feeling of emptiness. Yes, I laugh, we make jokes, we dance, but something is missing. I've been like this for two years, I have to admit, when everything returned to normal. Or at least what is normal for me.     Of course I'm happy for Stephan, he's finally managed to find someone he can complement himself with.     But I also thought I had it years ago. We didn't share many conversations because Jake and my cousin were mostly busy finding Hannah, but from what I was able to talk to him, he made me feel like he was someone special. The same feeling I had when I saw that man.

    I hear the notification sound from my bag and take out my cell phone. My heart races when I see the message. ------------------------

Jake Hello Macie. ------------------------

I bite my lip as I smile. It's almost as if my thoughts have connected with him. --------------------------

Macie Wow, long time no see Jake! 😄 I already thought that an alternative universe had taken you through a portal

Jake Haha. No, that has not happened :) I am sorry. These last few years have been complicated and I have not been able to contact anyone.

Macie Oh really? A lot of work?

Jake Something like that.

Macie Stephan has married Jessy It’s a shame you couldn’t see him, he would have been happy for you to be here 🥺

Jake I know. --------------------------

    I notice how little by little I'm starting to get angry. So he knew that? Did he know he were going to get married?     I want to think that maybe he knows it from social media, but knowing Stephan and Jake so well and their mutual secrets, I'm sure that's not the case. --------------------------

Macie Oh… Don’t tell me that you have been in contact without me knowing it 😑

Jake Does it help if I say I'm sorry again?

Macie Jake… So this is what you do? You appear in chat to tell me that you have been in communication these years And I thought I was your friend too...

Jake It is not like it is been that long.

Macie Two years for me has been a long time… And even more so when I have only wanted to talk to you all this time and know why you decided to stay away from us… Or rather now after finding out about me… 😔

Jake I did not mean to walk away, but it was necessary. My life was complicated enough before to get close to you. --------------------------

    Knowing that Jake has never told me anything about his life, I alone have had to make my theories, and it's not like Stephan told me everything. So I just have a fear of this whole thing as to why he never wanted to open up to me more. --------------------------

Macie Is this when you tell me you were married? 😒

Jake No, that’s not what I was going to say :) But I am trying to get my life together a little bit now and it is not easy. And the first thing I wanted to do was see you.

Macie See me? What do you mean?

Jake The dress you are wearing… That color looks perfect on you.

Macie You… YOU ARE JUST AS TERRIBLE AS PHIL!

Jake Macie, wait a little before you compare me to him.

Macie No, you are not worse than him You are worse than IT Worse than Freddy Krueger Worse than the demon from Insidious

Jake I guess I deserve those titles. But can I talk now? If you allow me, of course.

Macie …. You have my permission…

Jake :) Let me say that for today they let me go out and I wanted to be able to go see my friend’s wedding. And of course, also to you.

Macie That man… Wasn't it easier to tell me it was you? 🙁

Jake I did not dare to do it because I was ashamed. I thought I would scare you if I showed up myself to you.

Macie Of course I wouldn’t do it! It’s more! I would be happy! --------------------------

    I write that he was someone special to me when I met him, but I delete it, I think it would be going too far and we have hardly had an interaction deep enough to write that to him.

    “That I would be scared of you?”I ask the air. “Rather it would be the other way around, you would be the scare of me.”

    “Was I really special?” I hear behind me, making me jump in place.

    I turn around and see him with a smile that makes me melt. But that doesn't change the fact that I'm embarrassed that he read it.

    “You know? You should wear a bell like cats,” I put the phone away and he laughs.

    “Bells are not good for cats, they can make them deaf,” he responds while unzipping the zipper of his sweatshirt.

    Unexpectedly, he places it on my shoulders. I try not to let my stupid face show as I notice how warm it is thanks to his body temperature. And worst of all, I can't tell that I'm noticing the aroma it gives off. I am going crazy.

    “I didn't know because I don't have a cat,” I put on my sweatshirt better, passing my arms through the sleeves, “I have a—”

    “Rabbit, I know,” I raise an eyebrow, curious about his words. “Let us say... When Stephan also brought you into the matter, I also investigated whether you were trustworthy.”

    “Oh…” I raise my eyebrows, nodding. “Yeah, I guess I would have done the same thing too.”

    We both let out a laugh. I guess we're not that different than I thought when it comes to research.

    We stayed for a while looking at each other. The silence is really pleasant, not uncomfortable at all. Simply by looking into his eyes, it is as if I connected with him.

    “You should come in and say hello to Stephan," I raise my hand, pointing to the restaurant, “I'm sure he would be excited—” I see from his expression that it's changing to one of feeling guilty, “You have already saw each other…”

    “This morning I went to his house to thank him for everything he did for me in person, that is why I was at church, he wanted me to be a guest." He scratches the back of his neck, nervous, “I did not think you would catch me so quickly when I arrived.”

    “I just turned around, nothing more,” I lie to him, just so as not to tell him that I had actually noticed something strange. Someone like him might treat me like a crazy person. “But I'm glad to finally meet my friend, it really has been a surprise.”

    Still not erasing the smile, he slowly raises his hand to my face, brushing my hair away from my face.

    "I would never be scared of your attitude, Macie, I actually like it." His words make my breath stop while he slowly lowers his hand down my face. 

    It's incredible how much self-control I have, because I think I would have already started kissing him. And no matter how much he says he wouldn't be scared, I think he would. How could he not be scared of a woman who is totally crazy about this moment right now?     I swallow saliva as I feel a shiver run through my body, but not from the cold, but from wanting to do something else.     I open my mouth to want to buy him at least a drink at the bar-restaurant, so I can talk a little more, but he is the one who speaks first.

   "I have to go now," he withdraws his hand quickly, and I see how he clenches it into a fist, annoyed, "they are waiting for me," I nod slowly and he sighs. “Take care, Macie.”

    When he goes to turn, I stop him. He looks first at my hand, then at me.

    “When... When can we see each other again?”I ask still without letting go. I'm holding on with the fear of never seeing him again.

    “I am not sure,” I can see the sadness in his eyes before looking away, “I do not even know if I will come back...”

    "Then... Tell me when you've finished that important work and I'll come look for you."

    He looks at me and shakes his head, slowly caressing my cheek. Again... This time he is going to notice the heat I feel at his touch.

    “Something better: I will go look for you,” I avoid falling in love with him by speaking in a solemn way, as if it were a promise. He approaches my face and I close my eyes. However, it is not a kiss. But a light whisper “Until we meet again.”

    I try not to fall when I feel his breath on my ear, to see him finally move away from me. I want to shout to him that I will be waiting for him, that no matter how long he is away, I will wait for his return. But the words don't come out. I have a lump in my throat with the fear that this would be the last time I will see him.

    When I see that he has disappeared, I grab the sweatshirt and put it to my nose, trying to maintain at all times that he has been here with me, that it was not a dream and that I have talked to him. The aroma of his sweatshirt comforts me and makes me feel that the moment was real.     My phone rings again and I blush when I read his message. --------------------------

Jake If you like the smell of fabric softener so much, I can always tell you the brand ;) --------------------------

    I look everywhere, hoping to see him somewhere. But I can't find him. Maybe he was camouflaged in the dark as he was leaving and has seen me doing this act. --------------------------

Macie Very funny… 😤​ And it’s wrong to spy that way, it’s pretty creepy

Jake I just wanted to look at you. For one last time. --------------------------

    I put a hand to my heart, feeling strong pain as I read his words. --------------------------

Macie Do you really have to go, Jake? Can't you stay at least for tonight?

(Send Error) --------------------------

    I let out a sigh when I see that our connection has already been lost. I put my phone away and go back into the restaurant.

    I'm so distracted by the moment I've had with Jake that I'm surprised when a bouquet collides with my body and I catch it almost clumsily.

   “What the—”

    “The next wedding will be Macie's!” I hear Jessy scream and I see all the girls look at me with envy, when I didn't even have the intention of picking it up.

    It's then that I remember Jake's words, that he's coming to get me, his 'until we meet again.' A few small tears of happiness escape me, along with a laugh.     I smell the bouquet and all those promises, I keep them in my heart, waiting for that day to truly return.