Can't Help but Love Him

My Choice

    "We'll start by picking up my wedding dress." She says, showing me the rout on her phone. The car was like the one we had escaped in last time, but leaner and with better security.

     "Is it already time for that?" The wedding was a week and a couple days away, but everything still seemed too fast. 

     "Already? We're a week behind schedule. The deadline's practically on top of us. If something goes wrong... If I gained weight, and my dress doesn't fit... you know what that means, Jay? It means everything's ruined." She panicked.

     "Aurora, calm down. It'll be fine. My Uncle has a talent or planning last minute events. Besides, you think I'd let you have anything but an amazing marriage? I'll make sure it happens how you want it to." I assure her, patting her on the head.

     That's right; this wasn't about me. I was being selfish. She was being rushed into this too, she had only just turned seventeen. 

     I decided right then that I should focus on her, not myself. She was more important that what I wanted. 

     "Oh, we're here Jay! Corrigans Mayfair!" She exclaims, looking out the window. I start to look up, but she rushes to cover my eyes.

     "A-Aurora? What's going on?" I ask, hearing the car door open. "Are you kidnapping me?" 

     "Jason, your talent for forgetting important days astounds me. As of today, you're not even a kid anymore. Happy eighteenth birthday!" She says, removing her hands.

     My jaw dropped as I stared dumbfounded at what stood before me. The entire restaurant was decorated with streamers and balloons, and there was a huge banner in the front that read Happy Birthday.

     Charlie, Owen, Gorge, my Uncle and a few others all waited to greet me by the entrance. Aurora pushed me out of the car, closing the door and coming around the other side. 

     "Try to at least make it look like you want to be here." She giggled, holding onto my arm.

     My Uncle had no expression on his face, he just stared at his drink while listening to my Aunt chatter. He was the only thing that spoiled it, everything else seemed perfect.  

     "I do want to be here, I just didn't know they would be here." I sigh. She went over to and began to mingle, and I mindlessly followed her. 

     Regardless of my Uncle being there, my spirits couldn't help but lift as I saw all my favorites people gathering together. Charlie spotted me, and came up to give me a bear hug. Gorge and Owen followed him, smiling at his foolishness. 

     "Was that your way of testing me on the phone, Charles?" I asked. 

     "Yes sir! Wanted to make sure you were staying loyal to your girl, you know?" He said, pointing to Aurora. "Speaking of which, she's hot as hell dude! Why didn't you tell me you got such a banger? You can't keep that all to yourself, after all sharing is cari-"

     "I don't have enough soap to wash the floor and your mouth, Charlie. So keep it clean." Owen scolds, coming over to us. "Anyway, congratulations Jason. For your marriage and growing yet another year." 

     "Aging isn't an achievement. And you'll be trapped with one woman for the rest of your life, regardless if she's pretty or not." Gorge said in his usual depressed tone. He then stopped, cowering from Charlie and Owen's dampened expressions. "O-Oh, but good luck though!" He stammered.

     I couldn't help but laugh, they were exactly the same as before. I missed them, I really did. "You guys haven't changed a bit. Besides, what was with that congratulating? Owen's was the only acceptable one by far."

     "Oh come on, I tried man! I can't help it, she's hot!" Charlie complains.

     Gorge reaches behind him, and grabs an apple juice box from the table. "Good call on the drinks, Jay." He says, poking a straw in the hole. 

     "Actually, the whole party was a surprise. Jason didn't even know he was celebrating his birthday until he saw you all." My Uncle says, coming up from behind me.

     "Ohh, then thank you sir! There are excellent verities here." Gorse says, looking at the row of juice boxes. Owen rolls his eyes, and drags gorge away with him. 

     "We'll see you during the cake-cutting, Jay! I wanna ask Aurora how you managed to pull her." Charlie says, running off with Gorge and Owen.

     "I'm an adult right now, so if I wanted to walk away I could." I say when they're out of hearing range.

     "Oh, I'm sure you could. Go ahead, it's not like your friends will be suspicious." He said, keeping his hold on my shoulder. "You learned what happened the last time you went off on your own." 

     "Why are you so obsessed with me? Why can't you just let me go?" I asked, wriggling away from his grasp. I tried not to make it too obvious I hated him, I had to make this look like a normal conversation.

     "It's not that easy, Jay. Everyone wants to walk away from their responsibility. Unfortunately, the people in front of you will remain regardless if you walk away from them or not." He grabs a juice box from the table, poking it with a straw.

     "I'm fine with you leaving me, but are you willing to walk away from everyone and their feelings about you?" He said, taking a sip. "You're being selfish. You have a perfect life planned out for you, all you have to do is live it."

     In that moment, something seemed to click in my brain. I physically felt it, it made a small snapping noise. It would be my decision, I would choose Aurora. It was then that I convinced myself into believing I did have some control over my life, and I could choose to love her.

     I once again saw her in an entire different light, a false light. From then on, I'd do what I had to and love her.