The New Girl

[July] - The Wedding (3)

Joe immediately felt the three drinks as he slid into a seat next to Caspar and Oli, the white lacy decor and pink flowers moving up and down in his line of vision, causing him to close his eyes tightly to regain balance.

"You okay mate?" Caspar whispered in his ear, causing Joe to reopen his eyes and nod affirmatively.

"You look a little..." Oli trailed off.

"Tipsy? Imagine that, it's as if the three drinks he just chugged are impairing his ability to function," Dianne interjected dryly, popping her head around his shoulder. Joe could feel her hot breath on his cheek and it was eliciting a weird butterfly feeling in his stomach.

"Mate, why?" Caspar whined, slumping down in his seat. "Now everyone is going to know you're not over her."

"I AM over her," Joe hissed back, "I just don't want to be here. And this one keeps asking questions about my feelings."

Joe jerked his thumb over his shoulder toward Dianne who huffed in annoyance, "Don't blame me for your irresponsible decisions."

Caspar smirked at them both, but the music swelled before he was able to say anything else, and their attention was turned toward the back of the walkway as bridesmaids began to proceed down toward the altar. Joe could feel the butterflies in his gut turn into full on flapping birds as he nervously shifted in place, knowing it was only a matter of moments before he was going to come face to face with the entire reason why he didn't want to be there in the first place.

As the first notes of the traditional wedding march began he felt his chest clench as the double doors began to swing open, the alcohol in his system now swirling around uncomfortably. And suddenly there she was. Amelia, in all her glory, wearing a white dress with the poofiest skirt he'd ever seen, her blonde hair piled on top of her head, and a beaming smile on her face.

He felt nothing. Except the tiny, aching pit of jealousy that had begun to grow as soon as he heard she was engaged. As usual, he pushed it down, choosing to focus instead on the distinct tile design on the floor underneath his feet.

Caspar nudged him, shooting him a look that clearly said "pay attention" but luckily she had made it down the aisle and the guests were allowed to be seated, where it was much easier to avert his eyes in a more subtle way.

The beer was making his brain fuzzy, and the room suddenly felt extremely warm. He could hear the minister speaking, but none of the words made sense. He was sure he was supposed to be laughing along at some parts, engaging with the rest of the guests. But all he felt was numb.

Just as the walls began feeling like they were closing in, he felt a familiar soft hand slip into his, anchoring him to his seat. Glancing up in surprise, he noticed Dianne was still focused toward the altar, her eyes watching the ceremony closely. Though her hand had made its way to his lap, and her thumb was now rubbing up and down the back of his hand, ever so gently.

"You may now kiss the bride," the loud announcement came from the front of the room, the guests erupting into cheers as Amelia and her new husband kissed under the pretty pink flowers, and it took everything in Joe to not run. Instead, he chose to squeeze Dianne's hand even tighter, feeling a slight relief when she didn't flinch or try and let go. That balance she had given hime earlier was still there.

"Are you alright?" she finally spoke, murmuring into his ear as Amelia and the bridal party made their way back up the aisle. Their hands were still tightly clasped between them, though now they were back standing.

"Fine," he managed to whisper, though he knew his red neck and cheeks gave him away.

"You look like you saw a ghost," Dianne observed quietly, concern evident in her voice. "Was it seeing Amelia? Or the first kiss? Or what the minister was saying about true love--"