Nothing but Heartbreak

6. Strip your dress off

The clinking of a glass caught my attention and I looked towards the center of the dance floor to see none other than Harlan in front of a microphone.

I guess it was time for his speech. I didn't exactly know what to expect from him but I knew it would be interesting.

"Hello everyone, if you don't know I'm Harlan brother of the beautiful bride. When my sister asked me to do a speech I actually laughed. I asked her to give me rules on what I should and shouldn't say and she thought it was a good idea to give me free rein on saying whatever I wanted as long as I didn't take up the whole night. That's a lot of power to give one person, especially since there is so much more of the night left, I could talk for hours and still not take up the whole night." He started.

I looked over at my best friend to see her shaking her head at her twin. She knew what she was getting herself into.

"When I first found out that my sister was dating Kieran I couldn't say I was overjoyed. I mean can you blame me? Someone as amazing as my sister could not have fallen for that." He gestured to Kieran.

I couldn't help but let out a quiet laugh. Harlan would never be anyone other than Harlan.

"But then I realized something. It was something that made me realize exactly why my sister found Kieran so great. I obviously took all the best genes when we were in the womb together. So how could I fault my sister for something she couldn't help. But in all seriousness even though Kieran and I didn't get off on the right foot and butted heads for years I know how much he cares for my sister. I wouldn't be standing here today if I didn't think these two were perfect together. And no one better be recording this because if anyone tries to say I said anything nice about Kieran I'll deny it until I die but maybe he's not that bad of a guy." Harlan smiled at the married couple.

"You know when we were kids Jade used to curl up on the couch and watch all those wedding dress shows. She would sit there and plan out what hers would look like. I remember I used to find scraps of paper everywhere of these doodles of big puffy dresses she'd draw when watching the shows. She always seemed more interested in what she was going to wear on her wedding day than who she was actually going to be marrying. Luckily that wedding show phase of her life was short lived and the dress she is wearing today is much nicer than all the drawn out ones she did as a kid."

"And to finish off my speech I figured I'd give you guys some advice. As a man who was married himself, I want to let you know what goes into a good marriage and how to make it work." His eyes flickered over to me and I couldn't help but roll my eyes at him.

"I think so far you've gotten a good start at not being blacked out drunk for it but just make her happy Kieran. As long as your wife is happy you'll be ok. So let's hear it for the newlyweds, here's to hoping your marriage lasts longer than mine." He held up his glass in cheers.

I raised my own glass not being able to take my eyes off Harlan. All I could do was watch as he turned and walked towards me.

"So what do you think?" Harlan asked plopping into the chair next to me.

"What?" I gave him a questioning look.

"Think they'll make it longer than us?" He turned to look at his sister and Kieran.

"You're kidding right?" I raised my eyebrows at him.

"You're right, that was a dumb thing to ask. They'll make it at least six days." He joked.

"That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard, their honeymoon is seven days, they'll at least make it through that." I laughed.

I watched as his eyes lit up.

"How could I forget about that?"

"You obviously weren't thinking." I shrugged.

"What else is new?" Harlan just grinned at me.

"You want a refill?" I turned almost forgetting Liam was sitting next to me.

"Oh sure." I handed my empty glass to him.

"Look at that he's not just boring but also a waiter," Harlan commented, watching as Liam walked towards the bar.

"Can't you just leave me alone?" I sighed.

I had let Harlan get back into my head. I had been trying to push him out but then there he was knocking all my defenses down.

"Harlan, find someone else to bother." I turned to see my best friend standing behind me.

"That's no fun but I guess it is your day." He stood up walking over to give his sister a quick hug before walking off.

"His speech sure was something," I said as Jade took the seat Harlan had just been occupying.

"It is Harlan, I wouldn't expect anything else." Jade shrugged.

"You're right." I nodded.

"Now why are you just sitting here?" Jade tilted her head at me.

"I'm waiting for Liam," I answered her.

"You know there is a reason I don't like him." She said.

"Yeah?"

"You aren't the Ava I love when you're with him. The Ava I know would be out on that dance floor showing everyone up and then at some point you'll have had a little too much and I'll have to guide you to your room before you try to strip your dress off."

I knew my best friend was right. I toned myself down and not because I grew up. I knew that the guys I went after wouldn't like the Ava that let herself be crazy. They liked the Ava I had forced myself to be.

But who I was to live for someone else instead of myself?

"Want to dance?" I held my hand out to her.

"Of course." She grabbed it and we walked towards the dance floor with large smiles on our faces.

I was going to have fun, I was going to make sure this night was one to remember.

My best friend was only going to get married once and who was I to not have the time of my life?

The music changed and the beats of a new song thrummed through the speakers. I let the beat take me away and I just went for it.

I was going to dance until I couldn't dance anymore.

A/n:

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and if you did don't forget to comment and vote!!

-Cora Leigh