Two Weeks Later

I took a deep breath as Noah made an attempt to tape flowers on the pillar the fourth time but he failed again. 'Noah, really, leave it. I can do it.'

'I'm trying, let me just—' he stumbled on the ladder. I was to rush to catch him from falling but he lost his balance and fell on Ryan's arms instead. 'Oh Prince, you saved me.' He mimicked as he wrapped his hands around Ryan's neck.

'Yes Princess Diana. Heard you were falling for me.' Then they leaned in to kiss when Yang came up making a 'Cut! Cut!' Sound.

'Don't make it more gross would you now?' Yang helped Noah on the ground. He could walk and sprint but still, he wasn't fully recovered.

I rolled my eyes as I stepped forth and hugged the life out of Ryan. 'You came.' I said in his ear.

'In flesh and bones.' He laughed.

'How were your interviews?' I asked him. It's had been a week since he was off to different countries for interviews on showstopper and to sign his first contract for his ever growing singing career.

'Would've been better if you were with me.' He said.

'Well, I was. Everyday we video chatted remember?'

'Not enough for me.' He leant in to kiss before someone's hand came between our mouths and we opened our eyes.

Ryan shot Noah the deadliest of glares. 'Sorry to interrupt, but we have work to do. Come on Jenny.' Noah grabbed my hand and took me to the pillar, giving me flowers so I can pin them. Just as I was to climb the ladder, Ryan climbed it before me, huffing as he did so while Noah grinned from ear to ear.  'One of the perks being unhealthy.' Noah counted.

I took the cake that was just delivered.

We were in Ryan's cottage. The one where Ryan brought me before. Yang offered Mom and Henry's wedding to take place there, and when shown the location, Henry agreed and when Henry agreed, it wasn't hard for mom to agree too.

Today was the day when they'd be together. A day most awaited for anyone's life to finally be bond with their loved ones. How strange it was? Just few vows, just few words, and you get connected to the person forever. This is why they call it Marriage. To spend a Merry life for the rest of the Age.

I placed the cake on the table and spread some flowers around it. 'I want to eat it so badly now.' Mia expressed her enthusiasm as she helped me set the table with bundle of sweets.

'Just wait for a few more minutes and you'll have it.'

'Gosh, still waiting.' She exclaimed. Chuckling, I moved to lay down the fabric over the table.

Ian came by me and helped me with it. 'Did you ever imagine a day of preparing for Mom's wedding?'

'Nope. Like, it seems so unreal to me now.' I picked up the chair and placed it under the table. 'I wonder if dad would be with us.'

He smiled sadly. 'Yeah, I miss him too. It's seems that there is an empty spot in our lives and nothing can fill it. Not even Henry.'

'But he is nice. He'll keep mom happy.'

'I actually want Mom to keep him happy.' Ian placed a vase with a flower in it on the table.

'Same for me.' I said. I placed more vases on the other tables as Mia and I covered the tables with white clothes.

'You know what colour will I choose on my wedding?' Mia asked.

'What?'

'Black. Like my theme would be fire and hell.'

I laughed. 'No way. I thought you'd go with purple.'

'Yeah but then just imagine, if anyone would be asking "where are you going?" They'd say, "We are going to Hell."' She laughed at her own joke while I laughed at her laugh.

We placed the last dessert on the table. 'We need to get ready now.' She looked at the time.

I nodded as I rushed upstairs to go to my room but then I halted and turned on my heels and made it to the room where Mom was getting ready. 'Hey.' I said to mom who was getting ready.

'Hello sweetie. Can you ladies give us a minute please?' The hair dresser and make up artist nodded as they left the room. 'How's it going?'

'Okay.' I said and looked down on my shoes.

'What is it?'

'I was just missing Dad.' I said.

'Oh.'

'Yeah, I didn't mean to destroy your feelings and all but I was here to tell you something.'

'I'm listening.'

'If after your wedding, you ever have kids with Henry,' her smile faltered. 'Treat them right. Not like us, don't abandon them. Ever. I'll take them away from you if you ever treat them wrong and I swear to you, I'll never return them.'

She nodded. I was expecting a calm outburst but she smiled after passing second. 'I won't repeat my mistakes Jane and if I ever do, you are welcome to do what you think is good.'

I shrugged. 'Fair enough.' I left her room and told the beauticians that she calls them.

I went to my room and took a shower. Wrapping myself in a towel, I stepped out of the bathroom to find a dress on my bed. I was hundred percent sure it was not the dress I bought with Mia. I bit my lip as I eyed the dress.

It was a baby pink dress with tule sleeves giving off princess jasmine vibes. The embroidery of birds in cages and flying followed through the bodice and onto the gown that puffed out just mildly from my waist. It was perfect dress for the wedding. Just as I picked up the dress, a note fell from it.

First of the many gifts coming to you.
Love you Âme.

My heart faltered and a smile spread across my lips.

I curled my hair and tied them in a lose bun. When doing my makeup, I painted my lips matte deep, blood red lipstick that brought out my cheek bones and my blue eyes. I put on the dress but struggled with the zipper.

Someone knocked on the door and opened it to reveal a shocking Ryan who gasped. He was in his black suit and his hair were gelled back just like in his Finals, looking oddly handsome. He eyed me from top and down and  from down to top various times. 'Oh fuck Âme, you're gonna kill me tonight.' He stepped towards me and I strongly resisted the urge to bite my lips.

He kissed me carefully on my forehead. 'You're so beautiful. Like, too much. It should be illegal you know?'

'Is it? But don't you think it's a bit lose?'  I turned around. 'Can you zip it up for me?'

From the mirror, I saw Ryan gulping. His hands almost shook as they reached my zipper and zipped it taking longer than they should simultaneously caressing my back skin with his fingers arising good bumps. I turned around and smiled at him. 'Thank you for the dress.'

'Pleasure.' He looked in my eyes so deeply that I wanted to dive in his right away. Just the way he looked, my skin electrified. He smiled so brightly that his eyes crinkled. It was the most beautiful melody that I heard behind his actions. His eyes were Panacea to all my problems. 'Shall we?'

I took my shoes out that Ryan had gifted. Wearing them, I hooked my arm around Ryan's. We walked out and stood at the edge of the stairs. I tightened my arm around Ryan's so I won't fall but Ryan had other plans. Swiftly, he picked me up in bridal style and carried me downstairs. 'I can walk in heels you know?'

'Yeah, I was just looking for a reason to pick you up.' He placed me down gently when we reached outside the cottage where a carpet had been laid over. At the end of the carpet, was an area raised up where Henry and Mom would take vows. The surrounding consisted of few tables and serving table. Everything was decorated, even the lake—where Ryan was to kiss me before Noah interrupted— paper boats floated with lights on them. The surrounding trees had fairy lights draped over them and for once, it didn't look like a creepy forest but more like a fantasy land.

Yang, Noah, me and Ryan, we all stood in a straight line guiding guest to their seats as we greeted them.

Ryan almost squeezed my hand when James, his grandfather appeared holding a bouquet. I expected him to look older but he looked more refreshed. Ryan had a brief meeting with his grandfather on his finals day. James smiled at Ryan. For a second, Ryan was stiff, keeping a firm hold on my hand. I slipped my hand out of him and pushed him forth James. They both hugged heartily. 'You made me so proud.' James told Ryan as he patted him on his back.

He then hugged me and thanked me. 'Surprise.' I said to Ryan who still was confused.

When all the guests were settled down, Henry appeared, rubbing his palms together nervously. 'Relax.' I told him. He nodded and took few deep breaths, pulled me into a hug and then kissed the top of my head.

'You look beautiful.' He nervously said while I laughed. 'And so would your mom. Oh god, I never knew it's gonna be so difficult.'

'Hey, you're gonna do great. Now go.' He gulped and walked up to the stage.

Mom walked down the stairs wearing her simple yet elegant white gown. It was all plain, except for the sleeves that were embroidered.

Mom's eyes lifted up to Ian who was waiting in a suit to walk her down the aisle. He rubbed his wrist as he kept his eyes on his foot. I knew it was hard for him but then, he was the one who proposed the idea.

'Look at this handsome.' Mom commented to relax Ian who, without even looking at her, smiled.

I came back to sit with Ryan with the rest of the gang. A slow, romantic music was played as Ian walked mom down the aisle. It was the most strangest yet beautiful moment of all.Henry looked at mom like she was his lifeline and without her, he'll die within a second. He sniffed away the tears that crystallised his eyes as he watched mom coming toward him. Meanwhile, under the table, Ryan's hand found mine, lacing his fingers to me.

Ian, certainly nervous, took mom's hand and placed it in Henry's. He came back to our table and blew a breath. 'You did great.' I whispered to him as he nodded.

I watched Henry taking vows and then mom taking vows and they wearing the ring and then the kiss. It was all in such a blurry state probably because of the tears that hurdles my view. Then it was the good music and everyone around us clapped.

'She looks beautiful.' Mia commented.

'Yeah.'

'You both haven't settled have you?'

'Nah, we can't. Henry's good but Mom, well, some people stay the same.' I shrug. I wasn't sad over the fact that Mom and I were still same when everything was better. Even my cyber-bullying had come to an end, thanks to Ryan and Harrison.

'I heard that you guys invited Harrison too?' Noah leant in. 'Like, really?'

I shrugged again. 'He wears mom's collection so it actually made pretty good sense if he'd show up but then he cancelled at the last moment.'

'A witty thing to do.' Noah stood up and stretched when it was time for dance. James had borrowed Ryan for a second while Yang and Mia trailed off to the centre of the stage. 'You know what? This wedding's a bit boring.'

'Noah, we all are dressed well. If you try to do anything, I swear all the girls would rip your head off.' I hissed as Noah's naughty face came on display.

'They say leave a mark before you leave.' Noah quoted.

'I thought you are not leaving.' I recalled the conversation Noah, Yang and Ryan were having when I came out from my last exam and even after the graduation.

'Yeah, Yang promised to help me with his money and so did Ryan so I decided to stay for a month.' Noah chewed on his lips.

'Is your mother okay with it?'

'We need money, Jenny.' Noah reclined in his chair, 'and if I'm getting it then, it's fine isn't it?'

'Yup.'

'Okay,' he stood up and outstretched his hand. 'Let's do something.'

I arched my eyebrow. 'Something? What's going in your mind?'

He gave me a The Smile. 'Let's dance. My butt's cracked sitting on these chairs.'

'Noah,' I took his hand as I stood up. 'Seriously, tell me.'

'Nothing, Jenny.' He tried to hide his smile. 'It's just dance.'

I narrowed my eyes at him but decided not to argue. In the corner, Ryan and James were having a conversation and by Ryan's relaxed expressions and James wide smile, it seemed it was a pleasant one.

We both positioned our arms. He swayed his hips looking side ways for something. 'On a scale of one to ten, how boring this wedding seems to you? Honestly.'

I pondered over. Surely there was nothing else happening. Ryan and James were having a conversation, Mom, Henry, Ian , Mia and Yang and some other girl, like us were dancing. After the dance, Ryan was to sing and then the food would come and it will be over. Nothing more, nothing less but again I thought this is how a wedding is supposed to go. 'Eight.'

Noah grinned and nodded as he made a vague attempt to swirl me under his arm but failed. I yelped as he stepped on my foot. 'I'm sorry. Pardon. Shit.' He kept on saying the words each time he'd step on my shoes. 'You know what? We're good just standing.'

'I'm glad you realised it after destroying my shoes.'

'Just a few stones fell off. I'm sure it's not a biggie.' I was to respond but there was an announcement and Ryan was called on the stage. We all clapped as he sat on the stage and sang 'Thinking Out Loud' by Ed Sheeran.

He gave us a smile as he mounted off the staged and walked towards us. 'How was it?' Ryan asked.

'You are won a whole Talent Show, Ryan and still you are worried if it was good or not?' I told him lacing humour in my voice.

'I'll always worry.' He said.

After an Henry and Mom cut the giant cake, the guests went to the food table and began eating.

I went there too as hunger had taken over me. The cake was served in plates and guest retreated to their tables instead of us. Yang and Mia were standing beside the cake and Yang was feeding Mia a cake while Ryan and I was enjoying our pastry.

'Come on have some.' Yang insisted Mia who nodded in no.

'I'm trying to lose some weight.' She told him.

'You won't get fat. Come on have some. I'll still love you.' Yang raised the spoon again to Mia's mouth but she shook her head again.

'I love you too but you know.' Just as Mia shook her head no again, Noah appeared.

'Urgh, can you guys please stop?' He picked up the cake from Yang's plate, took in his two hands and wiped the cake on both of their faces. 'Better.'

My jaw fell to the lengths of the ground and Yang grabbed another piece of cake and threw it so hard at Noah's face that he almost fell. Mia threw the cake on Noah but failed and instead it crashed on Ryan's chest. 'Sorry!' She yelled but Ryan was already aiming at Mia.

I tried to withdraw from this mess. As I was taking steps back, my back crashed into someone's chest. I turned around and found Ryan, his hair in cake, holding a piece of it and grinning at me.

I scrunched my face. 'Please no. You'll destroy my make up.' He smiled but wiped the cake on my face anyways. I grimaced but he gave me a little peck on my lips.

'You'll still look beautiful, babe.' He said before he crouched down to save himself from the upcoming cake.

'Yes!' Noah yelled loudly, holding up two snow sprays. 'Now, it's time!'

My eyes widened when he made an attempt to spray it on me. I made a run but my heels came in a way and he sprayed it right onto my hair in a shape of a frost. I took my heels off and jumped to snatch the spray from him. 'Oh shit!' He said and ran but halted when Yang appeared, all soaked in cake with a frosting covering half his face, holding out a snow spray. Noah tried to run back but I blocked his way. He tried to run to his left but Mia came and then Ryan, covering his both sides, holding snow sprays.

We all grinned from ear to ear. 'Noah, any last wish?' Ryan asked.

'Nope.' Then we all launched on him, covering him from head to toe in the substance that our sprays extracted. When Noah was wholly covered, we all sprayed over each other as we laughed our hearts out. Someone tapped me on my shoulder and I turned around to see Ian.

'What are you doing?' He whispered as he gestured me to look at the guests with disgusted faces and at Mom who would throw up. Henry walked towards us.

'But—' I couldn't finish what I was to say when Ian splashed a piece of cake on my face.

'Whatever you are doing, I wanna be a part of it.' He said as I laughed.

Henry came from behind and cleared his throat so loud that we all stopped. 'Kids, this is my wedding and my guests over there are clearly disgusted.' He told us.

'But we are having just fun.' Noah argued.

'I know kids but see, those guests are quite expensive and they don't like it.' He huffed as he looked back.

'Then tell them to fuck off.' Yang said and Henry's eyes widened. 'What? I'm serious.'

Mom came from behind and gave us a tight smile. 'You kids should clean up. Now.' We all gave puppy eyes to Henry but he gave me a whatever-she-says-is-better look.

Giving up and throwing our spray cans, we slumped our shoulders to add a dramatic effect as we went in the cottage. 'But it was so much fun!' Noah groaned as he threw his jacket at the corner. 'What is the problem with adults?'

'I wish I knew.' Mia sighed.

'I swear if I'd get married, I would make a whole freaking segment of playing and shit.' Noah took his shirt off and threw it furiously at the corner as he walked back in the bathroom to take a shower and yelled from the bathroom. 'What is wrong with ya'll?!'

'Should we go back?' Ian asked as he wiped his face. Compared to us, he was much cleaner. There was just a smudge on his face that he wiped off. 'Mom's gonna kill us.'

'I'm not going back.' Ryan, taking his jacket off, sat on the couch.

'Like I'd love to.' Yang took his tie off while I sat down to take my shoes off only to remember they are in the wedding. 'Shitty adults.' He went in the bathroom from where Noah just came out. Ian didn't join the wedidng afterwards as we, one by one, took showers and changed into our regular clothes. I was sort of sad about the dress being destroyed but it all vanished when I found them all, laughing about something I couldn't decipher.

After a long discussion, we all sneaked out of the wedding while mom attended the guests that were just leaving. We all sat in Yang's car, threw the bag in trunk as he drove off

'Remind me again what we are doing here?' Ian whispered to me as he saw the hill in front of him.

'To have some fun.'

'Hiking? That's the fun.'

'Bud, you need a lot to learn.' Yang told Ian as he adjusted the bag and started climbing the mountain. This time, it wasn't so hard to climb up the hill probably because I was excited for what waited for me after it. Ian was tired, I could tell by the way he was hunched over but we all kept him company. He didn't seem awkward at all, considering he was older than us. He enjoyed as Noah told him the jokes and Ryan and Yang told some more stories.

I blew a breath as we reached the top. I closed my eyes and took the deepest of breaths. The wind felt exceptionally familiar as my toes hitched to jump of the hill and into the ocean that waited for us down. 'Look at the relief on your face.' Ryan commented.

'It's so beautiful.' I took my pants and my shirt off, revealing my body suit I wore underneath.

'I didn't know you were this excited.' He smirked as he too took his clothes off and stuffed them in the bag. Ian look bewildered so I explained him and excitement clouded his face.

'Seems fun.'

'It is.' I said as I walked over the edge with Ryan by my side. He laced his fingers around me.

'Ready, Âme?' I smiled at the name as I saw the locket around his neck. I nodded, he smiled and then, we jumped.

It was almost how I experienced it before; the strong wind, the speed of time, the speck of fear mingled with loads of joy, the strange sensation in the pit of my stomach except, the warmth of Ryan's hand in mine. 'Yeah!' He yelled that boomed in the hills.

Then we crashed in the water that stung just like before and slowed the time. My vision blurred with white, black and then blue. I blinked several times to adjust myself as I kept the oxygen in my lungs.

Ryan's face came into focus who dragged me up to the surface of the water that I could see him. He stared at me just like before, his brown eyes darkened to black just like before, his hand came on mine just like before and he kissed me, just like before.

He pulled me up to the surface of water and I placed my hands on my shoulder blades, coughing as I did. 'It was ... ' I said between my coughs. 'Amazing.'

'I know.' He smiled at me and then we were splashed further as Yang, Noah, Mia and Ian landed. We all laughed our hearts out for Ian blabbered how fun it was an he wanted to do it again. I listened to him intently but when I look back, I found Ryan's eyes on my face.

'What?'

'Nothing.'

'Why are you looking at me like that?'

'Just... you're too beautiful and I love you and thank you.' He said and I grinned. 'For helping me through all my shit and staying by my side.' I smiled further that my cheeks hurt. 'I had prepared a whole shitty speech but now that I think, every line of the speech meant I love you.'

'I love you, too.' I said.

I screamed as a huge amount of water splashed over me. We all looked at the person who just jumped.

Henry appeared out of the water making me laugh. 'Weren't you suppose to attend your wedding?'

'You kids shouldn't've left me there alone.' He complained as he wiped his face.

'You were being an adult.' Noah folded his arms.

'Considering my age, I still am but man, this was fun.' He looked up at the edge of the cliff and then into the water. 'I'm sorry I scolded and destroyed your fun but you know—'

'Yeah, we forgive you.' Ryan cut him off.

'Yeah,' Yang agreed. 'Don't give us more lectures.'

'Where's mom?' Ian asked. 'You left her there?'

'She's not a woman to be left behind.' Henry pointed to his right, at the shore where mom stood.

I gasped. 'She came.'

'Yup.' Henry answered as we all dived in and moved towards the shore. Mom handed us each towels that we wrapped around us and sat on the logs we had set months ago.

'How was it?' She asked Henry. She had changed into a plain shirt and pants.

'Good enough for you to try it.' He suggested and outstretched his hand. Mom looked at the hand for a second, I knew she was trying to calculate whether she should or not. Then, to my surprise, she took the hand and stood up.

'Then let's go.' Henry smiled and took her to the start of the cliff as they began climbing it.

Just as they disappeared out of sight, Yang and Ryan went in car and drought a crate of beers while Ryan put on a song on the radio of the car, raising the volume higher. 'Let's party!' Yang yelled over the music. Ryan uncapped a bottle of beer and handed it to each of us.

When we all had one bottle in our hands, we cheered and shoved some down our throats only I took a sip that almost stirred my insides. Noah rocked his hips and did some weird moves as he danced and soon, we joined him.

'HERE'S MY NUMBER, SO CALL ME MAYBE!' We sang with the chorus as we jiggled our bottles up in the air.

We all danced so wildly in the songs that we almost lost ourselves. It was the environment where nothing was wrong, no one cared who did what.

It wasn't a happy ever after. Happiness is not constant. Like a heartbeat, it goes up and down but sure enough, it stayed for long enough probably because I had Ryan with me. His hand in mine, his touch, his heart.

Everything seemed to be in place, in a flawed pattern that we all followed.

A pattern we seemed to be so afar from, but we weren't really cause sometimes, you just have be farthest to see the nearest.

THE END