As I make a second turn in the mirror I make sure my tuxedo is perfect on every angle. My best man Justin gives me the thumbs up as I scroll through my phone to look at my first selfie with my first and only love Angie. And today we're getting married. Justin smiles at me. I will never forget the day I took that picture. Just as he will never forget waking up slightly hungover to the happiest news a friend could give.

~~~~~

It was June 2012. In Connecticut we were lucky to get four months of hot weather. Taken advantage of it was something you had to do before it was gone. No day could be wasted.

The big thing being put together was Justin's parents going away for the weekend Friday morning into Sunday night. So Justin basically had permission to turn it into a bacholer pad party. Which he did a pretty good job of doing.

The plan was Justin had his parent's room that he usually spent with a girl or two. He's a playa king but story for another time. Our other close friends Chad or C-Money had Justin's bed while Trent had an air mattress. While they rotated every party I had what I thought was the best seat in the house.

Actually, it was rather on the house. Justin's roof had a large sun deck with two long chairs. I would snuggle under a blanket to the stars before waking up and check the damage of last night.

It's funny. I'm not a drinker. My Uncle was an alcoholic and I have always stayed away from it. But yet was hoping one day I could talk to a girl there. One that would star gaze until we fell asleep and wake up and head to 3 Brother's Diner. It was something I wanted ever since Justin and I started talking about girls.

But I was never a lady's man. Womanizing was the leading category in my three friends. While I had short relationships being shorter than a month. Last one being the begining of the year with a party girl that made me miserable. But I tried to take notes.

I was going to need for that short, curvy, raven haired, blue eyed Italian girl Angie. On anyone's scale it's impossible to rank her lower than eight or nine. The girl had looks to make birds sing and flowers bloom. And I had word she was heading to Justin's end of the year bash. I was building up momentum just to talk to her.

Growing up I was so insecure about myself. At 5'7, not the most built, and most of all my confidence lacked. With three friends testing waters with different girls on a weekly basis my dating pool for the size of a glass of water.

~~~~~

At last the night came. I parked my car in a great spot to get out in the morning and my stuff for sleeping was already set. I had the works going on. I helped Justin man the fort and prepare as our buddies came in and the music started.

It was around 8 pm. We all chipped in and bought ten pizzas. I was helping man the fort and make sure their was no chaos and suddenly disaster struck me. All dolled up and cute as ever I saw Angie with her friends walk in.

"Aye Kyle your mate is here." Teased Trent.

"Easy guys. He's got it." Justin gave me the nod.

But what happened to me at the point all my confidence just dropped. Literally right through my stomach and I had to start over again. I thought the guys would back me up but they said it was something I had to do on my own. I was dressed good and had a bit of cologne. What could go wrong?

Actuality what went wrong was she was laughing and dancing with her girls and me and the guys made a lot of laughs. And in all prospective I didn't have one sip of beer or liquor and had the best time. And as soon as it hit 2 AM I went to the rooftop and readied for bed. Alone. I didn't have the balls to ask my Italian crush. I told myself I blew it and tried to figure out why I couldn't bring myself to do it. I went to bed kicking rocks.

~~~~~

The ever so slight sunshine woke me up. I put on a little deodorant just in case, grabbed my blanket and I made my routine check out to survey the damage to my best friend's house. Even though I didn't drink it was hilarious seeing what others did. Many left but some actually stayed the course. Some sleeping on top of tables, couchs, and one guy even falling asleep in the tub.

So I'm making my rounds and I see someone sleeping on the floor with a pillow tucked under her head. I get closer and my heart stopped. It was Angie. I've never been so close to her before. Right above her was a window seat long enough to be a bed.

I didn't know what to do. I didn't have the life in me to to talk to her. That's a lot easier than touching her. But no matter who she was I couldn't let a girl be in that condition.

Scared out of my mind I carefully picked her up bridal style and placed her softly on the seat. Wasn't my first way I wanted to encounter each other but it was about morals. I covered her with my blanket and tucked her in. Then I turn around slowly. Two steps I hear a voice.

"Hey." Called a pretty voice.

Shivers rushed to me as I turn around. She had woken. I turned around.

"Huh?" I gasped.

"Thanks." She wiped her eyes.

"Ummm.... don't worry about it." I turned around again.

"Wait up."

Naturally I didn't. Being my wimpy self I went back up to the rooftop. I went up to the staircase to the barely rising sun to think. What was I doing? Was that my chance? Did I let it go. What did I just do? Did why I do to help wrong?

With all these questions racing and knowing I had to act I opened the door to the staircase swiftly. I turn around to close the door and take two steps.

"Oh!" Angie jumped.

"I'm so sorry." I blushed.

We got just stood there. My blanket folded in her hand.

"Hey. What are you doing up here?"

"This spot is actually reserved for me during Justin's parties."

"Can I have a look?"

"........Sure." I turned around to walk up and open the door.

She looks at the slight sun rising and sees my small setup. "Looks nice up here. But why choose the roof?"

"I guess I just like the star gazing and watching the sunrise. Although might sound lame to some I'm sure."

"Well not to me Kyle."

"Glad I'm not. Wait. You know my name?"

"Yeah. Jess has been flirting with Justin for weeks. Aren't you his bestfriend."

"Yup. That's me."

"You're the hilarious, smart, and kind one aren't you?"

"Well Angie you need laughs, got to do things the smart way, and a girl like you shouldn't be sleeping on the floor after a party night." I turned away. I knew I was blushing and letting the fear get to me.

"I'd take that over partying but with a quiet night."

"Really? Thought you were in the crowd."

"Drinking isn't worth balancing my diabetes."

"I'm sorry to hear that."

"It's okay. But I just don't like guys staring at me. I want to feel respected. I'm not some slut that wants her ass smacked and likes your car."

I leaned up against the guard rail. "I get it. Trent had a few I really liked that he didn't appreciate. Rubbed me the wrong way. I mean I get were young but is it wrong to find someone to settle down with?"

She joined right next to me. Her hand inches away from mine. "Of course not. Their someone you have your eye on?"

"Well...... I....... man this is awkward." I blushed yet again. Wouldn't be the last either.

"You can't tell me?" She smirked.

"Let's just say I tried to talk to her for weeks and last night when I thought this would be my last shot to talk to her I failed. Not even one sentence. Let alone a dance."

"So what now?"

"Her hand is inches away from mine and I'm lost for words. I get it. I'm shy."

"Me? Honey you got stressed over me of all girls?"

"Of all? Angie have you looked in the mirror lately? You're an eleven on the scale and from this two minute conversation the personality to match. Spare me will ya?" I tried look away. I wasn't used to spilling my guts out over a girl. Let about the same girl I had a crush on.

"You know..... you're cute. All over too. Don't sell short."

I was wrong. Shocked too. That wasn't what I was expecting. Not even close.

"Short?" I turned to her.

"You shouldn't settle. A little confidence and you're a catch."

"A first."

"Excuse me?"

"I haven't heard that before. Honest. You sound..... like an angel me. Just telling like it how it is."

"Angel?" She gasped actually turning a little pink herself.

"Sorry I...... probably said to much haven't I?" I wasn't Justin. Knew I couldn't get away with that one.

She smiled. "I wouldn't mind that name."

What? Was I hearing okay? "I didn't do any drinking. Did I hear you say you're okay with that?"

"Neither did I. I'm a diabetic. It might kill me."

"Didn't know."

"I don't tell anyone. I don't like feeling weak. Especially around boys. I hate being needy."

"That's just genuine. I'd take care of you."

She gasped as we just stood there. "I thought I was the only sober one here."

"As did I."

"It's a little cold." She shivered. At this time it was turning point.

"Want to bundle up against under this? It was washed before last night." I was still trying to be kind but at this moment could really pass off as flirting that was unintended.

"Only if you join me." She smiled. And here I thought I was pushing my luck. My goal was to talk and if God's wings touched me maybe a dance but a standing cuddle. Still felt like a dream. I didn't know what to think. "Is that a no?"

"Me? Yeah sure let's cuddle." I was starting to get short on breath. 

So she opens up the blanket as we both grab an open end and get closer. Then we're surrounded by nothing but our touch and the blanket. The sun is almost up.

"I've never seen the sunset with anyone?" She smiled.

"Neither have I. It's always been a one man show up here. Justin and the guys usually have company. And don't think it's right to abandon their side. Although I'm not like that."

"How did you become friends with them?"

This was an important question. All of them were but this was going to be make it break.

"I've known all of them for about ten years. I don't agree with some of the things they do. At the same time realise I need to do my own thing. And even though I never had a girlfriend per say I still think it would be nice to see where things go. Try to match schedules and it work happily."

"Ugh. Finally a man who gets it."

"I try I guess."

"Try? Honey for someone so nice and genuine how come you're single. I don't believe you."

"I'm short. I talk too much. Could be more fit." I was going to go more into it but she started to laugh.

"You've been around an Italian family Kyle?"

"Want to evaluate for me?"

"I'm short. I got pudgy family members and you hear us talking with our hands not one but three miles away. I just wanted a nice boy that can put up with that and be nice."

"Your dad isn't like Tomisino right?"

"No silly. We aren't. It's just another Italian stereotype."

"Fair enough."

She grabbed my hand again but I didn't blush or freak out to any extent. I wasn't sure if I was getting comfortable or what. This was a bizarre twist for me.

"So Kyle, do you like surprises?"

"I do. Why?"

"Close your eyes. I have something for you."

"Alright."

I can't believe how clueless and naive I was at that age. I didn't expect her to hug around me and give a long deep kiss. We stayed there for a long moment. The blood rushed into my ears. Never imagined this was my first kiss. When separated and this time she blushed as I was rather in a daze.

"How was it?"

"My first kiss was great."

"Huh? I'm sorry. I didn't know."

"It's alright. I really enjoyed it."

"Me too. Hey Kyle?"

"Yes?"

"You think we can....."

I was no expert at the time but I think if Justin was next to me he would say I was reeling Angie in. Except she was Angelfish of course. I had an idea.

"How about this? We text our friends we take off and head to 3 Brother's. Breakfast sounds appropriate and my car is easy to get to."

"Let's go handsome."

And with that I text Justin:

Yo Justin, thanks man. We talked this morning. We're at the diner together and will be back soon. Just giving a heads up. I made the rounds and we're good for the most part. I'll help you put when we're all ready. Till then.

~~~~~

As I inspect my suit one final time with Justin my best man giving full approval I think about that June morning. That moment I started to highly develop confidence. Put hair on my chest. And do what was right and show pride doing instead of running away and have someone else take credit. As I will remember my soon to be wife always as my rooftop lover.