"Rachelle, I'm feeling really nervous." Clara clasped her hands together and rubbed her thumbs together nervously.

"Clarabug, you're going to be alright." I chuckled softly. Walking towards her, I sat on the chair placed by her dressing table.

Clara looked absolutely gorgeous. The charmeuse white dress had a wide neckline that revealed her delicate collarbone and lovely laces on her sleeves ran along her arms like white-ink tattoos, fitting perfectly against her skin. The dress also had a flattering silhouette, tightening to accentuate her small waist before the skirt flares out elegantly down to her ankles.

Despite Clara's exuberance, her choice of wedding dress was simple and reserved. Yet, it fitted her so perfectly as though her dress was a blank canvas, allowing her personality to illustrate itself through it. Her hair was gathered into a soft chignon with blonde tendrils framing her almond-shaped face. A sheer white veil that was attached onto the beautiful hair accessory flowed along the length of her back and down to the ground, gathering into a soft heap.

"I can't believe I'm getting married," Clara breathed. "Sometimes, I wondered where did all the time go? In a blink of an eye, so many years had passed and here I am moving on to the next phase of my life."

I let her words sink into me, reflecting on it myself. Today, I looked at my best friend in her best dress and giving her hand to the best man of her life. But I also pondered about myself, unsure when will it be my turn. 

Leon and I had spent way too much time away from each other and we probably had a lot to catch up on with each other's life first. Placing my hand on top of Clara's hand, I smiled warmly, "Just go with the flow. At least Max is going to be there with you as you weather through the difficult storms in life."

"You're right," she laughed but tears began to well up in her eyes. "And if anything fails, I have you too."

"You're absolutely right," I beamed. "Alright, easy there, bride-to-be. Don't want you to mess your pretty face up before the wedding even starts."

Then, my phone buzzed, and I checked to see Leon's name appearing on my notification window.

───────────────

L: Sweetheart, can I borrow you for a moment?

L: I'm reaching in a minute or two. Meet me at the reception?

───────────────

I looked up to face Clara and saw her nodding excitedly at me. I quickly left the dressing room and went towards the carpark. Seeing that Leon just parked his car and was making his way towards the reception, my feet lifted into a small sprint towards him. His arms stretched out and caught me firmly before he buried his nose into the crook of my neck and inhaled deeply. "God, I missed you so much."

Wrapping my hands around his neck tightly, I laughed through a delighted squeal, "We've been doing this for seven years and every time I get to meet you, I still feel as excited as the first."

With me in his arms, he turned around and unlocked his car. Pulling the backdoor open, he moved the both of us in. He placed me on his thighs, and I inhaled sharply, "Leo, what are you doing?"

"Two minutes, I really need to kiss you."

I couldn't even react to his proposition because his lips were already on mine. He nibbed on them in the way that sent jolts down my entire body. His fingers curled into the back of my neck and tugged me closer to him. 

His other hand smoothed down my back softly, forcing a moan out of me before he took the opportunity to deepen the kiss and his tongue playfully delved against mine. The temperature within the car was rising into a dangerous heat and I could feel my mind getting hazy. My hands shot out and positioned themselves on his firm chest but I remained mindful enough not to ball onto the material of his suit. 

There was so much urgency in the way he moved, and the built-up tension was causing air to leave my lungs. His kisses left me senseless and I was already gasping for air by the time our lips parted. Carefully running his fingers through my hair, he combed the locks neatly before readjusting my dress.

"I wish the two minutes would last forever," he sighed, planting a soft kiss on my cheek before he opened the car door and gestured towards me. When I moved, I could feel him thick and hard against my thigh and I blushed furiously.

"Leo," I murmured.

"If you don't leave now, the next time we leave will be hours later," he teased, tucking wisps of my hair behind my ears. My face became redder than before, and I scurried out of the car. He let out a deep, rich laugh when he got off the car and held me by the waist as we made our way towards the dressing room.

-

I was sure that the blush on my face had not faded because when we entered the dressing room, Clara stared at us with a knowing look on her face. Her fingers pointed to Leon then to me and she asked, "Did you both just-"

"Hell yes. (No, we didn't!)" Leon and I replied at the same time but spoke totally different things. I shot him a look and this guy had the audacity to wink at me. Furious, I lightly pinched the back of his arm as I let out an awkward laugh.

"Oh come on, Rachelle, you're already going twenty-seven," Clara chortled. "Stop acting like a high school girl who just learnt what sex meant."

"You are unbelievable," I perplexed. "And just to let you know that we weren't having sex."

"Well, from Leon's face, I can already see that you're going to have a lot later," she teased.

At that moment, I wished there was somewhere which I could hide myself from the rest of the world.

-

SONG:
Minuet No. 2, J.S. Bach (Cello)

The outdoor reception was filled with excited chatter and energetic children running between the tables in a good-natured game of tag. When the emcee announced for the bride to enter, Clara appeared with her hand on her father's arm. 

A slight smile tugged at my lips as I held onto my bow firmly and positioned them just above the G string of my cello. On the cue of my music, they began moving down the aisle. 

From my position, I saw Max at the other end of the aisle and his face lit up in pure happiness. He stood with his hands placed in front of him, waiting patiently before Clara's father passed her hand to him. He took it without hesitation and at that moment, my heart brimmed with so much happiness for my best friend. I pulled on the last note of the piece which I timed perfectly enough for them to stand facing one another. The officiant took over and proceeded with the exchange of vows and wedding bands.

"You may now kiss the bride," the officiant smiled widely and Max slowly lifted Clara's veil and leaned in to kiss her passionately. The rest of us clapped and cheered loudly for the newlyweds, giving them all of our blessings. Tears glistened and flowed from her eyes as she laughed into the kiss.

Holding onto Clara's hand, Max guided her down the aisle and all the single ladies at present had already gathered close Clara, waiting for her to throw the bouquet.

I joined Leon after placing my cello down on the stage. He was standing with Tyson and Mabel and they were moving away from their seats to follow behind the newlyweds.

"Why aren't you going?" Leon looked at me with great curiosity.

"No reasons, I'm just happy looking at her," I chuckled softly.

I was having so much fun looking around and not paying attention to my surroundings that when someone shouted my name, I jumped.

"Rachelle!"

"What—"

There was something flying towards me and I quickly caught it before it could hit me. Then, it came to my realisation that it was Clara throwing her bouquet at me. My eyes widened in surprise as I peered towards her who was already giggling gleefully. I turned to my side to look at Leon and my gaze immediately met with a pair of hazel eyes that was already brimming with affection. Deep down, I panicked a little.

"Max and I will be waiting for your invitation!" Clara waved excitedly at us.

"Same here!" Tyson jumped and Mabel laughed.

Oh dear, my turn's next?

✿

(dream) wedding theme?