(Later that day)



It was uncanny. The reality of last night; Harry hadn’t taken advantage of me like I had hoped. I knew for sure that he would. It’s just what I expected of him, it’s what I would expect of any male. Harry proved me wrong. However, if Sean had been in Harry’s position he wouldn’t have been so reluctant. He’d feel no shame or guilt about taking advantage of me.



Wow, Harry has more respect for me than my own boyfriend and that’s saying a lot.



I sat in the corner of a small room at the church, filled with highly emotional women, reminiscing on memories they shared with Melissa. If I didn’t know better, I would think it was a funeral instead of a wedding. All the tears that were being shed were unnecessary; the ceremony hadn’t even begun yet.



Pardon my attitude. Somebody had one too many drinks last night.



There was a light knock on the door. My head jolted up from the magazine that was occupying my tim. A curly haired boy had entered, his right hand covering his beautiful green eyes as he entered. A plain white t-shirt and dark trousers adorned his refined body.



I’ve never been so happy to see him in my life.



“Is everyone decent?” he asked, still shielding his eyes in case there was anyone who wasn’t ‘decent’. For now, all we’ve been doing is talking and watching Melissa get her hair done. No one actually made an effort to get ready yet.



“Yes, Harry. We’re all dressed.” his mum answered, playfully shaking her head at her son.



“Can I steal Charlie for a moment?”



Sneers and snickers filled my ears, as everyone in the room made googly eyes at the both of us. I mean, really? A room full of adult women and we can’t be mature for two seconds?



“Sure. But, bring her right back so she can get ready.” Melissa instructed with an added wink.



I stood quickly, more than willing to go wherever with him. These emotional women made it very difficult for me to want to stay. Plus, boredom had gotten the better of me, as I listened to Melissa and all her friends talk about how amazing it is that she’s getting married. Whilst I sat in the corner looking at a magazine, fantasizing about Harry—I mean, thinking about him. Yeah, that’s what I meant.



No, I was totally fantasizing.



Harry grabbed my hand and he led me out to the place where the wedding would be held in just a few hours. And from what I’ve seen of the church, it was huge and quite lovely. Walls and pews decorated with flowers; lilacs to be exact; Melissa’s favorite flower. The aisle was matted down with a satin fabric. It was beautiful! At the front of the cathedral was a small band made up of a guitarist, pianist and a drummer.



“No one’s ever heard t-this song.” He slightly stammered. For some unknown reason, his amazing eyes refused to look my way and that’s what I longed for. “I wanted you to be the first one to hear it.” He finished off, finally looking at me, but swallowing anxiously. The same flustered look was etched onto the features of his face today, as it was last night when I stood in front of him basically naked in his bedroom last night.



He ushered me to the first row of pews and I quickly sat down. A bit too excited, but I managed somehow to contain my enthusiasm for the sake of his nervousness.



I watched him as he stepped to the pulpit. He adjusted the microphone stand before him. A beautiful combination of piano and guitar lightly filled my ears. I watched Harry carefully, noticing every small movement of his as the notes rolled off of his tongue; he ripped the slow heart-felt song into shreds. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him so entombed in a song before. Watching Harry and listening to him gave me chills. I heard my name being called from the room I just departed from, but I refused to look away. I couldn’t. Not even for a second. Harry had my undivided attention.



The lyrics of the tune were beyond enchanting. It was a love song. He closed his eyes, gripping the mic. tightly, really losing himself in the song. There was no doubt in my mind that Harry really felt every bit of that piece. His dark curls laid on top of his head pushed neatly from his cutted jaw. His fingers grasped the microphone, his eyes flickered open, locking on me, as his full lips adhered a smile as he found a way to end the song, beautifully, leaving me wanting to hear so much more.



He stepped from the decorated platform, slowly drawing near.



“So...what did you think?”



He looked at me confused as I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out. I was baffled and lost for words. I didn’t know what to say. All I knew was that I was completely in love with that song.



“I loved it...it was great!”



“I wrote that song for a girl.”



He smiled at me, graciously, shoving his hands deep in the pockets of his black jeans before sitting down next to me, on the first pew.



“Sounds like she’s a great girl,” I acquired.



“She is,” he confirmed.



It was quiet for a moment, giving me a chance to quickly thank him for the previous night.



“Harry, I never got to thank you for last night. I can honestly say I don’t know a lot of guys who would have respected me the way that you did.”



“I will always respect yo—”



“CHARLIE!” Melissa yelled, rudely cutting him off, as she came running out to where Harry and I sat. I frowned at her disturbance. “I’m sorry, am I interrupting something?” she asked in a mocking voice. If this were any other day, I would have sassed her. But, because today is her special day she deserves to be spoiled. So, for now, I just have to suck it up and make her pay later.



“Sorry.” I whispered, patting Harry’s knee. Then, I got up and followed Mel back to the room full of irrational women. Who had nothing better to talk about but me and my love-life. Criticizing me for going out with Sean and pressuring me into dating Harry. Who probably doesn’t even see me as girlfriend material. Especially after last night, my drunk-self practically begged him to have sex with me. No, wait, I did. I begged him.



“Can we talk about something else, please Jesus Christ?!" I huffed. Not only was I talking to this fine group of women, I was also talking to voices in my head (If you hadn’t noticed already, I’m literally insane). Thoughts of Harry need to stop taking over my mind. There are plenty of other things to think about like: a healthy diet or reading a book.



Yeah, when's the last time I read a good book?



Melissa, Mum and Anne stared at me with identical glares. I didn’t mean to come off all bitchy. I just wasn’t completely comfortable with the three of them talking about this with some of Melissa’s friends. I hardly knew any of them and quite frankly, it wasn’t any of their business. Plus, I wasn’t delighted about them sharing my private thoughts aloud. It was better left unsaid, in the comfort of my mind.



*`~*`~*`~*`~*`~*`~*`~*`~*




The wedding was beautiful. Mark, Melissa’s new husband, looked her lovingly in the eyes, when they recited their romantic vows to each other. It was genuine, like a movie scene. (Except in movies, they’re paid actors). Mark adored Melissa he held her hands firmly as he expressed to her, his undying love. She did the same and my heart bursted into a million little pieces as I watched my beautiful sister wed.



I had only dreamt of this, one day, happening to me.



After the wedding, was the reception. That’s pretty much where we all sit around and watch Melissa and Mark make lovey-dovey faces at each other and we all ‘fangirl’ over their relationship.




I sat a table with my mum, Harry and Anne and we were all staring at how beautiful Mark and Mel were. Mark was pretty good looking and Mel had this angelic glow to her. They were a match made in heaven.



Then, out of nowhere... “Auntie Sandra?!” yelled a high-pitched voice, ruining Mark and Melissa’s perfect moment. I’d recognize that squawk anywhere. Bailey. I watched as my ditsy blonde cousin, pushed her way through crowds of people just to get to our table. Her bright pink dress just a bit louder and a bit more disturbing than her provoking voice. The dress clung to her body, hoisting her rather large boobs up and shamelessly flaunting them.



She gasped before noticing me.



“Charlotte?! Oh my God! You’re all grown up!” She exclaimed throwing her arms up and bending down slightly to hug me from my seat. I wouldn’t be surprised if her arse was hanging out as she bowed. I was annoyed when her sky blue orbs met with Harry’s green ones. She bat her fake lashes and formally introduced herself.



“I’m Bailey.” She stretched her hand out, for Harry to shake. He accepted the kind gesture and attempted to introduce himself.



“I’m Har—”



“I know who you are.” She said, giggling like a school girl who is talking to her crush for the first time. I stalked her every move with my eyes. She pulled a chair from another table, and scooted in between Harry and me. She was struggling to get her chair entirely between us. Her chair kept hitting mine, repeatedly. Each clink sound that the seats made, rubbed me the wrong way. So, I made it easier for her and just got up, leaving the two of them to flirt or whatever it is that she wanted with him.



“Ooh, Charlie!” She stopped me in my tracks but it wasn’t just her that stopped me, it was her squeaky voice and how she said my name that caused me to stop. She said it as if she wanted something from me. “Can you bring me back a drink?”



I should’ve known.



I walked over to the table that had food and drinks sat on it and I stood there watching them. With a giant green-eyed monster called jealousy, sitting heavily on my shoulder, whispering bad thoughts to me, causing me to feel resentment towards my own cousin as I poured a fruity drink in her cup.



Go ahead, Charlie. Spit in it. She won’t notice.



I continuously watched over them like a hawk, frowning as Bailey playfully rubbed her hand on his knee. The gesture burned me up on the inside. I swallowed the gigantic lump in my throat before considerably running back over to the two of them and spilling the bubbly drink all over her bright pink dress. I didn’t do that though. I was too chicken. I returned to my seat and gave Bailey her spit-free drink. She smiled, quickly whisking the drink from my grasp and bringing the glass between her lips.



“Mm, so Harry, you free tonight?” Bailey questioned.



He nodded.



My lips parted, halfway. I bit my tongue to keep from saying something I would regret in the near future.



“Do you wanna hangout after this is all over with?” She suggestively asked. Harry thought about the question no longer than two seconds before complying with her request to “hangout”.



“Great. It’s a date. See you then.” Bailey flashed him a winning smile before nearly skipping off. I waited until she was a safe distance away before bringing her up in conversation.



“You’re not really going out with her, are you?” slipped out of my mouth before I could fathom what was coming. After saying that and seeing Mum and Anne’s faces, I concluded that I sounded jealous. But, I wouldn’t call my attitude towards her jealous. That’s such a big word. I would say I am just being Apprehensive. Harry smirked at me, quickly catching on to my attitude. I heard outbursts emit from Mum and Anne. Harry quickly turned to them and turned back to me, assenting with their reaction. I came to the conclusion that they all presumed that I was jealous.



Clearly amused, he blatantly asked, “Are you jealous?”



“I’m anything but jealous.” I spat back. “Don’t flatter yourself.”



“If you don’t want me to go out with her, I won’t.”



Inside, there was a little voice screaming, ‘DON’T GO OUT WITH HER!!!’ But, outwardly, my pride wouldn’t allow me to form those words. Instead, I pretended that it didn’t matter to me though it did. Everyone knew it did.



“Go out with her, Harry. See if I care.”

Notes