Fiction Friday: A scene outside the wedding

I looked at my watch as I stepped out the side door. Ten minutes until the ceremony was set to begin. Good. I needed a few minutes to decompress.

I reached into my pocket and pulled out my cigarettes. I put one in my mouth and lit it. I looked down at my lighter—one of my most prized possessions. I looked at the engraving on it and smiled. It was given to me by my best friend, and I cherished it greatly.

Slipping the lighter back into my pocket, I surveyed the scene. People were hurriedly parking their cars, rushing to make it inside in the precious few minutes that were remaining. A couple of parents were trying to usher their kids inside, breaking up a spirited game of tag that the young ones were playing.

I heard the sound of squeaking hinges behind me. Someone else was coming outside. I caught a whiff of perfume, and knew at once who it was.

“I thought you had stopped smoking,” came the voice behind me.

I turned to face her. “I had,” I said, smirking slightly. “What are you doing out here?”

She walked down the stairs, taking great care to lift her gown up. “Hoping to find you smoking,” she said, reaching out with her right hand. She took the cigarette from my fingers and took a long drag.

I stole it back from her. “You found me.”

She sighed. “I’m glad you’re here today. Really, I am.”

“I’m sorry for acting like a jerk lately,” I said. “I needed a good talking to, and I got it.”

“Jake, it’s over. No need for you to go there…”

 

“Alli, just hear me out. I love you. I love you more than words can probably express. It’s just been hard for me to deal with the fact that everything is changing. It’s not an excuse. I shouldn’t have reacted the way I did.

Allison dropped the hem of her dress and reached out to me. She pulled me into a big hug. Pulling back slightly, she looked me in the eyes and gave me a quick kiss on the lips.

“I will always love you, too. Know that. Today changes nothing. You’ve been part of my life for too long.”

I wiped a tear from the corner of my eye. “You need to get back inside before someone thinks something’s happened to you. I’ll see you in a few minutes.”

 

Allison smiled and touched my cheek. “Okay.” She gathered up the end of her dress and proceeded back in the side door.