Day 8

The Wedding

Crystal's hand gripped Frank's tightly. He gave her a reassuring squeeze, smiling at her when their eyes met. Although she loved him dearly, something about this just didn't seem right at all. She wanted to go back and redo the night. She wanted to erase everything that happened and silently wished she had told her friends "no" when they had bugged her about going out.

She shifted her weight under the large dress, leaning on her left leg. The outside wedding was never her idea, but instead Frank's mother's idea. And how smug she must look now, as the scorching sun beat down on them.

"I do," Frank said sternly. Crystal's mind immediately shot back to the events taking place as the Pastor turned to her. She wanted this over with as soon as possible and almost blurted out the same words before the Pastor could even say his piece.

As the vows wrapped up and everyone moved onto the reception, Crystal's mind was still running wild with worries and thoughts. As she walked to her room with her eyes fixed on the ground, a hand came to rest on her shoulder. "Please, Frank," she said softly, "I'm not the mood."

"Busy night, honey?" came a voice that was certainly not Frank's. Crystal turned around and met the eyes of Sarah who smiled, resting a hand on her hip, "Well I'll be damned." She looked very pretty, her red hair in loose curls, and the pink dress hugging her in a very tasteful way. Her freckles seemed to help her features stand out more, rather than make her unattractive. She had to be at least five feet, seeming very short to Crystal's six.

"What are you doing here?" Crystal whispered, grabbing the young woman by the arm and pulling her down a corridor.

"Well, little miss sunshine," Sarah reached out and smoothed some wrinkles on Crystal's pristine dress. "You're my cousin's wife. Ironic. Also," she paused, pointing, "That dress is a lie."

Crystal grabbed her finger and flung it down to the ground, "You need to go."

"But white does look good on you. What was that?" Sarah leaned closer to the bride, "Go? Oh no, I can't go. This is my cousin's big day. That would be rude of me."

Crystal stood up straight and pushed Sarah out of the way as she made her way towards the room to change, "This is getting worse and worse."

"It's ok," Sarah shouted as the woman rushed further away, "I wont tell him!"

Crystal slowed, looking back. She wouldn't tell him, right? She doubted it as she disappeared behind a door to change.

The reception was lively and calming to Crystal. She had almost forgotten about her little meet up as she danced and laughed with Frank. How she loved him. But out of the corner of her eye, weaving through the crowd, was a little figure. It came closer and closer and finally Sarah stood next to them, the blush on her face was certainly one of drunkenness, "Hey, Franky, I think we're gonna go."

Frank smiled, leaned in very close to her, and placed a hand on her shoulder, "You alright to drive?"

Sarah just nodded and wobbled a bit. "Take care of yourself, Crys," she whispered into Crystal's ear. She shivered a bit, but smiled and nodded politely. "I'm off!" and with that the fiery red head turned and walked out, grabbing a woman's hand on the way.

"You sure she's ok to drive?" Crystal shouted over the loud music. Frank nodded roughly, his eyebrows furrowed together. "Well, I'm gonna go make sure!" she shouted again, backing away and then maneuvering around people until she was outside.

The sound of the water smashing against the rocks in the background seemed to make a continuous beat. Crystal walked quickly towards the Jeep sitting in the parking lot. Crystal noticed the engine wasn't running as she got closer, listening for anything. She wouldn't really know where else to look for the young woman if Sarah wasn't here. And then she heard it, a somewhat muffled cry.

Sarah grabbed the door and opened it to a very drunk Sarah kissing an extremely sober Tessa, Crystal's best friend. "What the hell are you doing?!" Crystal shouted, pulling Tessa out of the Jeep.

"Ow, Crystal! You're hurting me!" Tessa's blue eyes were sharp as she looked at her. Her blonde hair a tussled mess, as she shoved down her dress.

"Oh hey, Crys," Sarah said smiling. "Enjoying the festivities?"

"Leave my friends alone, Sarah!" Crystal grabbed Tessa's arm and pulled her back towards the wedding, rage bubbling in her gut.

"Call me!" Tessa shouted as the Jeep started up and backed out with the passenger side door still open. "Loosen your grip! Fuck."

"I told you not to hook up at my wedding!" Crystal said firmly. "You promised me!"

"You said not with any of your cousins. She's not your cousin," Tessa straightened her dress a bit more.

Crystal glanced back as the Jeep backed up, almost smashing into the limo. "Fuck," she whispered. "Tessa, go to the reception and stay there!"

"Ok! Ok!" she quickly walked past Crystal muttering things under her breath.

Crystal made her way back towards the parking lot. The closer she got to the vehicle, the more clearly she could see Sarah passed out. Grabbing her arm, she pulled the woman out holding her gently, "Looks like you'll be staying with us tonight. Frank's gonna be pissed."

She switched off the engine, closed the doors, and made her way back to the hotel to place Sarah in bed.