I Am Happy, That's Just the Saddest Lie

Today was the day. I couldn't believe it. I sat in a cushiony chair with my long flowing dress and stared at my reflection in the mirror. I brushed my hand over my curled hair and made sure I looked presentable. While the rest of the bridal party was scurrying around to get everything in place, I dazed off and found myself thinking about the groom yet again. James.

I thought about when we first met. How his eyes twinkle with sincerity. How when he enters a room, everyone is drawn to him. How he makes me smile. How magical it was when we first kissed. The way he could make me laugh. How he always listens to me and treats me as though there's no one else in the world whenever I speak. Overall, how he makes me feel. He is the most beautiful creature I've ever seen, and I couldn't picture my life with out him.

"Hello, earth to Marley! Let's get this show on the road!" My cousin Briana told me.

"I'm ready, I'm ready" I replied to a now frantic Briana.

As the bridal party got in order, I realized what events would happen in the next hour. This was going all too quickly, soon the double doors opened and I made my entrance. As I walked down the aisle, I smiled at my family, and then looked at James. He looked so handsome in his black Armani tuxedo and when he smiled at me, I swear my heart melted.

I walked to the altar, then James quickly whispered "Are you okay?"

"Yeah" I replied uncertainly, and he picked up on it.

"Don't worry, everything will be fine" he reassured, and smiled that breathtaking smile yet again.

"I hope so" I mouthed to him as I got into the place where I would be standing until the ceremony ended.

Suddenly everyones eyes dashed to the back of the room and James' smile was a million times brighter, if that was even possible.

All of a sudden, the congregation stood. A flawlessly beautiful girl in a white gown appeared and she gracefully sauntered to the front of the church. As she got to the altar, she mouthed "I Love You" to James, which he returned, smiling that smile again. I felt as though I was being taunted, I couldn't bare it.

Then, the bride handed me the flowers. That was my job. I held the bride's flowers. I guess that's what all maid-of-honors do. Yes, you heard right, I'm the maid of honor.

"Do you, Anastasia Gabriella Petrova, take James Edward Franco to be your lawfully wedded husband. To have and to hold, to love and to cherish, in richer or poorer, until death do you part?" The priest recited, and I practically cringed when I heard the reply.

"I do."

"And do you, James Edward Franco take Anastasia Gabriella Petrova to be your lawfully wedded wife. To have and to hold, to love and to cherish, in richer or poorer, until death do you part?

"I do."

"Now before I pronounce you husband and wife, does anyone object to this act?" He asked the crowd.

"I object!" I heard someone say. Who could it be? Oh shit, it was me. Why can I never keep things in my head? Ugh, my lack of holding in my thoughts makes my life so complicated.

Suddenly, everyone in the church turned to me in shock. James' expression was unreadable, and everyone's mouths hung open due to my sudden outburst. The bride's eyes bulged as she stared at me, looking as though she had just caught a glimpse of a ghost, or Jesus.

* present time

"Marley, what the hell are you doing?" Ana whisper-yelled from the side of her mouth.

"I can't do this" I told her.

"Marley - " James said before I cut him off.

"No, James. I need to get everything off my chest." I told him.

"Okay" he said sheepishly.

"Look, I cannot watch this go on" I said, everyone's eyes on me, while Ana's face was more confused than ever "This should be me right now. James, I'm sorry I thought you cheated on me and I've regretted breaking up with you everyday since. You were and still are the love of my life and I miss you so much. All I want is for you to be mine again but I know that I screwed up and I know that you're happy with my sister, but I love you. I'll always love you more than Ana or anyone else in the universe. You were my soulmate, and I know you don't love me anymore but I'll always love you. I know I'm repeating myself but you need to know it. I just can't bear the thought of you being with anybody else, let alone my sister. I can't watch this. I'm sorry, but I have to go" After my speech I ran to the double doors in the church and opened them. I took one last look at James while everyone looked at me. Ana's mouth was opened in shock.

"Marley, wait!" James called after me.

"I have to go" I called out from behind me, running out of the church and hailing a cab, opening the door and closing it fast. I told the driver to floor it, and drive to LAX. I turned to look at the church and saw James running down the steps, waving his hands in the air and screaming.

I sat in the cab crying and the cab driver told me that music would make me feel better. He turned on the radio and Life After You by Daughtry came on. I stared out the window and waited until the car came to a halt.

I went to the ticket kiosk and bought a first class ticket to New York. The plane was boarding in ten minutes, so I went to the terminal that I had to wait in.

As the plane boarded I heard a scream, "Marley!" I turned around to see James running full speed from across the airport. He was about twenty feet from the door when I was the last person boarding. He told me to wait, but I was done waiting. I couldn't ruin his and my sisters relationship. I told the lady to seal the door and she did so as James approached.

After the door was sealed, I slid to the floor and cried my eyes out. I heard James banging on the other end but I needed to leave. He needed someone better than me. Someone who will always believe and trust him, someone who wouldn't get jealous when he was with other girls. I needed to go to New York now.

I missed my flight because I sat behind the door and the plane left. I walked onto the next one, crying for the next six hours. After I got off the plane, I hailed a cab and went to my loft in the City.

After I got there, it was well after midnight, and I needed to change out of this dress. I unlocked my lock and walked into my kitchen, putting down my jeweled BCBG Max Azria clutch that was made to match my dress. I went into my room and changed into my pajamas. I then grabbed some Ben and Jerry's and a spoon and walked into my living room. The sight before me made me gasp and my Ben and Jerry's spilled all over the carpet.