Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Heart... In Pieces

When Justin left, Cam went up to his room with the bags bringing Layla’s along with his.

“Layla, aren’t you going home?” I asked.

She looked at the ceiling. “Well I kinda, sorta forgot my parents were on a cruise in the Caribbean. They do stuff like that now since I’m out of the house. So Cam told me to stay here, you don’t mind do you?” She asked.

“I thought I could get rid of you when I left New York,” I joked.

“Shut up you butt head!” She threw a little pillow from the loveseat at me.

“I’m kidding!” I swatted the pillow toward the floor.

“So did I interrupt something back there with you and the groom?” Layla asked in a playful voice.

“No.”

“You’re lying!” She jumped up and pointed at me.

“Take your theatrical panties off and sit down,” I put my hands up in defense and laughed just as the front door opened and my parents walked in. They seemed sort of pleasant.

“Hey honey,” My mom said coming in. “Hello Layla.” She came in and gave us both kisses on the head. She handed me an envelope that said ‘Ms. Ava Wryte and Guest’ in a fancy font.

I knew what this was and my stomach knotted up. It was a wedding invitiation.
I opened it up and it was an invitiation to the engagement party… who has an engagement party when they are just getting married so soon?

The party was on Sunday and it was Friday. I hope they don’t epect a lot of people to show up with such a late send out.

Layla just eyed me and I knew she’d beg to find out more details later. But right now my mind was filled to the core with so many things.

~*~

The engagement party was at Missy’s house. She lived on one of those Virginia plantations that we all swore were haunted when we were younger. Everyone seemed to be dressed quite tasfully. I chose a strapless silk red dress that I’ve had for a long time just never really had the chance to wear it.

I decided to put on my best face and go around talking to people I know. Most of the people were Justin’s family whom I’ve been introduced to a number of times. A room with a high ceiling seemd to be set aside for dancing, a pianist sat at the grand piano playing out classical tunes most of the evening. Ice sculptures were all around next to the extravagant layout of food. I felt like I was spectating from the outside. Missy’s family and friends seemed to shuffle to one side of the room while Justin’s seemed to be moving all around the room, bobbing and weaving all around people to see a familiar face.

“How do I look?” Deb came behind me and asked. I turned around and she looked absolutely wonderful in a pale green dress with a silk wrap.

“Beautiful,” I smiled and tilted my head.

“This is the first time I’m meeting Missy’s family since they’ve been dating,” She admitted.

“I’m sure they’re wonderful,” I told her and she smiled and grabbed my hand. She appeared strong but deep down we all knew she was weakening.

“Yea I guess,” She took a deep breath. “Here comes Justin,” she leaned into me and spoke.

“Hello, aren’t you a beauty?” He said looking at his mother and she just smiled at him.

“Well thank you baby. Now if you will excuse me, your father said he wanted the next dance,” She smiled at him as she slowly walked away leaving Justin and I awkwardly together.

“You look great,” He said and we were both admiring everyone. I could see Missy’s little blonde head bouncing back and forth from person to person probably thanking them with her faux smile.

“You don’t look so bad yourself,” I joked looking at him. He looks grown up, so unfamiliar. But in his eyes is where I found that old Justin. His hair was neatly combed and his face was cleanly shaven. Yet the wild and free piece of him still danced in those green eyes.

“This is all just a show,” He laughed and let out a deep breathe just the way his mother did. He had her face but something about him made him look a lot like his father. The eyes were his, no one in his family had them, just him.

“Missy seems to be enjoying herself,” I smiled at him as people started to dance around us cause we were right near the piano.

“She’s a socialite,” He said looking at his feet. “Would you like to dance?” He asked me and it just felt like th other night all over again.

Before I could answer Justin’s older cousin Alexander came walking up to us in his uniform. Alex was a solider in the U.S army, he also was only a year older than Justin and I and in high school was that popular guy who seemed to be a dbag in my mind. He and Justin shared the handsome gene that is in this family. They both always looked alike and it’s been a long time since I’ve actually seen Alex. He was tanner now, broader, and he, like Justin, looks a lot older.

“Well aren’t you a sight for sore eyes,” Alex said to me with a smile and he shook hands with Justin. “Congrats Justin.”

“Thanks bro,” He smiled taking his hand. Alex started to eye me and I felt like a bug under a spotlight and I couldn’t help but smile out of nervousness

“So Ava, I was wondering if you’d like to dance?” Alex asked me.

“Sure,” I said as he offered me his hand and we joined the other couples dancing.

Justin eyes us but Alex turned me away from him.

“So how long has it been?” He asked.

“a couple of years,” I answered him.

“Ah, that long?” He asked and laughed lightly.

“How have you been? With the army and all,” I asked.

“Long, I’m just happy to be home for now. I wasn’t expecting all of this though,” He told me as we swayed to the song.

“Me either,” I shook my head and looked down at my feet.

He smiled at me. A smile that can make your knees jelly. I guess Justin and he did share a few things in common.

“How long are you home for?” I asked him.

“I leave right after the fourth, I just extended,” He answered.

Most of the night consisted of Alex and I dancing with no sight of Layla or Cam.
I kind of forgot all that was going on because Alex and I were having fun dancing, talking, joking, and laughing. I caught Justin’s eyes on me a few times but once I caught him he returned his attention to whatever he was doing and he seemed to be avoiding the crowd which was really un-Justin like,

As the party came to a close Alex and I were standing on the huge front porch. “Well I’ve been saving your life day to day and tonight you saved me from a boring night… so I’m obligated to take you out,” he said and I could feel myself blush a bit.

“I can’t say no to that,” I smiled and he took my hand and gently brought it to his lips. It felt very cinematic. I couldn’t help but giggle as I got home, like a teenager that felt stood up now to a girl who just got asked out on her first date.
By the time I was home it was 11. In my room I wondered where Layla and Cam were all night. She got in around 2 am. With a breathless expression and her hair now looking teased.

She didn’t have to speak because I knew what happened.

Layla and Cam had sex.