Bottom of the Blackest Hole

“Welcome to the family!” Aunt Kayla exclaimed. I gave her a smile of appreciation. Josh was leading me to meet his family and everyone just looked so happy. It was too happy. They were just so enthusiast.

I let out a sigh of relief when he took my hand and pulled out a chair for me to sit. He handed me a glass of water, “Thanks,” I muttered. Who knew meeting people were so exhausting? I glanced at Josh and he didn’t seem a bit bored. I guess he was happy that his whole family was here or something.

A couple of minutes later, I started playing with my dress. In the corner of my eyes, I could see Josh debating whether to leave me to greet his friends and family or stay here and watch them walk by. I couldn’t help but roll my eyes and his childish behavior.

“Just go,” I mumbled, resting my aching head on the table. I was probably crinkling my wedding dress but what did I care? Josh jumped to his feet and skipped away.

I thought this was the dinner reception. Why wasn’t anybody eating anything?

My eyes were just about half way open when someone coughed loudly to get my attention. I grunted to the person, thinking that it’s just Josh or Courtney.

“Aw now, is that really a nice way to greet your friend?” I shifted a little to see Jonathon in a tuxedo with his arms around an extremely bored looking girl. I let out a small smile and got up to hug him.

“Hey there,” I said when I released him.

“I heard you quit,” he said casually. I groaned.

“I didn’t quit. Sofia did that. She said that I shouldn’t be working or something.” He nodded. I motioned my arms to the girl next to him, “I’m Bailey,” I stuck out my arm.

She looked at my hand, my face, then my hand. I awkwardly put my hand back down to my side when she didn’t shake it.

“Sorry. She’s in kinda of in a bad mood. I’ll introduce her. This is Jasmine, my girlfriend.” I tried to act polite by smiling but she didn’t even look or glance at me. Jonathon shrugged and they walked away.

“Bailey?” someone asked just when I was about to sit down.

“Mrs. B!” I exclaimed, crushing the woman’s body in a hug. She sniffed when I let go.

“Look at you, so beautiful and grown up.” She stated proudly. I blushed a little at her compliment. She smiled so brightly at me then her eyes turned dark.

“How could you be so irresponsible? I thought that you were the responsible one!” she huffed angrily, then smiled again, “But he is a looker isn’t he? Oh my, even for my age that boy is so dashing!” she fanned herself with her hand and looked out dreamily. That was Mrs. B for you. Always try to be serious for five minutes but that’s about it.

After a second or two, she seemed to be out of her reverie. She narrowed her eyes at me, “Don’t think you are getting out of the lectures so easily, missy.” With that she hugged me and walked away. I was not even dazed by her random actions. I was too use to it.

Josh came walking back, talking to his best man; whose name I learned was Jeremy. When they reached me, Jeremy flashed a grin at me before walking away.

“What time is it?” I groaned. He sat down on a chair and scooted closer to me, too close to my satisfaction. But he didn’t try anything. He just sat there, his arm touching mine, and staring out into the crowd.

“Will the bride and groom care to give us a dance?” a feminine voice rang. I realized it was Sofia. Of course.

Josh got up and gave me a hand. “Come on.”

I looked at his hand warily. He chuckled, “I won’t bite,” I put my hand in his and he led us to the dance floor, “Yet,” he added. I rolled my eyes.

I stood in front of him awkwardly. What exactly was I suppose to do? I never danced before. Maybe a couple of times that one night but I was drunk. I was suddenly aware at how many people were staring at us patiently. The musicians were too.

Josh wrapped his arms around my waist. And I, remembering the movies I was forced to watch, courtesy to Courtney, wrapped my arms around his neck. I could see everyone sighing and awing at our position. Then music started to play and he pulled me closer. So close that our chest were touching. I was distracted by our closeness that I didn’t even know what song was playing and that people were starting to dance as well.

“Uh…,” I began.

“Let’s just enjoy this peacefully and quietly, alright?” he murmured softly.

“Are you saying that I’m loud and…not peaceful?” I huffed out.

He smirked. “Something like that,” then he leaned down and caught my lips unexpectedly. He only pecked it.

“What was that for?” I asked, furrowing my eyebrows.

He shrugged and said one word, “Paparazzi.” I quirked an eyebrow and started to look around. I stood on my tippy toes to see past his shoulders and sure enough, about one or two people were flashing their cameras at us and the wedding.

“Why are they here?” I questioned, still on my toes looking at them.

He scoffed like I was an idiot. Then he unexpectedly lifted me up by the waist so I stood on both his feet. I was able to see past his shoulders now without any effort. I didn’t say anything, waiting for him to answer me.

“Did you really have to ask? Do you not know who you’re dancing with? Who you’re married to? Who banged you a couple of-”

“I get it,” I interrupted him, “Jeez.”

--

I hugged Courtney one last time that night before I was pushed by Sofia into a ‘Just Married’ car. We were going to drive back to our place, change, and then go to the airport, to our honeymoon.

The door was just about to close when Josh got in but Sofia pulled me out again. “What is wrong with you?” I was slightly aggravated by her pushiness.

“Throw the bouquet!” she persisted, handing it to me. I sighed heavily.

I walked to where all the bachelorettes are, turned around, and threw the bouquet. I turned around to see which lucky – gag – girl had caught it. Courtney. Courtney caught it. She stood awkwardly with both her hands holding the flowers. All the girls were glaring at her. I couldn’t help but let out a laugh.

I waved at her before I was being tugged back inside by Josh.

--

“Damn it,” I hissed uncomfortably. I was supposed to be a girl. How the hell do I not know how to take out my hair? I gave up on it and blew a piece of strand away from my face. Screw the hair. The dress was too tight. I stretched my arms to unzip the dress from the back but I couldn’t reach it. I started jumping up and down to try to get the zip.

“Come on. Come on,” I muttered over.

BANG. BANG.

“Ya done yet? Other people have to use the bathroom too ya know!” Josh’s annoyed voice rang as he repeatedly smacked the bathroom door.

I shrieked in frustration, “I can’t get the dress off, you idiot!” I yelled as I struggled to get the zipper. There was only a moment of silence where my grunts were the only noise.

“I can help you,” his voice was so low I could hardly hear him, contrast to when he was yelling.

I snatched the bathroom open quickly, “Oh good. I don’t know if it’s me because I ate a lot earlier but this dress is tight.” I turned around so my back was facing him. I waited to hear the sound of the dress but I didn’t hear or felt anything.

“Are you going to help me or not?” I asked. My hands were working on my hair as I tried to take the pins down.

“Um. Oh! Oh yeah,” Josh placed his hand on my waist and the other hand on the zip before he slid it down slowly.

I grinned in triumph when I tugged the last pin down making my hair fall as the dress dropped down to the floor. I heard Josh’s breath quickened but at that moment, I could care less. The dress was off! I sucked in a big breath. I can finally savor how good it is to breathe. Besides I had a loose dress under, even if it’s thin and probably see through. The dress was off!

I stepped out off the dress and walked to the bathroom. The plane won’t leave for another two hours. Just enough time to get in a bubble bath.