Authors note:
Firing something quick at you guys. Would love to know your thoughts on this. This was a prompt about being in love with your best friend and when would be the right time to tell them, if there ever is a right time...
Am I Too Late?
Chapter 1
...
Michonne looked at herself in the full-length mirror, admiring the pale pink bridesmaid dress she was currently wearing. It had a sweetheart neckline and was made out of chiffon.
The contrast of the pink against her dark skin tone suited her well. Her hair was tied up in an intricate bun. She had minimal makeup on, apart from lots of mascara, which made her brown doe eyes stand out more. Michonne fluttered her eyelashes a few times before looking at herself one last time in the mirror. She let out a deep sigh.
"I am going to get some fresh air," Michonne said, picking up her iPhone and gold clutch bag off the table.
Maggie looked up at Michonne. She knew something was wrong.
"Hey, you ok?"
"Yeah," she lied.
Maggie knew Michonne was lying. She looked on as Michonne walked out of the hotel's grand suite.
She opened the hotel room door and stepped out into the hallway. Michonne took the elevator to the lobby, nearly running into someone on her way down. It was the groom himself. It was Rick Grimes her best friend.
She didn't think this day would be here so soon. It came around so fast. She thought they would have had time, more time. The day was here. Her best friend was marrying another woman. He was marrying Jessie Anderson. He had asked Michonne, Maggie, Sasha and Andrea to be bridesmaids.
He looked handsome in his dark navy blue suit.
"You look beautiful." Rick placed his hands on the top of Michonne's broad shoulders, touching her bare skin. They looked at each other. He kissed Michonne's cheek, careful not to get any of her makeup on his shirt and suit. She didn't feel the familiar scratch on the side of her face.
"You shaved your beard? You look handsome...I've never seen your face like that before. I imagine that's what your face looked like before you hit puberty," she laughed, pointing towards his face. Michonne had never seen his face like that in all the years she had known him. He let out a small scoffed laugh.
He rubbed his fingers over his face. "Yeah, yeah. Jessie said she didn't like the beard, wanted me to shave it off for the wedding."
"Well, I love it. Although, I did love your beard too." They stopped for a few seconds to stare at each other, before walking down the corridor.
"I better go finish getting ready, since I will be a married man soon."
She nodded.
"Good luck," Michonne whispered, walking off in the opposite direction.
Michonne had nervously sat through dinner and the speeches. Her legs were shaking underneath the table. Andrea had to shove her a few times to get her to stop. Her stomach continued to do summersaults. Shane had made everyone laugh and now, Daryl was doing the same. It would be her turn next. She stood up and started to shake even more.
She took a small sip of her champagne to steady her nerves. Her heart was thumping in her chest. It was getting louder and louder. Michonne thought everyone in the room could hear it. She closed her eyes for a few seconds before re-opening them to the many faces in the room. She placed the champagne flute back on the table.
"So, I was I going to start with something funny, but I think Shane and Daryl gave us enough jokes for the night." She smiled. The crowd laughed.
She looked over at her best friend.
"Rick, I've known you since we were, what 18?"
"Yeah, sounds about right," he smiled.
"Yeah, a very long time. Rick, you have always been there for me. When I cry. When I got my heartbroken on a few occasions. When I laugh at your really bad dad jokes. When there have been rough times. When I am mad at you for no reason. When I am happy or when I am feeling like crazy Chonne," she laughed. He laughed with her. So did the other guests.
"It used to be you, me, and the gang for many, many years, and then you met Jessie, and you introduced her to us all. And, because you're such a wonderful guy, I know I was sceptical at first. I can't even begin to put into words how wonderful you are. You're our fearless leader. You have such a kind heart, and you only deserve the best. The Best. But then I realised..." she paused for a few minutes.
Her Aunt Che would be turning in her grave right now if she knew what Michonne was about to do. She could hear Aunt Che's voice in her head.
Lord, chile on the man's wedding day. Michonne I raised you better than that! Hmm huh, you best take yourself back to church.
Secretly, Michonne was thankful Aunt Che wasn't here to witness the carnage that was about to unfold.
She looked down at her hands which were now trembling. She couldn't believe what she was about to say. She couldn't stop it though; the words just started tumbling out of her mouth.
"And the best is me."
The room gasped. There was loud whispering that could be heard throughout the room.
Andrea, Sasha, and Maggie all glared at each other, their eyes wide and mouths open.
"So, that's why it's so hard to pretend to be friends with someone special like you. When every time, every damn time, you look at this person, all you see is everything you want to have. You have been with me through everything. Since the day we met. That's why you're my best friend."
Her gaze now back on Rick's. He fluttered his eyes up to Michonne's his piercing blue eyes full of tears.
"Being in love with your best friend, for the past 12 years, has been rough. I love you Rick. I have always loved you and I always will. And I know I picked a stupid time to say this. Such a stupid time." She closed her eyes. Michonne started to shake even more.
"But I thought you should know." She nodded her head before opening her damp filled eyelashes.
Michonne backed up, lifted the hem of her dress, and ran out of the room.
Jessie stood up and watched Michonne run out of the room. Rick remained in his seat with his hands, clasped together, underneath his chin.
Panting and sweating, Michonne leaned her back against the hallway wall. She started to walk around in circles, placing her hand on her forehead. Michonne was now starting to panic. Oh shit! What did I just do? She thought.
"Did I just do that?"
"Yeah babe, I think you did." Andrea said.
Shane came out into the hallway, rubbing a hand to the back of his head while shaking his head from side to side.
"Shane, don't look at me like that," Michonne snapped, still pacing the floor.
"Damn Chonne, you couldn't have told him that shit twelve years ago?"
Daryl came out and stood next to Michonne. She let out a deep breath.
Rick walked out and stood behind everyone.
"Rick?" Michonne spoke, her voice cracked.
Daryl, Andrea, and Shane all turned to look at Rick, who was now standing there, his eyes darting around. He couldn't focus them on Michonne.
"Am I too late? I am so sorry...I am too late, aren't I?" she sobbed, placing a hand over her mouth.
Rick simply nodded his head. He rubbed a finger over his brow before turning on his heels and heading back to his new wife, Jessie.
Michonne nearly lost her balance. She bent halfway down, placing both of her hands on her knees. She thought she was going to be sick. She didn't know what she expected Rick to say or do. What was she thinking? Of course, it was too late.
Daryl reached for Michonne. She cried out as he sheltered her in his arms.
"I was too late Daryl. Oh God..." Michonne cried harder into his shoulder.
Rick had left her to be consoled by their friends. More tears escaped the corners of Rick's eyes as he heard Michonne's cries disappear the further he walked down the corridor.
Authors note: This will be something very short and to the point...Is it too late for them to be couple?
