Miles walked out of the arrivals gate at Toronto airport dragging his entire life behind him in two suitcases. He had spent the past 7 years living in the UK studying at the London Academy of Writing. Today though he was on his way back home for his sister's wedding to his best friend Winston Chu. The two had been best friends for years and though originally Miles was not happy Winston had chosen his sister, he was happy they had both found someone who made them happy.
As Miles wandered through the crowds of people piling off of flights, he spotted his best friend sat with his back to him. They'd not seen each other in over 4 years when Winston and Frankie had come over to the UK to attend Miles's graduation. Following the end of his education Miles had decided to remain in the UK to start afresh leaving his troubled past behind. His relationship with his Father had been patched up and they spoke once a month but their relationship was more of acquaintances than father-son. His Mother had remarried his Father 2 years after he moved to the UK, which had led to the breakdown of their relationship, but again they had been working to re-forge those bonds. On the other hand, his relationship with his siblings had strengthened. Both his sister and brother had provided the support Miles needed through his difficult break up before he left for the UK for the first time.
The large groups of people shadowed the sound of Miles' approach giving him a prime opportunity to sneak up behind Winston. When he reached him, Mile wrapped his arm around Winston's throat in a joke choke hold. Winston jumped but realised almost immediately that the foreign arm surrounding his neck belonged to his best friend. The last time the two had seen each other Miles had been very slim which he blamed on the level of studying and writing he had to do but now he stood more muscular than Winston had ever seen him however still on the slim side. The two embraced each other before Miles heard a shriek behind him. Before he could turn to see where the noise had come from, Miles stumbled backwards as his sister threw herself at him in a bear hug. Unlike Winston, Frankie saw her brother more regularly as she and Hunter would travel over to the UK during the holidays rather than spend it with their parents.
"Finally you've made it" Frankie shouted in his ear as she continued to squeeze him. She turned and punched Winston in the arm "Did you let me go to the toilet so you could see him first? He's my brother!" Winston and Miles gave each other a look before bursting into fits of laughter while Frankie looked on. Once the boys had finally calmed down Winston grabbed Frankie by the waist pulling her closer to him. "Franks don't sulk it's not my fault I'm his favourite." This resulted in Winston getting another slap round the arm before Miles stepped between the pair saying "let's get out here before Frankie murders you". With this Miles threw his arm around his sister's shoulders steering her towards the door leaving Winston to drag Miles's very large suitcase behind him. Miles had yet to tell his siblings but he had decided before coming back for Frankie's wedding that he would be moving back to Toronto and therefore Miles entire life in London was in that bag.
The walk to the car was swift and talk quickly turned to the wedding. "I cannot believe you left it this late to get here. The rehearsal dinner is tomorrow! Hunter kept telling me your flight was going to be delayed and you wouldn't make it." "Franks do you really think I would miss your wedding? Do you really think I would miss Chewy's wedding? The fact you're marrying each other just makes my life much simpler. You know I'm not a fan of long haul flights." Frankie smiled tentatively at her brother "I knew you wouldn't miss it but you know how Hunter likes to make me doubt everything."
As they got in the car Winston gave Frankie a look as if to day 'if you don't tell him, I will'. Miles knew that look from back in high school when Winston would give him that look whenever he needed to speak to someone. "So Miles we have something to tell you…" Frankie started. "Just spit it out Frankie" "Well while Hunter was teasing me that you wouldn't come to our wedding I kind of changed the invite list." Miles's stomach dropped. He knew exactly what Frankie was about to tell him. His eyes darted to Winston's in the rear view mirror, who was looking away in what could only be described as guilt and sadness. Miles eyes dropped "you invited him didn't you?" The question was rhetorical, already knew the answer without the reply that followed. "At the time I thought it was a good idea. If I couldn't have you there then I'd want the person who reminds me most of you there. I sent the invite without really thinking about it. Once I'd thought it through it was too late he had already RSVP'd." Miles stared at the back of the seat in front of him. He had a mixture of emotions swelling around his stomach. Happiness, nerves but mostly sadness and regret. Before he had left for London, he had had to deal with a break up which he hoped he'd never have to relive but the fact he would have to see his ex made him feel sick. He'd spent countless hours in his first year in London writing letters trying to explain how he felt but none had ever felt good enough to actually be sent.
His mind was whirling with the image of him. Of Tristan.
