A/N: This idea was as always inspired by the book The Romantics. It is very different though, I thought I would try and write a more ensemble story. If I get any reviews saying 'But this is Imogeli, not Eclare.' I will rage. Obviously it's Imogeli at first. It is definitely an Eclare story. Anyway, I'm trying something new. I won't be able to update as quickly as I used to. Senior year is sort of important. But I will never leave it for more than a week. I will try to write 2 chapters a week.
Chapter 1
Dearest Friends,
You are cordially invited to the wedding of
Elijah Goldsworthy
and
Imogen Moreno
at the Moreno Estate.
You are invited to spend a fortnight on the grounds as members of the wedding party. Accommodation will provided.
Come celebrate in our happiness.
" She would do something like this!" sighed Clare into her vintage home phone, grabbing clothing from her tiny closet. She threw her best clothes on her bed and huffed. This wedding was going to be one of those life challenges, she had no excuse because they had been engaged for almost a year. She knew it was coming, but leave it to Imogen to plan 2 weeks of awkwardness before the big day. Clare was a bridesmaid, oh the pain. She knew Imogen would ask her. It would almost be worse if she didn't. The Romantic Misfits, back together again. They had been friends forever, all of them. It was a perfect group with the exception of being somewhat incestuous. Clare smiled even thinking of the story they told to groups. The on hand anecdote, the humorous back story. At any wedding, Adam would tell the saga of the Romantic Misfits. Somewhere along the way, it stopped being tolerable. Mostly, because Clare was no longer a part of that saga. They can joke about it, but they were far from what they used to be.
" Clare, you know she meant no harm. We're her bridesmaids!" reasoned Alli, on the other side. Alli had already packed and was re-arranging her living room for the fifth time this month. She was extremely excited for this wedding, not because of the specific pairing but because it finally gave her an excuse to formally introduce Dave to her friends. It was somewhat of a scandal when she got together with someone outside their group. She tried to point out that it was the healthiest relationship she's been in. Unfortunately, Alli would have to accept the fact that Drew would be at the wedding. She knew he would make it uncomfortable for both her and Dave. She wasn't sure this wedding was even going to happen. To be honest, Eli and Imogen always seemed just somewhat off perfect. Just not quite right. She loved Imogen and Eli, but they were not fuel for a romantic novel or inspiration for a love song. They were, simple. Everyone knew the wedding would be hardest on Clare.
" I know Alli, I just don't know what I am going to say." sighed Clare.
" Say, you're happy for them. That you love them both." said Alli, pushing her couch towards the window, her heels scraping the wood floor.
" Alli, what do I wear?" said Clare, depressed at how pathetic she was right now.
" What do you mean?" laughed Alli, finally satisfied with the new arrangement.
" I don't want to wear anything that looks like I'm trying to be overly sexy, but I don't want to look like a 30-year-old, single, journalist with cats. I don't want people to think I'm having trouble with this wedding, or that I'm lonely. Or that I care what they think about me!" rambled Clare, scattering clothes across her room.
" Clare, maybe I should come over and help." smiled Alli.
" God, this feels like high school all over again." groaned Clare.
" I don't wish to go back!" laughed Alli.
" Sometimes I do." muttered Clare. There was silence on the line. They both knew the significance of what Clare had said. " Can we pretend I never said that." said Clare.
" Already forgotten, and on my way." smiled Alli, her blue pumps clacking as she hurried out the door.
Adam, Fiona and Drew had all driven together to the Moreno Estate deep in the Muskoka's. Adam's newly bought Aston Martin was the talk of the drive. Fiona had insisted they get a new car after Adam had driven her to work in his beat up Honda. Drew had hitched a ride after realizing he would be the only single guy in the wedding party.
" So this is going to be tense." smiled Adam. He was the best man and he had serious doubt about whether the wedding was even going to happen. Fiona had been vocal to Adam since the engagement that she didn't think the wedding should happen. What do you say to your best friends who aren't meant to be together 2 weeks before their wedding?
" Yeah, poor Clare." said Fiona quickly, knowing that was the elephant in the room. Clare would be the one everyone watches, which gives Fiona time to watch Imogen. This wedding was a fraud. Imogen loved Eli, but like you love ice cream or like she loved Volta. She didn't love him like she used to love Fiona. Imogen was never that into Eli. Just the idea of him.
" Clare? What about me?" said Drew from the back seat. Fiona laughed.
" How does this wedding affect you?"
" Eli is my best friend! Imogen's my girl! They can't get married! I'll be all alone. Besides, I have to see Alli and her new guy Dan." explained Drew.
" Don't pretend like you don't know his name is Dave." smiled Adam.
" Whatever, I can get her back right?" asked Drew. Adam laughed.
" I don't think so. She's really happy. And you two were terrible together."
" Hey! We were great together! There was something special." defended Drew. He definitely wanted to get Alli back at some point during these 2 weeks. He had recently realized that she was about as good as he can get. All other girls seemed to pale in comparison.
" You guys fought all the time! And you cheated on her. And she threw you out. And she burned your clothes." laughed Fiona.
" Okay, I know we've had our troubles." said Drew with annoyance.
" Maybe you should just be civil." said Adam turning into the extremely long driveway.
" No! Alli and I will get back together." said Drew.
" Just remember to tell her boyfriend that." smiled Fiona, gazing at the gorgeous stoned entrance to an extremely large complex. Adam stopped the car and they all got out. It was moments before they saw a tall, slim woman come running to them.
" Fiones!" cried Imogen, hugging her tightly. Fiona smiled and hugged back.
" Immy." she said quietly. Adam went to greet Eli at the door.
" Better give them a moment." said Eli, hugging Adam and smiling widely.
" It's been too long man!" said Drew, joining them.
" Hey, I've called you for drinks." smiled Eli.
" Yeah, I know I've been a shitty friend, but I'm here when it counts." smiled Drew, slapping Eli on the shoulder.
" The gang back together." laughed Adam. Drew turned to Eli.
" This place in enormous, you married well." Eli chuckled uncomfortably.
" Yeah, it's really formal too." They were interrupted by a high pitch squeal.
" More people!" Imogen said detaching herself from Fiona's hug. A black truck drove up to the group and an excited Alli came out from the side.
" My girls!" she screamed, running in her new Yves Saint Laurent boots. She gave an excited hug to both Imogen and Fiona. A handsome man got out from the driver's side with a smile.
" Hey guys!" he smiled. They women were immediately charmed.
" Guys, let me introduce my boyfriend Dave. This is Fiona and the bride to be, Imogen." Alli smiled, extremely proud of her arm candy.
" Congratulations! This house is lovely." Dave smiled kissing each woman on the cheek.
" Alli, where did you find him?" smiled Imogen. Alli giggled and kissed Dave quickly. The boys joined them.
" Hey man, I'm Drew." Dave smiled.
" Nice to meet you." said Dave, shaking Drew's hand.
" What? I don't get a kiss?" Drew joked. Dave laughed.
" You want one?" Alli laughed.
" Alli." Drew acknowledged, looking her up and down. She was gorgeous, as he had remembered. But she did look extremely happy. It upset him that he found that annoying. She was happy with Dave. But she could be happier with him.
" And I'm Adam, but thanks for the intro Alli."
" I was getting to you." laughed Alli.
" Where's Clare?" asked Fiona, watching Eli's expression change. Eli had done a very good job of not thinking about Clare. He had been able to completely wipe her from his mind. He could focus on Imogen and not on the girl with the shit car. The girl with the messy hair. The small downtown apartment. The way she smiled at the end of a good movie.
" She was right behind us." said Alli. They all watched as the red Mustang came up the driveway slowly, jolting every few seconds. Everyone laughed slightly at Clare's frustrated face.
" I'm here!" she shouted, getting out of the car with a stumble. She ran towards Fiona and wrapped her in a hug. She made a point to avoid Eli's eyes. She hugged everyone, except Eli. They both knew that would be too awkward.
" Clare you look adorable!" smiled Imogen. Clare smiled, she had almost forgotten how likeable Imogen was. That might have been the worst part about this wedding. Imogen wasn't some girl they could all laughed about and call a slut. Imogen was a friend and a good friend at that. Clare couldn't hate her even if she tried.
" Thank you, you look so thin." Clare said honestly. Imogen smiled.
" It's a new diet! I'll be glad once it's all over and I can get as fat as a pig." Clare laughed.
" Well, Imogen and I will show you to your rooms and we're having dinner with all our parents and people at 7:00." said Eli quickly.
Everyone gathered and followed their guides. Clare just had to look. She glanced over to Eli and saw him laughing with Dave. Her heart hurt more than it had in months. He suddenly caught her gaze and she wanted so much to keep looking at him. To live in his green-eyed stare. To forget the circumstance they were in and pretend they were the only ones on the grounds. But she knew better. So she smiled tightly and followed Imogen to their room.