Chapter 2 - Her side

Really? Really? He must be kidding me. Oh god, am I mad. What the hell? The taxi driver is looking weirdly to me but I just don't care. Today was supposed to be a calm day, so that tomorrow I would be as rested as possible. But then, as Matt left Claire in my house, I just made the stupid question.

"Is TK coming with you tomorrow?"

"He didn't tell you?" Matt looked confused. "He's not coming. At least that's what he told me."

I was so mad I just stormed out of the house saying I would be back, and catched the first taxi I found. I know things aren't the best between us, but this is too much.

"We're here dear."

It's seems we arrived some minutes ago, but I just didn't noticed. I pay the fare and get out of the taxi.

As I knock on his door I start to get nervous.

"Hello angel, what are you doin' here?"

You haven't called me that in a long long time, so don't try to be cute when I'm mad at you. His halit and his voice tell me he's drunk, again, which causes us to change a few words about his drinking.

"You're right! You wanna know why I'm here? Really, you have no clue? Nothing like asking your brother to tell me you won't be coming tomorrow!"

Ok, I didn't wanted to scream at him, but I'm just too mad.

"I thought that you've forgotten to reply, that the postman lost the letter, anything but this! You are not doin' this! We are friends, I want you there, and you will be! If you are not, I'll come here and kick your butt so hard you won't be able to sit for quite a while! And you better take a shower and sober up!"

We are friends.. I tell him that but internally I'm not sure what to call us. We were best friends since what seems like ever. We first met at 8 years old, with the whole saving the digital world. We lived in different places, so we had a penpal friendship until we were 11 and ended up in the same class. At that time, he and his mother moved here, so we've been together since then. Although we had other friends our age, we always seemed to click better. In high school we started dating. It seemed so natural. He had a lot of female admirers because of Basket, and it started getting worse as he grown, but he was never interested in anyone. I can't say I didn't notice boys looking at me, but I never really cared about romance. Not until I fell for him, really hard. It was all so perfect, as he had fallen for me too. Those were the best days.

"Hey, I took a shower four days ago!"

I'm brought back to reality by his stupid retorts. He's always like this, at least in the good days. The bad days, when he's too intoxicated with the drink, he looks like another person.

"Your point?" I feel myself getting calmer because of his jokes. He seems to notice as he relaxes a little.

I sit beside him on the sofa and ask him to please come. It would mean a lot to me to see him there and ok with all of this.

"So, I have to take a shower and be sober. Anything more?"

"Yes, dress nicely." I'm so happy he gave in that before I can even think about it I give him a kiss on the cheek. "See you tomorrow."

I leave as soon as the conversation is over, with the biggest smile on my face. He doesn't move from his spot as I get out of the apartment. Gosh, I'm so happy right now, and I don't even understand why. I feel my cheeks hot as probably I'm blushing. Stupid me, I shouldn't still feel like this because of him.

I fast my pace as to catch a taxi as soons as possible. I really need to rest for tomorrow. In the ride I remember college days, and the beginning of the end for us. The party guys he met in his major, all the nights that he would go out and drink more than he should, and all the mood swings he started to have because of that. In our second year of college we broke up after one more party night, one in which he ended coming to my house at 4am completely drunk and with a sick smell of woman perfume. My parents weren't home that day, so I let him sleep there instead of making him go home. Still, in the next morning we had a big argument about his drinking and the way he always seemed to be more friendly to random girls as the alcohol in his body increased. I knew nothing had happened, but it was the last strike, for his attitudes were getting worse and worse. He stormed from my apartment and since then I rarely saw him sober again.

I feel the tears falling from my eyes as I exit the taxi. They must stop before I get home or there will be questioning. As I enter the lift, I take a deep breath.

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"OH MY GOD, you look perfect!"

I just put on my dress and Claire couldn't be more excited.

"It's true, you couldn't have chosen a better dress Kari."

"Thank you Sora. I'm just so nervous."

"It's normal dear" Sora hugs me "Enjoy the feeling, it's one of the best you'll have."

She smiles at me as she look to her wedding ring. It's been almost 2 years since her wedding with my brother, and they're still as in love as they were when they first started dating.

"Claire, let's leave the bride alone for a while and see how the preparations are going."

As they leave I look myself in the mirror. The makeup team did a really good job, I look, and feel, like a princess. My nerves are getting stronger, but I can't give in to them. My zipper just went down again. Have to ask Sora to pull it back up. I look to the ring Brad gave me when he asked me to marry him. We had dated for 2 years, and things seemed to be good, but I really wasn't expecting him to propose to me at dinner in my house, with my family there. I accepted in the moment, although I can't say I was that confident, but hey, we've been having a good relationship, why should I be so insecure?

As my mind is drifting I hear a gentle knock on my door.

"Come in."

Time to get ready for the big event.

"Oh thank god you're here Sora! Can you please help me with the zipper again? The goddamn thing was already up but seems to be joking with me, and it keeps coming down!"

"I'm not Sora, but yeah, I can help you."

My body freezes at this words, or better, at the voice that spoked.

"TK, sorry, didn't knew it was you." I look up and face his eyes "Was Sora out there?"

"No, guess she went outside to talk with Tai. But I can help you, just stand up."

I do as I'm told with mixed feelings. I would really prefer to have Sora here helping me. Hell, even my brother. I just didn't wanted to be alone right now with him. Still, I smile and stand up. It's seems the zipper is jammed, so we'll just have to go with a safety pin and hope for the best. I'm really enjoying his touch with my skin more that I should.

"So, prepared to the great step?"

"Nervous, very nervous."

"Don't be, worst case scenario I couldn't keep the zipper up and it will fall mid ceremony, leaving you nude in front of everyone!" I start to get flushed "Hey, nobody would ever forget this day!"

"TK stop, you're making it worst!" And making me laugh. "So, you came here just to help me with the zipper?"

"Yeah, you know how I am, the knight in shining armor, born to deal with bad zippers."

I'm starting to tear up, not only because of the laughter but he doesn't need to know. He gently uses his fingers to stop my tears from ruining my makeup and I feel like I'm blushing even more.

"And no, I didn't dream you would have zipper troubles and came here to save you, I just came to congratulate you on your most important day."

Oh God. I feel my face becoming even more redder, is this possible?

"And as you can see, I've taken a bath and didn't drink anything, so please spare my butt!"

Oh, the stupid jokes. How I missed them. We keep goin' at it until we hear a knocking in the door. It's Sora saying that it's almost time. As she closes the door, we face each other

"Ok, guess now it's time to serious business. I really hope you have the best in your life 'cause you deserve it." He says as he embraces me.

"Tk, I.."

"You really deserve to be happy, and I am so sorry for ever hurting you Kari."

With a kiss on my cheek he gets out of the room, not once looking back. Moment later Sora reenters the room.

"Kari we.. Oh dear, is everything ok?" I haven't noticed the tears falling until this moment. "Did TK tell you something bad?"

"No, he.. He only congratulated me. I don't know why I'm like this, I mean, it's been such a long time and.."

Sora gives a small smile and hugs me. She knows how I feel right now and what's going through my head.

"You know that time doesn't always work. Especially if there was unfinished business."

"I.. I'm so stupid, Brad is such a perfect guy and yet I can't seem to appreciate it."

"What's perfect to one person doesn't have to be perfect to another."

"I think Brad won't ever be happy with me.."

"Of course he will. The real question is if you'll ever be happy with him." She just keeps smiling and starts cleaning the tears falling from my face. "Kari, you know you're not the easiest person to read, but I recall the face you made when he proposed to you.. And it was not the one you would expect to see when someone proposes to you. Are you sure you wanna do this?"

She's always like this, accepts everything and never judges anyone. Everyone I know right now would be judging me for this, saying it's a mistake to do it, but as I confess my intentions to her, her faces tells me she'll be by my side either way.

"Gotta go" I tell her after she fixes my makeup.

"Good luck"

I exit my room and turn for the one I know I'll find him. Fortunately everyone is goin' for they seats right now, so no one is passing by this corredor. I knock on the door.

"Come in" I walk in the room. He's looking through the window but as soon as I enter he turns around and face me. "Oh Lord, you look so… I don't have words to describe!" He's smiling so much in his bliss. "But should you be here? Isn't bad luck for the groom to see the dress before the wedding?"

"Thank you for the compliment Brad but… we need to talk."

"Is everything ok Kari?" His expression starts to change. Guess now I'll have to go with it.

"I'm sorry, I.. I think we went too far to fast, and-"

"You're breaking up with me right?" His calm tone makes me feel worse than I already feel.

"You're probably mad at me and you have all the rights to be, but I want you to know that I care about you, I just-"

"You just don't love me. At least not as much as I love you."

I know I'm breaking his heart, and the fact that he's calm and accepting it so easily breaks my heart.

"I'm so so sorry."

"Guess we'll have to go and tell the guests-"

"I'll go. It's my fault, and you're being an incredible person accepting it so easily. Thank you Brad, and again, I'm sorry."

I exit the room and find Sora waiting for me outside.

"We broke up. I.. I'm now going to tell the guests."

"No Kari, you're going to you room, I'll call both your families so they can go talk with you guys in private, and I'll tell the rest of the guests, no need for you to worry."

I finally crack and start crying. Why is everyone so good to me?

"Thank you Sora."