Chapter Two: The Reception/Never-Ending Crying

Brenda dreaded the entire reception. Not only was she bored, but she was heartbroken. However, she decided to be fair and put a fake smile on her face and pretend to actually be enjoying herself. She would go to a bathroom stall and cry later. To make matters worse, the love of her life was coming her way to talk to her.

"Hey Bren, how are you?" She stood up and gave him a big bear hug. "It's been a long time. I'm so glad you could make it."

"I wouldn't miss my best friends' wedding for the world!" Brenda tried to sound as enthusiastic as she could.

"So, how was London?" Dylan asked randomly.

"It was alright. But I'm back in Beverly Hills for good. I go back to London next week to get my things, and then I'm staying with Brandon while I look for an apartment."

"Why don't you stay with me and Kelly?"

Her inside lit up. "Oh that's very nice of you, but you guys just got married and I don't want to interfere..."

She was cut off. "That's such nonsense! We have a guest room in our house; Kelly designed it to look like a hotel, you may as well stay there. Come on, what do you say?" He was practically begging her. She didn't like the sound of it, but she gave in anyway. Only because it would make her feel better, knowing that she would be around her old love, and they could catch up on old times..."It's not like we would be dating anyway, we're friends. Right?"

Brenda sighed. "Yeah, friends. Close friends."

He hugged her tightly and kissed her cheek. "Great! I'm so happy. Kelly will be so excited!" He walked away to his bride and told her the news.

"Yeah, me too."

Now was the time for Brenda to cry in the bathroom. She quickly excused herself from her table to the ladies' room. As soon as she got there, she ran into the stall, locked it tight, and just cried. Let it all out. A couple of strangers knocked on the stall and asked politely, "Are you okay, darling?" and she'd reply, "I'm fine, thanks!" But one friend in particular, who was a bit naive, didn't't believe that she was truly okay.

"Brenda! You come out of that stall right now and tell me everything!" demanded Donna Martin. Donna was the type of person who made you spill everything. Not that she was a gossip, she just wanted you to share your feelings so you didn't keep them bottled up inside. In a way she was like psychologist. A very demanding psychologist.

"Fine, Donna," Brenda slowly opened the latch that locked the door. She glanced quickly in the mirror, and she looked like a mess. Her nose was a pinkish red, and her eyeliner was smeared from crying. "I still love Dylan."

Donna sighed loudly. "Oh, no. Not again. Brenda, he's married now. He's happy. He's with Kelly."

"I know that. But the thought of him with her just kills me and brings back all the memories of how much fun we used to have together. I miss that. So much," She began to cry harder now. "And the worst part. They've invited me to stay with them while I look for an apartment. What am I going to do?"

Donna nodded in disprovement. "Brenda, you shouldn't have done that. It's a wrong thing. It'll just wreck your friendships with both of them. And how did you get invited over there?"

"Dylan insisted. He really wouldn't take no for an answer."

"Well..." she began. "Maybe it wouldn't be so horrible if you tried it. See how it works. Can you just put aside your feelings for Dylan and enjoy the reception?"

Brenda breathe in and out heavily, trying to hold back the tears. "I don't know. You don't know how much it hurt seeing the one guy you love marrying someone else! It feels like...it feels like when Dylan dumped me for Kelly back in high school." She cried again and again. Just let it all out, again.

"But don't you want him to be happy?"

"Yeah...I guess I do. I do want what's best for him. I'll be strong and just get this reception over with. I don't know how or why I was talked into going to this wedding in the first place."

Before they left the bathroom, Brenda quickly redid her makeup. There. She looked just as pretty as she did before. She could forget about Dylan, temporarily, sure. She could do it. Be strong, she kept telling herself.