Chapter 10: Julia's Wedding

As Vaughn walked away from me I blinked, amazed at what had occurred. Did I just kiss Vaughn? Vaughn? Stone-cold-doesn't-give-a-fuck-about-me-Vaughn?! Apparently so… I stood up, the fireworks still booming in the sky, and slipped away into the East town. My head was still a bit fuzzy from the drink, so I slowly walked back to my house, dazed.

Once I got in I headed straight for my bed, not even bothering to undress, and just removed my coat and boots. Face first I landed into bed. My face straight into my pillow. "What did I just do?" I groaned. Not even a season separated from Denny and I kiss another man? I mean Denny did do A LOT worse when we were together but… this wasn't me. I didn't want any kind of romantic relationship yet, did I?

I mean I did like Vaughn, definitely as a friend. Recently, however, every time I thought about him I got a jittery feeling in my stomach, or if I looked into his eyes my stomach did flips! But I had thought about this before, it was only because I was confused and lost. Vaughn was being nice to me, and this was the first time that I had been alone in years! And so, I was almost relying on him. Replacing Denny with him, creating false feelings.

But then there was this: it felt so real. It reminded me of when I first met Denny.

Denny…

How could I risk my feelings getting hurt like that again? I was only just beginning to heal, and I was thinking about someone else? Someone who could potentially hurt me again. It was just a ridiculous idea. It was just too soon.

But even as I drifted off to sleep I couldn't help but think of the kiss Vaughn and I had shared.

"Chelsea wake up!" Julia squealed. "Wake up! Today is the day~!" She sang as she spun in a circle in the middle of my floor. I sat up in bed, rubbing my eyes with the back of my hands.

"Julia calm down, the ceremony isn't until two, you'll tire yourself out!" I said groggily, furious Julia had awakened at 8 AM to start getting ready for the wedding. Usually, I would get up earlier, but we had been celebrating and I had wanted to sleep in. "Let me cook you up some breakfast then, I'll see quickly to my farm and we can start. If you want in the meantime you can shower and shave etc." I said with a wink.

Julia blushed but nodded, asking me where everything was, I told her and got on with the breakfast. I knew Julia wouldn't want much, but I made a lot anyway, Natalie would probably come around in the next hour to get ready and there was no doubt she would have some. I prepared a fruit bowl, coffee, scrambled eggs, bacon, toast and fried tomatoes. I left it all out for her to choose from and left to start my farm work. I would eat after.

It took me nearly an hour and a half, but I completed my daily tasks of; watering new sprouting crops, feeding and, quickly tending to my animals. Spring was well on its way, and I'd already had my first harvest of turnips this year, so things were looking good on the farm.

After the new year celebration, I hadn't seen Vaughn. I had been working all day after New Year to prepare for the oncoming spring and then, obviously, he had left the island to return to the city until today.

I dashed back to the house to grab breakfast. Surprisingly, Natalie wasn't there yet but it wouldn't be long before she would arrive. As expected, however, Julia had not eaten much of what I had prepared for her and was picking at the fruit salad, a cup of half full black coffee beside her. I grabbed some cold bacon and eggs and a bit of toast and ate it almost instantly, I was starved. I washed it down with some juice and made myself some coffee. I could eat a cold breakfast, but cold coffee was a big no-no.

"Julia, come on, eat a bit more than that. I could reheat some of it for you," I suggested, giving her a concerning look.

She frowned, "I'm too nervous". I sighed, well at least she'd had some fruit, that was something. "Can we start, please?"

I nodded and placed one of my comfy new chairs in front of a floor length mirror I had by the window in my bedroom. I patted the seat, indicating for Julia to come and sit. She came over, taking her hair out of the towel. I grabbed my hairdryer and began drying and styling her long golden-blonde hair. I was nearly done when Natalie arrived, hers and my dresses in one hand and a big box of make-up on the other.

Natalie was on make up for Julia, I was on hair. I was to do half of it, let Natalie do her make-up, and then finish off styling her hair. I was to do my own make-up as Natalie did Julia's. While I finished off doing the first bit of Julia's hair Natalie placed out all the dresses and make-up ready, before pulling out a bottle of champagne. "Celebration glass anyone?" She asked smugly, showing off the expensive bottle.

"I really shouldn't" whined Julia.

"I will," I said, laughing. "C'mon Julia it's your wedding day! One glass of champagne will only calm your nerves! Plus, we're your bridesmaids we have to have one glass to celebrate with you!"

"Okay! Fine! But only one!" Natalie popped the bottle and Julia squealed "This is so exciting!" We all laughed, and Natalie poured us each a glass into some little flutes she had brought with her.

For the next few hours, we got Julia ready, got ourselves ready, all while drinking the rest of the bottle of champagne. There was only enough for two glasses each, but it was enough before we got too tipsy. Just before we had to make our way down to the church Natalie and I helped Julia into her dress.

She looked stunning, her hair pinned back in a loose bun that sat at the base of her neck, a long, flowing, ivory, gown that hugged her curves. It had a singular slit up the left side all the way to her thigh and the neckline swept across her shoulders and chest. She looked truly stunning. For a moment I panicked at the thought of Elliot seeing her and collapsing at the Altar.

Mirabelle met us at the entrance of the forest with Felicia and Vaughn at the time arranged. Mirabelle looked as if she was going to burst out in tears when she saw Julia, but she held it together and dabbed her eyes gently with a tissue. They each congratulated and hugged Julia before we made our way through the forest and to the church.

Julia and Mirabelle led, Natalie and her mum followed them, chatting, leaving Vaughn and me together at the back. Neither of us said anything, there was a tension that neither of us was prepared to break. We walked in total silence to the church.

When we arrived Mirabelle and Felicia gave Julia one last hug and went into the church first. We then took our positions, Natalie at the front, I next and Julia and Vaughn last together. Natalie opened the doors and the music sounded as we started to walk down the aisle. Natalie, once she reached the end, took her seat on her brothers' side at the front, next to Felicia and Taro. I was next taking my seat next to Mirabelle and then Julia entered and the whole church gasped.

Julia made her way down, her arm over Vaughn's. She looked so elegant I almost couldn't look away. Almost. But looking at Vaughn walking down beside Julia caused an emotion inside me I couldn't describe. I was so happy he was giving her away, proud almost, touched at how much he cared about her. But I was also still thinking about last week which made me feel embarrassed, curious and sad. But most of all, he looked so handsome, it made my heart flutter. He was wearing a light grey suit with black brogues, his hair, combed and tidy without his hat on.

They reached the end of the aisle and Vaughn sat down next to me. The ceremony began with a prayer to the Harvest Goddess by Nathan. The ceremony only lasted for around 10 minutes but with Vaughn sitting stiffly next to me, it felt like an eternity. Finally, they kissed, we clapped and left the stuffy church. Vaughn and I not even exchanging a glance. Pictures then followed for another 20 minutes by a professional camera Chen had got specially delivered.

A whole hour after arriving we were finally able to leave to get ready for the reception which was to be held at the meadow. Of course. On our way back over Natalie grabbed my arm "We're still getting changed at Julia's, right?" I nodded in affirmation. "Cool, this is gonna be great, we haven't had a good party in ages!"

"Literally years" I agreed.

We made it back to Julia's and got dressed, hanging our bridesmaids dresses up carefully. Julia entered the room as we were pulling on our reception clothing. She squealed, "I can't believe I'm married!"

"I'm so happy for you! But c'mon, out of the dress, I wanna party!" Natalie exclaimed. Julia spun around and let Natalie unzip her, I tossed Julia her other dress for her to slip on and we left, ready to party for the rest of the evening.

We reached the meadow crowded with people, Julia ran over to Elliot to hug him, who was still dressed in his tux, to bear hug him. Natalie spotted Mark in the crowd and wandered over to him, leaving me, looking around trying to find someone to strike up a conversation with. I spotted Sabrina and went to walk over to her when someone caught my arm. "Chelsea, we need to talk."

I spun around to face Denny. I sighed, "really? Now?" I asked. He nodded and dragged me off out of earshot of everyone but close enough we didn't really stand out from the crowd. "What do you want?" I asked.

"I just want to talk to you" He ran his fingers through his curly mess of hair, closing his eyes as he did so. "I know it has only been a season since well… you know. Uh, but, I just wanted to say I've been thinking-"

He stopped as I held up my hands "Denny, I'm not getting back with you, I'm sorry"

Denny shook his head, "Chelsea, that isn't what I was going to say…" He sighed. "You were right. We had changed, we weren't as happy, there was something wrong with our relationship. And it wasn't me or you, it was us. We just weren't suited, y'know?" His eyes bore into mine, looking hopeful but still sad. While what he said hurt, it sort of made sense. I mean surely after a four nearly five-year relationship I'd be completely broken by what happened.

But here I was, wounded but surviving. It still hurt sometimes, sometimes I cried, sometimes I wanted to scream. But I could still laugh and find happiness in my work, my friends, and in myself. "I… I think I know what you mean" Things had been tough between Denny and me even before it had all blown up, maybe it was just our time, maybe we were always doomed.

Denny gave me a hopeful look. "I still love you Chels, I hope that one day we can be friends again."

"Me too," my hand reached out and squeezed the top of Denny's arm gently, "I think we just need some time right now."

"I know," he nodded with a sad smile. "I, uh, have one other thing to tell you. I really didn't want you to know but it is better coming from me than anyone else…" He paused "Lanna and I are dating."

At that my stomach dropped "Oh…" was all I could say.

"I'm really sorry Chelsea, but after we officially broke up I realised that I had held feelings for Lanna for a long time. Instead of confronting them I lashed out at you about Vaughn, and then eventually hurt you in a way I'll never forgive myself for. Which I am truly sorry for Chelsea, I really am."

I nodded, processing what he had said. My mind flashed back to all the times he had shouted at me for spending time with Vaughn, despite him being with Lanna every day. My heart was pounding, and tears formed in my eyes. I took a deep breath and blinked them away. "Thank you, Denny, for telling me first, you're right it probably is better this way. But I'd rather not talk about this anymore, excuse me"

I pushed past Denny and joined the rest of the party, trying to put on a smile on my face for the other islanders. I spotted Natalie, still with Mark, and walked over to them. "Hey."

Natalie turned towards me. "Hey," immediately, Natalie knew something was wrong, "are you okay?" She asked, concern in her voice.

"Yeah, I'm fine, sorry, I was just talking to Denny and y'know got a bit down, don't worry though, I'm honestly fine! I just need a drink" I laughed. Natalie pursed her lips at me but nodded, giving me a quick one-armed hug.

For the rest of the night, I socialised with everyone at the party, ate food and drank. There was lots of music and dancing (of course Elliot and Julia's were first) and even a bit of karaoke. The reception lasted well into the night, but by the time it got to 1-2 o'clock people started to go home with it being so late. Even Elliot and Julia had headed before everything had ended.

I was about to leave myself when I noticed Vaughn standing by himself looking up at the sky. I started to approach him when he looked down and towards me, our eyes met, and I stopped in my tracks. He broke our gaze and walked over towards where Mirabelle and Chen were chatting. I sighed to myself and decided to call it a night.

Vaughn had been ignoring me all day. Every time I had tried to make eye-contact or strike up a conversation he would look or walk away. If I joined a group conversation he was part of he would leave before I got the chance to speak to him. It was infuriating. I wanted to clear the air between us, but I couldn't, he wouldn't let me. All I wanted to do was apologise for what happened, explain it was a mistake. Even if I didn't want to be.

Thanks for reading!