Chapter 9: What He Felt

"So, what did you feel?"

Jason doesn't answer her. He just walks past her and leaves her studio. After he's gone, Elizabeth does and sits on her couch. She places her head in her hands and starts crying. It's one of those deep cries that get you choked up. She glances up and says to herself, "I felt something. More that I wanted."

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Outside her studio, Jason is leaning back against her door. "What did I feel? More than I wanted." He closes his eyes and then walks off.

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The next morning, Jason wakes up in his room at Jake's. *I've got to tell Courtney that I can't go through with this wedding. But how?* He gets out of bed and gets dressed. He supposed to go to Sonny's to get ready. Carly will keep Courtney in their penthouse while he's there.

He leaves his room and walks downstairs. Jake's at the bar. "Hey Mr. Groom!" she shouts to him. "Today's the big day. Good luck!"

"Thanks, Jake. I'll need it."

"Don't worry about it too much. She's a lucky girl. By the way, who is she? That brunette that you were here with a lot a long time ago?"

"No, this is someone else. Her name's Courtney, but to be honest, I don't think that I can go through with it."

"Why not Jase?"

"I think I'm in love with someone else."

"Well, that's a good reason. You better tell her before you get to the altar. That kind of thing will humiliate a girl."

"I know, but she's gung-ho on not seeing me until the wedding. She says it's bad luck."

"Well, if she sees you before the wedding, she'll be getting bad news, so I guess she's right."

"Yeah. I guess." Jason pauses for a minute. "Thanks for everything, Jake. I appreciate it." He kisses her on the cheek, and leaves.

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Elizabeth is working at Kelly's when Emily walks in and calls out, "Hey, Elizabeth."

"Hey Em." Elizabeth responds rather sullenly. "How's everything going this morning? No major mishaps I assume?" Elizabeth is prodding to see if Jason has called off the wedding.

"Everything's great. I was just wondering if you are still coming to the wedding? Zander wanted to offer you a ride."

"That's really thoughtful, but I changed my mind. I'm not going to go."

"Why not? What happened?"

"I just remembered all that I felt about Jason before, and I think it'll be too uncomfortable."

"I'm sorry, but are you sure? I'm sure Jason would want you there."

"I don't think so, but have a good time. Congratulate Jason for me."

"I will. I'll talk to you tomorrow."

"Bye Em. See you later."

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Jason walks into Sonny's penthouse and is immediately swarmed by Sonny and Carly. "Hey, where've you been? The wedding is only in two hours!" Carly screams at him.

"I said goodbye to Jake. She's done so much for me in the past, I just wanted to tell her good bye."

"I see. Well, I have to go help Courtney get ready. Get ready! You're leaving for the church in an hour."

"Hold, on Carly, I need to talk to Courtney. There's something..."

Carly interrupts him, "It's bad luck to see her before this wedding. You need to get ready."

"But Carly..."

"NO! It's bad luck. You'll see her in two hours. I'm sure it can wait. Sonny," she turns to her husband. "Don't let him out this door."

"Sure thing. Bye hun, give my love to Courtney."

"I will. Bye guys!" Carly leaves and Sonny brings Jason's tux over to him. "Put this on. You don't have to put the tie on or the coat now, but just get ready."

"Sonny, I really need to talk to Courtney. It's important."

"You're getting married, man. Nothing is more important than this day for you," Zander tells him.

"Sonny," Jason starts.

"Jason. I can't let you over there. Carly would freak and a death wouldn't be the best thing to happen today. Everything is going perfectly. You just need to relax."

"Okay, I'm going to go change." Jason heads upstairs. *I'll sneak over later.* He thinks to himself as he goes up the stairs.

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Over at the other penthouse, it's ten minutes 'till they leave, Courtney is in her slip, Emily and Carly are in bridesmaids' dresses, and the dress in lying over the couch. Carly is helping her with her makeup and Emily is fixing her own hair, when all of a sudden there's a knock on the door.