Cinn: Well, I'll admit - chapter three wasn't as good as it could've been - I'll try and improve the basis of it now... If I get this right, I shall hopefully have a nice piece about their developing relationship and her normal life along side.
Chapter 4: Reflection; Confessions of Fate
Ah - the joys of the summer - babysitting a hyperkinetic seven year old and all her friends. Add to that the fact that one of my best friends isn't speaking to me, except when to tell me that she's pissed off with me, another is still in Oxford with her boyfriend and the other one comes over most evenings trying to get me to do these annoying internet quizzes. And my boyfriend is over in America having just finished his Astronaught Training. They're going to drive me mad!
But for starters I'm going to start looking for a job - I don't care that I said I wasn't going to start until September but if I don't start now I feel like I definitely will go crazy...
Problem is I don't really know what I want to do - I've considered Teaching, being a Professional Artist, Teaching Abroad, and Architecture. That's about it, but I don't really know which one I want to do - I probably won't become a Professional Artist because I want to do more than just Art for the rest of my life... Teaching is probably the most prominent one - teach what though? Art, Music (piano)? Go somewhere else to teach them? Maybe even teach a French evening class...?
It was when I was half way through thinking about this - having eventually calmed Nina down enough to watch cartoons without screaming and running around - that Mel came round with some news.
I'd been scanning the newspapers looking for a Teaching job, and had just spotted my old school was looking for a temporary Art Teacher. When the doorbell rang, I answered it and it was Mel and we went through into the kitchen.
"Guess what's happened?" Mel asked, once coffee had been supplied.
"What?" I said, not bothering to guess because I knew I'd probably not get it, and I couldn't really be bothered to either, but Mel doesn't need to know that.
"Kevin's proposed to me! We're getting married." This was my first reaction: shit. My second reaction: that's fantastic. Third reaction: this is one complicated situation.
"Oh, that's really, err, great." I replied, it was obvious Mel knew why I didn't sound 100 sure about what I'd just said. If Debbie found out she'd try and gatecrash, unless she's finally gotten over him. Which, I don't know.
"Yeah, it is. I know about the whole Debbie Thing and I'm still working on that. But it's SO COOL!" She said, loud enough for Nina to hear, walk through and ask what was cool. So we explained it to her, she agreed with Mel. But that was because she doesn't know what Debbie's reaction could potentially be. Once Nina had left with a drink I turned to Mel and decided that it would be very good to sort out the whole "Debbie Thing", as it was now named.
"Have you told Jade?"
"Yes. She agrees with you exactly. It's fantastic, except the Debbie Thing."
"I guessed she probably did. The sooner we sort that out the better. Kevin still lives in Cambridge - as does Debbie - and he'll be telling his mates, and if she hears..."
"Yeah I know. But what do you suggest?" I hate to admit it, but she has a very good point there. If we told Debbie she'd be irate, or she could take it well and actually accept that Mel didn't steal Kevin from her for the sake of doing so. If we don't tell Debbie she'll be annoyed for us not telling her or will take it well and understand why we didn't. It's the first option of both scenarios that are the bad ones...
So as plans were made - and many shopping trips - and everything started to come together there was no word on how Debbie had taken it, or even if she'd heard.
It transpired she did hear; Kevin felt that he had to tell her and had to invite her. Astonishingly she took it very well. Graciously accepted and congratulated him AND Mel. But I guessed it was only because then she could sit in full view of him and try to remind of just what he'd done.
It was a fantastic day. Naturally I went with Jeff, and Jade went with Sean. We all arrived together, the four of us, and Jade and I soon hurried off to find Mel and make sure she looked superb and everything was fine, then to find Debbie and stop her doing anything stupid. Luckily everything went fine and even Debbie was acting maturely, but I guess even she realised how rude it would be to do anything totally stupid and attention grabbing at a wedding. Surprisingly.
So yeah, after the wedding which was the usual boring church thing where you have to remain as silent as possible and be on perfect behaviour. You can imagine just how much could be done to totally ruin it or something, or to amuse us all. One of those things which you really shouldn't find amusing but just do.
The after-party, or whatever proper name they have, was practically a disco type thing where we were all high on something - probably alcohol. Just kidding, we weren't really that drunk, just some were and a couple acting it. It was fun though, and as I've mentioned, incredibly fantastic. Jade and Sean, and Jeff and I were obviously the two couples that everyone felt it would be fun to bet on who would get married next, I mean we're both are pretty close couples. Luckily for Jeff and I it was Jade that caught the bouquet and she and Sean were focused on more. Which meant Jeff and I could spend more time talking with it as just the two of us and dancing together.
Debbie's behaviour was the most surprising. She was being perfectly polite and sociable. Well, mostly, her dancing was a bit debateable on that matter.
Then events that happened in the following few days were even better. For me obviously, I don't think anyone else would think they were more important or anything, except Jeff. Yeah you've probably guessed already - but I'll tell you it all because I want to.
Jeff had been staying on for the week following Mel's wedding, so we were spending as much time together as was possible. We'd gone out to dinner at some restaurant which he said was really good, which was pretty accurate, and we'd decided to return back to my house via the park. I didn't have that much wine - honest - but for some reason I felt like going on the swings. Mental note to self: never do this again when wearing a skirt that isn't longer than knee length. So there we were on the swings talking about everything, some of the latest music, politics, how things were in general etc. when we got onto my finding a job.
"Have you applied for a job yet?"
"No - I've been busy helping Mel organise her wedding and everything. Why'd you ask?"
"The past few days have made me think - and, " He started, getting off the swing taking my hand and kneeling down, which all happened before I realised what was going on "I wondered if you'd marry me...?"
As soon as my brain understood exactly what he'd said I almost screamed I was so happy. I pulled him back up, kissed him and gave my incredibly obvious answer of "yes."
Cinn: Whay! I've finally corrected everything. I've had to rewrite half of chapter three, and most of this because of the dates of everything! I don't think any of my friends have ever seen me so pissed off, but never mind. I apologise for the delay - as I've had exams over the past 4 weeks and I haven't had time to write any of this.
Mentions:
cathrl: Hm, I tried to make the conversations better - I really did! And I PROMISE that most of the next chapter is the whole Jeff/Lucille thing. And thank-you for the nitpicking, I honestly don't care about nitpicks because it shows where I've gone wrong and can correct. Thank-you, I hope you like this.
starlight wishes: I hope you continue liking my story - and thank-you for calling my writing fab - means a lot. Thanks!