Wedding Blues

Summer vacation is closing in…and for some reason, I've barely thought of this story the past weeks. But I'm trying my best to fit in with my schedule. After listening to Tonight Is What It Means To Be Young from the Streets of Fire Soundtrack, I've finally decided to keep up with this story. Thank you for the reviews… I need all the help I can get.

Enjoy. (One of the most important suspending moments is in this very chapter)

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Chapter Five
Wally had no clue why Daniel was covering his right eye. He noticed that his left hand was clutched in a fist. He then felt his knuckles throbbing. Everything was a blur. He only remembered getting to the party and then seeing Daniel right here, suffering.

Then it came back to him.

Daniel was cheating on Kuki.

Then, out of nowhere, words came flowing out of Wally's mouth. "You think she's that stupid?" He asked, anger heating up in his body. "I've known her since high school, Danny boy. I've seen her get hurt so many times! You're not going to hurt her!"

Daniel uncovered his eye, showing it now was a black eye. Wally had no idea where those words came from. And why did Daniel tell the truth while he was drunk? He could remember Daniel saying something in college—whenever I'm drunk, I tend to tell my secrets. Had Daniel been keeping his dirty little secret to himself this whole time? How long had he kept it; before he even knew Wally existed?

"If you do tell her anyways, she's going to be hurt!" Daniel yelled, slurring heavily. "And why would she believe you?"

Hoagie's car came up to the driveway. "What's going on?" he asked. Wally was about to tackle Daniel when Hoagie held him back.

Wally, trying hard to hurl so many insults at Daniel, was thrown into the backseat of Hoagie's car.

"What's that all about?" Hoagie then asked, when he reached the corner. Wally had calmed down…but it was obvious that he was so furious that he looked like he was going to strangle Daniel.

Wally's breathing became smoother. "He was drunk—he told them that he's cheating on Kuki. With more than one other woman…" he said rhythmically to his breathing.

It was silent for a full minute; Wally concluded it was the minute of suspense. Then, Hoagie burst out laughing. "He wouldn't do that! He loves Kuki! And he's so drunk…people do stupid things when they're drunk."

Wally still didn't buy it. "He said in our sophomore year of college he tells his secrets when he's drunk. And he always says it so smugly, too. I'm his best friend…I know when he's lying or not."

Shaking his head, Hoagie replied, "Whatever, man. I'm taking you back to your apartment. We've got a big day tomorrow."

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Kuki had arrived at the party only five minutes before it ended. All the decorations were put away and all the food was gone. There were only five people left. Abigail was one of them.

"Abby!" she yelled, running to her long-time friend. Abby did not look very surprised to see her. "You missed it. You've never missed a party since you were fourteen, Kuki. You're all of the sudden so busy. First it was your job. Then it was Daniel. Now what is it?"

She had this lecture from Abigail before. The you're always so busy lecture. It never ended. "I told you, it was traffic. Smooth sailing until we got to the jam. What's wrong with that?"

"It's not just that, Kuki. You've become a workaholic. You always have time for Daniel, but never us…you're friends and family. Maybe Mushi, but that's about it. When was the last time you and I had a six-hour conversation?"

Boy, it had been so long ago.

"Exactly. You can't even remember. I know the exact date—July 17th…five years ago. It was your 'going away to college' party. I miss the fun Kuki…the real Kuki. Now you're just a carbon copy of your mother. What happened to you?" Abby continued, almost seeming like she was going to cry.

Kuki's heart felt like it hit rock bottom. She never noticed this. She remembered complaining in her teens "Oh, my mother never has anytime for Mushi and me! It's always work, work, work!" And Abby was right. She was just like her mother—Work and Daniel. Had she really become a hypocrite?

Abby turned her back to Kuki. Kuki's eyes were swelling with tears. She tried to hold them back, but then they came flowing out like waterfalls. The last time this happened was when she was thirteen. It felt so…she couldn't find the right words to fit how she felt right now.

"I-I-I'm sorry," she stuttered and ran off.

She didn't take the taxi. Instead, she walked home. It was so many miles away, but she didn't care. Now she wanted to punish herself. Maybe she could find a hotel to stay in if she ever got tired. She had brought her purse with her wallet that contained her credit cards. Then she could just melt herself into the—

Drip. Drip. Drip.

'Great,' she thought. Rain. Just what she needed. She had nowhere to take cover.

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Hoagie was still driving Wally to get him to his apartment. The rain pitter-pattered on the roof of the car, which seemed to make Wally calmer than before. He saw a woman walking in the rain going the opposite way.

He realized who it was.

Kuki Sanban.

"Hey, Wally, there's Kuki!" he hollered. It seemed to make Wally jump. "Stop the car," Wally said. Abruptly Hoagie jolted the car to a halt, and Wally rushed out of the car.

Kuki was freezing and soaking. "Wally? What are you doing here?"

"I was going to ask you the same thing. Want to take a ride with us?" Wally asked. But Kuki shook her head. "I'm kind of in the mood to punish myself. Wally, do you think I don't have any time for you and Hoagie?" she asked. But Wally shrugged. "Kuki, I have really important news."

Shivering, Kuki wondered what could be so much more important than listening to Abigail's speech. "At what is it?"

Wally, who only been out of Hoagie's car for five minutes, was already as soaking as Kuki. "Daniel…he's cheating on you…and not just on only one girl…Kuki, he's drunk, but you've got to believe me," he frantically said.

She shook her head. "He's drunk. I don't believe you. Did Abby put you up to this? So I could feel miserable? In case you hadn't notice, I'm already hurt."

Then, without thinking, Wally kissed Kuki.