It meant one thing: night out.
Piper was not the casual drinker type of person but she needed some rush and excitement in her life that only booze could provide.
Her state over the past few days has been piteous, not so remarkable.
The blonde woman knew in order for that to happen, she had to go back home to pick some clothes and hopefully she wouldn't find Larry. It was what she feared the most.
In a string of bad luck, her now dreadful ex-boyfriend was home.
It was time to do something about this dilemma; she couldn't run away from this situation anymore.
"Hi" she said seating down on the patch of sofa available; close to him.
He rolls back his eyes, doesn't even bother to face her.
Without any further delay she begins by saying:
"Listen… I did not meant to harm you in any way, you just caught me off guard and it was too much pressure for me! Just because I didn't gave you a response it doesn't mean I don't love you, it just means that… I need to think… I'm sorry"
With that said Piper carries on with what she was there to do.
Once inside the room, proceeding to "their closet", she has special heed at what she intends to take.
First of all she seeked for her favorite pair of black skinny jeans, red striped blouse, a white cardigan and of course her black all stars, she cherished them the most. Other clothes were almost meaningless.
Momentarily she stops at the door frame looking around at now so distant memories; sighs and shrugs are the reactions of her body in attempt to make her leave that now so empty nest.
Tears were almost falling from her eyes as she left the house.
"Get it together!" she thought for herself
She couldn't show her vulnerable side to others.
Not now.
Much for her pleasant surprise the evening flowed quickly leaving room for the night to come.
Both women couldn't wait to get to the club.
Piper was the most agitated one; once in a while she wouldn't back down if friends invited to go clubbing but since she and Larry had met she hasn't gone clubbing, he was more of a stay-at-home kind of person, which meant he was the significance of boredom to this young lady.
Currently inside the club, Piper approaches the bartender to simply ask for a beer, but soon she would be binge drinking for sure.
Her need for alcohol was almost pathetic.
Several drinks later she starts to get a little more loose and relaxed, her inhibitions were now left behind. She moves to the beat relentlessly yet aware that others were watching her little performance.
She was conscious of the many men and women devouring her with their eyes but this time she was enjoying it; not only having fun but also getting phone numbers from absolute strangers made her feel powerful.
Piper had had an outrageous amount of drinks now; incapable of thinking straight and away from Polly, she decides to reach for her phone in order to see if there were any missed calls or texts.
Being disconnected from her actual life made her forget that her lock screen consisted in a pic of her and Larry. A tear threatened to fall the blonde's pale face.
All the alcohol she drank to forget him was in vain...
Now weak minded and with her heart shattered into pieces once more, she did the stupidest thing ever… text someone when drunk.
"Larry I was a fool for not saying yes to you right away, I was wrong!
I want you back in my life…"
The vulnerable side of Piper was now making itself known.
With a weight lifted off her shoulders she returns to the bar to engage in some more drinking. For all she knows, the night was a success.
The morning after was appalling for Piper, waking up with no resilience what so ever, internal pain and weakness. A feeling she hasn't experienced in ages.
Painkillers and a cold bath were a must.
After those, procrastinating sounded like the best plan.
Unfortunately her thoughts were interrupted by the annoying sounds of a doorbell and from the loud snoring in the room next to her she knew she was the one having to deal with whoever was at the door.
For her shock it was Larry and in one brief memory of last night she knew for sure she had texted him.
She was screwed.
As much as she tried to remember what was wrote she couldn't…
Still in a sheepishly and bewildered state, Piper asks him to come back in another time as she is not in her right mind. A signal that she wasn't ready to face the consequences.
Unsuccessfully. This one doesn't leave, clearly seeking answers.
"Let me just go to the bedroom to dress something more appropriated"
Larry nods.
What she feared the most happened.
Checking last night's text, she spotted the one for Larry. Her heart started to beat in a faster pace.
How could she possibly back down now?
"I don't want to back down… I mean… I love him!
Maybe I'm afraid of commitment?" she says mentally to herself, apprehending with her own thoughts.
Still astounded with her stupidity and knowingly she has to face consequences, Piper makes her way towards Larry not confident at all and disappointed with her actions.
It's not long until this one tries to kiss her.
Piper manages to dodge the kiss in a not common way; by saying she has bad morning breath.
While they talked Piper's thoughts hovered on the burden she now faces; it never occurred to her that one day she would be considered someone's wife or that she would be for one and one person only. Her mind kept saying 'no' but her heart said otherwise…
That deduction frightened her.
However she did intend a whole life along with someone who loved her dearly and for all that matters, she knew Larry would fit the role perfectly. Subsequently after a few objections of her heart and loud thoughts that kept screaming 'nooo' in her mind, piper gave up and pronounced herself as his bride.
Endless months were spent planning the wedding, even the smallest detail was planned till exhaustion, it had to be perfect. Throughout the whole preparation it was perfectly visible how happy Larry was but the same couldn't be told about Piper…
It was essentially like she showed indifference, almost as if what she was about to do was purely to make someone else happy.
Even though not many features of this wedding caught her attention, Piper's concern rested on the dress.
Conceivably the dress was a long wedding gown as her wish was to respect the traditions; it consisted in a trumpet skirt that would provide her absolutely amazing silhouette features; a gradually-flared skirt and a close-fitting bodice that will skim the lines of her body in an astonishing way; Piper also opted for a backless and sleeveless dress in order to expose the attractive top section of her body.
To complete her look she elected slingback white heels with a satin lace.
She would look like a princess by the time she walked down the aisle.
After many sleepless nights and insecurities for Piper, the big day had finally arrived. By the time she woke up there were already so many people around her demanding her to do things that couldn't possibly come through her mind. She felt so nauseous, about to collapse in front of those preposterous people.
Later after that gigantic fuss, Piper was finally "ready" as others said. Everything looked correct on the exterior but what about the inside? The blonde woman was restless. weak minded. powerless. She has just chosen her own faith and felt uncomfortable with it.
Proceeding to the church, Piper felt her stomach twitch as if a chain was put around it, hands tremendously shaking while rubbing the soft fabric of her dress, blurred vision.
Everything felt wrong.
She had to get to this wedding soon or back down would definitely be an option...
Slowly approaching the church Piper felt a shiver in her spine; it usually indicated something bad would happen.
The hope she had for a perfect wedding was lost at that point.
In front of the church now, it was possible to see many guests waiting for her to get out of the limousine still she wasn't prepared to face them or Larry whatsoever.
Her breath was uneven.
Perspiration was visible in her forehead and she was panting.
Completely overwhelmed.
On the verge of crying.
Numerous minutes later she was finally ready to get out; her breath was now as steady as it could be.
Within seconds of being out off of the limousine she was stunned by the countless people gazing her and many photographers trying to strike a picture of her best features.
A bit dizzy she became.
Once inside the church and now walking down the aisle, Piper felt like she was going to faint at any given minute, about to come undone in front of that entire crowd.
Yet struggling she managed to reach the altar; now the ceremony could begin.
It felt like ages for Piper.
Stress on the young woman was increasing.
This was torment.
Little by little she felt like she was dying inside.
Anyhow her lack of confidence in this wedding didn't make itself known.
Piper's heart was pounding in her chest unquestionably hard, as if a shot of adrenaline was pumped right into it; goosebumps were easily detected
on the blonde's skin as her turn to recite her vows was approaching at fast speed.
It made her sick beyond limits.
"I take you to be my partner for life
I promise above all else to live in truth with you
And to communicate fully and fearlessly,
I give you my hand and my heart
As a sanctuary of warmth and peace
And pledge my love, devotion, faith and honor
As I join my life to yours."
It was entirely said by her without stuttering yet they were empty vows.
Regretted the minute they were said.
It was Larry's turn.
"I promise to encourage your compassion,
Because that is what makes you unique and wonderful.
I promise to nurture your dreams,
Because through them your soul shines.
I promise to help shoulder our challenges,
For there is nothing we cannot face if we stand together.
I promise to be your partner in all things,
Not possessing you, but working with you as a part of the whole.
Lastly, I promise to you perfect love and perfect trust,
For one lifetime with you could never be enough.
This is my sacred vow to you, my equal in all things."
Now if no one would protest she was doomed to spend the rest of her life along a person she wasn't sure if she fully loved.
Exceedingly shaking and out of breath, tears practically falling out of her beautiful blue eyes onto the floor, screaming inside.
She wanted to run, run away from all that bullshit
"Should anyone here present know of any reason that this couple should not be join in holy matrimony, speak now or forever hold your peace" the minister says
"I object".