Author's Note:

Here's the bonus one shot story which is a songfic for "Speak Now" by Taylor Swift. I made it just light and no heavy drama. A little deviation from the heavy emotions of Chapter 15. Thalico forever!

Disclaimer: Don't own anything!

The Wedding

It was just a dream. That's what Thalia Grace kept telling herself. Nothing of these was true. It's not true. It's not true. It was already two o'clock in the morning and yet she kept tossing and turning on her bed. People in the office were whispering behind her back their voices low so she won't hear what they have to say. At first, she was innocent of what was happening around. Until she realized she was the last to know. Nico and Mary Smith were getting married. Getting married? Shocks of all shocks! How did this happen?

Mary Smith. The ever-popular cheer captain of Dominican High. Mary Smith. It started the very first day Thalia Grace transferred to Dominican High. It was then raining and she felt gloomy as gloomy as the weather. And when she passed by this group of girls, they were laughing. She thought they were just having fun but then, they gave her looks and she realized they were laughing at her.

"Look at her spike hair! Looks as if she just stood out of bed then went straight to school. Maybe she ran out of hairbrush in their house." It was obvious they were talking about her. She looked hard at the red haired girl named Mary. She seemed to be the leader of the group. She noticed her over decorated get up with lots of bangles and all sorts of clips and pins on her hair. To Thalia, she looked like a Christmas tree with green, gold, and red clips all hanging on her hair. She didn't mind them pretending not to hear a single word.

She beat her in school. She was a dancer but Mary's talent ended there. When Thalia was elected president of the student council, she made sure Mary Smith will not look down on her anymore. She fought all the way, became fiercer as they escalated to higher levels. To her, this brainless beauty will not pose a threat to her anymore until Nico Di Angelo entered their lives.

It was like this. Mary got a big crush on Nico. Nico got a big crush on Thalia. And Thalia went out with Nico just to show off to Mary. But the thing is Nico is always around with Mary. Complicated? If Nico got a crush on Thalia, he should hang around with Thalia and not with Mary. But it didn't seem this way. Nico kept on confessing to everybody he liked Thalia yet he was always seen around with Mary. Blame this on guy's stupidity.

Thalia thought all this wedding thing was a mere joke but it was not. Tomorrow is the wedding day and it's real. It was supposed to be a simple wedding ceremony with just few friends invited. Of course, Anjalou Manalo, Mary's best friend was to be the maid of honour. And while everybody at the office was talking about the wedding, she kept quiet on the corner wishing a major catastrophe would happen so the wedding will not push through. What if on the day of the wedding, a strong tornado will sweep the whole city? Oh, that's bad. Or Mary was kidnapped by gangsters and took her for hostage? Yes, that's good. Or Nico banged his head accidentally and lost his memory. Better? Oh, anything. Just don't let the wedding push through. It was only today that she realized she was crying because she loved Nico. And Nico loved her. He said that. They were walking along the street yesterday morning when Nico tried to talk to her. Completely. Seriously. She knew it. He wanted to explain to her what really happened how this wedding came out to be. It was a joke calling out the wedding coordinator when news of it leaked out and came to Mary. Mary went out to see Mara Fiore the wedding coordinator and in no time at all Mary's parents were seeing his parents and everybody was getting excited. In no time at all, his parents were urging him to come home to Manila to see the designer. Well Mary is not bad after all. It was obvious she loved Nico but she was second choice. His heart cried out for Thalia. It had been this way the moment he set his eyes on her. Oh what a mess! He got nothing to blame but himself.

Thalia was there at the Coffee Bean Shop thinking. It was still early in the morning and everybody was wearing that usual gleeful smile but to her, today and the day after is the end of the word. This was the first time she felt this way for a guy. She told herself she will not fall for any man because all men are the same. Her father left them when she was only a child and she had not known nor seen him. Her mother's world fell apart when her father broke her heart. Now her world will also fall apart because she let herself fall for a guy. But unlike her mother, she was born a survivor, a winner. Nobody can bring her down. She will fight with all her might, fight till the very end. She's got to have a plan. This is war. She was thinking of a way how she can stop the wedding when she heard someone called her name. She didn't need to open her eyes and look up to know who called her. The voice was all too familiar to her. She knew that deep voice all her life. It belonged to … Nico.

"What?" Thalia asked trying to calm herself.

What does he need? Thalia could hear her heart beating fast inside her chest.

"May I talk to you for a minute?" he asked his voice pleading.

His voice made Thalia's heart ache. Only one word could describe his voice. Hurt.

Thalia please calm down. He's just asking a question.

After few seconds, she got all her courage and looked him straight in the eye. Oh! The eyes she loved. Those dark bottomless pits. She noticed the dark eye bugs under his eyes but this didn't affect his charm. Thalia felt she wanted to stare at them forever but stopped herself. Reality sank in. Her face hardened.

"There's nothing to talk about," she snapped and looked away.

"But, Thalia… Please… Just for a minute," Nico pleaded. He was so desperate.

"Thalia…" Nico tried again.

Thalia closed her eyes. She couldn't bear to hear Nico's voice in pain. She took a deep sigh.

The two talked in a specific room making sure no one could hear them.

"Look," he tried to explain. "It's unexpected. I didn't even know Mary will take it seriously and-"

Thalia interrupted," Nico, you don't have to explain. The situation already explains itself!"

"But, Thalia. You don't understand!" Nico's voice got louder.

"I don't?" Thalia snapped. "I understand everything Nico! Because of your ridiculous joke with Percy, news went to Mary. Mary took it seriously and told her parents. And then, everything started to turn. It's because of a joke! Jeez, Nico! Why are you so immature? I-"

Nico interrupted. "I was just kidding! I didn't know Mary will take it seriously. And you know what? That's because you're so blind! So focused in your own world that you didn't even notice my feelings-"

"Focused in my own world? It's you who's so insensitive. Remember the last time I saw you here with Mary? You ignored me. That's why I stepped on your toes!"

Nico got surprised. Thalia got surprised too. She couldn't believe she could confess her feelings to Nico. But this was not the time to worry. She needed to tell him before it was too late. Besides, she couldn't stop the outpour of her emotions.

"Remember how I reacted when you said that joke? I was deeply hurt but I need to hide it from everybody. Nico, don't you understand?" Thalia asked almost in tears.

Nico tried to comfort her… touch her. But Thalia slapped his hand away.

Thalia said," I love you Nico but it's too late." She ran out of the room and slammed the door shut leaving Nico behind.

That night, Thalia didn't cry. Her friends were there to comfort her.

"Thalia , will you be there at the wedding?" Charissa Wilson- one of her closest friends, asked interrupting her thoughts. She got this chubby figure, long and straight ultra black hair, light brown complexion and got those dark brown eyes under her purple glasses. Over-all she looked attractive except her chubby figure and acne on her face.

"Not sure if I can stand it. It's like watching for my death row." Thalia said as she sighed.

"You don't have to attend, you know," Janie Malloy said. She got this wavy brown hair with natural blond highlights. She also got those light brown eyes that whenever you stared at them, you could see lots of things running in her mind.

"I know," Thalia sighed again. "But I can't bear the thought of seeing Nico in black tuxedo getting married to that allergen!"

"Allergen?" Charissa asked.

"Mary Smith who else?" Thalia exclaimed as she pushed herself back on her bed.

"Why don't you try to stop the wedding? If you really love Nico, and he feels the same way for you, why don't you go to the wedding and ask him to run away with you? Then you can live happily ever after" Janie said as a matter-of-fact.

Thalia and Charissa stared at her before grinning and giving each other a hi-5. The two only heard the last three words-happily ever after. Janie just rolled her eyes.

"But I'm not that type of girl. Besides, that looks unusual. I don't want to look like a fool. No way!" Thalia said

Charissa smiled a dare devil grin. Thalia already knew that grin. She backed up slowly until her back reached the wall.

"Of course you can!" Charissa exclaimed.

The next thing Thalia knew was that her hair was slowly being made up. Then, she noticed her clothes. A dress! She was wearing a stunning electric blue dress and sandals.

She stood up and went to the window. She saw her face. She couldn't believe it! There's a light makeup on her face!

Her blood boiled. What is this? Another prank from Charissa and Janie?

Then, reality sank in. She looked at her surroundings.

Of course! How could she forget!

She was in front of a big church- the St. Rita's Cathedral, looking great as ever. Nico and Mary were getting married!

Guests in colourful wedding suits were coming inside the church. There was a long red carpet.

This is a nightmare, Thalia thought.

She took a deep breath. Her friends believed in her. Believed she could stop the wedding. She should before it's too late. Or else… Nico will end up with the wrong girl.

She sneaked inside the church thanking Travis and Connor Stoll- the twins who always loved to sneak in and proceeded to sit on the corner. No one will recognize her because of her hair and girly look. Thalia is not the girly girl you see in every crowd.

She looked around and saw Nico's friends. Markus Wise-a half-Filipino and half-American handsome and wise guy, Bill Leon Anderson- (Charissa's crush and he felt the same way) a cute and fit Filipino guy whose an expert in Math, Kevin Santos- a cute Filipino guy who loves music and an expert guitarist.

Thalia's gaze fell in the corner and saw the ugliest family she had ever seen! They all wore pastel dresses.

She gazed at the altar and heard Mary Smith shouting to a bridesmaid somewhere back inside a room wearing a gown shaped like a pastry- the wedding gown she was proud to show off.

Thalia was lost in her daydream. She stood up from the crowd and said," Don't say yes, run away now. I'll meet you when you're out of the church at the back door. Don't wait or say a single vow. You need to hear me out!" And everyone said," Speak now."

Thalia's thoughts were interrupted when she saw everyone doing some fond gestures. She noticed the lavished décor and the colourful motif. Mary comes from a prominent family. No wonder they spent a lot for this wedding.

And then, the organ started to play. Thalia hid behind the curtains. She remembered she was not invited by Nico's lovely bride-to-be.

When Thalia turned her attention back to the entrance of the church her heart bled. Mary Smith was all smiles with her red hair and pastry-shaped gown. She was impressed with her confidence. She walked down the aisle as if she was a pageant queen. Her gaze went to Nico at the altar. She could see his tensed, nervous face. When his gaze fell into Mary, he frowned deeper and sighed. Thalia bet she could see Nico blaming himself all over again in his mind. He wished it was her not Mary.

She closed her eyes. Please, Nico, please, Thalia thought pleading in her mind. Don't say yes, run away now. I'll meet you when you're out of the church at the back door. Don't wait or say a single vow. Your time is running out and they said 'Speak now'.

Thalia remembered all the good times she had with Nico. Their friendship. The way they laughed and cried. The things they shared together. And how she was too blind to see Nico's feelings. That it was already too late when she finally admitted the truth.

Thalia's thoughts were interrupted by a high pitched voice. It's the voice of Mary saying," I, Mary Samantha Smith, take you, Nico Di Angelo, to be my husband. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love and honor you all the days of my life."

She slipped a silver ring on Nico's finger and the priest turned to Nico.

"Do you, Mr. Nico Di Angelo, take , Mary Samantha Smith, to be your wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part?"

Everyone went silent eager to hear Nico's answer. Thalia stood frozen.

It was her last chance. Her last chance! Thalia, wake up! This is your last chance! Thalia told herself but her body refused to move.
She glanced at the audience in the curtain. Everyone's eyes were focused on the altar.

She saw her friends. Looking at her. Some were doing signs hoping Thalia would understand them, but didn't. She just looked at them in confusion. Nico's friends were also supporting her making weird signs too. But Thalia couldn't understand them.

Then, she saw Charissa Wilson and Janie Malloy giving her signs. Charissa pointed to the altar. Janie made a stop sign.

Thalia finally understood and took a deep breath. Her friends believed in her. She shouldn't let them down.

She showed herself out of the curtain and everyone's eyes fell on her. Horrified looks came from everyone in the room but Thalia just focused on Nico.

Then she said in a loud voice" Stop the wedding! Stop the wedding! It's me you love Nico, not her!"

What happened next was completely not what she expected.

Nico smiled and said," Jeez, hard to get lady! You need to get me through all these things just for you to realize you do really love me. You're such a peculiar girl."

Mary turned her head back and forth from Nico and Thalia. While on the back side, their friends were silently cheering. Charissa and Janie made a hi-5.

"What's this?" Mary asked angrily. She gripped the sides of her gown and turned to Nico. Her eyes were full of hope, hoping Nico will not go and runaway with Thalia.

Nico gripped Mary's hands. Thalia was about to shout something again when she heard Nico's next words.

"I'm sorry, Mary. I love you too but as a friend. Please understand. It was just a mere joke but your family took it seriously."

"But, Nico…" Mary pleaded; tears running down her face.

"I'm sorry," Nico said and just kissed her on her cheek before running towards Thalia's direction.

When he reached her, he grabbed her hand and said," Jeez, Thalia. You need to put me up into this kind of thing before you finallyadmit you love me."

"Sorry, corpse breath for being hard to get. I was too blind to see," Thalia smiled.

"Pinecone face," Nico muttered.

Before the couple left, they apologized to everyone for the inconvenience they created and the two went to who-knows-where.

Thalia woke up.

It was just a dream. She reminded herself again. She hurriedly stood up and went straight to the bathroom in her room. Thalia looked at herself in the mirror.
She looked still the same. The shiny unusual hair, electric blue eyes, not girly girl clothes and most of all, no light make up. Just your typical, Thalia Grace.

She made a sign of relief and looked at the time. It was 6: 30 am. She needed to go to work now.

When she opened the door of her office, she was surprised.

There, stood Nico, looking handsome as ever waiting for her at the couch. She just hid her smile and their eyes met. "So, I need to talk to you." Nico said as he composed himself.

Thalia nodded too stunned to speak as she closed the door and joined Nico on the couch.

Silence engulfed them. He said again " Look, I would like to say something to you."

Thalia nodded. She was too familiar with this scene. Nico told Mary in her dream he loves Thalia not her. What if Nico will say he loves Thalia as a friend? Hey wait! Why was Thalia worrying about what Nico will say? He did not even confess yet!

Nico's next words stunned her more as tears fell down her eyes. "I love you, Pinecone face. Will you be my girl?"

She just hugged him and said," Yes!"

The new couple just smiled at each other and leaned in.

Thalia need not worry about Nico getting married to Mary. Maybe, that dream really made the difference. Thalia finally admitted she loves Nico with all her heart.

Thalico forever!