Chapter 2:
"Massie!" the rest of the Pretty Committee squealed, when the tired but beautiful as always alpha appeared in the doorway of the dressing room. "Hey," she said exhaustedly, still feeling jetlag. She'd just flown in from Paris 2 hours ago, and it was still 2 am for her. The girls all exchanged hugs, showing Massie her bridesmaid's dress. "You're just in time for the rehearsal," Claire said happily, beaming from ear to ear. "I can't believe that tomorrow, you're going to be Mrs. Claire Fisher," Dylan giggled. With that sentence, Massie felt the diamond ring in the pocket of the jeans suddenly weighing down. She took a deep breath and reached into her pocket, squeezing the ring until it hurt. "Me neither," she heard herself say, finally dropping the ring back down in her pocket.
"Are you alright, Mass?" Kristen asked worriedly, who always when noticed people weren't feeling their usual selves. Massie put on a tight smile. "I'm ah-mazing. Just can't believe that tomorrow Claire will be married," she said lightly, hoping that Kristen and the rest of the girls would buy it. "Me neither. This is Kuh-laire we're talking about, who loves Keds and gummies. Now look who's wearing a wedding dress by Vera Wang," Alicia teased, causing the rest of the girls to burst out laughing. It felt just like old times. "Claire, the rehearsal's gonna start in 5 minutes. Change into your dress Mass, and we'll meet you out there," Dylan smiled. "Kay," Massie said, and hurried into the change room, and waited until all of the girls were gone. She reached into the pocket of her jeans, and pulled out the sparkling diamond ring. "What do I do?" she whispered desperately, wishing for a sign.
"Right on time!" Judi Lyons said, relieved, when she saw Massie hurrying towards the rest of the bridesmaids. "Massie, it's so nice to you, honey," she said smiling. "You're going to be standing next to Alicia and Dylan." Massie hurried and stood beside Alicia and Dylan, trying to look awake and alert. "Let's start with the music," the wedding planner suggested. The deep sounds of organ music started, and filled the empty chapel. Suddenly, the doors to the chapel slammed opened and hit against the wall. "Sorry, sorry! So sorry that I'm late!" a deep voice interrupted. It belonged to a tall, fit man who had messy blonde hair, and was wearing dark shades to cover his eyes. "I'm so sorry man. There was all this crazy traffic, then my GPS broke down and I couldn't find the right ch-" he paused. "Oh, I'm so sorry. Was I interrupting something?" Kemp and Plovert snickered. "Typical of you, Derrick!" Josh called out, chuckling. Massie's amber eyes grew wide with disbelief. This could not be Derrick Harrington. Probably another Derrick. Yes. Probably someone Cam met at work. Of course it wasn't Derrick Harrington, the boy who broke her heart in 7th grade, the only boy who could make her blush. He took off his sunglasses, and then shook out his hair, which was damp with rain. He quickly scanned the scene, when suddenly, his chocolate brown puppy dog eyes locked with panicking amber ones.
"Block?" he asked, almost happily. Alicia and Kristen began giggling, and elbowed her in the ribs. She didn't even notice, and didn't reply. "Uh, Derrick's my best man. Sorry I forgot to mention that, Massie," Cam apologized sheepishly, feeling the awkward tension. Claire stepped in. "Let's start with the rehearsal-I think that Massie's pretty tired from all that jetlag." Massie seemed to snap out of it, and she shot Claire a grateful look. Claire smiled back sweetly, and the rehearsal went on.
After what seemed like 10 whole hours instead of 2, Massie quickly said goodbye to the girls, claiming that her jetlag was getting worse, and she needed to rest. They shot her doubtful looks-probably knowing that it was because Massie wanted to get away from Derrick. "I'll see you guys tomorrow at the wedding. Get your rest too, Claire," Massie said hurriedly, blowing Claire a kiss, and waving goodbye at the girls. She ran as quickly as she could out of the chapel, and down the steps, nearly falling and twisting her ankles a few times-she felt sorry for her poor new heels which she'd gotten in Paris just for Claire's wedding. "Isaac," she muttered, pulling out her iPhone. "The person you are calling right now is unavailable, please try again later," the annoying voicemail said. "I don't want later!" she snapped back, turning off her phone, disgruntled. "Block!" a deep voice yelled. She turned around quickly-Derrington. Of course. "What do you want?" she scowled, folding her arms.
"Just wanted to say hi to my Block," he grinned, and put his arms around her. Massie felt a jolt of shock pass through them, and wondered if he felt it too. She felt dizzy. "I-I have to go," she said, finally pulling away from the hug. She shouldn't be doing this. He'd hurt her all over again. Not that she didn't want to continue hugging. He smells ah-mazing. Derrick's eyes were filled with nothing but concern. "Are you alright?" he asked, putting his hand on her shoulder. "Jetlag," she mumbled, beginning to turn away. "Can I take you out for coffee?" he asked suddenly. "Tomorrow morning. At 9:30, just a few hours before the wedding. You look like you'll need the caffeine," he chuckled. Massie felt her cheeks burning. Was she falling for him all over again already? "Um okay?" she said. He grinned, obviously liking the fact that she was blushing. "I'll text you," he promised. "Go get some sleep, Block," he smiled, and suddenly put his hand on her face gently. "B-bye," she stuttered. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"I'm home," Massie called out, carefully closing the door behind her. Kendra and William Block appeared from the living room. "Darling! It's so nice to see you," Kendra said, hugging Massie tightly. "How was the flight?" William asked. "Tiring," Massie answered. "How was the collaboration with the other designers?" "It was great. I have a new line of clothes coming out this fall," Massie answered. She felt like she was dreaming. "Let's leave the 20 questions for tomorrow dear. Massie looks like she's about to fall over any moment now," William chuckled.
She was finally alone. Back in her room, where she'd been just a few months ago. Back when things were different. Back when she didn't have an engagement ring in her pocket, when she didn't have any secrets. Everything was different now. She fell back onto her bed, closing her eyes. I can't believe that I saw Derrington again. I was sure that I would never…especially not after…proposed…stupid ring…she didn't continue her thoughts. She had already fallen asleep.
She woke up the next morning to Derrington's texts. Ehmagawd, Derrington! It'd been years since they'd texted.
Derrington: feeling better, Block?
Derrington: hope this didn't wake u up LOL. Meet me at the Westchester Mall Starbucks.
Massie nervously nibbled on her Cinnabon flavored Glossip Girl. The Glossip Girl that she used when she'd lip kissed Derrington at Lake Placid. Of course, she'd thrown her old one out a long time ago, and of course, Glossip Girl lip glosses were harder to find nowadays, but if you were a Block, it was possible. She spotted Derrington in the corner booth, already with two steaming hot cappuccinos. He looks ah-dorable, even as a 24 year old. She swallowed, and took a deep breath, and started to approach him. No big deal…she had left the stupid ring back in her room-no need for any distractions. "Hey," she managed to say calmly.
His whole face lit up when he saw her. "Hey, Block." She slid into the booth, and tried to look anywhere but his face. His ah-dorable smile. His warm, chocolate brown eyes… "You okay?" he asked when he noticed her staring into space. Her cheeks immediately flushed. "I'm great," she smiled firmly, and took a sip out of her cappuccino. "Thanks for treating me," she added politely. He nodded, and started to look at her carefully. 24-year old Massie Block looked different-well obviously, she was an adult now. She still had the same, shiny caramel brown hair that fell down her shoulders. Same striking amber eyes that he could never look away from. Pretty much the same Massie Block. But something about her made him think that she'd been through a lot. A lot of heartbreak. A lot of pain and sadness. A thought jolted him. Could he be the one responsible for that?