A/N: Hello! This is going to just be a collection of shorts with some sort of wedding theme. My sister recently got engaged, so I thought this would be a fun little project. :) This first one is inspired by Taylor Swift's song Speak Now.

I don't own anything.

Enjoy :)

Speak Now

Sora laid on the couch of her two bedroom apartment that she shared with her roommate and lifelong best friend, Mimi. A small fan sat on the coffee table to help cool down the apartment. It was the middle of July and it was hot out today. Even with her hair up and wearing a tank top and shorts, Sora was still hot. It was barely nine in the morning, and she knew that cooling down today would be nearly impossible. Sora held a book in her hands, but she couldn't focus on the words on the page. She found herself rereading the same words over and over again, while Mimi ran frantically around the apartment. Mimi's long honey brown hair was up in many curlers, and only half of her make up was applied. She was still wearing her bathrobe, and she still couldn't figure out what she wanted to wear today.

"Sora!" Mimi scolded, "You're really just not going to go? You're going to stay here all day and sweat?"

Sora closed her book and peeked over the couch to look at Mimi. Her hands were on her hips as she scolded her. Just as she always looked when she scolded someone. Finally Sora shook her head, "I was uninvited. You heard what Yume said. She doesn't want me there."

"But Tai does!" Mimi protested.

Tai was getting married today. It shocked everyone whenever he shared the news, since he only knew Yume for a few months before they decided to get married. He didn't even introduce her to the friend group before he asked her to marry him. Not that it mattered to anyone, as long as he was happy. And he seemed to be genuinely happy with Yume.

They met while Tai was away on a business trip. He told everyone that they clicked immediately and fell in love that first week together. She has long dark brown hair that falls to her mid back, and big brown eyes that resemble Tai's. She has a sweet smile, and overall she is very sophisticated and put together. In that aspect, she is the complete opposite of Tai.

During one of the last game nights at Sora and Mimi's, Tai brought Yume. It was the second time that the group met Yume. It also happened to be the last time Sora saw Tai and Yume. Tai and Sora have been friends since they were children, so it has been around twenty years of friendships. Everyone knew they were very close and always have been. Matt and Mimi always felt like there was more going on between them, but nothing ever happened.

During this game night, the group decided to play charades. Sora was on a team with Tai and Yume. At first, things were going pretty well until it was their turn to go. Tai decided to act out the cards while Yume and Sora guessed each performance. Sora and Tai are very competitive, and that quickly came out. Sora started to immediately guess what the card was as Tai was acting it out. The more Sora guessed, the louder the two got with each other. To the other members of the group, this was normal. To Yume though, this was not normal at all. Whenever Sora would guess correctly, Tai would give her a big hug. During the night, Yume told Tai that he was acting like a child and that he needed to grow up. This ultimately shifted the mood of game night and everyone decided it was time to start cleaning up.

Yume could see the connection immediately and she didn't like it, nor was she afraid to confront Sora about it. At the end of the night, Yume offered to help Sora and Mimi in the kitchen, while the rest of the group stayed in the living room and continued to talk. While they were alone in the kitchen, Yume told Sora she didn't want her at the wedding at all.

"I can see the way you guys look at each other. He doesn't look at me like that. I just don't think it would be best if you came. I don't care how close you are, I don't want you there to ruin it."

Thinking back on it still makes Sora choke up. Of course Sora wanted Tai to be happy, but she was finding it hard to accept that soon Tai would be married and whatever hope she had that they might get together one day, would be gone as well.

Sora looked back up at Mimi, who was still standing with her hands on her hips, "Sora, how long are you going to wait to tell Tai how you feel? Today is it! Get your butt up, get showered, and get ready"

Sitting up, Sora turned to face Mimi, a small smile on her face, "But what will I wear?"

Mimi erupted into a squeal so loud that the neighbors probably heard her. Quickly, Mimi shooed Sora off the couch and into the shower to start getting ready. She reassured Sora that she would find her something to wear and help her get ready. Mimi did have a plus one that she wasn't going to use, since her boyfriend, Matt, was one of Tai's groomsmen. Mimi knew that she wanted to sneak Sora into the wedding one way or another. While Yume was a very nice girl, she wasn't right for Tai. Even Matt and Izzy saw it, but they would never say anything to Tai to hurt him. Since Mimi was dating Izzy, but was not in the bridal party, she knew everything that was happening with the wedding planning.

Tai's family and friends mean everything to him, but Yume tried not to include Matt and Izzy in pre wedding events. She also didn't have a table reserved for Tai's family at the reception. Izzy said that he helped Tai make his own seating chart, so he knows that it was done and was done right.

For the group, there were a lot of red flags about Yume, but again no one wanted to tell Tai. He seemed to be so happy with her. This was the first girl he was serious about. Only Matt knows that Sora was uninvited to the wedding though. Not even Tai knows. She told everyone that she was unable to come due to having to work the same day. When Tai fought her on the issue, she just stated that if she didn't work she could lose her job.

Once Sora stepped out of the shower, Mimi greeted her with a green silk dress from her closet to wear. Sora argued that she had her own dresses to wear, but Mimi insisted that this dress fit her best. The color of dress complimented her skin tone and hair color perfectly. Plus, Mimi was sure that it would hug Sora in all the right places. While Sora was wearing a green silk dress, Mimi was going to be wearing a soft pink dress.

The rest of the morning was spent rushing around trying to get ready. A good portion of the morning was also Mimi telling Sora that everything was going to be okay, and Sora fighting back that this was definitely inappropriate to show up. Sora argued that she wasn't the type of girl to interrupt a wedding. She also didn't want to upset Tai or Yume on their wedding day. What if they got kicked out? Then Mimi wouldn't even be able to enjoy the day with Tai and the rest of their friends. Mimi continuously said that she didn't care what happened, just that Sora was able to finally tell Tai how she felt. The two went back and forth until they got to the wedding venue.

It was a garden wedding, and luckily the wedding was held later in the day so it wasn't nearly as hot. By the time Mimi and Sora had arrived, a lot of the guests were already there. Their plan was to avoid all of Yume's bridesmaids and Tai if possible, and try to get a seat at the end of the row, near the back so no one would see Sora.

Unfortunately as soon as the two were walking into the venue, Tai and Matt were greeting guests. Immediately Sora could feel a knot in her stomach, she grabbed Mimi's hand as the two walked closer to Tai.

"Shit, Mimi. She's going to know I'm here" Sora whispered, her hand squeezing Mimi's.

"Don't worry. Tai won't see her beforehand, and I'll tell Matt," Mimi looked over at Sora and smiled, "It's okay, Sor."

Sora nodded as the two finally approached Tai and Matt. Tai smiled widely whenever he noticed Sora and Mimi approaching, but he didn't even look at Mimi. His eyes stayed on Sora.

"Well well well, look who's here," He grinned, "I didn't think you were coming?"

"I was able to get off after all," Sora smiled. Tai opened his arms for her and pulled her in for a tight hug.

"I'm so happy you're here, Sor. You look incredible - so do you Mimi" Tai smirked as he released Sora from the hug, finally looking over in her direction.

"Why hello there, Tai. I was wondering when you'd notice me," Mimi joked as she gave him a hug. Her attention turned to Matt, "Do you mind walking us to our seats, honey?"

"Right this way, ladies" Matt held his arms for the girls to grab onto as they walked towards their seats. Sora held his arm and followed him down the aisle towards their seats, while Mimi whispered something to him. Sora turned around to look at Tai one more time, as she did she caught his gaze as well. Giving him a small smile, she turned back to focus on what Matt and Mimi were saying, but it was hard. Her heart was racing as the nerves consumed her. Seeing Tai in his tux changed everything, and catching him watch her walk away also changes everything. What if Mimi was right? What if he does feel the same way?

"Right here, ladies" Matt ushered the girls to their seats. It was exactly where they wanted to be too. Matt gave Mimi a peck on the cheek as she took her seat, he smiled at Sora as she took her seat as well. Matt leaned down to whisper to the girls before going back to Tai, "This is the right thing, Sora. It should've been done a long time ago. Honestly, I'm surprised he didn't say something to you sooner. You got this, Sor" Matt smirked, extending his fist for Sora to fist bump him.

Sora fist bumped him and smiled up at him weakly, "Thank you, Matt. Good luck today!" Matt just nodded, winking at Mimi as he returned back to Tai to greet guests.

Sora sat there, nervously picking at her nails as she impatiently waited for the wedding to begin. Mimi tried to make small talk, but nothing really helped. Sora felt like she could throw up. She couldn't believe that she was actually going to go through with this. She couldn't believe that she was actually here.

"Matt said that you really surprised Tai," Mimi whispered, her voice was soft and soothing, "When we started to walk down the hill and Tai saw you, Matt said he was speechless. He muttered 'wow'." Still Sora remained silent, "I told you that dress would fit you perfectly!" Mimi clapped her hands with delight before she started to look through the wedding pamphlet. Sora looked down at the green dress. The silk was light on her body, but it hugged her curves perfectly. It fell to below her knees and with it she wore nude heels.

"Sor, look! There's Kari!" Mimi smiled as she pointed off to the side of the venue.

"With Yume," Sora cringed, seeing all of the bridesmaids as they started to line up. They were wearing baby blue floral dresses, and Yume was wearing a traditional white wedding dress. It was a mermaid style dress with a sweetheart neckline. Mimi had mentioned that Yume didn't want to wear a kimono at her wedding and she didn't want the bridal party to either.

"Is she yelling?" Mimi commented as the two both observed the bridal party carefully. Yume was holding her bouquet of flowers and yelling at the bridesmaids to get in line. Sora and Mimi could see Kari wincing each time Yume raised her voice. She moved uncomfortably in the lineas she waited for the groomsmen to join them. "Poor thing," Mimi shook her head as she looked around at the rest of the guests.

It wasn't long after that the wedding started. Sora sat in her seat nervously as she watched Tai walk down the aisle, followed by the bridal party. She continued to pick nervously at her nails. Mimi had to take the pamphlet from her because she was about to tear it to shreds. While the bridal party marched down the aisle to pretty instrumental music, Sora moved her attention to Tai who was waiting at the altar. She could count on one hand how many times she saw him in a tux. Each time though it always amazed her how good he looked. He really did clean up well. It just reminded her that he wasn't the same little boy on the soccer field. Deep down though, she knew that he was still the same Tai. He wasn't this well put together man. He was competitive, but he was also lazy. He liked to argue, but he was the most caring guy. He wasn't a serious person, he wanted to have fun.

Before she knew it, Sora was standing as Yume walked down the aisle. The organ played Here Comes The Bride. Sora looked around as the guests around her stood in awe as Yume floated down the aisle like a pageant queen. Some guests wiped their eyes as tears flowed down their cheeks. Sora turned to look at Tai, again, to see his expression. Once again, they met each other's gaze. Sora could feel her heart pounding in her chest the longer that they held eye contact. This time, Tai was the one to look away. His attention went to his bride-to-be, who was walking down the aisle.

"That was a lot of eye contact," Mimi whispered, taking note of what just happened.

Sora looked over at her and shrugged her shoulders, "Maybe he was looking at someone else."

Mimi just shook her head, finding Sora's constant denial laughable at this point. The two could confess their love for each other, and Sora still wouldn't believe it was real. Mimi couldn't blame her though. They have been friends for around twenty years. They have had their moments where sparks flew, but neither acted on those moments to save their friendship.

The preacher started to speak to Tai and Yume about their future together and how the two came together. Sora could feel the knot growing and getting tighter in her stomach. She didn't think this would be this hard.

Sora studied Tai's face, trying to figure out what he was thinking. He was smiling, but it didn't feel genuine. It wasn't the same smile whenever he is watching soccer, or the same smile he gives to her.

'It's not how he smiles at me' Sora thought, 'Yume was right. Mimi was right. He does look and smile at me differently.'

Sora's heart started to race again while the preacher continued to talk. She glanced over at Mimi who was watching the ceremony. She then looked around the crowd and found T.K. sitting with Joe who was also watching the ceremony. Finally she looked towards Matt and Izzy who were standing behind Tai at the altar. They both were standing proudly behind their best friend on his special day. On the opposite side was Kari standing amongst Yume's friends in her bridal party. The whole group was there, and Sora couldn't imagine if one of them wasn't there. If it was her wedding she would want everyone there. Sora being uninvited wasn't her choice though, nor was it Tai's.

"Tai and Yume have invited us to share in this celebration as they affirm their love before us, pledge their faith to one another and enter into the joys and privileges of marriage," The preacher stated. His voice carried throughout the whole venue, "If there is anyone present who can show just cause why these two persons may not be joined in matrimony, speak now or forever hold your peace."

It felt like time froze. Sora could feel Mimi looking over at her.

There's the silence.

'There's my last chance' Sora thought.

The words 'Speak now' echoed in her mind.

Sora looked up at Tai, meeting his gaze for the 3rd time that day. This time though she didn't look away. She slowly stood up, her hands shaking as the crowd all turned to look at her. She could see Matt smiling at her from behind Tai, but she kept her eyes focused on Tai. She took a deep breath as she stepped out into the aisle.

"Hi, sorry," She mumbled, feeling time start to move again, "Y-you said speak now, and I have something to say." Sora quickly looked back at Mimi who was smiling encouragingly at her, Sora looked back towards the altar. Yume was glaring at her, which she expected, she didn't expect Tai's mom to smile so widely at her though. Her hands were cupped over her heart as she watched Sora speak. She also didn't expect Tai to be hanging onto her every word at this point.

She went back to looking at Tai, suddenly feeling like she could say everything she wanted to him, "I was uninvited to this ceremony today because of my relationship with Tai. I didn't understand why, but I do now." Sora paused, to examine Tai's face as he quickly looked over at Yume, who was staring blankly at Sora. Through the blank stare though, Sora could see she was pissed. Sora cleared her throat, "I know I should have said something 15 years ago, or 10 years ago. Hell, I should have said something a few months ago. But I didn't because I was scared to lose you, Tai. I know, though, that if I don't say this now, I never will and I will lose you."

Yume leaned over to the maid-of-honor, who started to walk down the aisle towards Sora. Mimi went to stand up, but Sora put her hand out to stop her.

"I'm leaving," Sora held her hands up in defeat, looking up at Tai, "This isn't what you want. I can see it. I won't let you marry the wrong girl! He said 'speak now'!" Sora called out as the maid-of-honor grabbed her arm and started to lead her down the aisle towards the exit.

"Tai!" Kari pleaded to her brother to do something.

Tai looked over at Yume, speechless. He couldn't find the right words for her. He felt betrayed that she went behind his back to uninvite Sora, but he knew he felt the same as her. He always has felt this way, Yume was the first woman that he felt anything towards. He took it as a sign. He thought that she was the one, but the more he got to know her, the more he wished she was Sora.

"Stop!" Tai called, running down the aisle towards Sora and the maid-of-honor. The maid-of-honor let go of Sora's arm and as soon as she did, Tai grabbed her hand, staring into her eyes. Sora's heart was still pounding in her chest. She was surprised it didn't bust out of her rib cage.

"I'm sorry. I should've said something to you sooner," Tai said softly, "I'm glad you came and said something when they said 'speak now'." With his free hand, Tai cupped Sora's cheek, "Want to get out of here?"

Sora smiled, trying to process everything that happened in such a short amount of time, "Yeah, let's go,"

Hand and hand, Tai and Sora walked out of the venue. The guests were shocked as to what just happened, but not Mimi. Mimi stood up, clapping her hands togethers, and cheered for her friends as they finally were getting together.