Title: It Was Always You
Summary: Michael & Jules have always been best friends. When she reveals her true feelings on his wedding day to Kimmy, he feels blindsided. However, when he reflects on their friendship, he realizes she always put him first. Who will be chosen in the end?
Disclaimer: I don't own the movie, but do own the plot.
Chapter 5
Michael: (chuckles) "Remember when we were teenagers? You were kinda rebellious."
Jules: (laughs) "You were the 'smart' one. Some people said we were polar opposites."
Michael: "While others said we couldn't be more alike if we tried."
Jules: "You like ranch dressing on your chicken burgers." (shudders) "Ewww!"
Michael: (chuckles) "Hey, you're one to talk! Ketchup on your macaroni? Who the hell does that?"
Jules: (nods) "More people than you think."
Michael: (grossed out) "I never understood how you could have picked up smoking. That shit will kill you. You know that, though."
Jules: (shrugs) "I don't know. I guess I picked it up when life got stressful. Life isn't perfect all the time, Michael. It's not all sunshine and roses."
Michael: (confused) "When does life get stressful? I know work can be at times. That's a given."
Jules: "Other times, I guess."
(Jules turns away from him with her elbows on her thighs. She wasn't really ready to have this conversation with him. In the back of her mind, she figured it'd happen one day. Today must be that day, unfortunately. Michael touches her arms with his hand in an attempt to comfort her)
Michael: "Hey, talk to me, Jules. We used to be able to tell each other anything."
(Jules looks down and sniffles in sadness)
Jules: "In high school and college, maybe. As much as I hate to admit it, Michael, maybe we drifted apart. We were always so close. I fell in love with you in high school. By the time we were in college, I think I gave you my heart without realizing it." (chuckles) "I think I was at my best when I was with you. You always gave me inspiration. You always gave me courage. Whenever I doubted myself, you were right there to show me the way."
(Michael briefly closes his eyes and looks away as he thinks about what she just said)
Michael: (shrugs) "Why didn't you ever tell me how you truly felt, Jules? You had high school, college, hell, even the last couple of years to say something. Why'd you have to wait so long?"
Jules: (chuckles & sniffles) "Simple. I didn't know if you felt the same way. We were best friends growing up. I didn't want to spoil that by dropping a bombshell on you. What if you didn't reciprocate those feelings? I didn't want things to be awkward between us. I guess, in the end, that happened anyway."
(Michael turns to face her and sees her red stained cheeks)
Michael: "But don't you get it, Jules? You didn't give me a chance. You didn't give me a chance to search my heart and see if I felt the same way." (scoffs lightly) "For all you know, I've been in love with you for just as long."
(Jules nods as she wipes her eyes. It's true. He was right. She never gave him a chance to confront his feelings. For all she knew, he has always felt the same way and didn't know it. But she doesn't know. In that moment, she realizes that she may have lost her chance completely with him. A few tears fall down her face as she doesn't want to ask her question. She knew she needed to, though. She needed to hear it from his lips)
Jules: "I lost my chance with you, didn't I, Michael?"
(Michael and Jules lock eyes with each other. She wanted so badly to hear him choose her. To tell her he loves her and that he wants to spend his life with her, not Kimmy. Maybe that was just wishful thinking on her part. It pains him to see her so sad. He knew he needed to be honest with her. Well, as honest as he was able to be)
Michael: (shakes his head) "I don't know. I wish I had a better answer than that, Jules. I love Kimmy. I'm in love with Kimmy. I never had to examine whatever feelings I may have for you."
(Jules looks away from him and faces forward. She couldn't blame him on his conflicted feelings. If the roles were reversed, she'd probably be in the same boat. She knew she needed to give him space to sort everything out. If, in the end, he chose Kimmy, she would respect that. It would kill her to hear him say that. But, it would be his decision. Not hers, not Kimmy's, but Michael's. Jules needed to ask her final question before dropping the subject)
Jules: "Are you planning on going through with the wedding and marrying Kimmy?"
Michael: "Before I do anything, I need to figure out what I feel for you." (smiles a bit) "I've always loved you, Jules. You're my best friend. But, am I in love with you?" (shrugs) "I honestly don't know."
(Meanwhile, in the reception area, Isabelle has just told the guests there won't be a wedding right now. Guests are shocked to find out that it's been postponed. Isabelle tells them when she hears something she will pass it along. As the guests are leaving, Isabelle looks at Walter angrily)
Isabelle: "I can't believe I had to do that. This should be the happiest day of Kimmy's life. Instead, we had to postpone it because of her."
Walter: (sighs) "Honey, would you rather had Michael announce it during the ceremony? Now, that would have been embarrassing."
Isabelle: "Yeah, but our daughter may not get her dream wedding."
Walter: (shakes his head) "We don't know that."
Kimmy: (shouts) "Damn that bitch! How dare she interrupt my wedding?!"
Samantha: (raises her eyebrows) "She went after what she wanted. That's what you need to do."
(Kimmy looks at her cousin weirdly)
Mandy: "You need to get the last word in with Michael. Don't let Jules win. Michael proposed to YOU, not her. You've got the ring on your finger. She doesn't."
Kimmy: (smirks) "Very true."
Walter: "I don't think that we should jump to conclusions."
Isabelle: (confused) "Walter, whose side are you on?"
Walter: "Kimmy's, of course. All I'm saying is Michael must be so confused. We know he loves Kimmy. Let's give him space to truly see that."
Mandy: "Jules doesn't deserve Michael."
Samantha: (scoffs) "Damn right she doesn't."
Kimmy: "What kind of woman declares her love for an engaged guy on his WEDDING DAY?"
Mandy: (snorts) "A desperate woman."
Samantha: (smiles confidently) "Don't worry, doll. He'll come to the right decision. Even if we have to nudge him in that direction."
Kimmy: (nods) "I know Michael, better than she ever could. He loves me. I'll show her who is truly in his heart. And it's certainly not that home wrecker."
(Walter couldn't help but be a little concerned about the way his daughter was talking. He hoped, in the end, that Kimmy would be patient and let Michael truly choose her if that's what he wanted. As much as Walter enjoyed Michael and considered him part of the family, he didn't want the young man to settle for Kimmy if his heart wasn't in it. Walter may need to have a little talk with Michael about everything)
Chapter 5 Done