𝕀𝕥’𝕤 ℂ𝕠𝕞𝕡𝕝𝕚𝕔𝕒𝕥𝕖𝕕.
“I’m getting married,” she says.
I widen my eyes and grasp her hands. “Seriously?!” I shriek, jumping up. She nods and beams.
“Yeah! Braxton finally proposed…” At her words my heart sinks. I hadn’t made the connection yet. I try not to let my disappointed feelings show on the outside.
“Wow! A wedding,” I say, plastering a fake smile on my face. But her smile falters and she narrows her eyes.
“I know you, Erin, don’t try to fool me. What’s wrong?”
There are a lot of flaws to the world. One of them being that we can’t lie. “I just was thinking! I want your whole day to be perfect so…” I think. Hard. Harder. Dang it. There’s only one alternative that might spare me from this horrible life-changing confession.
“I need to go get your wedding binder!” I exclaim.
Anna looks baffled. “Wedding binder? Erin, you didn’t-“
I laugh. “Yes I did! I planned a wedding!” I didn’t plan a wedding for Anna and Braxton. But technically, I didn’t say that. I planned a wedding for me and Braxton. But… it looks like my best friend and the love of my life are getting married. My life is just one big tangled mess.
“Aw, Erin! I know what’s nagging you!” I freeze. “You’re worried that I’m not going to love you as much because I’ll be married to the sexiest man alive!” I sigh. “No worries - you’re my best friend! I love you and Braxton equally!”
Then let me have him, I think selfishly. I shake the thought out of my head as soon as I think it. No. No, no, no, no, no! Anna deserves a good life more than anyone. All I’ve been is selfish and a bad friend.
“That’s a relief,” I tell Anna, hugging her tightly. “I don’t want to lose you, too!” I whisper, tears springing into my eyes.
My mother died a few months back, and Anna is the only thing holding me together. Besides Braxton of course, but I can’t let her know that.
“Oh, Erin. It’s ok.” She rocks back and forth. “It’s all going to be ok…”
***
It’s the wedding day. I’m about to hyperventilate in this dress that Anna gave me because I’m the maid of honor. Also I was asked to give a toast.
I’m pacing back and forth outside the beach house, where we’re having the wedding, and trying not to cry and smudge my perfect makeup.
I hear footsteps descending through the sand and I look up. Great. It’s Braxton.
“Hey, Erin!” He sits on a rock near me. “What’s wrong?”
I shake my head and look down, continuing to pace frantically. “A lot of things. Way too many things.”
“Do you need me to help, or-“
“No, Braxton! You’re the one complicating my life and the last person I need help from right now is you!” After I speak the words I realize they’re messed up. “Oh my gosh, I am so sor-“
“Don’t.” Braxton stands, looking disappointed and curious. He starts to walk away but over his shoulder he calls, “I already know.”
***
I stand, raising my glass. “Ahem! May I make a toast to… Anna and Braxton, the bride and groom! I just want to say… Anna. You’re my best friend and I am so, so proud of you in everything that you do. I feel like your sister and what I want is for you to be happy.” I turn to Braxton, ready for everything that I’m about to do. “Braxton… I love you. I have always loved you. That is never going to change just because you’re marrying my best friend. But if I’m being honest… I want you two to be happy together.”
There’s a silence. A look of horror on Anna’s face. Braxton’s face remains expressionless. Then there’s chaos. Officers storm in, taking me by the arms.
“Lying is punishable by death, Miss. Adams,” one of them says in a deep voice.
“But- I wasn’t lying! I want them to be happy-“
“Fighting’ll only make it worse.”
The last thing I hear before I black out is _____ shouting ‘NO’ and jumping in front of me right before the bullet hits my chest.
Who do you guys think should take the bullet? Braxton or Anna? Comment down below!
Also, the names I used in this story are based off of people I know in real life. So thank you!
