Tia's POV

I closed the clasp on the locket as I looked in the mirror.

I sighed as I looked at my phone.

July 30th, 2018

Summer for me is almost over, not many more weeks or days left until school. I leave next week.

Mom: I heard dad's getting married

Me: Yeah, the wedding is today

I sigh as I see Morgan standing behind me in the mirror.

"You look amazing," she smiles as I look over to her.

"You don't look to bad either," I say as she laughs, "honestly, I'm more excited for the buffet at the reception."

"It's almost time, are you ready?" She asks.

I nod as we get set up. Me, Morgan, and a few other girls Lucia invited were standing with us aside the altar. I could see my father's best man was his friend who helped him through my brother's death. Tyler stood across from Morgan as Preston stood from me. Preston winked at me as I sigh. My father stood at the altar waiting for Lucia to come. It took place on the beach with a carpet for Lucia's dress not to get ruined. There were fairy lights and sea shells along the sides of the carpet.

As soon as my father ended their vows it was done. Lucia is now my stepmother.

Preston's POV

I sat at the table with Tia as her father and stepmom had their first dance together. I sighed. I never imagined myself before getting married, but now... I might be changing my mind...

"Preston!" I hear Tia.

"Yes?" I say looking up.

"Come on! Let's go dancing together! Lucia and dad just finished!" She smiles as she grabs my hand.

She grabs my hand placing it on her hip and the other with her hand. Her other hand was placed over my chest as we begin to move throughout the floor.

I could feel Morgan and Tyler's gaze on us. Gaze of suspicion.

I can't help but smile at her. I lean down to whisper into her ear.

"You never told me when you have to leave," I say.

"Preston," she says, "I have to leave on August tenth."

My eyes widened and fill with sadness.

No...

"This is why I didn't want to get attached," she says.

"I understand, but I swear I'll travel till the ends of the earth for you," I say as her grow fades to a smile.

Tia's POV

We sat at the table as we ate cake. Dad of course had a cake fight with the bride like they planned. I smiled as I ate.

"You got a little something on your face," Preston says.

"What? Where?" I say as he looks up.

"There," He says dabbing frosting on my nose.

I gasp as he started laughing at me. I put some frosting on my finger as I rubbed it across his forehead.

"Simba," I say laughing.

"Want to go snorkeling?" He asks me, "tomorrow afternoon?"

"Yes," I smile at the offer.

"I have to use the restroom," Preston smiles walking to the hall.

"Wow Tia, looks like he's wrapped up in you," Morgan says.

"It's a holiday hookup," I claim.

God, I don't even sound as if I believe myself.

They're onto me now.

I can't show I'm soft.

"Really?" Morgan says, "then how come you've never been with anyone else lately?"

"Because..." I fumbled.

Touché. Well played Morgan. Well fucking played.

"Because I just haven't been out that much," I say as she bought into it.

"Makes sense, not like you go many places," she says, "you don't know many people around here."

Please believe it.

"Well, I'm going to go home now, you need a ride?" She asks.

"I'm good," I say sitting as she and Tyler walked away.