2263 words

┌─────────────────┐

-ˋˏ " My eyes refuse to watch you leave, so tears will blur the memory. "  ˎˊ-

└─────────────────┘

•| ⊱✿⊰ |•

𝒀/𝒏

My finger traced the edge of the white envelope. It was laced with a pretty silver floral pattern.
I'm too afraid to open it, my hands are trembling. Had he really sent me this? I told him that night I wasn't attending. But... maybe. Maybe I can, maybe I will. Perhaps it's the closure I need.

I flipped it over, scanning the wording that read, "Ray & Madelyn."
Madelyn, what a pretty name. I'm sure she's just as beautiful, inside and out.

I couldn't wait any longer. I swiftly ripped the clean paper open, pulling the card out.

⋆.ೃ࿔*:･Dear, Y/n L/n,

Together
with their families,
𝓡𝓐𝓨
Sheathes
𝒶𝓃𝒹
𝓜𝓪𝓭𝓮𝓵𝔂𝓷
Hargrove
invite you to celebrate their wedding
AUG | 26 | 2021
4 o'clock in the evening

With love, Ray Sheathes and
soon-to-be Madelyn Sheathes⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

I instantly slammed it down onto the coffee table. "With love" my ass.

I clasped my hands to my mouth and inhaled deeply. What was I thinking? Of course, I couldn't attend their wedding. It'll send me into a deep dark depression that I'll be stuck in my entire life.
          When everyone else is old and happily married, I'll be throwing sticks at kids from my front porch as I care for my 16 cats.
...maybe that's too far, I think I'll be fine.

I jerked my eyes towards the door at the sound of a knock.
          "Who is it?" I called out.

"Paxton," a deep voice responded, "who else?"

I exhaled with relief, "come in."

I kept my sight locked on the invitation, seeing my— boyfriend? we haven't made it official, I don't know what to call it right now— walk enter within the corner of my eye. He's nice and rich, so he's good... I guess. I'd never say it out loud, but he's really just a replacement for Ray.

"Is everything okay? You seem stressed out." He sank into the couch beside me, staring at me with worry.

I shrugged my shoulders, "I don't know, I think I'm okay."

Paxton wrapped his arm around me and pointed at the invitation, "what's this?"

I bit my lip, "a wedding invite."

"Oh?" He raised an eyebrow, "from who?"

I paused for a moment, "just an old friend."

"I see," the brunette nodded.
           He slowly reached for it and examined it. "Are you going?"

I raised a hand to my mouth and shook my head no, "look at the date."

He did as I said, "but the wedding is only at 4, you'd be able to attend. The train doesn't leave until 7."

On August 26th, at 7 o'clock, Paxton and I are leaving this town.

I frowned, "you'll need help packing."

"No, I won't. I'll be just fine." A quiet chuckle escaped his lips.

He really couldn't take the hint.
I bit my lip, maybe I should go. That way, I can truly say goodbye and wish him well.
          I sighed, giving in. "I'll go then."

His lips curved into a smile, "I'm glad."

I locked gaze with him, "do you want to join me?"

He shook his head, squeezing my hands. "No, I need to finish getting ready for the move."

I blew a strand of hair out of my face, "okay."

"okay."

•| ⊱✿⊰ |•

- August 26th, 3:44 pm

The church was massive and white, topped with a large wooden cross above the entrance. It looked like all the other churches.

"Y/n," the familiar ginger turned her head to look back at me. "Are you coming?"

I gave a hesitant nod, "yeah, let's go."

She smiled at me, but I knew it was of pity. I followed close behind her and Norman, glancing down at their intwined fingers.

"Emma! Norman!" Isabella greeted the two happily, pulling them into a tight squeeze. "I'm so glad to see you."

The ravenette womans eyes fluttered open, locking her purple orbs on me.
          "Hi," I waved awkwardly.

She instantly pulled me into a hug. "Oh, y/n, we missed you so much."

A sad smile crept upon my lips, "I missed you too."

"Ray will be so happy to see you." She pulled away, giving me a worried glance. "Are you okay to be here?"

I blinked with confusion, "hm?"

She exhaled with a sigh, "seeing him marry someone else?" Her voice was quiet, soft.

I paused momentarily, "I'm fine. I have a boyfriend, his name is Paxton."

She squeezed my shoulder in a comforting manner, "that's wonderful." The ravenette woman turned to the other two,
"by the way, Ray wanted you two to go see him before the ceremony."

They nodded before looking at me hesitantly.

"Y/n, you should go to. He didn't think you were coming." Isabella gulped and leaned close to my ear,
"he isn't happy. Please, try and convince him to not go through with this."

A wave of confusion came over me, shouldn't she want this? I looked at her mouthing the words, "I will."
With that, I walked down one of the corridors following behind Emma and Norman.

It's been a while since I've seen Ray, will he look different? No, it hasn't been that long. Oh god, I haven't thought this through. What will he say to me?

"Ray?" Norman knocked on a wooden door which read "groom."
"It's us, could we come in?"

For a moment, it was silence. Then, his voice was heard.
"Come in."

I swallowed a wad of spit, holding my breath. I'll just stay behind Emma and Norman, maybe he won't even see me.

"Hey almost-married-man!" Emma laughed awkwardly, cheering as she entered the room.

It was somewhat big, it had a row of wooden closets and mirrors, along with a large empty vanity. In the center were two red couches across from eachother, which sat the familiar ravenette on one.

A scoff left Rays delicate lips, "don't remind me." He sipped from a glass of what appeared to be wine.

Norman frowned, "should you be drinking before the ceremony?"

The young man remained blank, "I'm the groom. I can do what I want."

A sigh fled the albinos lips.
As Emma and Norman approached him, I got a better peek. He wore a black suit along with matching shoes. His hair never looked softer, they must've gotten it professionally done. Ray looked handsome, but he does without trying.

"Ray, you haven't even looked at us yet." Emma spoke with a hint of worry in her tone.

Clearly pissed, he slammed his glass down on the table and darted his eyes to them. I don't understand how it didn't break, must be a miracle.
He flicked his gaze between them, "happy?"

As I walked forwards slowly, his focus stuck on me like glue.
I couldn't bare to look him in the eyes, it would bring back too many painful memories.

He froze, no words coming out of his mouth other than; "oh."

I exhaled softly, "hey Ray."

The green-eyes boy looked away, a red hue covering his cheeks. "...hello."

The room went quiet, awkward.

"So..." I cleared my throat, "wedding got your nerves all over the place?"

He flicked his tongue against the roof of his mouth, "yeah. Something like that."

I nodded, wishing this part of the day would end. I'm afraid to look at him, everytime I do, the memory of his lips colliding against mine crowd my brain.

"Ray, the ceremony is beginning." An unfamiliar voice knocked on the door.

"Coming," the groom rolled his eyes.

I listened carefully as the sound of footsteps slowly faded down the corridor.

"We'll see you in there, okay?" The ginger reached out towards my old friend, squeezing his hand before exiting.

I tried to follow, but a voice stopped me.
           "y/n."

I froze in my tracks. His voice sounded stern, desperate.

I turned on my heels, "yes?"

Before I knew it, the dark-haired boy was standing in front of me.
       "You never called."

I furrowed my eyebrows, "I never said I would."

"But you should've," I saw his fists clenched.

"No, It was better that I didn't. You and I both know that." I sighed, trying to explain.

"I needed you, y/n." His voice went quiet, sad.
Those words were like a stab through my heart.
        "I need you."

I don't know what happened, it was so sudden. All I know is that not even a minute later I was pushed against the wall with one of his hands tangled in my hair, the other on my ass.
I wrapped my hands around his neck, pulling him closer the more our tongues swirled around eachother.
Then it hit me. This is wrong, this is so wrong. He's getting married, everyone is literally waiting for him right now.
I have something going on with Paxton, he's a nice guy. He isn't my boyfriend, but he's almost it.
           I pushed him off of me in a rush, "oh my god."

He repeated my words, in as much shock as I was. "Oh my god."
Ray ran his fingers through his hair, "I've- I— Fuck. I'm going to be a terrible husband." He covered his mouth quickly, he looked like he was going to puke.

I covered my face with my hands, shaking my head with disbelief. "I'm sorry, that was my fault."

He sighed, "no it wasn't. I came onto you first."

I nearly started crying, this was too much. "I shouldn't have come, this— this was a mistake." I stumbled towards the door, swinging the door open
swiftly.
Of course, he followed me down the hall. I could tell he fixed his hair and tuxedo, though, It got messy when we were kissing.

"Y/n, wait— please—"

"Stop it, I need to leave." I continued, but was stopped when he grabbed ahold of my arm.

"Don't go, I need you. I want to be with you, I don't want to get married to Madelyn." His eyes were fragile, full of sadness and desperation.

"I'm sorry." I couldn't be with him, no matter how bad I wanted it. "It's impossible, I'm leaving tonight."

All hope left in his forest eyes was now gone, "okay."
He released his grip on my arm.
         "Can I just— I have a gift, for your birthday. It's in two days, right?"

I paused for a moment, "yeah, it is."

He reached in his suit jacket, pulling out his old notebook I'd often catch him writing in. "Take this, please."

I hesitantly took it in my hands, "your notebook?"

The ravenette placed his hands in his back pockets. "No, it's yours. It's always been for you."

I blinked, "Ray I—"

"Don't say anything else, please." He broke eye contact, looking away. "Go."

"Thank you," I breathed out, slowly leaving. "Goodbye, Ray."

And for what I thought was the last time I'd ever lock eyes with Ray again, he spoke. "Goodbye, Y/n."

I turned away, not looking back.

I think this is the end of us, at least for a while. Maybe in another life we can be together Ray, I hope you live a happy life.

...but this isn't the end of us. I wish it was, but there is still so much more between us that is yet to happen.

•| ⊱✿⊰ |•

Page 1

If you are not Y/n, don't read this.

Hey, I know this is probably stupid, and you'll probably make fun of me for this, but this is a short book full of stupid poems and stupid drawings and stupid stories. And guess what, they're all dedicated to you.

So, enjoy dickhead.

( Even though you totally don't deserve this because I'm such a good friend )

P.S. fuck you

sincerely, Ray <3

—

Page 2

Roses are red

Elf on the shelf

You're pretty ugly

Go kill yourself

...

not really you should live

-

Page 3

So... I sort of realized that I'm in love with you.

Yeah, crazy, right?

You probably know that now though, if you didn't, surprise!

prepare yourself for stupid, romantic, cheesy poems.

( seriously, prepare yourself )

-

Page 4

I might

be the

writer

but

you will

always

be the

words

-

Page 5

I love you

even if I don't

always know

how to

show it

—

Page 6

I only sleep

to dream of

forever

with you

—

Page 7

You drew

memories

in my mind

I could never

erase.

You painted

colours

in my heart

I could never

replace.

—

Page 8

my darling,

you will

never be

unloved

by me,

you are

too well

tangled

in my

soul.

—

Page 9

Here are some photos I and others, ( including you! ) have taken.

Me & you <3
Labelled; "Ray picking up y/n when she tried to run away from him"
Taken by; Emma

Me, Norman, and Emma
Labelled; "my fave three running through a field"
Taken by; y/n

Me & Norman
Labelled; "Ray and Norman looking judgy"
Taken by; y/n and Emma

me :/
Labelled; "Ray scolding me for something I forget"
Taken by; y/n

me and you <3
Labelled; "Ray dragging y/n because she was being too slow"
Taken by; Norman

me
Labelled; "Ray reading some stupid book"
Taken by; y/n

Emma and Norman
Labelled; "Emma and Norman caught being gross"
Taken by; Ray & y/n

—

Page 10

If forever

does

exist,

please

let it

be you

—

⋆.ೃ࿔*:･THE END ⋆.ೃ࿔*:･
of
⋆.ೃ࿔*:･book one⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

•| ⊱✿⊰ |•