#spaden

He took another drag, more smoke being blown into the air. Luck wasn’t something he had. Only about halfway through his cancer stick, he felt an arm being thrown his shoulder, and knew it was Matthias. He didn’t bother to try and pry him off, knowing he would only probably hold tighter. “I can’t believe she’s finally gettin’ tied down, can you?”

A third drag, and blowing with a little sigh, he was reminded of what today was. “Well we’re here aren’t we?” He didn’t have anything else to say, and Matthias knew he wasn’t much of a talker.

"I guess so. She wants to see you, by the way, and then meet in the groomsmen’s room for flowers. I was sent to get ya, so don’t keep her waiting!" There was a grin on the pale male’s face, as he felt nothing by happiness for his sister, unlike the other. He went off, probably back to hang out with the rest of the groomsmen. Lars decided to wait until he finished his cigarette, before going inside. For a few moments though, he just stood outside the entrance as it started to sprinkle. He couldn’t help but think how wrong this location was for her, the aged building in front of him. It looked like a building that should be covered in vines, but it wasn’t. It wasn’t that it wasn’t nice, the stone and overall look wasn’t her.

She should be on a beach, back in Denmark. Not a Spanish Monastery. Finally, Lars made his way inside the chilly building, which felt like his coffin. He searching through the halls, that had other friends and families here and there, looking for the bride’s room. When he got there and saw her, his breath was taken away. 

Ariel Jensen was the most beautiful woman he ever met, and he didn’t know what to say. Her hair was half up with a clip, her bangs being pinned to the side with that. It feel in soft curls down her back, the blonde really shinning, a good contrast to her skin, pale and perfect as ever. Her make up made her blue eyes stand out, and was completed with her signature red lips. 

He let his eyes wander down to her dress, seeing it was an off white to contrast with her skin, with beading down to where the dress went from tight to flaring out at just above her knees. The material at the bottom was layered in what looked to be wave inspired. Over all, the dress on her was a perfect fit, showing every curve, and somehow the sweetheart neck was covering everything needed. She looked so perfect, he just wanted to-

Lars was abruptly brought from his thoughts as he felt her hugging him, and he gingerly returned the embrace, careful about the beading and her hair. Her scent of vanilla danced around in the air, and he thought about how much he loved that perfume she wore. Again, he was pulled from his thoughts by the woman in his arms. 

"Ya didn’t say anythin’ Lars. Don’t tell me I look bad, because I thought I looked pretty damn good." Same old Ariel, he smiled just a little and stepped away from the hug. He realized how close in height they were, meaning she was wearing heels. She’ll be taller than her groom, by a fair amount, on the alter. 

He just shrugged, and spoke normally, having regained his composure after first glimpse at her. “You look good. Everyone’s eyes won’t be able to leave you the whole time.”

Her smile only grew, her perfect, bright white teeth showing. “Thanks, Lars. Tell me somethin’ I don’t know though.” 

Like how I love you?

That was the first thought that came to mind when she said that, and he kicked himself mentally. He had to get over that, she was getting married. That was such a weird word to him, married. She always talked about how she would never get tied down, but here she was. Getting married. Married to someone who wasn’t him. 

"Antonio is lucky to have you. But we could always still run, I’ve got a car out back." He was joking, but on the inside he was serious. Ariel laughed though, and just smiled, saying she wouldn’t give this day up like that, about how much she wanted it.

"Don’t trip down the isle." He wanted to get out of the room, just wanted to toxicate his lungs more with a smoke. So he tried to give Ariel the most reassuring smile he could, before walking out of the room, with her yelling after him she won’t, and if she did, she blamed him.

Soon, after getting his flowers and pictures with the groomsmen before the wedding and a quick smoke, the wedding was ready to start. The area looked very old and secluded, the chapel of the monastery. It was so wrong for her, so, so wrong, he kept thinking as he looked around. Everyone was filling in their seats, people familiar and not, most familiar to Lars. He knew most of her friends and family, as they had been best friends for years. 

As he walked down the isle with one of the bridesmaids, Emily, he had to push a smile, which he didn’t want to. But there were pictures being taken, and he didn’t want to look bitter about this, even if he was. They all lined up in their respected places, and waited for the bride. Antonio looked over at Lars from his place on the alter and gave him a nervous smile. He just held up a thumbs up.

Then the wedding march started, which to him, sounded like a death march, and everyone stood up in the rustic building. When Ariel came out, with her red roses bouquet, the Dutchman felt his breath catch for a second time that day. She was such a beautiful bride, and then he reminded himself she wasn’t his. He looked over at Matthias, who was walking her down the isle, and saw he was tearing up, and would probably be crying by the end. They had always been close, so it was like a father giving his little girl away, in a way.

Then he let his eyes wander over to the groom, who was smiling and wiping tears from his face. Then, his eyes went back to the girl, and saw she was getting just a little teary eyed. It reminded him of the day he was going to tell Ariel about how he felt for her, even though she was with Antonio at the time. She came over though, and she was suddenly showing him a ring because she was engaged. He couldn’t bring himself to tell her then, or as it turns out, ever. 

Finally the wedding was in full swing, and he really didn’t think about it. Instead, he thought about all those times he sat there with an arm around her, denying or hiding feelings. About all those times he could have told her, could have just leaned over and kissed her.

All the times Antonio came in and kissed her, all the times she had to get going for a date. He was bitter about it, he really was. He thought it was unfair, but then his conscious came up, saying don’t blame Antonio, but he still did. Really though, Lars knew it was his own fault, for not telling her. He missed a chance, and now he had to see her in this wedding dress, vowing her happiness to someone who wasn’t him. 

Suddenly, he heard clapping and did so as well, zoning back to reality, where he didn’t want to be. The happy couple was leaving, and everyone in the wedding party was to follow for pictures, which was another hard part for him. He had to smile, Ariel already made this very clear to him one day because she liked his smile and wanted it in the pictures. So he did, through all the flashes and poses, and the bride and groom kisses, he smiled. For her of course.

The reception was out in the halls that were open to outside, with the walls on the outside only to waist height and a dance floor put out on the lawn for everyone. The DJ announced Mr. and Mrs. Carriedo. Everyone clapped and cheered as they came in hand in hand, and smiling, with a quick kiss.

After this, dinner was served, which was mainly uneventful. Then, people started going to the dance floor, and the DJ started playing more dance centered music. Dancing wasn’t his thing, he only went close to the floor for her dance with Matthias, because he knew the other man would be emotional after. Which he was, and when he came off the floor, Lars patted his back, before he went off to find Lukas, and Lars went back to his seat to pretend to still be eating. 

Ariel came over a while later, sitting down in the chair next to his, tapping his arm. “Come on, get up and have some fun. Ya been sittin’ here for like an hour, at least talk to other people, I know ya know them.”

How was he supposed to have fun at the wedding of his friend he was in love with, and another friend he sort of disliked? “I don’t like dancing, you know that. Most people I would actually talk to are busy doing that. Should have had better stuff planned—” He was cut off by a voice coming over the microphone at the DJ stand.

"Hola amigos. I just wanted to say.." Antonio kept talking, and Ariel stood up, smiling and saying quietly that she had to go, but for him to at least listen for a bit. He said sure, and watched her go up with Antonio, still able to smell the lingering vanilla of her perfume. He missed it already.

Lars zoned out again, until he heard something worth listening to. “I just wanted to especially thank Lars, for introducing us. Without him, and when he did that, we wouldn’t be standing here today!” That, coming from Antonio put such a bitter taste in his mouth. Seeing her in that wedding dress only added to it.

He may love Ariel Jensen, but he didn’t love this. By the time the whole speech was over, and she was looking for Lars, he was long gone back to his hotel room, having a smoke, a drink, anything to stop him from thinking about the whole day, and years.