Chapter 17: Chapter 17

There are five weeks until the wedding.

"Hello, it's great to finally meet you." I say.

"I've learned a lot about you through what Charlie, who also knows you, has told me." Abby says, shaking my hand.

"As a result, I'll walk you through the process." I suggest that you lead them inside.

"For the rest of my life, I'm going to have to make it a point to express my gratitude to your father on a daily basis." Charlie instructs us to get all of the bags.

—

There are four weeks until the wedding.

This is the one I like. Red velvet Oreo cheesecake." Mark says, taking another bite.

I had a taste of it. "This will be the option we go with." I inform the individual who is currently serving it to us.

"Looks like we have our cake." Mark exclaims while rubbing his lips together and clapping his hands together.

"I guess so." I say smiling.

—

There are three weeks until the wedding.

"I've made your hair and makeup appointment." Maya instructs me to go into my room, so I do so.

I inquire, "Why are you unable to complete it?"

"Because I have an appointment as well," she explained. She claims to have jumped on my bed.

I groan. "I don't want to," you said.

"Yes, well you really have no choice." She says this while pretending to console me by patting my shoulder. She seems unconcerned with the fact that I do not wish to do so.

—

There are two weeks left until the wedding.

"Abby, what exactly are you hungry for?" As we make our way through the shopping center, I inquire. Abby is very cool. I like her. She's kinda like me. Minimal maintenance and a bit of a tomboy. I see why Charlie likes her. Because he has spent his entire life with me, it is natural for him to desire to date someone with similar interests and characteristics.

"Nachos!" As she turns her attention to me with a glitter in her eye, she makes the statement. Another reason why I appreciate her is that she has a good sense of humor about eating. Not only is she expecting, but she also said to me that she has a general passion for food.

"That makes perfect sense." I remark to her as I take her to the most excellent location to purchase nachos.

I really hope that she is able to make it to the wedding. The more I talk to her, the more I like her. There is no time to look for another groomsman, and if she is anything like me, she probably won't want to be the focus of attention at the wedding. I am aware of that.

—

1 week until the wedding "It's the 11th of July, which is exactly one week until the big day. I recently learned that the distribution of my inheritance will occur sooner than expected. My father completed the application so that it would be processed two years earlier in the event that I get married. He did not just add that now; rather, he incorporated that at the time he was setting it up. This means that I won't get it till I'm 19 years old now. And this indicates that I have approximately 10 months to persuade Mark not to leave the company to his father. I say out loud when I type in this strange online journal thing that I have. Doogie Howser was a source of creativity for me.

I may have a photographic memory, but even so, there are occasions when I miss crucial things, which is why I started keeping a notebook. When I initially found out, that's when it started. Yet, there were visuals instead of written text. When I think back on them now, I am able to comprehend what younger versions of me were attempting to convey. After that, I started taking writing classes, so I did some writing, but I also continued to draw images. At this point, I only write, and I save photographs and sketches away for later use in whatever I wish to draw.

—

There are only three days left till the wedding. "Oh my my, where are they?" My question is posed while I tug on Mark's arm.

"Ow! You're putting pressure on my arm right now. Mark responds while disengaging his arm from my grasp. "And their jet actually just landed three minutes ago," you said. I seriously doubt that they will be able to make it through security in that amount of time. Ugh. He and his jokes.

I shoot him a look before turning my focus back to the location from which they are meant to emerge. "Oh, I see them!" you exclaim. I emit a shriek.

"Alyanna!" Hannah finally escapes, drops her bag, and starts sprinting in my direction.

"Hello there, Han. I was thinking about you. I say lowering myself to my knees and pulling her in close to me as I do so.

"Me too! I cannot contain my elation! She gives me another embrace before going to Mark. He takes her in his arms.

Then there's mom. "Well, in just a few more days, my little girl won't be quite so small anymore," the mother exclaimed. She utters those words with a few tears in her eyes.

"Take a deep breath, mama. It's not like I'm going to another country or anything." I say.

After that, I check in with Mark to be sure. I inquire with a "Right?" He merely smirks. My mum is going to go give him a hug right now.

"Hello Alyanna, long time no see." Will tells me while he's putting the bags down and gives me a hug that he's finished.

"Likewise, it's great to see you, Will." I say hugging him back.

Last is Sophie." "How's it doing... with everything?" I ask.

It causes her to flush and roll her eyes. It's not a problem. Had most of the details worked out."

"Good." As we follow the rest of them out to the car, I remark while placing my arm around her shoulder and saying, "Come on."

Mark is carrying Hannah on his shoulders, while my mom and Will are strolling next to one another.

"Well, any recent developments, such as a boyfriend, crush, or anything else?" I ask. I am obligated to play the role of the obnoxious older sister. It is part of my job.

"Oh my god! Shut up." Sophie flushes.

"Oh my goodness, I just noticed something. Tell me!" I entreat her while also making fun of her.

"It's not that big of a deal at all. "Just a minor crush," she said. She gives a shrug and then flushes. Keep it in mind. I predicted that it would become popular.

"More! You have to elaborate on it for me. I draw my hands closer to my chest and shrink down a little bit. "Please." I drag out.

"Alright fine. I first became acquainted with him during a summer camp that I attended. She is responsive.

"Ooh! What's..." I force myself to pause and reflect. "How is it possible for there to be summer camps in New York?" I ask.

"It turned out to be nothing more than an indoor event at the YMCA that I attended," she said. We have just arrived at the door that will take us to the automobile.

"All well, but what is his name?" I start off by forgetting the answer to my previous inquiry and moving on to the next one. Mark has had a significant impact on me.

"Bradley. His name is Bradley, and he provided me with his phone number; ever since then, we have been exchanging messages. I don't believe it will amount to anything significant though." Well, I like the sound of Bradley. He gives off the impression of being a hippie-like child of the highest kind. Nonetheless, he has the potential to be lovely.

"As soon as we get in the car, you're going to show me those texts along with a picture." I demand.

"Fine." She chuckles.

As we arrive to the car, the first thing she does is show me a picture. I was right about that. He wears unique apparel and has hair that is styled in a swooping fashion.

After that, she reveals the texts to me. One of them stated, "I truly miss swimming and going to the computer lab with you," while another said "I really miss you." That is undeniable evidence that he has feelings for her. Another possible reading is "where do you plan to go this week?" It is undeniable evidence that he is interested in going out with her.

When he found out that she was coming to her sister's wedding, which was mine, he commented, "I bet you look incredibly gorgeous in your outfit." That is meant to be a compliment to her appearance.

This guy is head over heels in love with her.

"He likes you." I speak to her in a whisper.

"Oh my goodness, he doesn't!" She spews forth words really quickly.

Yeah, for Pete's sake. He first inquired as to what you were up to, after which he remarked that he was willing to wager that you looked lovely in your dress. That is unmistakably him expressing interest in going on a date and then complimenting how attractive you are. I will explain it more.

She gives a shrug and then flushes once again. "I don't believe that's the case."

"He. Likes. You." I'm going to keep arguing with her in an effort to change her mind.

"Would you be quiet if I say that I agree with you?" She asks while turning her attention to me with a gaze that is both genuine and phony.

"Yes." Even if I am aware that she is lying, I will keep my mouth shut.

"If that's the case, then yeah, I concur with you." She is responsive. Nu uh. She won't be able to get away with it for much longer.

"On what exactly are we in agreement?" I ask. I'm making her say it.

"Oh, your wickedness!" It is her claim. I raise an eyebrow and get ready to make another remark on how this Bradley guy seems to have a thing for her. I believe that she is aware of it. "Well, I see what you mean, and I concur with how he feels about me." In the end, she gives in.

It's possible that she gave her consent, but I'm not going to let her get away with it that easily. Again. "Who likes you?" I place my finger to my ear and pose the question as if it will improve my ability to hear.

"Bradley, ok. Bradley likes me. Put an end to that!" How she puts it. I'll give it to her if she wants it. At the very least, give it to her right now.