The Wedding

The tie is uncomfortably tight. Try to ignore it and focus on something else. It's harder than you would have thought. The chatter of party-goers and well-wishers are so loud that the individual voices fade and all that's left is an incomprehensible wave of white noise. It is easily ignored as you stand around and try to look busy.

Not for the first time, you regret accepting the position of Adam's Best Man. He is your best friend, and declining would have drawn attention you didn't want. That would have been problematic, and it's not like accepting didn't come with perks.

Accepting the position meant that you had a part in planning the wedding- and plenty of time alone with the bride in the pursuit of your new duties. In light of that, your coupling didn't get any lighter in the days approaching the wedding. If anything, it got more frequent.

So why are you still jealous?

"Hey man, enjoying the party?" The happy groom asks you. He has to shout to be heard over the music.

For a second, you just stare at him and take in his wide smile. The beaming gleam in his eyes- and the happiness that shows through.

It's fake. His happiness is built on a lie.

Adam the cuckold didn't have anything- you had everything. Why did your heart burn with resentment?

Lips part, and for a moment you consider confessing everything, just to see his smile disappear. To put an end to his illusory happiness.

But you don't. You're not sure why.

"Parties great," you yell back as loudly as he did. "I would know. I helped plan it."

Adam laughs good-naturedly, before sticking a knife into your chest. "I'll help plan yours someday when you meet the right girl. Might want to hurry up on that. Wouldn't want to die a virgin, would you?"

You had met the right girl, nearly a decade ago now. Adam should know- he's marrying her today. Suddenly, the fact that you had told Cassie to marry him- practically **** her to go through with this- doesn't make you feel better.

Keep calm. Don't let your face twist. Keep smiling. "Sounds good."

And then someone calls for him. Time with the groom was in high demand today. Adam walks away, barely spending a second to bid you goodbye. He leaves you alone with unhappy thoughts, mood thoroughly ruined.

Look around for a distraction. Nothing catches your eye- Adam had wanted a large wedding and Cassie hadn't cared enough to object. The throng of guests blends in a near indistinguishable mass.

Things get better when you walk down the stairs and into the throng. From within, you can make out individuals, most of whom you don't recognize. Some you assume are distant relatives to either the bride or the groom. Others might be coworkers. Others still are guests of guests- no one that you knew.

Lips tug downward into a frown- one that is wiped off your face when a familiar voice cries out your name. "John!"

Turn around- and the first sincere smile of the day crosses your face as you spot a tiny Asain girl. It's Jenna, one of Cassie's two best-friends. She is waving at you enthusiastically.

Your eyes meet. Upon realizing you have seen her, Jenna puts down her hand, hugging the wooden support she stands next to.

As you move closer, you realize why she's hugging it. Her legs tremble. "Tired?" you offer.

She shakes her head. The two of you are far enough from the crowd that you don't need to yell anymore and neither does she. "It's these heels," she explains. "I'm having trouble keeping my balance."

"All those workouts not helping?"

She offers a dirty glare. "I do plenty of cardio and some strength training," she explains. "Not gymnastics or anything that would require balance. And besides, I'm pretty sure that walking around in high heels is something that come with practice, not exercise. It's not my fault I don't have any."

The statement piques your curiosity- but you don't follow up on it to ask for clarification. This isn't a venue where you're comfortable using your powers. Your preference is quiet isolated places where you can watch your commands take hold- and course-correct as needed to make sure that everything is going as it should be.

"Do you need anything?" You meant it as 'do you need help getting to a table so you can sit down,' or 'do you want help taking your heels off?' Jenna doesn't interpret it as such.

"Some company would be nice," she says with a shy smile.

"I guess I'm free for now, but I can't promise I'll stay for the entire party. As best man, I'm supposed to be keeping an eye on things."

Jenna nods in understanding, her smile softening. "I wish I had a friendship like the two of yours. Is he going to be the best man at your wedding too?"

The ill-feeling from before had started to fade but her words brings it back to prominence. Smile fades. "Who am I going to be marrying?" The words are bitter- too bitter. Too honest. Add a smile and try to play it off as a joke. Leaning in and wiggling your eyebrows suggestively, you whisper, "Are you volunteering?"

Jenna laughs, eyes closing for a second causing her to miss the speculative look that appears on your face. Under normal circumstances, you would have missed it, but with the talks of weddings and marriages, it is impossible for you to not spot it.

Jenna is a terrific candidate for a bride.

Jenna and Cassie- your ideal girl- look something alike, once one got past the differences in race. They are both petite girls, with fantastic legs caused by high amounts of cardio. They both have glossy black hair. They even act something alike- quick to smile and laugh.

Beyond this, Jenna didn't sleep around like Miranda- Cassie's other friend- did. She was raised in a conservative household where coupling was expected to come after marriage. In all likelihood, if you married her, you would be getting a sweet girl.

Preserving her innocence could be fun. You'd be cheating on her while Cassie cheated on Adam. An additional dimension to the game the two of you were playing.

Alternatively, you can corrupt her and make her a willing participant in your dastardly deeds.

Either way, the first step remains the same- getting a date with Jenna. She looks back at you, gasping out, "Oh, John. You're so funny," and playfully slaps your chest.

Her laughter dies a quick **** when you tell her, "It wasn't entirely a joke."

She looks lost, her eyes darting over your shoulder before refocusing on you. "You mean..." she trails off questioningly.

"You've never been on a date before, have you? What are your plans for your wedding?"

"I haven't," she confesses. "And I'm not sure- I was hoping that it would work out on its own." Jenna seems off balance.

Strike while the iron is hot. "I don't think that's a good strategy," it's your turn to laugh, "Some initiative might be needed. Neither of us is getting any younger. Would you care to go on a date with me?"

Jenna's eyes widen. You don't use your power for that first proposal. If she said no, you would have used it to get her to reconsider. To your surprise, it isn't necessary. Jenna hurls herself into your arms, squealing, "I would love to!" She didn't appear to have any trouble balancing on high heels now.

Her small breasts mash into your chest, throwing you off slightly, but your arms come up and wrap around her of their own accord. All the while, you wonder what is going on.

John is facing the wrong direction, and can't turn around while pinned in Jenna's arms. If he could, he would have been able to see Miranda step out from behind one of the wooden pillars.

The gorgeous red-head offers her shier friend a thumbs up, pleased with her matchmaking skills. To this Jenna mouths back a happy 'Thank you,' before reburying her face in her crushes shoulder.

Everything would work out now. Jenna was sure of it.

This chapter is a commission by John Smith.

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