Fan Fiction |
by Jenny Tran
“Jenna, can you help me with this tie?” Doug yelled from down the hall as he limped back to his room, his cast barely taken off the day before.
“Coming, daddy.” Jenna replied as she finished Ryan’s tie “Okay, you look good, now go help Luke.” She patted him on the shoulder.
Erin stood in her room as she laid out all the dresses wondering which one to wear “You’re not dressed yet?” Luke asked when he walked by her room “I’m having a little trouble…” he pointed to his clumpy tie.
She chuckled “What’s the matter with all the guys in this house? No one knows how to tie a tie?” she began fixing it for him while he looked at her dresses.
“Are you planning a fashion show for us?” he teased.
Shaking her head as she sighed, “I don’t know what to wear. I mean, which dress says, I’m happy for you but I’m not trying to show off that I’m so over you?”
“Erin.” Luke tilted his head with an exasperated look “Are you really over him?” she nodded earnestly “Well then any dress would be fine.”
Taking in a deep breath, she nodded in agreement “You’re right. Okay kid, you’re done. I need to get dressed.” She pushed him towards the door.
“Hey, are you sure you’re okay with me asking Carmen to come along?” Luke pressed for the tenth time that day.
“Yes!! Now get out before I have to kick your ass!” she yelped.
“Jenna!! Jenna!!! Jenna!!!!” Doug yelled randomly while he tried to figure out the knots "JENNA!!"
Jenna stood at the doorway looking disheveled “Oh my God, stop yelling for me!”
“Oh, hi Jenna.” He grinned, “I need help.”
“Mentally? Yes. I know.” She said with sarcasm while fixing his tie “Look at me! I haven’t even gotten a chance to change or fix my hair yet and Mia is coming with the limo right now!”
After she was done, he stood up and looked at himself in the mirror “Not bad. Okay, you may go now.” He pushed her face away playfully.
“Thank you, your highness.” Jenna said through gritted teeth. She was on her way back to her room when the door bell rang “I’ll get it!” She called “Please, don’t let it be Mia, please don’t let it be Mia…” she silently prayed. When she opened the door, she sighed with relief “Carmen…thank God it’s just you.”
“Wow, I didn’t expect that greeting. When Devin introduced me last week, it seemed no one wanted to even look at me.” She joked “Are you guys ready? I think there was a limo behind me.” She pointed to the driveway and it was Mia and Darren’s limo pulling up.
“Crap!! Crap…” Jenna cursed as she pulled Carmen inside “Whatever you do, don’t open the door.” She sprinted towards the stairs “Luke!!! You’re date is here!!!!” she bellowed before slamming her room door.
Luke appeared to be rushed as he ran down the stairs and paused to look at Carmen in the turquoise satin dress. She spun in a circle for him “I think it’s illegal to look better than the bride.” He said with a grin.
Carmen placed her hands on her hips “Were you just flirting with me?” she asked with raised brows.
“Maybe.” He replied coyly “Do you like it?”
Her smile dropped “Not really, you never knew how to flirt before.” She analyzed “It’s almost like you’re a completely different person.”
He laughed nervously “Of course not.” His head spinning as he hoped someone would come to rescue him when the doorbell rang “I’ll get it!!” he raced for the knob.
“Wait, Jenna said—” Carmen began but realized it was too late.
“Hi Mia and Darren!!” Luke greeted brightly.
Mia looked at him strangely “Did you take one too many happy pills, Luke? Where are the others? Are they ready? We have to be at the hotel in twenty minutes.”
“Hey Carmen.” Darren nodded behind Luke.
“Hi Darren, hi Mia.” She said politely.
Mia smiled briefly as she turned back to Luke “Is Erin ready?”
“Not really.” He whispered.
Sighing as she adjusted her pale pink chiffon dress “It’s Mia to the rescue again.” She marched up the stairs and into Erin’s room. She stopped when she noticed Erin in an olive green mid knee dress. The strapless dress made her look classy and her hair was twisted into a French knot with hair slightly curled falling from the twist “Are you trying to break his heart again?”
“Too much?” Erin looked like a feeble bunny.
“More like too little.” Mia pointed out her bare arms and shoulders.
“I knew I should have chose the black dress.” She began unzipping the back when Mia began laughing.
“I’m kidding! You look great. Just leave it at that. Anyways, he must be over you if he’s willing to get married to a girl he only dated for ten months.” Mia reminded her.
Erin nodded as she slumped on the bed “Maybe I shouldn’t even go?”
“No! You have to!” Mia exclaimed.
“Why?” Erin asked, “It’s weird.”
She shook her head vehemently “If you don’t come, it means you still have feelings for him and everyone will think you’re too heart broken to come to his wedding. They will all pity and feel sorry for you when they see you again. And this little country is not that big.”
“I guess.” She sighed and walked over to her closet to pick out a tan color shoes “Let’s get it over with.” She sighed while Mia handed her a tan cardigan. She was heading to the door when Mia obviously cleared her throat. Erin turned to see her friend strike a pose “You look beautiful too Mia.” She smiled with a shaking head.
“That’s what I needed to hear.” She grinned while linking Erin’s arm and walking outside.
Downstairs, all the guys were finally ready “One more.” Darren counted “Jenna!!!”
“I’m beginning to really hate my name.” She emerged from her room looking pretty in a sky blue dress with ruffles at the hems. One hand carrying shoes and the other trying to put on a pair of matching earrings.
“We’re all here?” Darren asked. The group nodded “Okay, let’s go.” He pointed to the door and began a slow steady march to the limo.
When they got to the restaurant, the driver dropped them at the front where a doorman pointed them to the right facility, it was located on the second floor. The ballroom was huge with high ceilings and chandeliers dangling far above their heads. Tables were lined up evenly and each centerpiece was made of white and red roses “Wow…he went all out.” Mia sighed. She nudged Erin “This could have been yours.”
“Thanks for the reminder.” Erin said wryly. She noticed Ted and Sarah dressed to perfection as they took pictures on the center stage with a huge red and gold backdrop to match their red table. Their eyes met for a split second as she nodded with a smile. He quickly waved them over.
“Hi Ted!!” Mia called “Just stay cool.” She advised Erin.
“I’ll try.” Erin flicked her brow upwards while Mia dragged her over to the stage along with everyone else. She smiled at Sara, who looked gorgeous in a strapless white gown that flowed around her slender figure. Her hair was curled to perfection and the crown sat around her bangs “You look amazing.” She complimented.
“Yeah.” Mia and Jenna chimed in, not sure if they should say anything else.
“You do too Ted.” Erin added.
Again Mia and Jenna answered “Yeah.”
Darren grinned at the girls as he stepped up to shake Ted’s hand “You didn’t know Erin brought her backup singers did you?”
Ted laughed as he nodded at the rest “You guys all look great.” He quickly noticed Luke standing furthest from him “You must be Luke. We never did get to meet properly.” He stepped away from the stage to shake his hand “And you are Carmen? Devin told me briefly about the new girl.”
She laughed, “Yes, everyone has to start somewhere. He told me you use to be captain of the team? So you are no stranger to everyone?”
“Suck up.” Mia snorted as she turned away and noticed Matt, Reina and Devin walking in together “Enemy, two o’clock.” She said to her friend.
Erin turned and their eyes instantly met, she pulled her gaze away and smiled at Reina instead “You guys are early.” the Captain greeted.
“No, you’re just late.” Mia cracked and laughed at her own joke as she hugged Reina “I’m so funny.” She wiped a fake tear away “Wow boss, don’t you look nice.” She whistled, earning a jab in the ribs by Erin “He does!” Mia hissed as she leaned into her ear.
Devin leaned into the girls as he smiled “Thank you.” His eyes landed on Erin as he looked at her from head to toe “Not bad. You clean up well.”
“That’s all?” Mia asked, “Oh come on, you can do better than that.”
He shook his head, still refusing to tear his eyes away from Erin “Actually, that’s all I’m willing to do.” Smiling when her face began to redden, he finally turned to Ted and Sara “Congratulations, you two look lovely.”
“Lovely! Someone else looks lovely.” Mia hinted as she winked towards Erin.
Laughing as Erin excused herself “She’s delirious. Mia, let’s go to the restroom.” Erin clenched her teeth as she yanked her friend along.
“Ow…ow…you’re hurting me!” Mia groaned painfully.
“Oh, so you can feel pain. I was beginning to wonder.” Erin raised her brows “What the hell was that? Are you trying to play matchmaker?”
“No…” Mia rolled her eyes “Unless…it’s working?” she tried with hopeful eyes.
“NO!” Erin cried, “Stop that. Another peep from you and I’ll…I’ll tell Darren you kissed Ethan before you left on vacation.”
Her jaw dropped in horror “You wouldn’t dare!”
Erin crossed her arms “Who knows, maybe I’ll be so mad that I might just blurt it out.” She threatened. Mia was speechless “Just as long as you do not make another comment about me and…him again.” She said in a low voice “Got it?”
“Yeah.” Mia was defeated.
Suddenly, the announcer called for everyone to take their seats “Please notice the place cards on all the tables, everyone is assigned a seating, if you need help please contact one of the five friendly faces of the men dressed in black and white.” He pointed to the waiters.
“Come on, I think we’re sitting in the front!” Mia pointed excitedly. She was right as the team were seated to the left of the red table. Ted had been gracious enough to have them be in the table of honor, the cloth was gold and white “We’re special!” Mia cooed as she plopped on her seat next to Darren.
Erin was on her left and next to her was Doug, Jenna, Ryan, Luke, Carmen, Devin, Reina and Matt. She had a perfect view of Devin’s face, nudging Doug as she whispered, “Can I switch?”
Doug frowned “I like my seat. I get to sit next to my favorite girl.” He winked at Jenna, who stuck her tongue out at him “See?”
“Ahem.” A female voice broke into their conversation “Hello Doug.” Jessie greeted with a winning smile.
“Stop following me!!” Doug blurted out angrily “Why must you torture me? What did I do to you in my past life? Why do you show up everywhere I go? Huh?”
Ted saw Jessie as he quickly jumped from the stage and laughed giddily as he greeted her “Jess! You made it!" he hugged her warmly and turned to his once teammates "Guys, this is my cousin, Jessie.”
Doug’s face dropped and he quickly buried his nose into his glass of soda. Devin grinned, “We all met. She’s the team’s new shrink.”
“Really?” Ted asked with surprise “Why didn’t you tell me?” he turned to Jessie who only shrugged “Hey Doug, looks like we have something in common.” Doug almost choked on the soda as he turned up with widened eyes “See, you’re Sara’s cousin and Jessie’s my cousin. We’re family if you think about it.” Ted laughed when Doug’s face turned beet red “Did you find your seat?” he asked Jessie
She shook her head “I think I answered too late, I don’t have a place setting. I might have to sit at the kiddie table.”
“Aww, too bad!” Doug said with obvious joy.
Erin quickly stood up “You can have my seat. I’ll just sit with Uncle Chuck and Eve.” She pointed at a few tables down from the team’s.
“No, wait! I’ll go.” Doug offered but Jessie had taken her seat next to him, a victorious smile on her face.
Jenna and Ryan stifled their laughter while Mia and Darren whispered to themselves. Mia pointed at Doug and began cackling with amusement. Reina and Matt raised their brows but didn’t make it obvious that they were amused by Doug’s discomfort. Jessie poured her own glass of soda “Looks like God can’t even save you now.” She whispered at Doug, who pouted like a sad puppy.
Erin joined her Uncle’s table, which was almost empty “Why are you sitting here?” Chuck asked.
“Can’t I want to sit with my Uncle and future Aunt?” Erin asked in a hurtful tone.
Chuck arched his neck to look at the Team’s table “Oh…I see.”
“See what?” Eve asked curiously.
“Don’t…” Erin began but it was too late. Chuck began whispering to Eve, who giggled after he was finished. She settled her chin on her hand which was propped on the table “I want to go home.”
Eve smiled sympathetically as she patted Erin’s arm “It’s not that bad.”
“Wanna switch places?” Erin asked weakly. She thanked her stars when the MC began to announce the ceremony beginning. The bride and groom had a grand entrance and the bridesmaid and best men were introduced. Everything went smoothly making Erin forget how uncomfortable it was to be there.