Chapter Song: Super Far- Lany
"Did you have fun today?" I smiled wrapping my arms around Riley.
"Mhmm," she hummed closing her eyes against my arms. "Thank you."
"You're welcome."
"How are we gonna fit all of this in my car?" She mumbled.
I knew she was talking about all the gifts she received today. It was A LOT. I didn't know if she'd even use any of this stuff, but it was hers now. Her family definitely loved to show their love through gifts.
"No idea," I snorted. "But we'll find a way. I'm sure Tish or your mom would help too. They haven't been to your house in a while anyway."
She patted the seat next to her and kept staring at me until I finally sat down. She handed me her water and waited until I took a drink. I was on my feet all day making sure everyone was doing well. Thankfully Riley's mom Renee let us host the bridal shower at her house.
My dad had finally started the backyard renovations so that was completely out of the picture for hosting. Not that I minded, Riley's parent's house was beautiful. Home to many of highschool parties.
"Parker! Come join us," Cal yelled at me from Riley's living room. Noelle who sat in Cal's lap just rolled her eyes at her boyfriend who didn't even notice. What did he see in her?
"Kenny!" Mace yelled joining in on the hollering over the music. I didn't know how I even heard them. "Don't be a weenie c'mon."
I shook my head at them hoping they would catch my drift, by hanging out later. By that, I meant I would drive them all home since it was my turn. I didn't mind, I wanted to sleep in my own bed. Instead, I went to go find the girls from my swim team. Before that, I snuck one last glance at Cal who wore a frown in my direction. I gave him a shrug before walking away. Whatever that meant.
"How dare you!" I heard Mason shout at me. "After everything we've been through!"
"The audacity!" Liam joined in.
"The betrayal!" I heard Ty yell. I couldn't help but laugh and shake my head. What idiots. I loved them though.
"Can you believe that Noelle is pregnant with her second child?" Riley gasped slapping my arm.
"Dude I know! I mean good for her but wow," I let out a low breath. I don't know how long I was spacing out, I hope it wasn't too long. I didn't want to make it weird.
Noelle who dated Cal in high school hated me for a time. I mean I didn't know if she still did or not, but I felt that during senior year we had a sort of understanding for each other. A term of surrender if you will.
After high school, I guess she got married and is now having her second child. That's at least what I gathered from social media. She seemed happy, and that's what mattered the most.
"Hey, what are you guys talking about?" Natalie came and plopped down at the table across from us.
"Noelle and her second baby," I told her.
"Oh my god, I know! It's wild right?" She gasped. "Can you believe we're at that age now? That it's acceptable to actually have children."
"Yeah, and not the whole 'oh shit what are we gonna do' type anymore." I laughed taking another sip of Riley's water.
I was excited for children one day. Maybe. Sometimes I felt like a child myself still.
"You guys."
"What?" Natalie and I asked in unison.
"I'm getting married." She looked at us.
It was a mix of excitement but complete fear. Probably in the sense that we were all actually getting older and becoming real adults. Even though it didn't feel like that. I was extremely excited for any of my friends to do things, but it was weird to think about sometimes.
"You are," I smiled at her, pushing my thoughts aside. "Are you ready for it?"
"I am actually. It's just weird you know?" She looked at us pursuing her lips. "It doesn't feel like we're at that age yet. To be getting married. I mean I remember taking classes at the dance studio and teaching a class here and there, but now I run that place. I live in a house with my fiance. When did this happen?"
"I guess it happened without any of us realizing," Natalie sighed.
"I know. I mean you're marrying my brother."
"Oh please you know you dreamed of this," she rolled her eyes.
"Okay but I never told you!"
"Yeah you did Ken." She glanced at me with a small wicked smile. "Why can't you and Liam just fall in love so you can be with me forever. Or how about, can both of you just cut the bullshit and admit your feelings already?" She cocked an eyebrow at me.
"Did you really say those things?" Nat looked at me.
"I mean technically the second one I think was in a letter or email the first year I left." I shrugged while Riley snorted.
Life seemed to be moving too fast sometimes. I wish I could slow things down or even pause. Having a pause button would surely help.
"And you," I pointed to Natalie. "You are almost done with grad school." It was time to change the subject.
"Halfway there," she raised her hands giving a little shimmy.
"And you," she pointed back at me pausing.
"I am back here completely lost and have no idea what I'm doing," I gave the two of them an awkward smile. They both frowned.
"No that's not true." Riley looked at me. She wanted to yell I just knew it. But she wouldn't, not here. This was an argument we would have in the car or at her house and we would end up crying.
"Than what am I?"
"You're home." The corners of her mouth perked up as she reached for my hand.
I don't know why I felt worked up over that. It was a simple statement. Two whole words, but here I was biting back tears. It felt good to be home. Although I still didn't know if this felt like home to me.
"How are you doing by the way? I mean really doing," Natalie asked.
I sat up straighter and wiped the tears from the corners of my eyes. "I'm doing okay. I mean it's good to be home, but it feels weird. I missed out on a lot and I know it was my choice. But I guess I still can't help but feel guilty," I sighed.
"But we're here and you're here now that's what matters," Riley assured me. "Don't feel bad for choosing what's right for you."
"Yeah, Ken. Nobody gets to tell you what to do with your life." Nat smiled at me. "Have you told your parents about how you quit your job yet?"
"Oh god No," I shook my head laughing a little at Natalie. "But surprisingly I've been getting a lot of messages about photography. I think I want to do it full-time, maybe make a career out of it." I heard myself squeak. I don't know why it was so hard to admit it.
"Yes! I've been telling you for forever!" Riley squealed. "I know you got some of your pieces in magazines already!"
"I still have those magazines," Natalie smiled at her.
"Me too! I own I think ten copies at least," Riley giggled. "Liam finds them everywhere, but he never throws them away."
"God, I hope not," I scoffed pretending to be offended. If they really did throw them away it didn't matter to me. I knew my dad had a bunch as well. I'd have to steal them one day when I move into my own place.
"And you did promise to do the dance studio's photos after all the wedding things die down."
"I did I did. I promise I won't skip out."
"Good. I mean even if you did, I know all your addresses," she laughed.
I could sit and talk with them forever. The sun was shining and there was a light breeze. The weather was perfect. Tish and Renee were hanging out on the porch drinking some lemonade, maybe something stronger than that. We all had mimosas when the bridal shower first started. I would have one right now, but I needed to drive us home.
"Hey, when are we supposed to get to the cabin again next weekend?" Nat asked snapping me out of my daze.
"Uh, anytime Friday really. Cal and I are driving up together Thursday. I think he's taking a half-day at work or something that way we can set everything up for Friday. Hayden and the team have the game Tuesday which we are all going to. Then he'll stay with his parents for a few days. Nat, you said you would pick him up on your way to the cabin?"
She nodded in response. "Do you guys need any help?" Her eyebrow raised cautiously.
"I don't think so?" Her caution was needed. I mean when had Cal and I been in a room together for longer than ten or so minutes having a conversation. Now to have a whole night alone together? Even I was hesitant.
"I think I'll be okay," I said. "If not I promise to text you an SOS, and lock myself in our room," I gave her what I hoped was a reassuring smile.
"You know you guys don't have to set up. We don't need decorations or anything," Riley warned.
"Stop. Don't even start." I held up my hand to her. "The only thing you need to worry about is what kind of snacks you and Liam want."
"You know that's the hardest thing," she groaned.
"You have until Thursday, that's like five days," Nat scoffed.
"More like five minutes," she grumbled at her.
"C'mon drama queen, let's pack up your stuff before our moms clear all of the champagne".
I did have to agree with her the joint bach trip seemed more like five minutes away than five days. Only because the first day, it would just be Cal and me, but we could do it. Right? After all, it was for two of our favorite people. I had a little faith in us.