Not The Get-together

{New acquaintances and an incredibly joyous reunion. Could this be the calm before the storm?}

_

Is there a reason you're not picking your wedding dress right now?" Remy's voice rang out inside the clothing store. He sat on a two-person lime couch, watching her intently.

Lily knew that Remy sensed the fluctuation in her, and she wasn't going to hide it from him either.

"Yes." She stated simply, glancing at a blood-red dress with a huge slit on the side.

"Wait," Remy suddenly stood, walking over to her.

"Don't tell me!" He said, surprise flashing across his face.

Lily gave him a knowing smile, and his jaw almost hit the floor.

"What! When were you gonna tell me about this?! I feel like you're keeping quite a lot from me lately Lily." He gave her a momentous look, crossing his brawny arms.

Hearing her full name on his lips, she unhurriedly put back the dress.

"Well, if it makes you feel better, I made this decision just yesterday..."

"Parents?" He asked, raising an elegant brow at her.

"AND everyone else?"

"There's no time for that Rem." She answered briskly.

"But don't worry, I have an alternative that'll hopefully work."

"Care to explain—" He'd barely finished speaking when Lily suddenly interrupted, her eyes gazing behind him.

"Isn't that Riel?" She asked, and without waiting for a retort, briskly walked past him. Remy sighed, then followed her closely behind.

The closer Lily got, the more she was assured that this was none other than her childhood best friend.

Her light brown skin and eyes stood out along with her shoulder-length curls.

"Riel Adams?" She voiced, stopping two steps away from the young lady, who seemed to be involved in a somewhat pressing conversation with someone.

Riel turned in awe, instantly recognizing Lily's voice.

"Oh my gosh, Flower!" She squealed excitedly.

Not squandering another second, she closed the distance between them, holding her friend in a tight bear hug.

The duo then exchanged a few 'I missed you's and teary hugs.

"How long has it been? Like...ten years?" Riel said, her eyes shining with contentment.

"Pretty sure it's been just three," Lily replied, smiling sheepishly. The two giggled amongst themselves, ostensively overlooking the other two humans with them.

"See, I told you so." A sure female voice spoke, causing everyone's heads to turn.

Remy sighed knowingly, gazing at the blue-eyed young woman who was smiling cockily at him.

"Fine, fine. You were right, Shelly." Remy said, sounding quelled.

"I do fade to the background a lot." He smiled helplessly.

Lily had barely paid attention to what he'd meant, as she was busy gazing at their new company.

"Shelly? Why'd you cut your hair so short? I barely recognized you." Lily asked, eyes slightly widened at the sight of Shelly's new bob-cut hair.

"So...It doesn't look good on me?" Shelly asked, feigning distress.

"No, no. Of course, it does." Lily said, then suddenly glanced at Remy.

"It's like it was always meant for you." She concluded giving him a knowing look, only to receive a piercing glare in return.

"I think it's time everyone introduced themselves," Remy said, glancing at the stranger who stood silently behind Riel.

"Okay since I know you all, I think I should introduce everyone," Lily said, glancing at them all.

She promptly and expeditiously made everyone acquainted with each other.

"And finally, this is Sun-young, Riel's peer and good friend from Korea." She smiled.

"It's nice to meet you all. Riel talks about you a lot." Sun-young bowed slightly, smiling charmingly.

"But may I ask how you know my name?" He inquired, turning to Lily, though he secretly already knew the answer.

"Oh, El talks about you all the time when we FaceTime—"

"Lily! I'm sure you're really excited about your wedding tomorrow!" Riel said, desperately trying to steer the conversation away from herself.

Lily's mood dropped, but then she instantly beamed at them, recalling that Sebastian had supported her decision.

"Actually, there won't be a wedding tomorrow." She said, a serious business look on her face.

Lily had to hold in her laugh, seeing the confounded expressions on her girlfriends' faces. Remy had a neutral look, whilst Seon's eyebrows were raised in upheaval.

"This is a joke right?" Riel asked staring at her friend in utter incredulity.

"That was my first thought too El," Remy remarked.

"Does this mean I won't get to wear my glamorous evening dress?" Shelly suddenly asked, earning a light glare from Remy.

"Remy please stop looking at me like you don't enjoy dressing up as much." She playfully rolled her eyes at him.

A ringing phone suddenly echoed out, momentarily halting everyone's thoughts.

"If you all would please excuse me," Sun-young said politely, before walking off to take the call.

"So, here's the thing," Lily said turning her full attention to her friends.

"It's clearly too late to cancel the wedding for ALL those people, most of which my parents invited of course..." She began to explain, pacing back and forth.

"The only thing that's not happening, is the marriage, not the get-together." She paused, a serious business look on her face.

"I mean, most people attend weddings for drinks, food, and entertainment, right? So that is exactly what's going to happen tomorrow evening. Sure, some people—for example, my parents— might get indignant and leave, but all that matters is that I'm NOT getting married tomorrow!" Lily concluded, beaming at them like a child who'd just gotten their favorite ice cream flavor.

"You sound crazy..." Riel said looking a bit conflicted.

"And that's why I love you!" Her mood instantly changed as she enveloped Lily in a tight hug.

"What do you make of this oh wise and faded one?" Shelly half whispered to Remy as they both watched the girls merrily chatter.

"I think we're in for one hell of a show tomorrow," Remy replied, a small smirk gracing his lips.

"I'm afraid we'll have to part ways now Flower," Riel said apologetically, pulling away from Lily's embrace.

"But why? I was hoping you could help me pick out a dress for tomorrow." Lily said looking disheartened.

"Well, Seon's visa only lasts him a few months here, and so I have to assist him in booking a decent hotel for the time being. Otherwise... he'll have to stay at my place." Riel replied, evidently faking dismay.

Just then, Sun-young or Seon, walked back to the group, looking a bit disturbed, although he attempted to conceal it.

"How about you both stay at my place?" Lily unexpectedly proposed, earning an utterly aghast look from Riel.

"Oh, no. It's fine." Said Seon understandingly.

"I wouldn't want to be any inconvenience to you—

"Not all!" Lily cut him off, ignoring Riel's pleading look.

"Riel's friends are also my friends, and if she trusts you, then so do I." Lily smiled warmly at them both.

"Besides, I've only seen her today after three whole years! I let her go just like that." She concluded, and Riel's look softened on hearing the last sentence.

"Fine... But only because I love you to death!" Said Riel, wrapping her friend in another warm hug.

"You know I'm really starting to feel like a third wheel..." Remy commented, feigning irritation.

The two girls gave each other knowing looks, before simultaneously embracing Remy, earning a delighted chuckle from him.

It was now Shelly and Seon's turn to feel like third wheels amongst three best friends.

❤️⏲️