Intensity (28 page)

Chapter 46

The front door suddenly opened, causing the wind to slam the guest room door shut. Celine didn’t bother opening it and remained plopped on her stomach, burying her head into her arms.

“Celine! Come down here!” Melissa’s high pitched tone made Celine’s ears feel as if they were bleeding. Maybe if she ignored her, she’d go away. She’d already babysat her niece, Odette, all morning. Exhausted and mentally drained, she really didn’t want to have to deal with her older sister at the moment.

“Celine! Get your ass down here!” Melissa demanded.

With a groan, Celine rolled off the bed and dragged herself to the staircase. She gripped the wooden banister and slowly made her way down the steps loudly, stomping the whole way down. “What?” she snapped. She turned on the ledge and spotted Ruthie gazing up at her apologetically. With a roll of her eyes, Celine spun back around, ready to make her way back to the guest room. She’d lock herself in there for the rest of the day, not caring whether or not she reverted back to being a sulking teenager. She deserved a period of mourning.

With an exasperated sigh, Melissa stomped her way up the stairs and yanked at her little sister. Leaning in, she whispered, “You know I’d be the first one to tell you to ditch Ruthie, but I really think you guys need to give each other a chance. You have been friends for far too long to let stupidity get in the way.”

“Give each other a chance? Stupidity?” Celine scoffed.

“Just go.” Melissa peered down at her with a serious look. “Seriously. I think you should. You’ve been holed up upstairs for days. Besides beginning to smell—”

“Hey, I shower!”

“You’re becoming really depressing. I think this will be good for you.” Melissa nodded her head in encouragement and pushed Celine forward. Begrudgingly, Celine slowly descended the stairs, stopping on the bottom step, unable to look Ruthie in the eye.

“Hey,” Ruthie said quietly. “Can we talk?”

“Well, you’re here, aren’t you?” Celine attempted to keep up a tough act, but she was ready to break down. When push came to shove she always called Ruthie. Having to deal with a break up by herself (because face it, being with Melissa was basically like being alone) was beyond difficult.

“I’ll leave you two alone,” Melissa said quietly, excusing herself to her daughter’s room.

Ruthie waited until she saw Melissa enter the room upstairs and close the door. At the click of the lock, she leaned forward and brought Celine in for a hug. “I’m sorry,” she said, her voice cracking. “I’m so sorry for everything that happened.”

“I take it that it didn’t work out with Cash?” Celine knew it was a low blow, but she was still hurting and wasn’t ready to act as if everything was okay between them.

Ruthie released Celine and took a step back, pouting slightly. “I know…things have been extremely fucked up recently. I can’t stand it anymore. I can’t stand thinking I lost my best friend.”

Celine remained quiet, feeling her bottom lip begin to tremble. She sniffled slightly.

“I haven’t been a great friend lately. I’ve been so caught up with Cash that I was so oblivious to everything going on with you. I should have seen the signs that you were worried and scared. I should have been there for you instead of giving you something else to worry about,” Ruthie continued.

Celine looked up slowly, narrowing her eyes at the bright sun, which shined through the open door. She swallowed and sighed. “I’m sorry for crashing your car.”

Ruthie blinked incredulously then burst out into laughter.

“Did I say something funny?” Celine asked, confused.

Shaking her head, Ruthie leaned over and gave her another hug. “It shouldn’t have surprised me that you’d wreck another car. It’s still in the shop, by the way. That’s what I get for getting a car that was so ostentatious. Guess karma bit me on the ass.”

The wrinkles in Celine’s forehead deepened. “Wow, you’re taking this a lot better than I thought.”

“You know what I was thinking?” Ruthie asked, stepping away from her.

“What?” Celine asked dumbly.

“That it was just a car. I can buy as many cars as I want!” Ruthie smiled and added, “Well, maybe not a lot,” when she saw the look on Celine’s face. “The point is, cars are replaceable, but this,” she gestured between them, “isn’t. We’ve been friends for over fifteen years. We can’t throw away our friendship just like that. You’re not just my best friend, Celine. You’re my sister.”

Celine bit her lip and felt a tear roll down her cheek. She quickly wiped it away.

Ruthie continued, “Do you know why I pushed us to sneak backstage in the first place? Why I told you not to take those passes?”

“Because you’re insane?” Celine offered.

Ruthie shook her head and laughed. “No! It was because I was afraid to lose you. I wanted to hold onto all the memories and great times we had. I guess a part of me thought that if we acted seventeen again that it would prevent everything from changing…I was afraid to lose my best friend.”

Celine stared down at her feet. “I was scared.” Admitting it felt as if a huge weight was lifted off her shoulders. “I was scared of change. I was scared of giving myself so completely to someone else. I was scared of being vulnerable. It’s the reason I insisted on going on one last stupid adventure with you before I was married. I wanted an excuse to grasp onto something familiar. Maybe that’s why I regressed in maturity for a while.”

Ruthie let out a breath. “These few weeks have been hell, Celine.”

“Tell me about it,” Celine muttered.

Ruthie bit her lip apologetically. “We promised a long time ago that we’d be best friends forever. We’ve held fast and true to that promise. Don’t let anything change our friendship now.”

“It’s different now, Ruthie.” Celine’s shoulders sagged forward. “It’s a whole different game. Maybe change is inevitable.”

“You know what will never change, though? The fact that I’ll always be there for you. I may make mistakes, but I’ll never do anything purposely to hurt you. You’re my best friend, Celine. I love you.”

Celine began to bounce up and down, fighting back her tears. She didn’t want to forgive Ruthie. If it weren’t for her, Noah would never have walked out on her. Yet, if it weren’t for her, the last fourteen years wouldn’t have been the same. If it weren’t for her, she’d be an entirely different person. Maybe she would have even turned into someone she wouldn’t have liked. She needed to stop blaming Ruthie for everything and own up to her mistakes. Being a firm believer that everything happened for a reason, she had to consciously remind herself of that fact.

Celine wiped back a tear. “I think I forgave you like a week ago.” She laughed weakly. “I was just too lost and too scared to call.”

Ruthie sighed with relief. “I think I was never mad at you myself.” She frowned for a moment and asked, “How are you holding up? With everything, I mean?”

Celine let out a sardonic laugh. “Things happen for a reason. Maybe this is my fate.”

Ruthie’s eyes brightened, a small smile hinting on her lips.

“What?” Celine asked curiously.

“I think I know your fate,” Ruthie replied, smiling. “I think things do happen for a reason and I believe your fate is a good one.” She stepped backwards and spun on her heel. “I brought you a peace offering.”

Celine wiped back her tears and frowned. “What do you mean?” She peeked through the door and stopped in her tracks. “Oh!” she breathed.

“Hi, Celine.”

Celine stood still, unsure of what to say. Her hair was matted against her head and she was sure she did smell like body odor. However, the way he looked at her made her feel as if she were the most beautiful woman in the world. That look was one she never wanted to be without again.

As they stood there quietly, taking each other in, she knew she never wanted to let him go. There was no way he’d be the one that got away again.

Chapter 47

Months Later

“Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce to you, Mr. and Mrs. Noah James!”

The guests cheered happily, clinking their knives against their glasses and hollering loudly. Celine gripped onto her husband’s hand, gazing up at him adoringly. He leaned over and planted a light peck on her lips. The spotlight shone on the two as they entered the elaborately decorated ballroom. Melissa definitely came through, dressing the large room to the nines. Celine and Noah entered the double doors and waved at their friends and family. In one smooth movement, Noah twirled Celine, dipping her and kissing her once again. Celine’s dress floated around her, making her look like a princess. She laughed, feeling the happiest she’d ever had.

All things did happen for a reason. As horrible as the previous months’ events were, Celine wouldn’t have changed anything about it. Almost losing Noah and more importantly, almost losing herself, taught her a valuable lesson that could never be replaced. She was afraid of change, but not the change she thought she was afraid of. It wasn’t the wedding, the marriage, or even the thought of losing her friendship with Ruthie that terrified her. What ate at her insides was the thought that somehow she would lose a sense of who she was. Always a negative thinker, having an unknown in front of her drew her into darkness. Would she handle marriage well? Would Noah still love her in ten, fifteen, twenty years?

Grasping onto the past was a way for her to focus on anything but the unknown future. She was ashamed of admitting it, but she had feared her happiness would cause everything to come plummeting down. Like a self-fulfilling prophecy it almost did, but luckily Noah loved her enough to listen to Ruthie’s and surprisingly even Brian’s, explanations.

If Celine only learned one thing through her trauma it’s that the person you were in the past isn’t necessarily who you are in the present. What you used to want isn’t necessarily what you need. As Celine gazed up at her husband, she knew that Noah was both what she wanted and what she needed. She couldn’t be any more blessed.

A soft melody played and the newlyweds took to the floor for their first dance as husband and wife. Ruthie sat at the edge of her seat, grinning from ear to ear. She felt someone tug at one of the curls, which had become loose from her updo. With a light laugh, she glanced over at her date and grinned.

Once the dance had ended, Ruthie and her date made their way to the floor. Ruthie ran over and threw her arms over her best friend. “I can’t believe you’re married!” she squealed excitedly, jumping up and down.

Celine responded with a giggle. “I know, right? Who would have thought?”

“Me, of course!” Ruthie responded, placing a hand over the mint green bodice of her bridesmaid dress. She nodded towards Noah. “I always knew you’d find the one.”

Noah reached over their heads and high-fived Scott, who was standing behind Ruthie. “Man, my legs are killing me. Remind me to never work out with you again.”

Scott laughed, placing an arm over Ruthie’s shoulders. “Hey, the lady said you wanted the ‘Wedding Workout Supreme’ so I gave it to you. Don’t ask if you don’t want.”

Noah winked at Ruthie. “Yeah, maybe I should keep my mouth shut around you two gym rats. Some of us only go to the gym right after New Year’s.”

Celine pinched his side. “Says the man who just bought a weight machine for the guest bedroom.”

Ruthie smiled and placed her arm around her boyfriend’s waist. She still couldn’t believe that after their less than stellar first meeting, Scott actually was interested enough to give her a second glance. Having sworn off men after her debacle with Cash, she kept to her little bubble, not allowing anyone to come near her. The gym became her sanctuary, allowing her to blow off steam and to take her mind off of things. Yet, despite her anti-social behavior, she couldn’t help but notice Scott every single night. After a bit of prodding from her best friend, she was finally able to scrounge up enough courage to ask Scott out for coffee. To her surprise, he happily accepted.

All at once the walls Ruthie built around her heart came tumbling down. New bricks were being laid, but they weren’t her bricks. Scott was quickly building a foundation and though she didn’t want to assume or expect anything, a part of her knew things would be a lot different with him in her life.

“Hey, do you mind if I steal Ruthie away from you for a bit?” Celine asked Scott.

Scott pretended to scratch at his chin, which was covered with neatly groomed stubble. “Hmm, I’m not sure.”

Ruthie elbowed Scott in the ribs and snickered. “Oh come on, babe!”

Scott grinned, his blue eyes sparkling. “You’re the bride,” he told Celine. “You can get anything you want today.”

Celine winked. “Make sure to remind Noah of that, okay?” Without waiting for a response, she grabbed Ruthie’s wrist and led her to the Sweetheart Table.

Ruthie’s bracelet slid down her thin wrist as Celine tugged her across the floor. They maneuvered their way past Celine’s break-dancing cousin and pop-locking Grandma.

“Your family is wild,” Ruthie giggled, watching Grandma get down.

“Not as wild as my best friend,” Celine quipped. She dropped Ruthie’s arm and pushed back the skirt of her ballroom gown, somehow kneeling down so that she could reach for something under the table.

“What are you doing?” Ruthie asked with a frown. She looked across the dance floor and spotted Claudia grinding on some poor groomsman. “You really had to make her a bridesmaid?” she cringed.

Ignoring her, Celine straightened herself and held out a white box. It had a silver bow placed on the top of the lid. “Take this,” Celine offered.

“What is it?” Ruthie asked, taking the box from her.

“It’s my wedding gift to you,” Celine beamed proudly.

“Wedding gift?” Ruthie laughed. “Aren’t I supposed to be the one giving you a gift?” She paused and added, “By the way, I ordered it a bit too late. It should be shipped to you in two weeks.”

Celine laughed and shook her head. “Seriously, this is my gift to you. It’s a thank you…for the past fourteen years, for your unconditional love—for everything.”

With a suspicious smile on her face, Ruthie pulled off the top of the box. She looked inside and frowned. Amidst some hot pink tissue paper was what appeared to be (in Ruthie’s opinion) a fairly thick work presentation, complete with a clear plastic cover and a black plastic coil, which held the papers together.

“What is this?” she asked, taking the makeshift book out of the box.

Celine grinned. “It’s my new book, or rather the second draft of my new book. I wanted you to be the first to read it. Keep in mind it hasn’t been edited yet, so it’s still a bit raw.”

“Thank you?” Ruthie said, unsure of how to react.

Celine giggled. “It’s based on our friendship.” She smiled softly, gazing at the book in Ruthie’s hands. “From our stupid high school days to our somewhat stupider adult days,” she laughed. “I wrote this book to show how important your friendship is to me.”

Ruthie felt tears spring up in the corner of her eyes. Without a word, she bent over and hugged Celine tightly. “I can’t wait to read it.”

“I think you’ll like it,” Celine commented, patting her on the back.

“I’ll love it!” Ruthie grinned. “I’m sure of it!”

“I think you’ll especially love the last chapter. Go on, flip to the last page.”

Ruthie frowned. “Are you sure you want me to read the ending first? Kinda goes against my whole philosophy on reading.”

“Just do it!” She laughed at the look of hesitation on Ruthie’s face. With a shake of her head she explained, “The past few months have made me realize that we’d been going about my wedding all wrong.”

“What do you mean?”

“As much as we denied it, we both acted as if it were the means to an end. What we both failed to realize was that nothing was ever going to end! Childhood, adulthood—nothing is going to change between us. We have so many more adventures to go on together. Sure, maybe none as intense as the recent one. Still, I’m sure each and every one will be great.”

With amusement, Ruthie flipped to the last page and read, “Beyond the day we are old women stricken to wheelchairs we’ll still be kindred spirits, soul mates, sisters, and most importantly best friends.”

Ruthie brought a hand up to her mouth and stifled back a sob. Celine’s eyes were already glassed over in tears, but luckily her makeup artist had prepared for the day’s occasion with waterproof eyeliner and mascara.

“Beyond the day we’re in wheelchairs on the beach?” Ruthie said in a whisper.

“Beyond the day we’re in wheelchairs on the beach,” Celine repeated. She hugged Ruthie tight and said, “I love you, Best Friend.”

“I love you, back.”

The music began to fade as the DJ called out over the tune. In a cheerful tone he announced, “This next song goes out to the bride, who may I say is intensifying!”

The women turned in horror as soon as the first few bars to an Intensity song began to play. They glanced quickly at one another and ran to the DJ yelling, “NO!”

THE END