Chapter 5









Chapter 5


 


The feeling I had after the kiss was something strange, I
knew. But what could be wrong just when everything was looking so right? I
quickly shrugged it off and focused my attention back on the wedding.


 


Jessibelle turned to the crowd with a large grin on her
face. She swung her arm back in an arc, and paused before thrusting it forward.
The perfect bouquet was hurled through the air…I watched intently to see who
would catch it. It flew past the first pews, the middle…all the way to the
wall, which it hit with a soft thud. The people in the back stood up, reaching
their arms up high and jumping. The bouquet slowly slid down the wall, speeding
up as it fell. Shrill screams of delight erupted from the crowd as it landed
softly in a gloved hand. The lucky catcher was a young man dressed all in white,
with dirty blonde hair. He leaped up and let out an exhilarated whoop, pumping
the fist with the bouquet in the air. Jessibelle and I applauded politely.


 


Father rushed up to me and had me trapped in a bear hug
before I knew what happened. “Oh James, dear, we’re so happy you finally
settled down with a refined young lady. I was so worried you’d run off again!”


 


“That’s…really…nice…” I choked out. “Can you…please…let
go…of me…” he finally released me, and I gasped for air. When I regained my
breath, I noticed poor Jessibelle suffering the same kind of torture. “Uh…Mr.
Morgan…you…can stop now…” Jessibelle protested. Father held on for a few more
seconds before letting go of her, but the effect was still the same. Jessibelle
doubled over and breathed deeply. I helped her up.


 


“I think we should leave the two lovebirds alone for a
while,” Mother said slyly.


 


“Yes, good idea,” my Father agreed. “But be back in twenty
minutes for the post wedding party!”


 


“Okay, we will,” I replied. “Let’s get out before they
smother us again,” I whispered to Jessibelle before we dashed off together.


 


As soon as we left the chapel, we slowed down to a steady
walk. “That was some throw back there,” I congratulated her, referring to the
bouquet.


 


“Oh James, as much as I used to sling that whip around,
wouldn’t you think I’d have strong arms?” she blushed modestly.


 


“Yeah,” I grinned. “I can’t believe some of the things you
did when you were little.”


 


“Don’t forget about the time YOU were playing camping and
got lost five feet from the house!” Jessibelle countered.


 


“Or the time YOU tripped over a Geodude and thought you
broke a leg!”


 


“Hey, it HURT like a broken leg!”


 


Soon we were laughing and reminiscing old times. We were
having so much fun it took us a full ten minutes to reach the mansion.


 


Jessibelle flung the door open dramatically. “Well, here we
are! Home,” she flashed me a big smile. But upon seeing my expression, her
smile quickly turned to concern. “James? You don’t look happy.”


 


She was right. I wasn’t happy. That weird feeling I
had when I’d kissed her had come back. “James? James?” Jessibelle said
worriedly. “Is there something wrong?


 


I shook my head slowly. “Jessibelle…we’re not going to the
party.”


 


She looked at me in disbelief. “Why not?”


 


I smiled. An honest, true smile. “You’ll see…” style='color:black'>