Somebody Speaks (Part One)

New York Times

August 22, 2011

“Speak now or forever hold your peace” –Somebody speaks!

The story behind the biggest wedding of the year…

In a matter of seconds so much happens, your heart starts pounding and there is a look of fear on your face. Your hands shake and beads of sweat start to form on your fore-head. All you did is stand up with your hands shaking. It’s your last chance, and this time the whole room has eyes on you. There’s one special person standing in front of you. He is the only reason you are here, but he is not holding a smile as if to thank you for standing up, but a look of shock as to imitate the look on everybody’s else’s face, but you wouldn’t know because you are only looking at him.

You’re not supposed to be here… but here you are standing up in front of everyone. Rudely barging in on such a special occasion, but it’s just not His special occasion; it’s your best friends’ also… well… ex-best friend. Everyone who knows the story and is sitting in the room probably thinks you are crazy; after all, you are the one who introduced them.

But, when you finally get the courage to look at her, she has an applaud look on her face, probably since she un-invited you and somehow you are STILL managing to ruin the whole ceremony. You give her an I’m-so-sorry-but-I-have-to look and you don’t dare to keep looking at her to see her response. From that moment on, you don’t take your eyes off of him.

You feel your hands start to shake more and more, your heart keeps thumping, you could swear that everyone else could hear it. Evil glares continue throughout the room and finally breaking you from some nervousness the friend you came with grabs you hand in means for comfort, but you jump, startled. Usually that’s when everyone who happened to see (which is the whole room) would laugh, but everyone is still applaud at what is going on.

All of this happening in only a few seconds makes you start to wonder how you even got into this situation. It all started seven years ago back in high school, and it’s finally ending whether you want it to or not, with the words, “Speak now or forever hold your peace.”

The story started back in high school, and as the girls’ best friend I am the rightful person to tell it… Although I don’t know the entire story of each girl, and how one relationship failed and how the other grew, I can tell you the result because I was there the day of the wedding. You know the one that you heard about in all the newspapers… and were in the news that very week. I believe everyone should know the truth behind what happened that day. So I’m here to tell everyone all about it.

There those simple words were… the girl who knew how to make things happen, Charlie Basin added a little sentence onto a long message and it changed everything. A relationship was formed… a cute one. They balanced each other out. She was on the outgoing side and he was more relaxed, they seemed perfect for each other until one day it became too much. The story is unclear, but somewhere along the line they broke it off, and she ended up being the one that was hurt… or so I’ve been told, I still don’t know the story.

Somebody Speaks (Part Two)

“Well Charlie, do you care to explain?”

“Well I was just begging him to…” she paused, her eyes gave away that she was scrambling for something to say, “Wear a bowtie instead of a regular tie much classier.”

I looked to Amber, she had doubt in her eyes, and worry was written all over her face. In tenth grade Charlie had changed for the worst and after she got in trouble with her parents she seemed to change back into the old Charlie that we all knew and loved. Now at this moment, that devious side of her seemed to be back, the side that everyone hated in her. Back then it's because she wanted something, Dustin. Now it's the same thing, she wants something, and she's making it known to everyone. It wasn’t Dustin that Amber didn’t trust, it was Charlie. After that moment she questioned whether or not it was smart to make Charlie a bridesmaid, but the following week it was clear what the decision should be.

Again I was with Amber when it happened; it was actually the night of the bridal shower. Charlie seemed a little distracted with something else. She would check her phone every minute and every time she would get a text or a phone call she would ignore everyone else around her. She even went outside that night and talked on the phone. I gave her fifteen minutes, but after that I went outside with her and waited to talk until she was done. When she saw me she told whoever was on the other end of the phone that night that she had to go, and quickly hung up.

“Are you okay?” I asked her. It was our first heart to heart in months, but it was necessary. Something was on her mind, and as one of her best friends it was my job to figure it out and get her to talk about it.

She gave a reassuring smile and nodded her head. I didn’t buy it, “What’s going on?” I asked her and completely came out, “something is bothering you, and we can all see it. You are hanging onto your phone as if it’s your lifeline right now. Is someone dying? Is it your father? Is he okay?”

“No, no everyone is fine.”

“Then Charlie, what is it?”

“I… can’t tell you.”

“Fine, forget I even asked. I haven’t talked to you in months, and I’m asking you what’s wrong and you won’t tell me anything. I thought we were more than this.” I went to go open the door and she grabbed my arm.

“Fine, but you can’t tell Amber, promise me?”

“I can’t promise anything, after that night with Dustin, you’ve kinda lost her trust.”

“I’ve been trying to get a hold of Dustin all day.” I gave a confused look, and proceeded with asking her why, “I want him to think about what he’s doing and consider all of his options before he says ‘I do’”

“Oh gosh, you’re still trying to break them up?”

“What do you mean still? I haven’t tried in years. I just want him to think about what he’s doing and make sure if this is what he really wants to do.”

“You need to stop; you had your chance years ago.”

“It’s no use, he’s at his bachelor party and his phone is off. Every message I’ve sent him he hasn’t even replied to.”

“Then who were you on the phone with?”

“Liam, he said that Dustin didn’t want to talk, at least not to me, after I asked him that day that you and Amber caught me, he’s stayed far away from me.”

“Hmm, I wonder why,” I answered back to her. I couldn’t believe it; she was trying to ruin her own best friends’wedding. I walked right up to her and in her face I told her, “I’m not going to tell Amber, just yet. If I keep seeing you on your phone trying to get a hold of him, or any sign that you are still trying to stop their wedding. I will tell her, and you will no longer be a bridesmaid.” I didn’t leave her to answer as I walked back inside and joined the party.

“What was that all about?” Amber asked watching Charlie walk through the door, seriously taking my threat into consideration. I look behind me, and with a forced, but calm voice I tell her it was nothing with a smile. I turned around and scolded Charlie, just like her to try and destroy a wedding, and of all weddings, it has to be her best friends.

Charlie listened to my threat throughout the night, but it was by accident that Amber found out about Charlie trying to call Dustin. About a year ago, their phone plan changed at the same time, so they decided to update together, who knew it would cause Charlie to get cut from the wedding. Since Charlie listened to my threat to stay off the phone and away from Dustin, she set her phone on the counter. Amber was going to go call her sister Jessica, who had not yet arrived at the bridal shower, grabbed Charlie’s phone by accident.

At first when she realized it wasn’t hers she began to set it down, but a text came, from Liam of all people, and guess who he was talking about. I saw the shocked expression on Ambers face and quickly ran over.

Liam:Dustin isn’t going to listen to you, he know's you are lying. Give it up before you get hurt again.

“Why would Charlie need to talk to Dustin just a week before your wedding?” Amber asked looking at me. I couldn’t help it, her innocent eyes begged me to tell her the truth, and as my High School, current, and most trusted best friend, I had to tell her the truth.

At that moment everything I knew came spilling out, poor Amber was shocked that her best friend would do that to her and just in time Charlie walked up behind us. “Hey, what’s wrong Amber?” she asked with a sincere tone of worry in her voice. Her eyes shifted and she saw her phone in Amber’s hands, “hey, that’s my phone…” it took a second then it sunk in.

Oh.

I thought for sure I was going to watch what happened our freshman year happen all over again, but this time in person and not over instant message, but Amber held herself together, and quietly escorted her used-to-be best friend out of her house.

“By the way, you are no longer a bridesmaid, I’ll give the dress to Ashley, and you two are about the same size.”As she went to close the door, I saw Charlie turn her back and start walking away without even putting up a fight, but just as the door was about to close, Amber opened it again and said her last few words. “Now that I think about it, don’t even show up at the wedding. I don’t want you there, and stay away from Dustin and I from this day forward.”

That day I was proud of Amber, she held herself together just long enough to make it upstairs. I quickly followed after her, as her maid of honor I couldn’t let this ruin her night.

The next week went smoothly, the only thing anyone heard from Charlie was a “Thanks a lot, traitor.” And it was to me of course. Again, I wanted to avoid the drama from freshman year, so I deleted the message without a response. Surprisingly, it felt good.

She was beautiful, me being a Cosmetologist, did her hair, make-up, nails, and even gave her a facial before the wedding. The gown looked amazing on her. Simple but elegant, pure white, and a veil to match it, the gown reached the floor but was hemmed enough for her to walk without tripping. I had never seen her look more stunning than she did that day. After seeing her dressed and ready for her dad to give her away, I had no doubt in my mind that Dustin was thee luckiest guy on the earth.

Somebody Speaks (Conclusion)

The prelude went smoothly; everyone was in a great mood. I even kept a lookout in case Charlie tried to sneak in. I ran messages between Amber and her parents, and even Dustin himself. What a lucky man. I left the room for her and her father to have a heart to heart, and when everyone was seated the ceremony officially started.

The mothers of the bride and groom are seated, Left and right. Then it’s the ministers turn, the groom followed. The bridesmaids are followed escorted by the groomsmen. Then it’s my turn, I grab Liam’s arm, and he escorts me down the isle. Jade, the flower girl comes shortly afterwards her brown curls bounced, as she skipped down the isle. Her mom was standing at the end reminding her to toss out the flowers; man did she look like her mother, the body of a dancer.

Jade’s brother Brandon followed. He had brown curly hair and a big grin on his face. He was being escorted by his father while Brandon held the pillow. Luke then greeted his wife as they passed each other and stood in the back of the row behind the bridesmaids and groomsmen.

The music started to play and the guests rose from their seats, the big doors opened and there she stood with her father on her arms and he slowly escorted her down the isle. She gave me a look that said, “I’m so happy, but I’m so nervous.” I gave her a comforting smile and she smiled back. Her father kissed her on the cheek and a tear streamed down his face, he was giving away his youngest daughter.

When Amber reached Dustin they held hands and looked to Pastor Rob, he began. “Dearly Beloved, we are gathered together here in the sign of God – and in the face of this company – to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony, which is commended to be honorable among all men; and therefore – is not by any – to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly – but reverently, discreetly, advisedly and solemnly. Into this holy estate these two persons present now come to be joined. If any person can show just cause why they may not be joined together – let them speak now or forever hold their peace.”

The silence grew, then a girl with shoulder length brown hair, and blue eyes that looked like they had gold fireworks around the pupils stood up in a pink sundress with a blue belt. Her hair was in a waved pattern and there was a look of fear on her face. I could see her hands shaking and the whole room creaked as everyone in front of her turned around to see who everyone at the alter was glaring at.

They were glaring at Charlie.

I see an old friend of ours grab her hand and stand up with her. Long brown shiny hair, in big waves, a cute little smile with a missing tooth on her right side, she’s thin and beautiful. She’s the girl that everyone loves to hate Abby. As Amber watched there was a shocked look on her face as she was about to break out into tears. I couldn’t watch that happen, I never chose a side until then how dare Charlie and Abby do that to Amber…

Imagine, being the one to stand up, or even the friend who stands up next to her. The rush, the nervousness, beads of sweat starting to form on your forehead as you look your best friend into her eyes and destroy her wedding. Would you have done it if you hadn’t been kicked out? What if she had actually given your fiancé the chance to run away with you and he still said no. Would you have done it then, just for revenge? Or would you have let it go and disappear for a few months, hoping to not run into the happy couple again until you are married with kids?

Either way the thought lingers in your head. What would you do? How would you feel to be standing up in a room full of people sitting down? Horrified looks on everyone’s faces, and they are all staring at one person. You. Confusing everyone with the question as to why you’re standing up, why you aren’t a bridesmaid. Well New York. You all know how the story ends; the purpose of writing this was to tell you how it started and where it ended. Of course the bride gets the groom, but what happened to Charlie? Maybe that’s another story.

The posts, comments, news reports all around the world have gotten out of hand and I’m here to put a stop to it. Ugly rumors spread of Charlie ending up with Dustin and them running away together, Amber ended up in a hospital for several suicide attempts… but honestly I don’t know where Charlie is. Amber and Dustin are a happy couple, and I was a major help in making it that way, I even helped chip in a little money for a longer honey moon.

I know questions are lingering in the air about where Charlie is, how the wedding actually went down. Although I can’t tell you that part I can find Charlie and give you her side of the story, but until then…

Thank you New York Times, for publishing the TRUE story, I’m sure we will be in touch as soon as I find my friend Charlie, wherever she may be. I’ll bring you the story soon. –Vanessa Lines

The Other Side (Part One)

New York Times

September 16, 2011

“Speak now or forever hold your peace” –Somebody speaks!

The Other side to the Story…

It’s amazing what can happen so fast. Your worst enemies, the girls that you avoided your entire life could suddenly become your best friend. In matter of a fact it happened so fast you didn’t even notice what was happening until it was too late. Things were great for a few months, you even befriended her best friends and somehow became a part of the group you were always dying to be apart of, but never imagine you would be in. You underestimated yourself, until that boy, the one that every girl liked at least once in their life, and he liked who else but you.

Months later you look back and think, “How stupid was I to think that a guy like him would like me. Of course he would go for my best friends.” You look at all of your mistakes and how much drama you brought to the group. Maybe you were right in thinking you would never be to their level. When a big change happened, it was a terrible loss to you and your best friend, although life continues on, and that’s what it did.

Slowly a friendship grew on the other side of town, a friendship that within less than a year would become more… then less. When she broke it off, he had quickly agreed with no regrets, and all too soon you realized something everyone else could see, you were as good as her, if not better. You got what she couldn’t keep.

 Incase you were all wondering, I did find Charlie. She made it all the way home, back to where it all began, in Bowling Green, Ohio. She just happened to be back home for a little bit right before school started back up for our younger siblings. It was a cool September Sunday morning. We were both sitting with our families. It was sort of weird knowing the last time we sat in this room, during a Sunday morning service, we were together, and we sat in the youth section and there was a whole row of Us. Those were some good times, oh freshman year…

But we sat separately this time, and that’s where I was able to stop her and get the whole story… her side, and just as I assumed, it started with that phone call. That afternoon Charlie had visited Liam at his house, and they had spent the whole day catching up, since they had both been in college they hadn’t talked as much as they used to. Halfway through the day there was a knock on the door and old friend just got home from a family trip and he was coming to surprise Liam, he had a ton of things to tell him, starting off with the proposal, but as Liam swung the door open there stood a familiar face behind him, and it was not his older sister.

Charlie gave a wave, and the two guys went in for a hug. Liam invited Dustin in and they all stood in a circle and talked. “Man, I have so much to tell you, it went perfectly!”

“What went perfectly?” Charlie asked, but Dustin kept going. Liam evidentially knew what Dustin was talking about, so Charlie listened in trying to pick up some clues to what they were talking about.

“So it was a yes?”

“Of course, but I mean… it was the perfect timing, and it was while I was on my trip.”

“Wait what? On your trip?”

“Yeah after three weeks she came and visited, we spent my entire free day together, and that’s when I asked her.”

All the tiny pieces started to be put together in Charlie’s mind. “Her,” and “yes,” and “that’s what I asked her.” Charlie’s head started to spin. Dustin had been back from his trip for three days. Amber had been back from visiting him in Australia for three weeks, but wait, there was no ring on her finger the day she got off of the plain. Charlie had been there with me, Vanessa, and so nothing they were saying made sense to Charlie. Amber would have at least told Vanessa… right.

That’s when the “God Speaking” ringtone went off, it was Amber. Why was she calling, it’s not like she had anything to tell Charlie? Charlie took a deep breath in, walked away from the guys as they were talking about something that happened while Dustin was in Australia. After taking a quick breather and on the phones last ring Charlie answered and Amber’s cute little voice echoed through the phone.

“Charlie, it’s Amber.”

Trying not to sound like she may possibly be mad, she answered back as happy as she could sound. “Hey! It’s been forever!”

“It’s only been a few weeks, but I have something to ask you…” Amber paused, “well it’s more of an announcement.” An announcement, Charlie’s suspicions had been right, Dustin proposed to Amber in Australia and Amber never told her, but she began to speak again trying to sound curious.

“Well spit it out girl.”

“Dustin proposed… and I was wondering if you would like to be one of my bride’s maids?” Charlie let out a burst of excitement. Although she was upset her best friend hadn’t told her the minute it had happened, there was an overwhelming shock that she had been right and that Amber was getting married. She couldn’t help but be happy for her in the moment.

“Of course I will, yes! When’s the wedding?”

“It’s July 24, it’s a Sunday.”

Charlie looked at her schedule on her phone, “Ahh, yeah I can make it… and if I couldn’t I would cancel everything because my Amber is getting married!” She smiled and they said their goodbyes as she hung up the phone, but the happiness was gone, she had spent the whole day with Liam, and he never told her Dustin was planning on asking her and he obviously knew, and they were talking about it, but not telling her anything.

“Hey Liam, I have to go.” She gave him a hug and she looked at Dustin, and gave a smile, “it was good seeing you.” Liam waved goodbye as Charlie opened the door and closed it without looking back. How could this have happened? Nobody told her that the biggest day of her best friends life was coming up, that it had already been scheduled, wasn’t she supposed to be a part of the scheduling?

The Other Side (Part Two)

Fast forward a few months and its two weeks before the wedding, finally Charlie was a part of the whole thing; she had almost forgotten that Amber didn’t tell her about the wedding. Charlie was there every second of the ride standing right next to Amber and I as we helped our best friend through this amazing experience.

But that same night that I said it all went down… it really did, but I had no idea how it really went until I talked with Charlie. Amber and I were talking about writing her vows; she had asked me if I could read over them, like we had been with everything we wrote since we were freshman. I accepted the honor of being able to read though them before anyone else.

“They’re in the study.” She told me as she answered the phone, “Oh yes, I want chocolate. Yes with pink flowers. No red.” As I walked to the study something else was going on inside.

“She’s not eating!” Charlie whisper-yelled to him, “I promise you, she mentions it to me all the time how she’s fooling everybody.”

“Well, I know for a fact she is, so just drop this.” Dustin stated as he started towards the door.

“No, last time you didn’t believe me, but that’s because I was just trying to win you back. This time I’m serious, I’m really concerned about her.”

“Then go tell her parents like I told you to last time, but you never did.” The door handle raddled as he went to open the door.

“Hmm.”He heard through the door and he stepped back.

“Somebody is trying to get in here; we need to get out of here, because this will look really bad.”

“Please just listen to me,” Charlie begged.

“Why should I?” Dustin asked with his eyebrows raised, he didn’t have time for this; he needed to get out of the study before the wrong people walked in and assumed the wrong things, but then Charlie grabbed his arm and pulled him in realizing that whoever rattled the door handle last time was probably coming back to open it again and she needed to say this quickly and quietly. She grabbed his arm and pulled him in quickly and she whispered in his ear.

“Because if you remember once we were more than friends, I trusted you and you trusted me.”

“But you broke the trust, all you wanted was…” The door flung open and stood watching them was Amber and I. Charlie said that the shock on my face was amusing, but at the moment I didn’t care, I just couldn’t believe my eyes.

I had seen Charlie up close to Dustin, their faces practically touching. Now that I know the story it doesn’t sound that bad, she had pulled him in and was whispering in his ear, but that’s not what it looked like. Charlie quickly stepped back and she blurted out, “it’s not what it looks like.”

Charlie’s worries started to pile up, she had thought she had more time before someone would walk in. She never thought that they would find them like this. Dustin looked at her and gave an “I told you so,” look and walked toward Amber. Charlie knew what Amber was thinking about at that moment, she could see the wheels starting to turn in her mind, and she couldn’t bear to hear what Amber was going to say.

My question for Charlie is, why did you do it? Why didn’t you just leave the situation? Something tells me that it wasn’t well thought out… but to no surprise Amber handled it quite well. She calmly asked Charlie if she could explain, but when Charlie gave a pathetic excuse Amber knew something was up and Charlie had already started back a long walk on a tiny line.

Charlie knew Amber didn’t buy the excuse for telling him to wear a bowtie instead of an actual tie. She had been down this path before with Amber, she’d forgive her eventually. Charlie now knew she had to be discreet with every little thing she did pertaining to Dustin, and her plan to ruin their relationship was already set into motion… hopefully.

A week later was the worst, that’s when I found Charlie on the phone. If you recall I asked her if she was okay and she gave me a nod of the head and a pathetic smile, her way of telling me, “no I’m not why do you even ask? BUT since you did I’m going to play innocent and pretend I’m alright because that’s what you want me to do.”

“What’s going on?” I asked her, “something is bothering you, and we can all see it. You are hanging onto your phone as if it’s your lifeline right now. Is someone dying? Is it your father? Is he okay?” She insisted that everyone and everything was okay, so I asked her what it was that was bothering her. She refused to tell me, first she practically begs, and then denies saying anything.

“Fine, forget I even asked. I haven’t talked to you in months, and I’m asking you what’s wrong and you won’t tell me anything. I thought we were more than this.” I went to go open the door and she grabbed my arm.

“Fine, but you can’t tell Amber, promise me?”

“I can’t promise anything, after that night with Dustin, you’ve kinda lost her trust.”

“I’ve been trying to get a hold of Dustin all day.” She continued to go on explaining that she wanted Dustin to think about what he was doing, if marrying Amber was the right thing to do.

That’s when I realized that she was trying to break them up. She got defensive like she did years ago the first time things exploded. I told her she had her chance years ago, hoping she’d get the hint to let it all go.

Charlie then went on to explain that his phone was off. Was I catching her in a lie? Although she explained that she was talking to Liam, I should have known better, but I bought it anyways. I bet you’re wondering what I’m talking about, but that will be explained later…

I couldn’t believe she was trying to make him second guess himself. It didn’t work in tenth and eleventh grade; it’s not going to work years later. I warned her that I wouldn’t tell Amber what was going on just yet, but she had to stop with trying to destroy the wedding we all, including her, tried to hard to make perfect for Amber. I couldn’t chose sides in my friends but Charlie was about to push me to make my decision, if only I had known what she was really telling Liam that night.

The Other Side (Conclusion)

"I’m not going to tell Amber, just yet. If I keep seeing you on your phone trying to get a hold of him, or any sign that you are still trying to stop their wedding. I will tell her, and you will no longer be a bridesmaid.” I warned as I left her to decide and walked in. Amber asked me what it was about, but I did as I promised and shrugged it off, if necessary, I could tell her the truth later. I then forced a smile and told Amber that it was nothing and she bought it.

But it was later that night when it all fell apart; everyone knows the story. Charlie set her phone down so that there was no temptation, Amber was going to call Jessica, her sister, and Amber realized it wasn’t her phone. It was in her hand when the buzz for the text from Liam went off, she clicked the button while setting it down and the message caught her eye.

Liam: Dustin isn’t going to listen to you, he knows you are lying. Give it up before you get hurt again.

The look on her face went from confusion, to understanding to shock and then back to confusion. She probably had so many questions at that point, and no matter how much I hated it, I had the answers.

“Why would Charlie need to talk to Dustin just a week before my wedding?” Amber asked looking at me. I couldn’t help it, her innocent eyes begged me to tell her the truth, and as my High School, current and most trusted best friend, I had to tell her the truth.

Everything and I mean everything I thought I knew came spilling out. I felt so bad, but she needed to hear the truth and in plenty of time Charlie walked up while I was telling her everything. She caught Amber’s horrified facial expression and asked what was wrong, she seemed genuinely worried about her. Quickly I saw her eyes shift to Amber’s hands where her phone was still lit up from another text message it took a second, but she connected the dots.

Oh

I thought for sure I was going to watch everything that happened junior year, and freshman year happen all over again, but this time in person and not over instant message and phone conversations. As I watched their falling out happen I was impressed with both of them. The way they acted so calm, there was no yelling, no words that either would want to take back, just a simple, “by the way, you are no longer a bridesmaid, I’ll give the dress to Ashley, and you two are about the same size.” Amber walked Charlie out the door, and as Amber went to close the door, Charlie turned and didn’t even put up a fight. The door was almost shut when Amber opened it again saying, “now that I think about it, don’t even show up at the wedding. I don’t want you there, and stay away from Dustin and I from this day forward.”

There was a clang and the door was closed, I saw the lights of Charlie’s car turn on as she pulled forward and kept going down the street, most likely never looking back. I had warned her and although things didn’t go the way she expected them to, she got what was coming to her, because unless she had changed between junior year and that night, she would have kept going as far as she could before Amber found out.

When Amber knew Charlie was gone she ran out of the room and I followed after her, it was my job as a best friend and a bridesmaid to make sure she was okay. While I was talking to Amber, Charlie was calling Liam.

“Let me talk to Dustin.”

“He doesn’t want to talk to you Charlie.”

“Well Liam, it’s because of you that I’m no longer in the wedding. I told you to call me, not text me!”

“Well I’m sorry, but after what Dustin’s been telling me, I didn’t want to talk to you either. I can’t believe you told him that Amber’s not eating, you know she is!”

“I know that she isn’t, and I am truly concerned for her. I just want Dustin to know what he’s getting himself into. I got myself into it freshman year and it was horrible, I’d never go there again. Amber was lying our junior year about eating, and she’s lying now.”

“That was never proven, and by the way, Dustin says you need to tell Amber what you really told him before the wedding, if not he will.”

“Why do I care about that?”

“Because your father and mother still don't know about Brian, Anthony, Hunter, Adam, Carter, Mason, Deon, Devon.”

“Okay, okay!”

“Let me ask you something Charlie… why do you want your parents to think you are still this perfect little angel? They caught you once; why not just admit it all to them? I mean, they can’t ground you, you’re an adult.”

“I have my reasons, goodbye Liam.”

“Wait! Don’t forget you have to tell her before the wedding.”

“Before they say ‘I do’?”

“Exactly,”Liam said with a stern voice ready to end the conversation. At that moment the song that was playing ended and the CD switched songs, a very old song came on, one that the girls loved. It was by their favorite artist… the bridge was the first few lines of the song and as Charlie listened to the lyrics she knew exactly when and where she should tell Amber.

“Okay, goodbye Liam.” He didn’t even say goodbye when he hung up the phone, there was a long monotone beep, he was gone, and thanks to a famous country artist she had a great plan.

Three days before the wedding Charlie started to get second thoughts, but she got lucky and ran into an old friend at church, she hadn’t been there on a Wednesday night in forever, but apparently she and Abby had an idea to visit the youth group on the same night.

A short conversation started and Charlie ended up explaining the entire thing, including her idea of when to tell Amber. Abby could tell that Charlie was getting a little nervous about telling Amber, and when she would do it, but then Abby said with encouragement, “if you want, I’m invited. I can come and do it with you if you are nervous.”

Just then an evil smile spread across her face and she immediately regained her confidence that she could do this. Amber was right in saying that Abby and Charlie were perfect for each other, because their evil methods were just about to come and bite Amber in the butt.

The day of the wedding came and timing was everything if they were too early somebody would spot them, someone that knew that Charlie wasn’t supposed to be there. If they were late… well, a big entrance wasn’t the key in this scheme. They snuck in just as the doors were closing and everyone was being seated, they acted like they were supposed to be there, and were just running a tad late.

They took a seat toward the middle and the wedding started shortly after. The wedding proceeded and Charlie hid her face half the time, and the other time acted like she was supposed to be there, not like she had been kicked out. If she didn’t make her presence obvious things would go smoothly and she knew that.

Soon enough the words came, the same words from the song, “Speak now or forever hold your peace,” Charlie barely hesitated before she stood up, her heart was pounding though. She had something to say, something to admit, and a truth to tell. Nobody said anything; they were standing there with their eyes beating down on her. Nerves were starting to kick in. Amber stood horrified, but there was some amazement to how many buttons Charlie would push. The silence grew and the more it grew the more it took for Charlie to say something. She couldn’t get the words out; all of her confidence was gone.

The girl was manipulative and destroyed any friendship she had, but only to a point. There was always a point to where she would stop so sometime, maybe not soon, but sometime later in the future, she could regain the friendship. She then expected to pick up where she left off, but this was it and she knew it. Interrupting her best friends wedding just to say something, and then not even saying anything, but there was a comfort that came. Abby stood and grabbed her hand as to comfort her, it took her long enough.

Now you all know what happened… and I can even tell you what happened after that point. Amber lead Abby and Charlie out into the foyer at that point, Dustin followed behind. Liam and I stayed and told everyone to keep calm and that it was all going to work out. At that point that’s when the truth came out to Amber. That day I thought I knew the truth, Charlie had stood up because she didn’t want them to get married, but that night when I caught her on the phone she lied to me.

“Dustin, she needs to be taken to the hospital! I’m telling you she’s not eating and I am really concerned about her.” She left a thousand messages like that, that’s when she called Liam she was telling him that Amber hadn’t been eating all night. Well she wouldn’t have known that, but she had made it sound like she was had been there with the whole time… maybe even holding her hair while she was making herself vomit over the toilet. That had been the second low point.

She used everything that happened freshman year against Amber that night. She told both Liam and Dustin that she was in the bathroom making herself vomit, and that’s when I came out. They hadn’t been answering their phones so she was leaving messages so it’s not like I had caught her in the middle of a conversation, that’s why she was able to hang up so fast. When I asked her what she was doing she was hesitant, but realized she could lie about it, because I didn’t know what she was really doing.

If I had found out that she was telling them that Amber was going bulimic, she knew I would have gone and told Amber right then and there, but she held me off for as long as possible. Then even when the truth came out it wasn’t even the truth, so Charlie was able to walk away feeling accomplished with her plan still going.

While they were out there that’s what had all happened, Amber didn’t forgive Charlie at the moment, but she let her stay for the end of the wedding. I never understood that until Charlie told me what had happened. Now that I know I am proud of Amber, but what I didn’t understand is why Charlie left and went back home.

“I want to go back to where it all started and see if I can remember who I was before I got myself caught up in this.” She told me after explaining everything. At that point I was proud of Charlie.

If your best friend had done that to you, what would you have done back to her? Would you have let her stay for the wedding and the reception, would you have forgiven her? What about this… would you have let the story get out? The truth about who you had once been, insecure, anorexic and bulimic? Would you have handled yourself so well? Or that night when you read the text from Liam would a fight have broken out that night? What would it have taken for a fight to break lose, would it just have been the fact that it was your wedding that she was trying to destroy… or would it have taken a threat on your life for a fight to break out? What about the day of the wedding… how would you have reacted if you best friend was the one to stand up when the preacher said “speak now or forever hold your peace.”? New York, you have asked all the questions, and I have given you all of the answers… all except one… which was why Charlie wanted to keep her “good girl” reputation with her parents… that’s something I could never tell you… use your imagination. Why would you want to keep that reputation?

Now I have asked my fair share of questions throughout the entire thing… and I’ve even asked you ask the reader some questions about what you would do… now I have a request. Please, look at Charlie any way you want, you can look at her as a liar, and pathetic, and alone and someone who just wants attention, (which is the reason her and Dustin officially broke it off… supposedly). You can call her mean, and manipulative, you can say all these things, but there will always be this truth. No matter who she is, what she becomes… she will always be one of my best friends. I may not trust her with everything, but no matter what she does to me, or my other best friends, I will stand by her side and she will always be in my prayers.

When I found her that day and we discussed the whole situation, and she seemed to be the same Charlie I had met back in fourth grade, the outgoing loving girl that I used to know. She seemed completely different, we have been in contact, and things between the two of us seem to be back to normal. No weddings to crash, after a month of getting my facts together from her, she gave me permission to submit the entire story to the New York Times. Hope to see you all soon, and thanks for letting me share the truth about the biggest wedding of the year. –Vanessa Lines