Er… Hello. I'm not sure that anyone will believe that I have decided to repost after THREE YEARS… but here we are? Anywho, I suppose theres been enough delay, so enjoy!

(What's the Story) Morning Glory?

Chapter Fifteen:

"God, Save the Bride"

"I'm sorry Rae." Tix said sincerely.

"Oh, like it's your fault my Mother has decided to get remarried!" I replied, half joking, half livid.

"What did she say?" Danny added, walking out of the cubicle.

I recalled the conservation we'd had the previous evening.

"Knock, knock."

"Mum, you know saying 'knock, knock' doesn't actually count as knocking, yeah?"

She sighed. "Rae."

"Mum."

"I need to speak to ya about something very important to me." She walked in and sat on my bed where I was laying- head pressed up against the headboard.

When I didn't respond, just waited for her to proceed, she took my hand in hers.

"No use beating around the bush. Me and Karim are getting married."

My heart sank.

"What about Dad?"

"What about him Rae? He's been gone for sixteen years- I'm sorry to tell ya this love, but he's not coming back."

"Right."

"Look, I can't make you be there Rae- but I want you to be. You're my family- but Karim's going to be as well, so you need to start getting used to it."

She gave my hand a small little pat, and left the room.

Sighing, I slumped back face first into my pillow.

It was the second to last day of half term and the whole of fucking Lincolnshire was invited to my mothers wedding.

Mum had just about forced me to wear a disgusting beige dress that made me look more like an oversized meringue than a bridesmaid.

The service was all you could expect from a registry office, and Mum had decided to hold the reception under a "marquee" down by Wellend river. I say, "marquee" because in all honesty, everyone knew it was just a really big fucking tent.

Whilst Chop was trying his best to get everyone- including mum and Karim- off their tits, I was sitting by the river, trying my best to be invisible.

I'm being childish, I know. Mum's happy with Karim- I know that; and I shouldn't even be thinking about myself on her day, but I couldn't help it. I'm programmed to be selfish.

"Thought I'd find you lurking somewhere."

Nearly jumping out of my skin and turning sharply, there he was- dressed in all his finery, head cocked to the side playfully, a hand in one pocket and the other dangling by his side- clasping a half smoked cigarette.

I hadn't seen him since the party which was almost two weeks ago now. I had to say-

Jesus, Lord.

He looked like a God.

A Greek god-

Trying to smile, I cast my gaze back out to the river.

"Why the long face?" He chuckled jokingly, padding over and dropping down next to me.

I scratched my forehead, trying to ignore the fact that his hand was resting dangerously close to mine.

"It just all seems so fake."

"What does?"

"The whole fucking thing. This wedding. My mum. My life."

He breathed softly. Unsure of how to respond.

"Even me?"

I turned my head slowly to meet his sad brown eyes.

"Not you." I said softly. "Never you."

We regarded each other in silence, and then, before I had even had to chance to comprehend it- he smashed his lips to mine.

I couldn't not enjoy it, even through my sadness.

I pressed my hands against his shoulders, and regrettably pushed him off.

"Finn."

"What's wrong?" he asked, concerned.

"I've told you, this isn't want I need right now."

"Well I need you!" he exclaimed angrily. "Yeah, I might 'ave played along with the whole 'friends' thing. Yeah, I smiled and said I was alright wit' it. But I'm not alright?"

I covered my eyes, as if that would somehow magically stop him talking. I should have covered my ears, because spoiler- he didn't.

"I know this isn't what you want to hear, Rae! And I know that when a person doesn't lo-" he started, "-like you back then you should give up." He sighed.

"But I can't. I can't stop trying. You're special Rae. Everyone knows it. Arch, Chloe..." He paused for a moment as if in thought."Your mum knows it 'n all." He glanced back towards the wedding where my mother was currently being spun round to 'There she goes' by the La La's.

She looked happy. Not fake, but really, truly happy.

"And I know it too." Careful not to touch me again, he settled upon a meaningful look.

Oh, fuck. What was I doing? Am I fucking bonkers?

My mind was screaming at me to do something I was too much of a pussy to do. The La La's still chimed in the distance, carried by the wind, hurtling towards us.

It was all I could do not to hurl myself on him- despite knowing I would probably block his windpipe and cause him to suffocate.

Instead, in true Rae Earl style- I let out a pitiful, "Thanks, Finn." And scrabbled to my feet. "I better get back. It is my mum's wedding."

Wiping the mud off my hands, I began to walk away.

"I mean it Rae." Finn stated, his voice filled with determination. "If you think I'm giving up- you better think again."

I didn't slow my pace, but that didn't stop the sweat formulating on my hands. How would I resist? Why couldn't I just let him touch me? Kiss me? Why couldn't I let him fuc-

I couldn't deal with these questions on my own.

I needed help.

"He said that?!" Tix jeered, a vacant spark in her eyes.

"I know." I heaved out a breath.

"Well he's right. You are special." She smiled.

I returned it. "Thanks Tixxy."

We sat in the toilet, Tix sitting on the counter by the sinks, her legs swinging like the child I knew she was.

"So…what are you gonna do now?"

"Nothing." I replied.

"Nothing? Have you gone bonkers?"

Funny. I had already asked myself that question once today.

"I know. I know."

"This is Finn we're talking about. Finn. The boy you've been in love with for a year wants you, and you said no? Not just for the first time- but for the second?"

I was stunned into silence.

"Alright, when you say it like that-"

"Rae."

"I love him Tix! I want to do fucking weird things, like stroke his hair when he's sleeping- or collect his sweat in a glass jar! I want him to kiss me and tell me he loves me and make me laugh when he sticks on awful tunes like 'Spaceman' or 'I'm Too Sexy' by that fucking terrible band Right Said Fred!"

I breathed audibly and covered my face, suddenly remembering that this was exactly what I was supposed to be avoiding.

"I'm just so confused Tix. I don't know what the fuck I'm supposed to do now! This period of my life was supposed to be Finn free! I was gonna focus on myself and finally becoming a sodding adult!" I rested my head to the side, against to toilet roll holder.

Tix was silent apart from the sound of the air whipping around her feet.

After what seemed a long time, she spoke. "Perhaps…you can do it all?"

"How?"

"Maybe Finn can help you become an adult? You know, because he's older, and he can show you how to do things- like by taking your virginity and everything."

I sighed and closed my eyes, not even daring to entertain an image of Finn deflowering me.

Finn help me become an adult?

"I don't even think God can help me now, Tixxy."

So there we have it! I logged into Fanfiction for the first time in two years last week- and I started to miss this story! I 've had this unfinished on my computer for the best part of three years- but you guys really deserved this. So I hope you can stick with me because I had never forgotten this story- or you guys.

Thanks again for all the support over the years guys.