Breaking Me Slowly

Sixteen

The house is quiet and still. More than usual. I had no idea what to do with myself. Grayson was busy with meetings and surprisingly Vern had yet to burst into my room to demand all of my attention.

A few minutes passed and I couldn’t take it anymore. Soon enough, I found myself wondering down the halls until I came to a set of familiar brown double doors. I push them open and step in the library.

I wonder down a few aisles, brushing the tips of my fingers along the spines of the books. I read each title as I make my way down the row, picking a book at random.

I leaf through the pages as I make my way towards the chaise lounge in the center of the room. I’m about to sit down when the doors swing open and Jensen rushes in.

He doesn’t notice me, his eyes already set on his target as he rushes across the room.

“Jensen,” I call out.

He startles. “Juliette,” he manages to say. He rubs the back of his neck as he asks, “what are you doing here?”

I hold up the book in my hands. “Looking for a way to entertain myself. Grayson is busy with meetings; Rebecca is probably off planning the wedding and i can’t seem to find Vern anywhere.”

Jensen frowns. “The family, plus the Delgado’s are all at the biannual meeting with the Council. I’m surprised that you’re not there.”

“Grayson never mentioned it,” I say, feeling stupefied.

“It’s kind of a big deal. everyone from the council, the district leaders and their families all attend. I’m surprised he never mentioned it to you.”

I sigh, throwing the book down onto the empty chaise. “he never said a word about it.”

“I’m sure there’s a reason he never mentioned it.” he clears his throat, collecting his thoughts. “It was a short notice, the council actually moved it up earlier since everyone’s in town for the wedding,” he says casually with a shrug.

I plop myself down on the chair. “It still seems like something worth mentioning. I am marrying the guy, after all.”

Jensen sits down next to me. “Grayson never does anything without intention. I’m sure there’s a good explanation.”

I stare at the floor, mulling over his words. “Thanks, Jensen,” I say. I look up at him, noticing the hollowness in his eyes. he looks tired and defeated.

“How are you?” I ask him.

Jensen’s surprised. I’m more than sure that nobody has asked him.

His mouth opens, it closes. “I’m alright.”

“Just alright?”

He nods.

“Earlier you seemed, I don’t know, upset.”

His gaze drops to the floor. “Not upset, just—” he pauses, carefully choosing his next words. “I’m just overwhelmed.”

“If you ever want to talk about it, I’m here.”

He smiles. “Thanks, but I don’t really feel like talking about it to be honest.

“I understand,” I say. “I’m sure it’ll all be worth it in the end.”

“Yeah, hopefully.”

The silence hangs between us like a thick blanket. Jensen seems lost in thought and I’m still trying to figure out what would be a safe subject to talk about instead.

“How’s Sydney?” I ask, knowing I probably shouldn’t bring her up right now.

He surprises me by saying, “She’s much better than before. I think you’ll be able to see her soon.”

I sit up. “Really, when?”

He shrugs. “A couple days or so.”

I bounce in place and it makes Jensen laugh. I’m restraining from throwing my arms around him in excitement. He notices and says, “Go ahead.”

I pull back to get a better look at him. “Are you being serious?”

He nods. “I’ll let you know when she’s feeling up to it.”

I clap my hands. “I have so much to tell her.”

He chuckles.

The silence hangs between us once more.

Jensen quickly stands up and brushes his pants off. “I, uh, should get going.”

I try to hide the disappointment on my face. “Oh. Alright. I guess I’ll see you around,” I say but it sounds more like a question.

Another nod as he shoves his hands in his front pockets. “Yeah, see you,” he says and walks out the room.

A bell rings and my eyes fly open. I’m standing in a patch of grass, a church just a few feet away from me. I don’t know where I’m at. I don’t know how I got here or what I was even doing here.

I look around me, finding it empty. I glance back at the church, noticing how old and weathered it truly was. I was standing in front of what is supposed to be the safest place on earth, but I found it chilling. And the thick blanket of fog wasn’t helping.

Somewhere off in the thicket of trees, I felt someone watching me.

I quickly make my way to the church, the doors swinging open just as I’m reaching for the knob. I step inside to find the pews filled with people.

It’s eerily quiet. The doors slam shut, making me jump. I look back at the doors, to find that they had opened and closed on their own. A shiver runs down my spine. I face forward and scan the room.

Everyone is dead silent and facing forward just patiently waiting. I take a seat in the back, keeping forward just like everyone else. And then there’s music. A familiar tune plays throughout the room. I don’t see a band and the church is way too old to even have a set of speakers.

Everyone stands, turning to face the back of the room. I stand and do the same. A girl appears, a while veil covering her face. She gracefully walks down the aisle. As everyone turns back towards the front, I find myself slowly making my way down the aisle.

Grayson’s face comes into view and it makes me stop in my tracks. And then the girl throws back her veil and I want to scream.         

Isabel.

I try taking a step forward, but I can’t move. I try calling out Grayson’s name, but I can’t speak. I struggle as I’m frozen in place and no one seems to notice. Either that or they didn’t care. Once more I try to call out to Grayson, but nothing comes out.

I shut my eyes, feeling the tears trail down my face. When I open my eyes, the room is empty and I’m able to move again. I turn around, ready to run out of the church when I notice Isabel standing in the entryway.

She’s still wearing a wedding dress, a smirk on her lips. Her eyes never waver as she says, “He's mine.”