Category : Stories

Sub Category : Drama

Each footstep hit the wet pavement in a sort of repetitive pattern causing the hair on the back of her neck to stand. Her heavy breath left trails in the cold night air as she picked up her pace, hoping to get some distance between her and the unknown person trailing her.

At this hour, the shops along the street had all closed up except for the arcade about a mile up the road. Vivian knew she'd be safe if she could make it there before it closed. Ever since that night she has purposely put herself in these situations, she just wanted to feel alive again. Every other time she found herself alone out here on these streets, tonight was different and she was beginning to regret her decision. 
Her heart was racing, she refused to look back afraid of what she might see. In typical Vivian fashion, her mind wandered back to that night that changed everything and turned her world upside down. 
Sitting in front of her mirror Vivian smiled as she put on the finishing touches, her grandmother's pearl earrings. It was her "something old" given to her by her mother who stood behind her proudly, holding back the tears as to not ruin her makeup. Mrs. Montclair was so excited to watch her daughter, her baby girl, walk down the aisle. However at the same time she was heartbroken because Vivian's father would not be there to give her away. Vivian had come to terms with her father's absence since she asked her best friend, Robbie, to fill his shoes. 
Vivian and Robbie had grown up on the same block. He was actually her first kiss, shortly after Robbie finally told her that he was gay. Vivian was only twelve at the time and the news had crushed her. She was more embarrassed than anything. She felt foolish, he allowed her to kiss him, and he even kissed her back. When he told her his secret, she took it as a personal betrayal. 
Thankfully, over time they rekindled their friendship and became best friends. He was there for her through all of her heartbreaks, and her for his. They even went to the same college. That's where Vivian met Jack. He was in her art class and they hit it off immediately. 
In the beginning she didn't see much of Robbie, other than the morning's when she actually stayed at their place. She would make him coffee then sneak into his bed so they could catch up while snuggled under the covers.
Robbie was a handsome man with a great style. He was majoring in Political science, a stark contrast to Vivian's art major, but it worked for them. If he wasn't studying, Robbie spent a lot of his time at the gym. Apparently that is where he met a lot of the guys he dated, and it's where he met George. 
"You guys almost ready," George said through the small crack in the door. "It's time," Robbie said glancing over at his best friend. Vivian stood up and George's mouth fell open, "Oh honey you look like a princess," he said holding his hand to his chest. 
Robbie stood there in his black tux looking more handsome than ever, his dark wavy hair slicked back made him look almost Italian. His hazel green eyes welled up with tears as he held his arm out for her to hold onto. Vivian's mother gave her one last glance before rushing out to find her seat. 
George wiped away his own tears as he blew a kiss to both of them. Vivian held out her hand as if to catch it, then planted on her cheek and blew one back. A moment later her and Robbie were alone. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his "good luck" pocket watch he carried with him everywhere and placed it in her hand. "Your something borrowed, because I'm gonna need that back," he said and they both chuckled. He wiped a tear from her eye, "Don't do that honey, you'll smear your mascara," he said and we both smiled. 
"Thank you," Vivian said as she slipped the pocket watch into the champagne colored sash that wrapped around her waist. With her arm in his, butterflies swarmed in her tummy, when the music started they gave one last glance at each other. 
The doors opened to the church, all eyes were on her as they both slowly walked up the aisle. Vivian smiled from ear to ear when she saw Jack standing up there looking so handsome. 
Robbie gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and handed her off to Jack. She was face to face with the man of her dreams. She had waited for this day her entire life. As a little girl she pranced around in her mother's heels and used the lace table cloth her mother kept for special occasions, as a veil. She would walk up and down the hallways of their home singing, Here Comes The Bride. 
Jack reached out and held onto his soon to be wife's hands and looked her in the eyes, "Vivi, you have brought me so much joy, and as I stand before you today.." suddenly the doors of the church swung open, and shots rang out. There were screams and everyone ran. Some hit the floor, blood spilling from their wounds. Vivian screamed and fell down next to Jack who was laying there covered in blood. She screamed again when she felt the hot sting of a bullet pierce her shoulder, then another hit her side. The blood spilled out of her leaving a trail of red all over her white gown. 
Vivian shook her head trying to escape those memories. She could hear the footsteps getting closer. Her heart was racing, she felt alive. She stopped, she was tired of fighting, she was tired of feeling guilty for surviving while everyone she loved was gone. She was ready for them to take her. Standing in the street waiting for her "attacker" to get her, she closed her eyes. The footsteps got closer, then they trailed away ahead of her. She opened her eyes to see a man in black coat carry on in front of her. Disappointed, Vivian turned around and headed home.
For months Vivian cried herself to sleep, holding Robbie's borrowed pocket watch. She rubbed her thumb over the dent from the bullet. She knew it saved her life that day, leaving her to live without her husband, mother, and Robbie. It wasn't fair and she just didn't want to go on anymore. 
Vivian went out most nights, walking the streets alone hoping for someone to take away her pain, or at least make her feel something. It was just her luck that even in the worst parts of town nobody even looked her direction. 
You see, it was Vivian who died that night, ever since she has spent her days unaware of her death, feeling as though they all left her, when in fact, she was the one who left them.