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∞∞∞

Kali balanced the bucket of popcorn on her knees, already stuffing her mouth full of the buttery kernels. The screenswitched over to another preview as I settled myself into the chair beside her. Apparently, the movie theatre was going to be showing some sort of children’s movie sing-along in the near future, but I wasn’t paying enough attention to it to discern which one. Not that I cared. I was much too focused on the girl to my right. A girl I wouldn’t be taking to some stupid sing-along.

I watched her from the corner of my eye, her profile catching the light from the screen in a way that made my heart skip and flip and other acrobatics inside my chest.

‘You want some?’ she asked, tipping the popcorn bucket precariously towards me. I reached out to steady it before she spilt it all over me, and she gave me a sheepish smile. ‘Sorry.’

I shot her a cheeky grin. ‘No harm done. That’s what I’m here for.’

‘To catch my blunders before they become messes?’

I lifted a shoulder in a shrug and mumbled beneath my breath, ‘Among other things.’

She didn’t hear me over the surround sound of the previews, but I decided to take her up on the offer to share. Reaching over to grab a handful, she moved in at the same time, and our fingers brushed. It was quick, just a fleeting moment of contact, but it sent a spark through me that settled right in my dick, which twitched with the threat of hardening right for her to see. It wasn’t the first time Kali had made Chance Junior want to wave hello, and I was now impressively adept at diffusing the situation before she saw something she would regret.

I wasn’t delusional enough to believe she would have feelings for me, especially since Blake chose that moment to join us, sitting on her right and taking her hand in his. She sent him a smile that I wished she would aim at me, and I shoved the handful of popcorn into my mouth to give myself something to do. Third wheeling with my best friend/the love of my life whileshe was dating my little brother wasn’t exactly my idea of a fun time, but I didn’t begrudge them their happiness.

Much.

I was happy they were happy. I just wished it wasn’t at my expense.

Thankfully, the movie started, and both of them turned to watch the movie, the only sign of their intimacy their intertwined fingers. They were at least respectful of my presence whenever we hung out together. I would give them that.

∞∞∞

The ballroom was plagued with the kind of chaos that could only come from drunk relatives. As I watched Gran try to twerk despite her double hip replacement, I did my best to fade into the background. The last thing I wanted or needed was someone trying to talk to me while I was nursing a broken heart.

I was hiding behind a vase of vibrant flowers, their strong perfume tickling my nose. Laughter rang out above the pounding music, and silverware clinked as people picked at the buffet.

I had managed to remain here through sheer willpower alone, keeping my emotions locked down tight so as not to ruin the big day. I didn’t want to be that guy, the one everyone pitied because he’d just lost the love of his life to another man. And not just any man, but his little brother. I knew I’d lost my chance to confess my feelings for Kali when we were kids, but being forced to watch her walk down the aisle towards Blake was a special brand of torture.

She’s been radiant.

I’d been miserable.

I was even more miserable now as the music changed to something slow and meaningful, the speakers announcing the first dance for the newlyweds. They looked so happy, all beaming smiles and staring tenderly into each other’s eyes. The way they clutched at each other tore me to pieces, and I had to look away. Tears blurred my vision for the umpteenth time today, threatening to spill over despite my attempts to keep them at bay. I squeezed them shut, willing the moisture back inside so no one would see.

Pieces of me had chipped away over the years as I’d watched Blake and Kali get closer. Witnessing them fall in love was bittersweet. Sweet for them, bitter for me. But I loved them, so I kept my mouth shut and smiled, shoving my feelings as far down as they would go. But today, I shattered, my hopes and dreams lying in bloody, splintered remains that only I could see.

In direct opposition to the luminous smile splitting Kali’s face, mirrored by my brother and those gathered to witness their union.

They were married. The woman I loved with every fibre of my being had married my brother.

I was too late.

I used the moment to slip out unseen, unable to bear it a single moment longer. I had lost her, and now, there was nothing left for me here. Just the echoes of what could have been had I not been such a coward.

∞∞∞

My surroundings were slow to come into focus, so much so that I couldn’t determine where I was through the foggy hazeobscuring my vision. My head was fuzzy, like someone had reached into my skull and scooped out my memories, leaving behind nothing more than a static buzz. I felt… untethered was the only way I could think to describe the sensation, like if I wasn’t careful, I’d float away into the aether.

I felt it before I saw it. A frigid caress, freezing me where I stood. It felt like it was carefully, delicately turning me into a statue made of ice; painfully,painstakinglypiecing me together until I was solid once again, and I was helpless to do anything other than stand here and take it.

And yet, there was something about the gentle way it stroked me, despite its blisteringly cold temperature, that was soothing. Like a finger tenderly stroking down the length of my body, easing the strain and relaxing my muscles. A promise of safety.

And then came her voice. Beautiful, melodic, and familiar. Just as chilling as her touch.

She slowly came into focus, the blur of colours surrounding me narrowing into the most breathtaking sight I had ever seen. White hair that cascaded down her back in soft waves. Equally pale skin that looked oh-so-soft to the touch. Crystal blue eyes that shone with warmth despite their vibrantly frosty shade.