WE HAVE OUR WINNER!

[a/n: hey guys, how have you been? so, this entry is the winner one shot! it is submitted by the wonderful Lunaways :) so please, please do vote and leave tons of inline comments behind! one does love to see his work appreciated x) so... enjoyyy! (and read the a/n at the end)]

P.S: All the rights remain with her. Don't try to steal her works, it's illegal and you become punishable by law.

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| Before You Say I Do - Lunaways |

Dan's Pov.

'Come on Dan! It's just a piece of cookie. Can't I have one?'

Chris pouted childishly as she was trying to snatch the oreo in my hand.

I lifted the oreo higher above my head and ran around the Alicia's room. 'Na-ah. This is mine!'

Chris stood up from the ground and came after me determinedly. On the corner of my eyes I saw Brad mimicked Chris's action by standing up. The concern expression on his face made me smile.

Three months ago, Brad and Chris got a great news. They were going to be a family, with the little version of them running around the house. Since then Brad was always worry about Chris and the baby like a lioness and it's cub. It was quite a relief for me though, finally Chris got someone she could rest her heart on. I'd never seen she smile this wide for ages.

'Dan! Just give it to her. You wouldn't want to stir her moody hormones up, would you?' Alicia whined annoyingly like the old day. Usually, it was me and her to argue then there's Chris who stopped us but once in a while it's Chris herself who argued with me. I'm a real chick magnet wahahahaha.

'Nope' I popped the 'p' to incite Chris's anger and sat crisscross on the floor beside Alicia. Chris then sat across from me beside her beloved Brad. Her head leaned on his shoulder perfectly and he lifted his hand to play with her hair. It was a sight. If I could stop the time, I wanted to freeze this moment forever, the four of us laughing and joking around, not Alicia was about to get marry with some random guy and we would all separate.

'Then, as a bride of tomorrow event, I ordered you to give her the master Oreo.' Alicia said with the character of Stan Shumpike, the one I used to do when we were in high school.

'Fine, lady. I'd give it to you this one.' I conceded half heartedly and handed Chris a piece of Oreo. She yawned and smiled satisfactory. Brad noticed it and helped her stood up so both of them could go to bed. We are bid a good night before the two of them left together, arms in arms.

And that was when everything felt awkward.

I carefully looked at Alicia. She didn't look any comforter than me. Her eyes glued to the Hotel velvet carpet while her finger scratch it mindlessly. She was one of the girl who looked beautiful in every posture but I had never admitted to her.

I was pulled back from my thought when Alicia shifted her face to me and our eyes met.

For a second our gazes locked to each other. It was a well known fact for my friends that my favorite color was turquoise blue. But none of them knew that I liked it from Alicia's eyes since the first time we met at the playground. Being just a kid, I didn't know the different of the shade of blue. All I knew that I had found my favorite color.

My eyes still held hers as I knew that this might be the last time I could look into those beautiful gems before she would be Mrs. Smehl.

At last, she was the one who broke the gaze and stood up as to signal me to leave.

I looked at her, having no intention to hide my pain. It was the only way to express myself as I couldn't stand to speak my mind and gave her the last thing she need, a confusion.

'Here' I took the last piece of Oreo and stuffed it into Alicia's hand. It was quite a stupid act when I think about it. Chris would have killed me if she had known that I gave Oreo to Alicia after she had been trying to lose weight for her big day.

'Thanks' Surprisingly, she accepted it.

She would always be the one I sacrificed my last Oreo.

'Tomorrow, big day huh?' I said awkwardly.

'Yeah, H.U.G.E' She smiled back slightly as she split the oreo shell into two side, the one with cream and no cream. Alicia looked at oreo like she was thinking of something.

'Aww, Ali get cold feet?' I teased her. My arms were held up as a guard, preparing for the predictable pillow throwing from Alicia. But I was wrong. She didn't pick up the pillow, instead she messed up her hair.

'I don't know' Alicia whispered. She lifted her gaze to meet mine. For a second, I thought I saw a glint of hesitation in her eyes. But she quickly looked away so I thought maybe I was thinking too much.

My lips wanted to tell her how I feel so badly. But I had to bite my tongue. I thought it's time I had to be a good friend of her. I shouldn't give her any confusion by being selfish and told her how I felt as I was the one who had messed things up in the first place.

So for once, I'd be the one who could give her a hand.

'Everything's gonna be alright, Ali. You will be alright.' I spoke softly and pulled her into a hug. 'He's a lucky man.'

'Thanks.' Alicia murmured. Her lips tugged in a small smile.

'Anything for you' I smile sadly and kissed her forehead. After a second, I turned around and walked to her door.

When I was about to step out, without thinking, I said. ' Alicia, I'm sorry'

I turned around and stare into those blue eyes of her. They were filled with confusion.

'For what?' She whispered, her voice raspy.

'For letting you go'

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'Oh my god, I'm so nervous.' Chris whispered to me shakily. She even looked more nervous than the bride herself.

'Honey, you are not the one at the altar, calm down' Brad teased his wife happily. I looked at them and thought to myself. Would Alicia and I be like Chris and Brad if we were together?

But I guessed I'd never known the answer.

We were standing beside the altar wait for Alicia to come in with her dad. Not so far away I could see Steve waiting impatiently in his white tuxedo. Oh how much I wish it was me in that tuxedo not him. The benches and the pillars were decorated with white and gold ribbons. Bunches of white roses were placing at the door way and the altar. It was the wedding Alicia had always dreamt about and the one I wished to give it to her. But I lost that chances and now Steve was giving it to her.

The old me would have tell her what I felt or maybe kidnap her, if that's what it took to win her back, but because of her, I had grown up. I respected her decision and I wouldn't do anything to cause her any more pain than I'd done before.

'Here she comes' Chris's whispering brought me back. Every eyes were pulled to the door where Alicia stepped in.

When I laid my eyes on her, I felt my stupid heart skipped a beat.

She didn't make it easier for me to move on.

Alicia slowly floated down the aisle in her ivory, sleeveless wedding dress. The hem of the dress was decorated with little roses. She looked like a princess in a big castle. Her red lips was bitten nervously and her hand that held the bouquet shook.

She smiled slightly at the three of us when she reached the altar. Then she averted her gaze to look at her future husband. She stared into his eyes for a second before shifted it away.

'Ahem' The priest voiced. 'We all gather today at this place to witness this beautiful uniting of two beloved friends and family of ours. In the sight of god, will you, Steve Smehl, take Alicia Walter as your wife through good and bad?'

The priest tilted his head at Steave.

'I do'

'And you, Alicia Walter,...'

I couldn't take it anymore. I thought I would be able to hear her say the vow to another guy but I was wrong. I wasn't that strong. So before the priest could finish his speech, I stepped back and attempted to disappear as quiet as I could.

I was headed to the side door of the church without turning back.

In my earshot, I could still hear the priest voice ended and it was Alicia's turn to reciprocate the vow. I controlled myself to walk faster but it wasn't enough as I could hear her soft voice. I prepared myself to hear that word but life had never ceased to surprise us. My legs froze as the words slipped out of Alicia red lips.

'I-I'm sorry. I can't do this.'

I turned my head to see Alicia lifted her long heavy skirt and ran out of the church in her high heels.

For me, I was stunned. My head spinning so fast and it took me almost a minute to register what just happened.

The next thing I knew was that I ran after Alicia. My legs started to run even without the order from my brain. All I know was that I needed to find her.

Was this my second chance?

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Alicia's Pov.

'I-I'm sorry. I can't do this'

The looked on everyone's face was horrified like I had just cursed in front of the queen. But I couldn't blame them though, I was sure even my face looked horrified. I couldn't believe I'd just said that. At the front row, my mom and dad's mouths dropped, their face turned pale. I felt quilts all of the sudden but I didn't regret saying that.

I looked at Steve's red face and I felt so horrible.

For the last three months that I'd been engaged with him, there's a thought that kept running through my head whether I was doing the right thing. Well, my brain definitely said yes. Of course it was a smart decision, Steve was a perfect spouse for me in both social status and his education background. But above all, he loved me. What else could girl ask for?

Maybe I was too greedy but I didn't ask for the perfect one. I wanted my the one. I wanted someone I could close my eyes and clearly saw the future that lied ahead. But no matter how hard I'd tried, I couldn't see it. I couldn't imagine myself grew old with Steve. We had nothing in common.

It was selfish act of mine. I'd hoped that hanging out with Steve would give my idiot best friend some senses. But no. He's the same silly careless man he'd been for all the time I'd known him. And without knowing it, my mother arranged the engagement between me and Steve. If only Dan had stopped me, I would instantly have cancel this. But then again, maybe I was wrong all this time. Maybe he didn't feel the same way with me anymore.

I got into my car and drove without direction. A yellow brown trees shifted past me outside the car window.

My mind wandered back to Steve. I knew leaving he at the altar like that would embarrass him. But I couldn't let things be like this either. He deserved a better girl than me, a girl who truly loved him.

Tears slowly rolled down my face and my sight started to blur. I gradually pushed the brake and parked the car on the side way. Normally, I would bite my lips to hold back the sob as it's the sign of weakness, but now I cared no more. I bursted out a tear and buried my face in my palm. My stylish hair do was messed up and the makeup was ruined. I probably looked like a panda right now with the melting mascara.

I didn't know how long I'd been crying but I was pulled back from it when I heard a knock on the window.

I didn't want to lift my head up but that thing kept knocking and knocking til the point that I couldn't take it. So I looked up.

Inside my chest, I could feel my heart beated like a tambourine as I clearly see who was it.

'Dan...' My voice came out like a whisper due to the lump in my throat.
What was he doing here?

A little part of me still hoped that he felt the same way, but well, we all saw was expecting did to us. The higher it was, the more pain we felt.

'Ali...' Dan said, slightly panting. I took this chance to check him out. His hair wasn't any less mess than mine. The black suit he wore was unbuttoned and the tie was loosen. Arghh!! how can he look so hot even in this situation.

Dan motioned me to open the window. 'What's wrong?'

I stared down at the handle, not daring to meet his eyes.

He must think that I'm a very bad woman.

I could hear him sigh before I felt something fell on my head. 'Ow!' .I reached up and pulled it down to identify the harmful weapon. 'A coat? '

Dan nodded slightly and handed me a sanitary napkin. 'Do you really think you can survive the weather with that dress?'

I looked down at my body then I realized that I was wearing a sleeveless wedding dress that left the area between my neck and breast exposing. My face instantly turned bright red. I shouldn't have chosen this dress.

'And what was that for?' I asked, pointing at the napkin.

'For your panda eyes' Dan answered, his lips tugged up into a smile.

I mirrored his smile and tilted my head at the passenger seat.

Dan shrugged and walked to the passenger side. I could felt the car sink in a little as he stepped in and sat beside me.

As weirdly as it was, It wasn't hard for me to see what lied ahead for me and him because I didn't have to see it. With him, I was sure my life would be the one I'd asked for.

'So where are we going?' Dan asked.

'How about somewhere only we know' I laughed.

'Aye, Captain' He nodded eagerly and did the salute gesture.

I started the engine and drove off.

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a/n:

lol feels so weird to write everything in small letters xD but i kinda like it. so, did you enjoy tye entry?

thank you so much

Chanandler_Bong99

harrypotterqueen99

siddhibieber

yagappar

Lunaways

for taking out your precious time and writing something wonderful for me. the competition was really, really, really tough, and i was almost on the verge of declaring everyone winner haha, but i of course, couldn't do that...

so thank you once again!

Congratulations dear!

☆☆ do check out all the other one shots in my reading list 'HWTS One Shot competition' :) Love ya!

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| one moment of shameless self promotion |

I'm writing another book called 'Cigarettes, Rebels And Me' and also entering it in the Wattys 2015. So please do check it out, vote and comment, because they consider the overall stats of votes, comments, blah blah... I dunno, I'm not expert XD

But a sincere request that you go and take a look at it :)

Also, I'm rewriting HWTS in a new book called 'Spaces Between Us', those who didn't know... So please do check it out and leave your thoughts behind!

Oh, and I've written a one shot called 'Blooming Love' for knightsrachel's book called 'Jefferson Lake' ;) So do give it a look too! Even though the one's who haven't read it probably won't understand the content :P

-Crazy