Ariel

"Fuck, I hate weddings." I scowl as I sip my orange juice.

I especially hate the soft drink selections. Why are non-alcoholic options always shit at weddings? I mean, people who drink alcohol get cocktails and shit loads of choice whereas I get the option of a fizzy drink or orange juice. Why am I being punished for not wanting to get drunk?

Really, they should encourage people to not get drunk because then less people would do and say stupid things. Like the father of the bride who just gave a drunken speech suggesting his daughter fucked vegetables. I think he was trying to tell a story of his wife teaching her how to use condoms but it came out completely the wrong way. His wife looked like she was seriously contemplating murder the entire time he spoke. I'm an oversharer but even I was slightly shocked at him telling that story. I won't complain though, it added some much-needed entertainment.

"No, you don't." Riley wraps her arm around me and kisses my cheek. "You just don't like this wedding."

Huffing, I watch my threesome being destroyed as the bride and groom dance to some soppy song which has been played at a million weddings. Why don't people dance to something original and different? My first dance is going to be 'Baby Got Back' or 'Shimmy Shimmy Ya', something nice and inappropriate.

"You're upset that your threesome is being added to." Riley grins.

My scowl returns. "The spawn of Satan will never be added to the threesome."

"I thought it was a foursome. When was I rejected?" Taylor's voice draws my eyes away from Faithful and Teresa who continue to dance while looking at each other like they've won the lottery.

I turn to face Taylor and Ryder as they stop next to me. "Ryder never let you be in the foursome because he's greedy and selfish."

"And proud of it," Ryder wraps his arm around Taylor's waist and pulls her into his side. She grins widely and I notice Taylor's face and hair have that freshly fucked look. They were meant to be going to the toilet.

I arch an eyebrow. "Have you two been fucking in the toilets?"

Taylor giggles and Ryder smirks.

I frown and look at Riley. "Why won't you fuck me in the toilets?"

"Because unlike my brother, I can last longer than five minutes and I like to take my time with you." Riley smiles. She really does like to take her time.

"I really don't want to hear about your sex life Riley," Ryder says flatly.

"You should, you might learn something." I grin. And now I'm all hot and bothered. I really want to have sex. Right now. "Can we leave?"

Riley laughs. "Their first dance has only just finished and Faithful will be upset if you leave early."

"I still can't believe Faithful and Teresa are married. He must of really fucked up in a previous life to have her as his soulmate." I put down my orange juice on the table behind me. I wonder if the bartender will make me a mocktail.

"You can't still be pissed about what she did all those years ago?" Taylor asks.

I shrug. I'm not really. Teenage years are all about messing up and finding out who you are. I did lots of stupid fucked up shit. Teresa did too. I don't think we should ever use those times as a way to judge a person's character. But I can't help associate Teresa's bullying with Taylor getting arrested. It's silly, they weren't connected. However, all those pranks were the same week Taylor got taken away by the police; I can't help think if Taylor wasn't being bullied the outcome of her life may have been different. Ryder may not have been so hasty and reckless in his actions. These thoughts mean, even though I know Teresa is no longer the bitch she was back in school, my mind has made a negative association which I can't get rid of.

"Come on, Ariel, let's dance." Taylor grabs my hand, heaves me up and drags me to the dance floor. She wraps her arms around my neck, smiles widely and gives me a kiss on the lips. "I love you, Ariel. You've been the best-est friend I've ever had."

I narrow my eyes. "Are you drunk?"

Taylor grins more widely. "A little."

"Do I need to send you home now before you start stripping and giving Ryder a lap dance? Actually, scrap that... can you do it? It will liven up this wedding."

Taylor giggles and playfully hits me on the shoulder. "Hey, that was once. And it happened two years ago. And
I was celebrating my parole officially being over."

Four years and four months of parole. Over six years since she was released from prison. Over twelve since she was sent to prison. It's amazing to think how fast time has gone.

The gallery has slowly built up. After a shit first year where we struggled and thought we were going to have to close, we've got back on track and we manage to make a decent salary while still being able to offer a number of free art therapy, counselling and workshops to the community. It's never enough.

"It also happened on Ryder's birthday, and your birthday, and Simon's birthday," I tease.

"I didn't dance like a stripper, I pole danced at those. Stop going to clubs with poles, they're too inviting." Taylor mock pouts.

I laugh. "I'm going to miss you."

Taylor rolls her eyes. "It's six months then I'll be back."

"Six months of you travelling the world while I'm stuck here not seeing you. It's going to be horrendous."

"Have you never heard of video calls?"

"But I'm used to having you around every day. And who is going to keep me on my toes? Every time I walk into your office, I never know whether I'm going to find you and Ryder fucking or not. I love that game... Will they? Won't they?"

Taylor laughs. "You caught us once, and I've started locking the door since."

"That's what you think. I just don't alert you to my presence anymore. By the way, Ryder has a very nice ass, you do too."

She rolls her eyes but gives me a smile. "I'll miss you too."

"I'm sure you won't be saying that when Ryder's making your pussy explode on a beach under a starlit sky."

"That sounds painful." Taylor laughs. "But the beach and starlit sky sound good."

"Just make sure you come back. I don't want to find out you decided to join some hippie commune where you give each other colonics using your mouth."

"That's disgusting." Taylor grimaces. "And of course we'll be coming back. The art gallery is our baby, I would never abandon her. I would never abandon you."

"Talking about baby, did you do a test?" I ask.

"Yes. Thankfully it was negative." Taylor exhales slowly. "I am not ready for kids."

She places her hand on my small belly. The bump feels big but I still have three months till the day my vagina gets destroyed and my breasts blow up like balloons. I'm looking forward to the big breasts even if milk will be leaking from them.

Taylor gives me a sad smile. "I'm upset I'm not going to see you get bigger. Send me lots of pictures of your bump. And as soon as you start having contractions get Riley to message me."

I grin. "I've still got three months. You might get sick of Ryder and come back early from your travels."

Taylor smiles. "I doubt that. But we will come back to meet your daughter. I wouldn't miss meeting my niece for anything."

"You could have also been it's step-mum if you'd done what I asked, and not swallowed but spat into a jar for me."

Taylor bursts into laughter. "I love you so much, Ariel."

She kisses me again on the lips and I chuckle. Taylor is still an over-affectionate drunk. A hand peels Taylor away from me and Ryder smirks. "How about you direct your kisses at me?"

Taylor giggles and wraps her arms around Ryder.

"Jealous, Ry?" I tease.

"Never. I know she's all mine." Ryder wraps his arm around Taylor's waist and whispers something in her ear. Her eyes lower and she whispers something back which causes him to press into her as they dance off in their own bubble. I always knew they'd be an epic love story couple.

Riley pulls me into her arms and I sigh quietly. "This is the end of an era."

Riley laughs. "But it's also the beginning of a new one."

Fuck, she's so right.