Gary's POV

13 Years Earlier

I hadn't RSPVed to the invite I'd received by email two months prior. But when the day eventually rolled round, who was I to pass up a free party? With the added bonus of seeing that smug cunts face?

I hadn't told Ash for several reasons- the main being the featured bride. It had been a long time since I'd heard him mention her, and I may even be wrong in thinking that he still holds any kind of feelings for her. But if history was anything to go by, it was better for him to remain in the dark.

I remember the days leading up to him leaving. I remember how he stormed into the apartment after speaking with her. I remember the hurt on his face and the helplessness in his eyes. And I specifically remember the beautifully rounded hole he so graciously left in the plasterboard.

He had sat hovering over his phone, willing to receive any word from her. But after a few short days, he relented. He gave up. And then, we left.

I finished adjusting the blue tie around my neck ensuring it hung neatly. And with a tousle of my hair, and a couple of eye drops to hide the repercussions of my daily antics, I walked out of my room.

Ash had passed out at some point last night, and although he was now awake, he hadn't moved from his position on the sofa. He glanced in my direction, raising a curious eyebrow at my chosen attire.

"And who are you trying to impress exactly?"

"Got a hot date my good man."

He smirked at me, and I was instantly invaded with the overwhelming feeling of guilt.
"Anyone I know?"

"Na, just a random."

I reached into my pants pocket, taking out a carefully sealed zip lock bag. I tossed in his direction on a 'heads up', and he caught it awkwardly with his left hand.

"I had my share last night."

"And you can have mine."

He raised a brow at me again, "Trying to sate a guilty conscience?... The girl... She's someone I've been with right?"

I held up my hands, "Busted."

He chuckled, no resentment in it. And he rolled himself over. "Enjoy the taste of my dick Gar-Bear."

I bit my lip, but responded with, "All the more reason the kiss her then."

And I left.

I don't think either of us were to blame for the shit show of a situation we had seemingly fallen into. It started how all things start, in moderation. It was at a party on a weekend. Once in a blue moon, so to speak. Then we sought out parties on weekdays to give ourselves an excuse to divulge. Then we lowered our bar to what classified as a party. Then it was in our apartment each night. Then we didn't really need an excuse anymore. We just used when we felt like it. When we needed it. Which was the start of a slippery spiral leading into a blackened hole that neither of us could climb out of.

Me? I had family. I had people I could rely on if I seeked them out. I, realistically, could get the help and support I needed.

But Ash? He had no one. I was the closest thing he had to family. And I wasn't leaving him to deal with this on his own. Not for a minute.

So I pushed the ones who could have helped me away. I ruined my own salvation to attempt to bring his. And then we were just left in this tragic rut. I wasn't strong enough to save him. I wasn't even strong enough to save myself.

We were bonded by our failings. By the addiction we had assisted each other in keeping. Both cemented in the bottom of that hole we dug ourselves.

Brothers binded by misfortune. Brothers binded by pain. Brothers binded by weakness. Always.

I walked the length of the long road after the short train ride uptown. I could see the Churches courtyard a few feet ahead of me packed with guests wearing their own fancy attire for the soirée. The sound of bells told me that I had missed the ceremony, but fashionably late WAS my middle name.

I entered through the tall archway just in time to see Serena walk out of the church hand in hand with her new husband. I made myself blend into the crowd of ooing and awing guests, keeping my gaze firmly planted on the bride. She wore a simple white floor-length dress, accompanied by the cliché vale. Her hair was shorter than I remember it being, but it hung in loose waves over her shoulders. Her beaming smile was intoxicating, and I couldnt help but smile back.

The party that followed was nothing short of breathtaking. Either Serena's parents were loaded, or Calem had actually made something of himself. Come to think of it, he looked the model of perfection on the arm of his bride. A far cry from the poxy drug dealer I detested in highschool.

Oh how the tables had turned.

I was the first guest Serena approached once the other formalities were out of the way. She swung her arms around my neck and squeezed tighter than I thought she would. The whole exchange through me off guard actually.

"You look beautiful Princess."

She smiled a familiar smile. "I didn't think you were coming."

"Well, here I am."

I stayed in touch with Serena when me and Ash moved away. I found myself sucked into the same appeal as Ash had seen in her. From the moment I picked her up outside of her house, soaking wet.
Of course, I would never act upon it; despite the fact she was never technically Ash's girl. She was beautifully innocent, but in the fiestiest way you could ever imagine. She was headstrong. Determined. A light in the life of whoever she encountered.

Perhaps in another life, I could have met her first.
And in that life, I wouldn't have been stupid enough to let her go.

I was sat by myself at the bar, taking advantage of the free champagne. I never had been a fan of it myself, but as long as the bubbles didn't cost me a penny, keep the glasses flowing.

I hadn't expect Calem to approach me. Nor had I expected him to order two shots of whisky.
He looked at me, and I held his stare. A game of who was going to speak first.

He lost.

"Oak."

"Xavier."

"I told Serena to invite you."

I eyed him sceptically. "Why?"

"Because the past is the past Gary." He handed me the extra glass.
"Truce?"

I took it, "I wasn't aware we needed a truce."

He chuckled at that, "Just promise me something?"

"What would that be?"

"Just don't fuck my sister again, and the truce will last a lifetime."

I smirked, but toasted his glass regardless. "You know I don't make promises I can't keep Xavier."

He outright laughed, and there was a warming familiarity about the situation. I'd hated the guy nearly my whole life, and never given him the benefit of the doubt on anything. He was the epitome of everything I hated. But there's something rather unsettling when the person you hated turns out to be something you never expected. When they outgrow you. When they can overlook any petty rivalry that was once there.
It was me who became trash. I turned into the person I wouldn't piss on if they were on fire.

I outstretched my hand on a smile and he gladfully took it. "Truce."

The party progressed into the evening and the outdoor shindig blossomed into full effect. The sky was clear and littered with stars. Beautiful really. I approached the top table.

"May I have this dance Mrs Xavier?"

Calem smiled warmly from the seat next to her, encouraging her to do so. Serena made her way to the dance floor arm linked through my own, and I causally rested my hands on her waist.

We rocked slowly with the music, and she looked up at me through dark lashes. "How've you been Gary? Really?"

I smiled sadly, "You know I'm always okay Se."

"You don't have to lie to me."

My heart lurched in my chest, and I reluctantly confessed. "I've been better."

"I can help you Gary."

I shook my head, keeping my eyes firmly on hers as I absently rubbed the sides of her waist with my thumbs. "It's not that simple Princess."

"Then make it simple."

"I'm my own problem... I need to be my own solution."

She rested her head against my chest, and I could feel her steady breathing and the hum of her voice. "It's okay to ask for help."

I leant down and lightly kissed the top of her hair, a distinct strawberry smell drowning my sesnses. "God, I've missed you."

"Please don't disappear again."

"I don't make promises I can't keep Se... You know that."

She hugged me then. Tight. "Then promise me you'll say goodbye this time."

"I promise."

I had another drink with Calem after the dance. It was refreshing. He seemed to have landed lucky on the job front due to his families connections, and incidentally hadn't touched drugs at all since highschool. I envied him in a way. Perfect job. Perfect life. Perfect wedding. Perfect bride.

I'd veered off when he had groom duties to uphold, doing the usual "thanks for comings" to his other guests. The party had almost completely reached its climax, with few people still congregating around the sparse tables.

I wasn't quite ready to head off and chose the table with the highest quanity of remaining champagne to drown my sorrows. I was happy there, alone, and minding my own business when someone had the audacity to join me. And worse, actually attempt a conversation.

"You're supposed to smile at weddings."

I rotated in my chair to find out whom the source of the voice was.

Blonde.
Slim.
Beautiful.

I can work with that.

"And you're supposed to cry at funerals... What's your point?"

She smiled at me and I automatically smirked back. I watched as she reached for the bottle of champagne I'd started drinking, seeing no use for a glass at this point, and proceeded to take a heroic swig.

Her face twisted in disgust, "God, I hate this stuff."

I pried it back from her hands, "Don't touch what isn't yours then."

"It's communal... Plus, it's polite to share."

"Who said I was polite?"

She shrugged, "Call it an observation."

"An incorrect one at that."

"So, you're an arsehole then?... Perfect, just my type."

She didn't even attempt to hide the fact that she was eyeing me up and I couldn't help but chuckle, "Is that so sweetheart?"

She shuffled her chair closer to mine. "I'm Bonnie by the way."
She took this as an opportunity to snatch back the champagne bottle. "And weddings make me depressed too."

I didn't even try to get it back. "Why?"

"Because I make stupid decisions... Which in turn means I'm probably never going to have one of my own."

"Well Bonnie, pleased to make your acquaintance."

I outstretched my hand in greeting, which she took. Her eyes lingering at the smirk on my face.
"Do I get to know who you are?"

"Your next stupid decision."