The Near Future:

   I stood on the alter for the third time in my life. But, instead of getting married, or watching my best friends getting married, I was here watching my younger sister getting married.

   It was a proud moment for my parents and I. But, sadly, I couldn't see straight. After what happened, weddings didn't really hold that much appeal to me anymore. I started drinking as soon as I got here and haven't stopped.

   I twisted the cap back onto my flask before hiding it in my dress.

   "You alright?"

   I turned. "Yeah... I didn't know you had a twin sister, Wendy."

   She placed her hand on her forehead. "Gimme the flask."

   I shook my head before turning back to the front, the sound of the organ signaling the start of the ceremony.

   I looked down the isle and saw a cute little girl running down it, throwing flowers as she did.

   The little girl walked up and took her place next to Wendy.

   "Oh, you did so good, Patty." Wendy said, ruffling the girls hair.

   I rolled my eyes slightly before looking back down the isle, only this time, my sister walked out. She wore a long, flowing white dress and a huge grin.

   'Give it a couple years, you won't be smiling then.' I thought bitterly as she walked onto the alter.

   We all turned again to see Kris coming down the isle, wearing an equally beautiful white dress. She took her spot in front of Beth and they smiled at each other.

   Then, the officiant walked up and started...

   The rest of the wedding was a blur, the last thing I remember was the kiss then the following applause.

   I didn't even remember getting home last night, but I woke up in my bed with a splitting headache the next morning anyway.

   I rubbed my forehead as I struggled to keep my eyes open.

Then, someone straddled me.

   "Good morning, beautiful." She said.

   I gave her a small smile. "Good morning."

   She leaned down and planted a quick kiss on my lips before jumping out of bed and helping me up.

   I followed her into the kitchen and took a seat at the table.

   "Want some coffee?"

   I just nodded before resting my head on the table.

   Then, my phone rang. I groaned before answering it. "Hello?"

   "Hey, it's Wendy. How're you feeling?"

   "Like someone hit me in the head with a hammer."

   She laughed a little. "Put Candy on."

   I sighed before sticking my phone in her direction.

   Candy walked over and set a coffee mug in front of me before taking my phone.

   "Hey, Wendy, what's up?"

   I sipped my coffee before looking in her direction.

   She glanced at me. "Well, her veins are filled with more alcohol than blood at the moment, but she'll be fine."

   Then, she laughed. "Yeah, we'll be there in a little bit... alright... bye." She hung up my phone before handing it back and taking the seat across from me.

   "What's the plan?" I asked.

   "We're meeting Wendy and Jen at Twist."

   I nodded before downing the rest of my coffee.

   "You know what they say, 'the best cure for a hangover is more alcohol'." I said as I stood up.

   "I don't think anyone says that." She replied with a chuckle.

   I gave her a quick kiss before heading off to our room to get changed.

   We walked out of the trailer before hopping into Candy's car. I rolled down the window and lit a cigarette as we took off towards Twist...

   I put my cigarette out before walking through the front doors of Twist. Wendy and Jen greeted us first.

   "Hey, guys." Jen said.

   "We saved you some seats." Wendy added.

   Candy smiled and thanked them while I took the empty seat next to Jen.

   "What'll it be?" Blake asked from behind the bar.

   "One Corona and a shot of Jack." I replied.

   She looked a little disappointed but gave me my drinks anyway.

   I downed the shot before starting in on my beer.

"So, we still on for tomorrow?" Candy asked.

Wendy nodded. "Yep, Patty's at my parents house and I already called everyone else to check in."

Candy smiled. "Awesome, this is gonna be so fun. Right, babe?" She asked, glancing at me.

I gave her a thumbs up before chugging the rest of my beer.

"I'll be outside if anyone needs me." I said before putting a cigarette in my mouth and walking out the front doors.

I leaned against the wall and lit my cigarette.

We were heading to the beach house tomorrow to celebrate Beth and Stephanie's high school reunion. We would spend the weekend there then come back Monday for the reunion.

If we're being honest, I wasn't sure how I felt about it. There were lots of memories in that house and at this point in my life, they weren't good ones.

Then, I heard a voice cut through my thoughts. "Hey, stranger, I didn't see much of you at the wedding." Dana said as she approached me.

"Well, to be honest, I don't remember much of the wedding."

She laughed a little as she lit her own cigarette and leaned next to me. "How're you holding up?"

I sighed. "Just peachy."

She patted my shoulder. "I know it was rough on you, but you're with Candy now and she's a really sweet girl. You should consider yourself lucky."

I flicked my cigarette butt into the parking lot before turning to her.

"Thanks for the advice." I said before walking back inside.

After a few hours of drinking, Candy and I headed home to pack and get some rest for tomorrow.

We walked through the door of our trailer and headed straight for our room.

I threw some clothes in my bag, not really caring what they were.

Then, Candy stood in front of me, holding up two bikinis. "Which one should I bring?"

I shrugged, still looking down at my own clothes. "I like the black one, but it's up to you."

She sighed as she set the bikinis down and knelt down next to me. "I know it's weird for you to be back at the beach house after, you know what, but that was the past. Do you remember what I told you when we first started dating?"

I nodded.

"C'mon, I wanna hear it."

I sighed. "The past is the past, but I'm your future."

She smiled before pulling me into a deep kiss.

When we pulled apart, she looked me in the eyes. "I love you, Skylar, you know that. And I know it still hurts, but you can't dwell on it for the rest of your life."

I lowered my head, struggling to keep the tears back. "She was my first love, Candy. I was with her for eight years. Eight fucking years of my life wasted and for what? A job."

She pulled me into a tight hug, speaking in barely a whisper. "I know and I'm sorry."

"My own fucking kids would rather parade around California than talk to me." I said, more tears welled up than I could hold anymore.

I pulled away and wiped my eyes. "I love you so much, Candy, but you deserve so much better."

She kissed me. "Don't say that, I knew what I was getting into when I agreed to go out with you and I'm not backing down."

I just looked at the floor.

She stood up and offered me a hand. "C'mon."

I took it and she helped me up before leading me to the bed.

We laid next to each other and she pulled me into her before planting a tender kiss on my forehead. "Get some rest, we have to be up early tomorrow."

I nodded into her chest. "I love you, goodnight."

"Love you to, night."

She seemed to pass out pretty quick, but I couldn't. I had to much on my mind. I didn't know how I would react being back there and honestly, that scared the shit out of me...