An Anthology

1. All the time in the world.

  I don't know how long I have been sitting on the damned metal chair in the waiting area. My mind was wandering into oblivion, maybe it was time to take a break from my haunting thoughts. But I knew, there was no escape whatsoever.

" You should say it before it's too late, Ax." Nick sat down next to me with a steaming cup of coffee. Dark circles surrounded his eyes, probably I had them too. The past week had been hard, for both of us. Slowly, the exhaustion started to get to us. I leaned my head back to the cold tiled wall letting my past catch up with my present.

A year prior.....

I adjusted the satin black tie around my neck before fastening my platinum cufflinks.  Looking into the mirror a well-groomed man stared back at me. His raven black hair was slicked back. His tailored suit emphasized his well-toned body and broad shoulders. But his eyes were lifeless and cold, a frown was edged on his face permanently.

" If looks could break, that mirror would be in shards right now," Nick smirked. He looked pretty dapper in his crisp navy blue suit. " Shut up, Nick," I grumbled. I didn't want him to piss me off even more. " Oh come on, don't be a killjoy, Ax," his voice was taunting.

Is he really making my misery right now?

" If I were you, I would clamp my mouth shut before my neck gets snapped," I bit out harshly.

"Okay, okay, I was just trying to lift your mood." His hands were raised in surrender. " You  good to go?"  I nodded and we got into my matte black Aventador. Within the next 20 minutes, we were sitting at the church awaiting the bride, our childhood best friend. We have known Leah for like, forever. We lived in the same neighbourhood, went to the same school, even the same University. We were often called the Harry Potter Trio in high school; Nick, the goofy one, Leah, the intelligent one, and lastly myself, the adventurous one.

" Even now it's not too late to tell her, Ax. You can just call her, or just, I don't know. Maybe stop her when she walks down the aisle?" Nick started whisper rambling his thoughts. But he got the message as I shot him my hardest glare. I averted my gaze back to the altar and her soon to be husband, Matt was waiting for her arrival. He looked so happy. " That lucky bastard," I grumbled under my breath. He doesn't deserve Leah, like at all, but he looked so much in love with her. The same emotion I saw in Leah's eyes every time Matt was near or at the mere mention of his name. Those times felt like hell to me, something twisting inside me upon witnessing the bond they shared.

My attempt to burn him into ashes through my glare was interrupted when the music started playing, announcing the arrival of the bride. Everyone stood up and I realised, it was already too late. Nick sent a sad smile my way as if he just read my thoughts. I think my breathing stopped when I saw Leah in that white dress. Her hair was done in a messy updo, with a few loose tendrils to frame her face. With a beautifully flushed face, she stared ahead at Matt. A loving smile painted across her lips as she paced gracefully towards him. I felt my heart breaking ever-so-slightly at that sight. Leah's father handed her hands to Matt to hold and the ceremony started. It was too much for me, everything, the happy smiles, the romantic music, the giddy whispers from the crowd.

I wanted to walk out of the church when Matt started his vows but the best friend in me didn't want to rudely interrupt the amazing ceremony. I held my emotions inside and waited for Leah to finish her vows so then I could sprint out of this torture chamber but Leah's silence held me in place. I focused on her and she looked troubled. Her hands were trembling as her lips quivered. It was not the Leah I have known for all these years.

Everyone could feel the change in the atmosphere and something snapped in me when she excused herself to the restroom with glossy eyes, leaving Matt alone at the altar. Whispers rose from the guests as followed her with Nick hot on my trail. Probably he had seen the look on Leah's face too. We knocked on the restroom door and locked it behind us after we entered. Leah was leaning with her hands against the sink. Tears streamed down her face as she stared back at her reflection.