How to Date a Nerd

Chapter 3 - I Think I Want To Marry Your Daughter

“Seriously,” I whispered. “You’re the prettiest girl here.”

“Yeah right. Define pretty,” she muttered rolling her eyes.

And the crowned Queen of Sarcasm for this year is none other than… Sarah Littman! Really, sarcasm didn’t really fit her. She was too… what’s the word? Gentle. That is, when she wasn’t hurling hardbound books at your face.

“What if I trip or something?” she mumbled nervously.

“Don’t worry, I’ll catch you.” I sniggered, seeing Freddy and Arthur near the altar signalling me to come over. “I guess the other best man is needed by the groom now. So now I must go fulfil my duties,” I said watching her hold back a smile before I let go of her hand and headed to the right side of the altar where the groom and my dad—the best man—waited.

“Lose the hat, kid. It’s my wedding.” Freddy grinned, shifting on his feet. He tugged on the sleeves of his black tuxedo and turned to Arthur, who was wearing the same thing minus the bowtie. “Do I look okay?” he asked uneasily.

Seriously. Like father, like daughter. I shook my head smiling as I pulled the beanie off my head, keeping the glasses on and tried my best to tame my rebellious dark hair.

Dad just threw me a meaningful look and let out a snigger. “For the twenty-seventh time, Freddy. You’re fine so put a sock in it.”

Jeremiah cooed from his stroller just beside me. He was the other other best man. He was even wearing a tiny tux. I guess because he was too small to be the ring bearer. Plus, he might try to eat the rings. The kid was a biter. Anything within six inches, he’d snatch and put in his mouth. Putting that aside, little Jer would be a heart breaker if—I mean when he grows up. He was the mini-me version of Freddy with eyes just like Sarah’s.

Cute? Right… That is, if he wasn’t chomping your fingers off.

The guests rose from their seats. The pianist started playing Mendelssohn’s wedding march, the melody echoing all around the walls of St. John’s Parish. Two flower girls in turquoise dresses marched along the carpeted walkway, stomping on the white petals they were scattering around so it looked like they were playing hopscotch. Next was the bride’s maid—a lady friend of Emma.

My jaw slowly unhinged itself when it was Sarah’s turn to walk in the aisle. It was like an epiphany—like she was walking in slow motion, a slight hue of pink making its way to her cheeks when she gathered the skirt of her sea-blue gown while her other hand held a bouquet of blue flowers. She was even wearing the sapphire pendant I gave her as a present for her birthday. Her gray eyes gazed at me through her long lashes. Or maybe it was just my imagination.

It got me wondering how it’d be to spend the rest of my life with a girl like her. A grin broke on my face. I glanced at Freddy.

I think I want to…

“Wipe the drool, Leon,” Freddy sniggered beside me.

My hand flew to my mouth. Reflex. I pocketed them. Just in case.

“I know what you’re thinking, but no. I won’t give you my blessing… yet,” he pitched a you-know-what-I-mean look at me.

Sadly, I didn’t.

Every pair of eyes darted admiringly at her. She got no clue how beautiful she was. And the best part? She’s mine. All mine! I felt a strange urge to laugh like mad. Maybe too much Nathan had rubbed off on me. Speaking of the devil, where was he?

When finally, Sarah reached her seat at the side of the altar, Emma did her walk through the aisle in her elaborate wedding gown, smiling like there’d be no worries in the world that could ruin her day.

Yeah. Right.

Like she didn’t mind losing her job and possibly her license. No thanks to Camilla Downing. The guilt plagued me out of my wits. Somehow, I couldn’t help but think that I brought the unlucky streak into Sarah’s normal life. Nonetheless, I made a promise to stay by her side as long as she wanted me to and I intend to keep that.

I nudged Freddy on the side. His grin must’ve been ten feet wide as he let out deep breaths every three seconds.

“Want me to get you a stretcher?” I chided snorting.

“Yes, please,” he mumbled with a weak grin. I thought he was going to be sick.

“Repeat after me,” said the minister.

Freddy and Emma joined hands and started declaring their wedding vows when it was time for the rings.

I chanced a glance at Sarah. Her eyes were misty as she watched her parents with a warm smile on her lips. I wanted her to look at me. It was like she heard my thoughts and met my eyes with a smile. For a second, my heart did a flip. All of a sudden, nothing existed but me and her. I imagined her lips move as though she was the one reciting the vows.

I take you, as my other-half for all eternity in the eyes of God, of the law and of society from this day forward. I will cherish our friendship and love you today, tomorrow, and forever. I will trust you and honor you. I will laugh with you and cry with you. And give myself to you wholly; my mind, soul and heart. To have and to hold from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish. Until death do us part.

I was brought back to reality by the loud applause and the rustling sound of people getting up from their seats. Shaking the daze off my head, I tried to concentrate. What was I thinking?

“I now pronounce you man and wife,” announced the minister. “You may now kiss the bride,” he told Freddy.

Freddy did so without so much as a warning, catching Emma by surprise. With the start, she almost fell off the steps of the altar before Freddy caught her around the waist and tugged her in.

The applause got louder. Dad whistled. Even little Jer trilled something that sounded like “Moo!” Maybe he was summoning super cows from outer space, who knew?

On the other side of the altar, Sarah was laughing, tears falling from her eyes. I looked at her and realized right then and there what I wanted. It was decided. I’d marry her someday.

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Uh.. Hello? Oh, yes you there. Busy? well yeah may be later haha... But if you could still read this I'd be thankful forever. Vote and comment and fan and tell me if I have any mistakes or something that makes you confused. My mind is all over the place so... Lol... See you in three days :)

Nothing in mind

~shim