Britney’s back was pressed against the cold walls of the closet as Justin’s fingers brushed the softness of her cheeks. She opened her mouth to speak, but found that she was incapable of doing so.

 

“I see you gave Kelly the locket to wear.”

 

“You know the phrase, something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.”

 

“Yeah.” He replied in a nonchalant tone.

 

“I gave it to her for luck.”

 

“Like I gave it to you.” Justin stated.

 

“Exactly.”

 

“You were supposed to wear it on our wedding day.”  Justin says reaching out to Britney. Tears stroll down her face as Justin embraces her.  Her head rests on his shoulder as she continues to cry. “God Brit, what went wrong.”

 

“We spent so much time apart that our insecurities began to show and before we knew it the trust was gone.”

 

“Why didn’t we fight for us?”

 

“We were so young, we both needed time to try different things, to not be dependent on each other.”

 

“It’s not like us thought.”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“We just gave up.”

 

“I wouldn’t say we gave up.”

 

“That’s what I would call it.”

 

"Dammit Justin, whether you believe it or not nobody finds their soul mate at12."

 

"I don’t know about you Britney but I found my when I was  12. Do you want me to tell you we honestly tried? Do you think we tried?""

 

“You know what maybe we did throw it all away.” Britney replied exiting the closet. 

Most of the guests had already left the church for the reception so she went unnoticed. Before she could make it out of view she heard Justin’s voice.

 

“So you’re just going to walk away again.”

 

“Excuse me?” Britney said angrily.

 

“You’re just going to give up any chance that we may have.”

 

“Seeing as how the wedding party is expected to be at the reception, I’m on my way there.”

 

“We’re not finished.”

 

“Yes we are.”

 

“You know you put up this big front around everybody. You try to convince everyone that you’re so happy and that you’ve forgotten all that’s happened in the past. When in reality you’re everything but happy and you’ve yet to forget anything that happened in the past.”

 

Britney only lowers her head as she faces the opposite direction.

 

“You can’t convince someone else you’re happy, if you can’t even convince yourself.” Justin said putting his hands on Britney’s shoulders.

 

Then for the first time Britney broke down in front of Justin. She allowed him to see the tears she had withheld for so long. The walls that she had build up that had suppressed her weakness for him came crashing down as she realized that he was right. She had tried for so long to pretend to be happy. She thought that if she pretended long enough that it would become a reality. That she would just automatically become happy after trying convince herself for so long.

 

“God I’m so sorry.” Britney said as tears spilled down her face. She fell to her knees. “I’m sorry for everything, J. I never meant to hurt you or anyone else.” She said as her cries became louder.

 

Justin kneels down to her level and lifts her chin, where he can see her eyes.

 

“Let’s get up.” Justin whispers helping her up.

 

“I’m sorry.” She says he cries seeming to get louder every time she speaks.

 

“Shhh.” Justin says wrapping his arms around her.

 

“I didn’t mean to hurt you, I didn’t, you have to believe me.” She says as her cries soften. Her head snuggles into Justin’s shirt as his grip tightens around her waist.  

“Hey.” Justin says pulling back. “What’s in the past is in the past.” He adds never breaking eye contact with her. “There’s no sense in getting upset over something that we can’t change.” Justin says wiping the fallen tears from Britney’s cheeks.

Britney doesn’t respond, she just pressed her forehead to his.

 

“We can’t walk away now.”

 

“What if something happens.”

 

“We can’t live wondering what if. We just have to live for today and what it will bring us.”

 

“J, I can’t take losing you again.”

 

“Neither can I.”

 

“What if things don’t work out?”

 

“Then we didn’t try hard enough.”

 

“I, I–.”

 

“Britney you can’t look at me and tell me that us seeing each other again didn’t reignite the feelings that we’ve tried to keep hidden for at the past two years.”

 

“Justin I’m just a little apprehensive about the situation.”

 

“Britney nobody knows what will happen in a week, a month, a year, that’s anybody’s game because neither of us know. But I do know I love you and always have. Nothing will ever change those feelings that I have for you. Not now, not ever.”

 

“I love you too.”

 

“Then don’t walk away.” Justin says staring into her eyes. “Stay with me.”

 

Minutes pass before Britney responds.

 

“Ok.” Britney replies slipping her hand into Justin’s.

 

“You know we better get going, everybody’s going to wonder where we went.” Britney said as a laugh escaped her lips. Her face was swollen and tear stained but she still was ignited with beauty.

 

“Yeah we better get going.” Justin says as the both walk outside the church. 

Justin takes her hand, helping her down the steps of the church.

 

“Give me your keys, I’ll drive, you’re in no condition to.” Justin says as Britney pulls the car keys from her purse.

 

Britney kept her eyes fixated on the scenery outside the window as Justin drove the half hour to the reception. No words were spoken as their fingers interlocked. Finally Justin breaks the silence.

 

“You know the media is probably outside swarming the area.”

 

“Yeah.”

 

“I’ll drop you off and then wait a while so you’re no hounded by them.”

 

“They’re there no matter what I do, we’ll go in together, simply because we have nothing to hide. We’re getting to know each other again, there’s no harm in that, and nothing to be ashamed of.”

 

“I’m not ashamed.”

 

“And neither am I.”

 

“Then we’ll go in together.” Justin says reassuringly.

 

Britney was right, the media was everywhere waiting for a glimpse of the two members of the wedding party that were yet to arrive. Although the media was intense security was able to get us in virtually unseen.

 

“It’s about time you got here J.” Joey said walking over towards Justin. “Do you have any idea where Brit is, we’ve been looking for her for about an hour.” Joey says just as Britney steps out from behind Justin.

 

“I’m right here.” Britney says as the smile on Joey’s face widens.

 

“All right then let’s get this party started.” Joey replies taking Britney’s hand as Justin follows behind them.

 

“Look who I found.” Joey said as they all walked in the dining area.

 

Britney and Justin took their seats at the main table where the rest of the wedding party was already seated.

 

Before the eating started the speeches were given. First Steve, then Kelly’s best friend Rachel. The last person anyone expected to give a speech was the last to stand up. 

“Can I have your attention, I promise I won’t take that long.” Justin said slightly laughing catching everyone’s attention, including Britney’s. “I can’t say I’ve seen Joey happier than he is today. The love he and Kelly share is completely genuine.  Love is never worth giving up, problems may come and go ,but love withstands all. Not everyone gets a second chance, so make sure all your feelings are known. I can only imagine the future that awaits both Joey and Kelly and wish them the best of luck.”

 

Justin’s words cause a smile to form on Britney’s lips.

 

“What happened with you two?” Kelly asks startling Britney.

 

“What?”

 

“You stayed at the church after we left.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“And?”

 

“And what?” Britney says smiling as Kelly becomes persistent.  

 

“What happened?”

 

“We talked.”

 

“Obviously.”

 

“We’re getting to know one another again.”

 

“I can’t honestly say I’m surprised.”

 

“Why?”

 

“All of us knew the eventually the two of you would find your way back.”

 

“Kelly, we’re just–.”

 

“Listen to me. He loves you and you love him.”

 

“I know that.”

 

“Good, keep that in mind tonight.” 

“Excuse me.” Joey says interrupting the conversation. ”Could I possibly have my wife for a few minutes?”

 

“Sure.” Britney replies with a smile.

 

“Everybody we’re getting ready to cut the cake.” Joey says as him and Kelly stand in front of everyone.

 

After they’re faces are both covered in icing the cake is cut for the guests. Britney sits alone at a table as everybody mingles with other guests.

 

“This isn’t a very good way to make friends you know.” Justin says taking a seat beside of her

 

“Hey.”

 

“Are you enjoying yourself?”

 

“Yeah, it’s been a really long day though.”

 

“I think it has for all of us.” Justin says laughing as the DJ begins to play the music.

 

“I think I’m going to go out on the balcony for a while, care to join me?” Britney asks turning to Justin.

 

“Sure why not?” Justin says standing up.

 

“Where are you going?” Joey asks as he sees Justin trailing behind Britney. Justin stops to answer Joey as Britney continues to walk out.

 

“We’re going out for some fresh air, plus there are still people eating so we gave up our seats.”

 

“I’m really glad you were here today J.”

 

“I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”

 

“And J.”

 

“Yeah.”

 

“I’m glad you’re getting your second chance.” Joey says and Justin makes his way out to the balcony.

 

Britney is sitting upright and Justin takes a seat behind her in the extended chair.

 

“Hey.” She says as she leans back against his chest. Her fingers are wrapped around the chain around her neck.