Locked Out of My Own Wedding - Chapter 7: Chapter 7

Olivia and I bolted for the rooftop, Alexander hot on our heels.
The skyscraper loomed over us - thirty-plus stories of sheer height that made my stomach drop just thinking about it.
There stood Noah, perched outside the safety railing. Thank God there was still a decent buffer between the railing and the edge, so he wasn't in immediate danger.
"Get down from there right now!" Olivia pleaded, her voice shaking. "Whatever it is, we can talk it through."
Noah acted like he didn't even hear her. His eyes locked onto me with laser focus. "I need to speak with Amelia Lu."
That got my attention. Most people just called me Amelia, but Noah had always used my full name ever since we were kids. The same kid who used to ask me for college advice when he got into my university had grown up so much.
Keeping my voice calm, I took a step forward. "I'm listening. Why don't you sit down first?"
Noah's ears turned beet red as he blurted out in a robotic tone: "I've been in love with you for eight years." It sounded like he'd memorized it from a script.
His eyes flicked to Alexander. "That's one year longer than he's even known you."
Alexander stood there looking completely lost, like he'd wandered into the wrong movie.
Noah continued, his voice gaining confidence: "I had everything planned for my confession when you told me you already liked someone else."
The memory hit me - it was right after Alexander and I started dating. Noah had just entered our university and kept coming to me for advice, which made Alexander crazy jealous. Eventually I'd distanced myself from Noah, claiming I was too busy with school.
The realization left a bitter taste in my mouth. Alexander knew all about boundaries - he just enjoyed pushing mine to see how far he could go.
Noah's voice carried on the wind, growing more passionate. "I thought he could make you happy! I watched you plan your wedding to him. Then he humiliates you like that at the altar, and you still want him back?" His voice cracked with anger.
Olivia turned away, clearly mortified by her brother's outburst. Even Noah seemed embarrassed, clearing his throat awkwardly.
"Anyway," he declared, "if you get back together with him, I'm jumping."
I coughed to hide my surprise. "I'm not getting back with him. Now come down."
"Promise?"
"Cross my heart."
Noah immediately scrambled to climb back, giving me a heart attack in the process. Olivia fake-coughed again, and Noah hesitated.
"Wait," he frowned. "How do I know you won't change your mind?"
Alexander opened his mouth to speak, but one look from me shut him up.
"I won't," I said firmly.
"Put it in writing then," Noah insisted, thinking hard. "Marry me."
"Deal," I said without hesitation.
"Amelia..." Alexander's voice broke. His eyes actually welled up - a rare sight. "You'd throw away seven years for him?"
He knew I had a soft spot for handsome men crying. Keyword: handsome men I actually liked. After seeing those wedding dress photos with Sophia, Alexander's face just made me tired.
I threw his own words back at him: "What choice do I have? Let him die? It's just a marriage certificate. Don't be so heartless."
Noah piped up helpfully: "You only had seven years. I've loved her for eight, and we've known each other since we were babies. That's way longer."
I couldn't help but laugh, my dark mood lifting instantly.
Alexander tried one last plea: "I know you're angry, but don't do something you'll regret."
With that, he slunk away like a kicked puppy. Olivia flipped him off behind his back and did a spot-on impression of his whiny voice.
This brother-sister duo had me in stitches.