I am once again super excited to participate in this Flash Fiction Chain hosted by Jithin of PhoTrablogger. The following parts are inspired by the above image.
Character List :
Anna Brighton-a 32 year old publisher
Alex Burns- a well established author and Anna’s childhood friend
Jenny- Anna’s personal secretary
Melissa Doyle – Anna’s neighbor and close friend
Recommendation:
Read the previous part before venturing this part.
Now onto Part 2
Melissa was three years younger than Anna and although they didn’t end up in the same school until Anna was senior, they were always the closest outside school. They often joked they were sisters from different parents. Whenever Anna or Melissa’s parents needed to go out, they would drop the girls at each other’s houses, letting them play while their parents went about their business. In fact, that was probably how Anna’s parents found out about the wedding. Melissa’s parents were probably ecstatic and told the whole neighborhood.
The afternoon after Anna’s dad’s phone call, she arrived on the Blackwell Estate. The estate belonged to Toby Blackwell’s parents, a boy used to live just down the street from Melissa and Anna. They moved after Mr. Blackwell scored big selling some stocks that had quadrupled from when he purchased it.
At arrival, Anna glanced at the castle-like property. “Whoa,” she couldn’t help to admire the magnificent house. It was way nicer than her apartment in the city, that was sure. As she pulled up to the front door, she was greeted by a valet. Snatching her Gucci purse on the passenger seat, Anna pulled the key out of the ignition and stepped out of her red Mercedes. “Please be careful with that.” She tossed the keys to the valet as she strutted up the steps.
“Anna!” Melissa hurried down the hall to greet Anna. She grabbed Anna’s arms and air-kissed her. “Mwah Mwah.”
Anna frowned a little as Melissa pulled back. That was odd, she thought. Since when did her friend become so… matured? She examined Melissa. One look at her outfit and Anna thought she looked more like a card-playing housewife than a young woman about to married her childhood sweetheart. Melissa chuckled. “What?”
“Nothing. It’s just – it’s been a long time since we last saw each other, that’s all. Wow, you’ve changed.”
Melissa arched her brow. “Have I?”
Anna took her friend’s hand and smiled. “In a good way.”
She sighed, suddenly seemed deflated. “I guess.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Everything’s a mess. My maid of honor bailed, my dress is still at the tailor, and the wedding’s tomorrow. What am I going to do?” She leaned her head against Anna’s shoulder like she had done when they were young. For a moment, Anna felt uncomfortable. Then awkwardly, she gently patted Melissa’s head.
“Everything’s going to be okay.” She assured her friend.
Melissa sniffed and looked up at her. “Really?” Anna nodded. Together, they walked down the hallway, through the sun room and into the garden where it was prepped for the wedding. They sat down at one of the tables. “So I was wondering, do you want to be my maid of honor? You know since she bailed and all?”
Anna blinked. She haven’t really thought about participating in such big role at the wedding. She stared at Melissa for a moment. There was so much excitement yet sadness in her eyes. She couldn’t say no. “Oh what the heck, I’m in.” Melissa shrieked and instantly threw her arms around her.
A few minutes later, a man set a tray of tea between them. At first, Anna thought he was the butler but Melissa informed her that they were prepping for tomorrow and Toby’s family had paid them extra to take care of her. The aroma from the tea was so pungent that Anna’s eyes widened in surprise after one whiff. She quickly set her cup down. “Oh, I almost forgot.” Melissa set her cup on the table. “I know you’re not the blind-dating type but I have found someone so perfect for you.”
“Melissa, I” Anna began but Melissa cut her off.
“He’s Toby’s cousin and he will be here tomorrow.” She shrieked. “His name is Alexis and I can’t wait for you to meet him. Maybe you’ll even fall head over heel and get married. Then we’ll have a double wedding!” She shrieked shrillingly.
“Great. Yeah, absolutely.” Anna said with as much enthusiasm as she could muster but on the inside, she was dreading it. Why does everyone want her to get married? What is it about marriage that all her friends are jumping into it? Five months ago was Zoey, three months ago, Clara, heck, even Jenny got hitched a month ago and she’s only 22. Maybe Anna just isn’t seeing the joy in marriage.
That night, she tossed and turned, having one nightmare after another, afraid she might mess up the wedding being the maid of honor and meeting her blind-date, Alexis. Early next morning, she stumbled to the in-suite bathroom and looked into a mirror. She yawned and stretched. She looked like a sleepless ghost. How was she supposed to do this maid of honor thing today?
A knock on the door made her jump. “Anna,” Melissa called on the other side of the door, “Alexis is here.”
“Okay, be right there.” She quickly threw on a top and jeans, ran the brush through her hair several times, and strutted out of her room, as composed as she could manage but when she saw the man posing nonchalantly next to Melissa, she froze in her track. Alex?
Part 3 : Written by Priceless Joy
Part 4 : Written by Frenesthetist
This is Another Story 
Oh, I like this very much! You have written your part seamlessly. The choice of words is apt and the storyline tight. Alex as Alexis! Wow! And, Melissa looked troubled and changed somehow. That could develop into a great sub-plot. The setting is good and can be explored further to add colour to the next few parts. I enjoyed reading you 🙂
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Thank you. I thought Alex could have been raised by a traditional family who called him by his full name instead of the name he went by among his friends.
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Hi Sona, could you give me the url to your part of the story? I tried to use the links on Jithin’s post but those are linked to The Tiny Soldier. Thank you!!
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https://sonaonline.wordpress.com/2015/02/01/the-wedding-bells-flash-fiction-chain-6/
You could read the story in your reader also. One, because you are following my blog 🙂 and also by using the tag ‘Team Flash Fiction’ in the reader which was your suggestion.
I guess you would be writing part 3. Waiting for your magic.
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Thank you so much Sona! Do you happen to have Yinglans too? She didn’t understand what it was I need.
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Ok, Yinglan’s link is https://hiddenstarsfiction.wordpress.com/2015/02/02/the-wedding-bells-part-2-flash-fiction-chain-6/
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Thanks Sona! She did give it to me after I asked you for it. I have Part 3 posted now. Thank you for being so helpful. 🙂
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I am glad to be of assistance. Just read your part. It is lovely. The cupid’s spirit builds up the anticipation!
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PJ, When a new part is up, I am updating the post as soon as I can. So you will find 2 sets of links in the post.
One set for ‘the order of the chain’. Include this link, in your post to inform the next one in the chain. (So that they will receive a ping-back) These links are from previous chains as I don’t want to clutter your ‘about’ pages with pingbacks any longer.
The second set of links you can find at the end of the post among the updates. This you can include in your post for the precious parts. ( this one can also be found from the latest part in the chain)
Any more questions?
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Oh, Jithin, I understand that you need time to update the links on your post. I wasn’t upset about it at all. Just thought if Sona and Yinglan could give me their links I could go ahead and publish my part so the next person could have more time (if needed) to work on theirs. I hope I didn’t offend you and if I did, I certainly apologize.
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No no, I wasn’t upset or I wasn’t offended 🙂 I was just explaining the links in the main post. I had already updated the links before you asked them the question. I explained it because it will be helpful in the future chains, if there are any.
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Oh good! Thank you so much!!
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🙂
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Yinglan, would you please give me the url to your part? I tried to get it off of Jithin’s post but those are linked to the Tiny Soldier. Thank you!
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I am not sure what you mean.
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It is the url that starts with: http:// or https:// and it gives your blogname, date, and name of the post. (This is the url I need).
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https://hiddenstarsfiction.wordpress.com/2015/02/02/the-wedding-bells-part-2-flash-fiction-chain-6/
Like Sona said, you can also find it under the tag “Team Flash Fiction” in the reader. Looking forward to reading your part 3. 🙂
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Thank you Yinglan, that’s what I needed.
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The ending was super perfect ..!!! Alex as Alexis ..!!! 🙂
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Thanks!
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Wow…Alexis…is Alex…now does this turn the tide…? We will see…
Beautiful narration , loved the clarity in the characters and their mannerisms…Very vivid…I did feel I was right there … 🙂
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Thanks. Sona wrote Part 1 super well, so it made it easier for me to picture it in my mind.
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Sorry for reading this so late!! This is a perfect continuation. And what a great ending to part 2!! And I liked the way you created that suspense factor. Awesome
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Thank you.
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😀 hahaa..I was fooled by the name..but thought Alex would surely be introduced somewhere.. 🙂 good one..what’s with the pungent tea..>?
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Hmm, I’m not sure. I think that’s something wealthy housewife-to-be do, at least that’s something I see on TV.
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And if it was that pungent I think she failed miserably in making it 😀
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😀
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I was reading your part yesterday and I was excited to write after you but there was a slight change in the order.Anyway, I loved the twist and the way you have given the characters life. You have written this impressively brilliant 🙂
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Thank you. I have enjoyed your part too. 🙂
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Thank you 🙂 Waiting for the next twist and turns the next authors have for us 😀
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Ha, Alexis is Alex. I love a good twist, me 😀 Thoroughly enjoyed reading this, and you’ve put your own stamp on it already 🙂
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Thank you.
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Well done, look likes our fated lovers just can’t escape each other. I’ll be interested to see how this develops.
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Thank you. I am too curious to see what lovely twists the others have to offer.
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This is so interesting ! i was right there enjoying the tea as well as the conversation of two friends. Alex twist has taken it to next level.
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