Why am I here. Why did I come. Self-admonishments play in Leon’s mind on repeat as he braces himself against a surprisingly sturdy table. He hadn’t been… invited to the wedding, per se. But the crowd at your wedding is full of familiar faces, mutual friends you held onto well after the two of you had split. Of course he heard about it. And maybe he crashed, so what? At least he wore a suit.

All he can focus on is you, taking your place before the officiant, face lit up with an almost nervous smile. His head spins with drink, he feels as if his whole future is slipping away, a tide of panic rises up—before he can stop himself, he stumbles forward into the aisle, raising an objection.