Charthur: Part II

Chardonnay’s comment about not being a man had Darren and Kyle exchange glances. They tried to explain they said man as a general term, not that they were calling her a man, but it fell pretty lamely. Erin emerged from the event, no Peter beside her, no anyone beside her. She gathered her skirts in her hands to not stain it too badly, and came to a stop in front of Chardonnay. She didn’t expect for Chardonnay to apologize; and she looked first at Chardonnay, and then at Arthur. And then back at Chardonnay.

”He shouldn’t have touched you.” Erin sighed, sounding more defeated than anything. She glanced down at her feet, biting her lower lip. It did hurt, that Peter’s eyes were wandering around the room when she looked the most beautiful she’d ever felt. It hurt that he was more intrigued by another woman, her friend’s girlfriend, a girl her friend had at one point chosen after her. She didn’t resent Chardonnay for it, or pin after Arthur anymore, but it was just a thought that made this day all the worse. She folded her arms across her chest, allowing for the skirt to fold down again. ”You don’t have to apologize for anything. He should be apologizing. I was so excited to meet you, and my stupid husband ruined it!” Erin pouted and didn’t even want to call him her husband anymore. She quickly wiped at her eyes as they filled with tears again.

”Your taste in guys is awful, and just now you’re realizing that Peter’s just like them?” Darren asked. Erin gave him a dark glare. Erin sniffled and flopped herself down on the bench, on Chardonnay’s other side that Arthur wasn’t on. She threw her hands in the air in exasperation. ”God! Men fucking suck!” she exclaimed, maybe a bit too loudly.

The boys all exchanged looked when Erin spoke and flopped herself down besides Chardonnay. They all then focused on Chardonnay, Arthur in particular. He looked at her confused look as she looked for help, unintentionally sliding a little bit closer to his body to avoid Erin and her puffy dress. He glanced towards Erin afterwards.

Erin glared at Darren when he said she had crap taste in men, ”Oh shut up, Darren. It’s not my fault I can’t find a halfway decent guy.” Erin groaned and rested her head on the back of the bench. Lazily she looked at Arthur and frowned. Arthur stared back. For a second, it seemed as though she might make some comment about him being the only exception. Instead, she scrunched up her face and snorted. ”Arthur’s the worst of them, though. I feel bad for you, Chardonnay.”

”Excuse me?” Arthur narrowed his eyes, while Darren and Kyle started to laugh. Even Erin smirked a little bit.

”I didn’t think he’d go and try anything on you, Chardonnay,” Erin said, turning towards her. ”I totally bitched him out in front of his mom, so hopefully he learns his lesson. This time.”

Arthur was not amused by Erin’s joke, but so was everyone else. Even Chardonnay. He glanced at her face when she smirked at him, just giving her a level-headed stare. She played along, too, calling him a pain in the ass. That comment sent Erin and the boys into laughter and made Arthur flush slightly. God damn it, how could she say something like that?

But, at the same time, it was almost refreshing to see her cracking joke with his friends – even if they were at his expense. Her side look just made Arthur snort. ”Fuck you, Princess.” he said, but he didn’t have any venom behind it. His arm was still around the back of the bench, his fingers now gently brushing against her shoulder.

Erin wiped away some tears from her face and glanced away from Chardonnay, out towards the leaves. It was odd to not be in the reception room, but she found she enjoyed it. ”I know. I didn’t think he’d be this much of a faker at our wedding, you know? Like I get his sense of humor but this is way too far.” She sighed. ”I don’t know. We’ll have to talk about it later, I guess. But I did see you handle it,” she looked at Chardonnay with a grin. ”That was a mean punch! I hope you hit Arthur with it when he pisses you off.”

”Hey.” Arthur glared over at Erin. She stuck her tongue out at him.

Erin hummed lightly when Chardonnay said it was something like that. ”Oh, so you don’t usually punch Arthur? Shame. He deserves it half the time.”

”Can you not tell her to hit me?” Arthur said, glancing over at Chardonnay. He gave her a blank look when she said she had no time to deal with anyone’s shit. ”Right. Because you don’t really deal with other people.” Or friends. He almost said that, but thought it might be too mean in this context – not when they had just finished stressing out over Peter and his advances. He leaned back in his seat, though, wondering if he was even important to Chardonnay in the slightest. They were here now, dating supposedly, but he didn’t feel important to her.

”That’s an attitude I wish I had. I’m too nice!” Erin said, sighing. ”Every time someone is nice to me or flirts with me I just think they’re this great person when most of the time they’re pretty crap. I’m so gullible.”

”Yeah. Like believing Peter’s actually going to stop looking at other girls when you finally tie the knot,” Darren said, shaking his head. ”Erin, I love you but sometimes you’re so slow it drives me insane.”

Ern shrugged. She turned to Chardonnay. ”Seriously. Sometimes I wish I was more like that. It’d make my life way easier!”

”I don’t think so.” Arthur spoke up, of course looking more at Chardonnay. Erin, who had been agreeing with Chardonnay, rose her brows at Arthur. ”Sometimes it’s good to take their shit and then give it right back to them. That’s what you do with me. It’s not like you don’t take my shit.”

He glanced at Chardonnay, noticing her fiddling with her dress. He wondered what she was thinking about. He wondered if she was actually lonely, or if she actually did enjoy being alone. Arthur couldn’t imagine enjoying complete solitude. Sure, he liked to be alone at times, but completely? He’d lose his mind without his family and friends.

Erin sighed. ”Yeah, but Peter’s not really the type to banter or anything. I really shouldn’t put up with him...” This was a thought she should be having before the wedding. ”Well – I think I’ll just not put up with his shit. I’ll give him an ultimatum. And if he’s too interested in flirting than being my husband – well,” she exhaled, ”I’ll deal with that later.”

She slowly stood up. ”I should probably head back in – sorry, again, Chardonnay. And I am thankful you came. Sorry about Peter though, but it really was nice to see you. Arthur’s finally got a girlfriend, and I like her!” She gave her a thumbs up. Arthur’s face flushed and he looked away.

Arthur rolled his eyes at Chardonnay’s comment, but didn’t argue with it. Erin got up and left, leaving Darren and Kyle with the two of them. Arthur watched Erin as she went, hoping that Peter wizened up and realized what he had. Erin really was too good for any of these stupid boys she dated and he really wished he could introduce her to a good guy, a better guy. But he didn’t know any decent guys, none who were single and none who Erin expressed any interest in.

Arthur glanced at Chardonnay, but it was Kyle who answered. He snorted. ”Nah. Usually the main couple is cheesily in love with each other and all over each other and it’s annoying for everyone involved. But there’s free wine, so it all works out.”

Arthur shrugged. ”Yeah, it’s usually less... violent than this. Usually they’re rather nice.”

”He says that because he’s a hopeless romantic. Trust me, they’re boring.” Kyle emphasized, gaining a glare from Arthur that he ignored. ”Have you never been to a wedding before, Chardonnay?”

Kyle shrugged. ”Oh, man. Sounds like a dull affair. I never really liked weddings. After going to like 5 of my mom’s they kind of lost all appeal.” He shrugged. ”But y’know, I’m here for Erin, and to hang out with you guys.”

Arthur didn’t catch Chardonnay’s glance and stayed where he was, eyeing the door Erin had left through. He gave Kyle a small look at his comment, but didn’t refute it. It was true; just like Erin he’d fantasized about getting married and starting a family since he was a child. Yet, here he was, with a daughter on the way and a girlfriend who he didn’t see himself ever marrying. He glanced at the ground but didn’t say anything.

”I’ve been there. I was old enough to remember my aunt’s wedding, though. And I do want to get married, someday, maybe not for a little bit and certainly to no Peter.” Darren said. Kyle shot him a look that went unnoticed. ”They are expensive and a bit out of the way, but it’s a fun day, usually. I’m looking forward to mine.”

Kyle stretched. ”Well, I think – if they’re still together anyway – they’re gonna cut the cake soon,” he said. He bounced backward a few feet. ”I’ll go check on that.” And, quickly, it just became Arthur, Chardonnay, and Darren outside.