Oh, won't you hold my hand?
'Cause I don't wanna walk on my own anymore, won't you understand?
'Cause I don't wanna walk alone
I'm ready for this, there's no denying
I'm ready for this, you stop me falling
I'm ready for this, I need you all in
I'm ready for this, so darling, hold my hand
âDid you literally tell him to break a leg?â
Raphi laughed âOnly your old man would break his fucking leg days out from your weddingâ
Aurora hummed in response, grabbing the glass of champagne Raphi offered to her.
âYou know Dad, dramatic as fuck. Something always happensâ
âHas your mum chained him to a chair yet?â Raphi asked, sitting down to watch the makeup artist work on Aurora.
âSheâs all but wrapped him in bubble wrap, heâs now currently sulking because she wont let him walk me down the aisle with that little scooterâ Aurora shrugged.
âI feel like thatâs a him problem considering he didnât wait for helpâ
Raphi pivoted his chair, watching everything before him. The photographer was flitting around them, while the hair and mask up artist worked on Aurora. He watched for a little while before turning to the window.
Sydney had truly turned it on for today, the sun shone from a cloudless sky, the harbour bridge sitting above a glittering sapphire ocean. Boats and ferries traversing across the harbour, tourists and residents flooded Circular Quay, lapping up the midday sun. He looked out over the lawn of the MCA and watched as a dappled carpet of people lazed about, eating, drinking and socialising while the sun seeped into their bodies.
âWatching all the plebeians from your throne, huh?â
Raphi swilled the wine in his glass before taking a sip.
âIâm lording over my kingdom. Bow before me peasantsâ
They both giggled over his dramatics before the photographer called for help hanging the dress. Setting his champagne down he walked over and began unpacking the dress. Raphi hadnât seen it before today and it truly was a sight to behold, he stared at it in awe before helping to move it into position.
âSo, you didnât tell me it was fucking stunning!â Raphi called to Aurora.
âI did well, hey?â came her smug reply.
Raphi felt tears well in his eyes, she was finally getting married today, after everything Aurora was getting her happy ever after. He brushed away the tears as the photographer reached for his camera. Leaving the room, he went back to sit with Aurora, she looked ethereal as they completed the finishing touches, Aurora coughed as the last coat of hairspray was applied.
âThe amount of hairspray, I think Iâve done the drag queens proudâ
Raphi smiled weakly at her, watching as her became concerned.
Aurora didnât miss what he meant.
âIâm ok, ill be thinking of him today, but I canât change it. I promise Iâm okâ
Raphi nodded and reached for her hand.
Their silence interrupted a few moments later by her sister and mother arriving.
âIts almost time for the dressâ Seraphina squealed.
Raphi and Aurora rolled their eyes and giggled at her enthusiasm before they both got up to greet their intruders.
Aurora watched Raphi as they piled in the car to leave with her mother and sister in the car in front, he was never this quiet, his mind elsewhere, she nudged him.
âDo you remember those gold hot pants?â
Raphi groaned as he turned to look at her.
Aurora would never forget those pants
Saturday night, her and her group of friends stumbled into stonewall. It was the year 2000, Kylie Minogue had released âspinning aroundâ a few months earlier and every guy there wore hot pants, with varying degrees of tightness and arse cheek visibility in homage to their queen. Making her way to the bar, she looked around at the sea of bodies covered in glitter and not much else, before her her eyes caught sight of the tiniest hot pants known to man. Looking up the guy was covered in gold glitter, with matching gold makeup, he had finished off his look with a gold cuff on each bicep. Aurora loved him from the moment she saw him.
Walking over to him she smiled.
âBabe, I fucking love your hot pants!â She yelled over the music.
âThanks, I canât feel my balls!â He yelled back.
They spent the next few hours dancing and talking, eventually it was only her and her new friend Raphi, her friends lost to the early morning or another club, she didnât know, and it was at a maccas on Oxford streets t 4am they found themselves cutting Raphi out of his hot pants, his g-string barely surviving the ordeal.
âThose hot pants are stuff of legendâ Aurora giggled.
âThank god we cut me out of them, they were constricting blood flowâ
âHow did you get into them, by the way?â
âNo fucking idea, but I remember getting out of themâ Raphi smiled.
âBooze and late night maccas nuggets. Its how all good friendships startâ Aurora stated. âThank god it was summerâ she added as an after thought.
Raphi shrugged âIâve worn less in winter, think I wore just a jockstrap once. That was funâ
Aurora rolled her eyes at him.
âWhy does that not surprise meâŠwas it your hoeing phase?â
âOh, I was a big old slut. I just had lipo so I went all outâ
They fell back into a comfortable silence.
âAll my best and worst times have always involved you, I know we arenât all that sentimental but you really are my bff for lifeâ
âRide or dieâ Raphi whispered.
Aurora turned to face him fully now.
âI want you to walk me down the aisleâ
Raphi opened and closed his mouth like a goldfish before closing his mouth and staring at Aurora.
Raphi only nodded his head as he wiped at his eye.
âIs this emotional gangsta crying?â
âFuck offâ Raphi replied as Aurora fell into a fit of giggles while the car rolled to a stop.
âLetâs get you married so you wont be my problem anymoreâ
Aurora flipped him off as he car doors opened.
A few minutes later and they were getting ready to go, the excitement starting to set in, aurora bouncing on her heels trying to get a look at Henry.
âI canât see him, is he hot?â Aurora whispered.
âWould you fucking relax? Iâm sure he still sexy as fuck, not much wouldâve changedâ
âAm I wrong?â Aurora rolled her eyes and shook her head.
The music started and they watched Seraphina start her walk before she disappeared from their view.
Raphi grabbed Auroraâs hand and threaded it through his arm, they clung to each other, thousands of memories flashing through their lifetime together. They looked at each other, stupid grins plastered on their faces.
âIâm ready for thisâ Aurora nodded.
Raphi smiled at her as they stepped into view and Auroraâs eyes locked onto Henry as they started down the aisle.
âYouâre my bestie and ill love you foreverâ Raphi whispered.
Aurora stole a glance at him.
âI love you tooâ She said, giving his arm a squeeze.