04

« We just-« Dad tried to jump in.

I glared at him, « I want mom to tell me at least she’ll be gentle. »

He cringed taken aback and started picking at his food.

Mom began again, « We’ve been discussing all day-«

« What ? You two have been talking ! » My mouth dropped.

« Cassandra listen, » Mom said sternly, « Look I know what’s happening with the whole arranged marriage isn’t fair or delightful, but there is no way to get out of this. We need you to cooperate and go a long with this arranged marriage. It’s going to be hard, but we can do it. »

Mixed feelings stirred up inside, I wanted to fall in love then get married not the other way around, and who even says I’d fall in love with this stranger ? All I know is that this whole arranged marriage was ruining my life and I’d only known about it for two days. I stabbed at the noodles piling them up into my mouth if I stuffed my face I wouldn’t yell at mom, « Go on. »

« Well you see my boss, » Dad paused probably trying to figure out how to put this so delicate matter. « He lives in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida and I think it would be a great opportunity to live in such a beautiful place. »

My mouth dropped, Florida ? As in where Disney World was Florida ? « Are you crazy that’s a whole state away from my family ! »

« We know this, that’s why we’re going with you, as soon as we can find a place to stay we will come down, but for a little while you are going to have to stay at your dad’s bosses, the Kennish’s house until everything is arranged. Besides it’ll be a good opportunity for you to meet your future husband, » Mom rested her hand on top of mine, « Everything will turn out ok. »

I snapped my hand away, I don’t like to fight with mom, but how could she agree with this and so soon ? « Don’t touch me, nothing about this is ok, » I got up snatched two breadsticks and stomped to the only bedroom we had. Locking the door behind me I let myself sit on the floor, berried my head, and started to cry.

I finally emerged when Sophie came home, and when I knew for certain dad was gone. Mom put a plate in the microwave when I came out. « Did Sophie not eat ? » I asked sitting down next to Sophie who was busy doing homework.

« No it’s for you, » Mom put the plate in front of me, « I thought since you didn’t finish dinner you’d be hungry. » She laid out the plate of barely half eaten noodles with a bread stick on the side. « Look I know this is hard, but I’m going to need you to cooperate. The more we argue the worse things will get between us and I don’t want that to happen. »

I sighed, « I’m sorry, I don’t want us to have a bad relationship either. I just can’t believe after all these years he shows up just because I’m engaged to some stranger. »

Mom tucked my hair behind my ear, « I know it’s not fair to ask you to do this, but we have no other choice, now will you please eat ? »

I nodded silently, « How am I going to tell Dylan ? »

« I don’t know sweetie, » Mom sighed, « I’m going to bed goodnight. »

« Goodnight, » I said as she shut her bedroom door.

Everything was still only the sounds of Sophie’s pencil could be heard. When suddenly my little sister spoke.

« Hey, I know I’m only eleven, and everyone thinks I don’t know what’s going on, but I do and let me just say dads a butthead for doing this to you, » Sophie said returning to her homework.

I leaned over giving her a hug, « It’s a good thing I’ve got you as a little sister. »

« Well I am pretty awesome, » Sophie said.

I laughed, « Maybe just a little. »

* *

« Why did I let you talk me into this movie ? » Dylan groaned leaning his head against the couch.

I punched him lightly in the shoulder, « You said, whatever you want to watch. »

« Yeah well I’m the boyfriend I’m supposed to say that, I figured you’d have mercy on me and at least pick an action packed movie, not some soap opera, » Dylan complained.

« I like the movie ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ it’s got my favorite actress starring in it, and it is not a soap opera, » I argued.

« Well whatever it is you’re killing me, » Dylan got up going over to the microwave. « At least popcorn still tastes good while watching such a horrible film. »

« Okay, I get your hint, » I turned off the TV, then got up stretching my legs.

Dylan’s apartment was way nicer than mine his parents both worked and he was an only child so obviously he was spoiled. He had his own theatre room, in an apartment building.

« Oh finally the suffering ends, » Dylan said as he threw some popcorn into his mouth.

I sat back down, « Oh come on it’s not that bad and besides you know I can only watch it when I’m over here we don’t exactly have a mega TV, blue-ray disc, with surround sound at my house. »

Dylan opened his mouth, which was disgusting ; his mouth was full of food, « You know ya love me. »

I put my ponder face on, « After the way you talked to me with food in your mouth, its questionable. »

I got up walking over to the DVD stand looking for a movie we’d both like. When I heard him approach, « Okay how bout—« before I could finish Dylan lifted me up in the air tossing me over his shoulder. « Hey put me down ! »

« No way not until you say I love you back, » Dylan chuckled.

I was defeated, « Fine, I love you. »

Dylan put me back down on my two feet, « Now was that so hard ? » He leaned in to kiss me, but I dodged it. « Hey ! »

I giggled, sitting down on the couch, « Hay is for horses. »

Dylan sat down next to me, « Well what does a horse have to do to get some hay around hear ? » He leaned in again for a kiss, this time I didn’t dodge. « See was that so hard ? » Dylan asked getting up to retrieve the popcorn.

I sighed ; I knew that would be our last kiss. I think, what I was about to say was going to make him hate me forever. « Dylan can I talk to you ? »

« No I don’t talk to people with blue hair, » Dylan teased while sitting down next to me with popcorn already in his mouth.

I threw a pillow at him, « I’m serious. »

Dylan put down the popcorn bowl, « Okay, I knew we’d have this talk. So let me start. » My eyebrows furrowed what, how would he know ? « I know me going to college and you aren’t scares you that we won’t be together, but don’t worry I won’t let that happen. I will make sure-«

« Dylan that’s not what I’m talking about, things have changed, and they’ve changed quickly these past two days, » I interrupted.

« You got a scholarship we can go to college together !? » Dylan’s face brightened.

« No, my dad showed up yesterday, » I quickly spoke before he could continue about college.

His face got hot, « Okay where is he ? I need to punch him. »

« Dylan as much as I’d like you to do that that won’t solve anything. Everything will still change, » I whispered.

« Change, this guys been gone for nine years what kind of person would your mom be if she let him back in the house after all these years ? » Dylan argued.

« She’s not, see…. He showed up…. And…. » Ugh why was this so hard ? Finally I blurted it out, « He set me up in an arranged marriage. »

Dylan’s face went red ; he got up angrily, « I’m going to pound him for this ! »

« Dylan ! Violence won’t fix this, nothing will, » I got up taking his hands in mine, « I know we planned on being together for a long time, but there is nothing I can do. My parents are already making plans for me to leave the state. I have no choice. »