Withering Agony

Fiancée at Eighteen

[Elio]

I really do detest these things.

"Well, if it isn't Eliomar Russo," an annoying voice called from behind me. It was Harry Anderson.

I chugged the remainder of the champagne in the flute glass, and mentally prepared myself for this conversation. I turned around to look at the short man beside Salvatore, walking to me.

"Harry Anderson," I said. He had his arms out, probably trying to hug me, but I shook his hand, instead.

Here it comes.

"You know, my daughter Jackie is your age, and single." Oh great, is he going to pimp out his daughter? "Jackie!" He called out to a blonde wearing a red chiffon gown. "This is Jackie. Jackie, this is Eliomar," he was holding both her arms, forcing her to introduce herself.

"H- Hi," she stammered, we shook hands.

"Pleasure to meet you," I let go of her hand, her clammy hand, which she wiped on her dress after.

"Maybe, we should leave you two to talk," Harry insisted before he and Salvatore left.

"So, are you dating anyone?" she asked, smirking at me.

"No," I replied honestly. I've never had a girlfriend, nor have I liked anyone, no matter how beautiful they were.

"Do you want one?"

"No," another honest answer.

"Sir, let me take your glass, I'll get you a fresh, new one," Fiona, one of the servers offered.

"Thank you, Fiona," I nodded with a smile, a genuine one this time.

"I'd like a drink, too," Jackie said, rather curtly.

"My apologies, madame," Fiona apologized before she walked off.

"It's like the help are simpletons these day," she complained and rolled her eyes. "You know, I got into an argument with this lady at Heavenly Hale." Heavenly Hale was a small but lovely boutique that my sisters now shop at online. "She was an animal."

What a sad, ignorant, little girl.

"Hey, what school do you go to?" she asked while caressing my hand a little.

"I just started attending Lakeside High, along with my brother and sisters," I grabbed her wrist, abruptly, after I spoke so she'll get the hint that I want her to stop touching me.

"Why Lakeside?" There was a hint of disgust in her voice.

Before I could answer, Fiona arrived. "Here you are," she handed us both flute glasses of champagne in it.

"Thank you, again, Fiona." I grinned as I remembered my biology partner reprimanding me for drinking underage. It was something a parent would do, something a good parent would do. A good parent was a luxury I couldn't have.

Jackie was in the middle of talking about some trip she took to Paris when I walked off.

I made my way to my siblings, who were talking amongst themselves in a corner.

"Shouldn't you be making conversation with Jackie Anderson?" Fran teased.

"My biology partner had better questions to ask than her."

"Who is your biology partner?" Camila asked.

"Ophelia," saying her name just made me smile, it was such a distinguished and elegant name. And yet, she went by 'Lia,' which is not a bad nickname, I just prefer Ophelia.

"Lia," Camila beamed. "She sits behind Lee Lee and I in Calculus."

"Very nice girl," Leo added, his hands were shoved into his black pants.

"Isn't she," Camila agreed.

"How many girls have thrown themselves at you so far?" Fran asked jokingly, then took a sip of her drink.

"Three brunettes, three red-heads, and one blonde."

"The usual. All boring," Fran muttered.

"Um...Fran," Leo gulped. "Benjamin Chambers keeps looking at you." Camila, Fran and I turned our heads to see the blonde boy, who immediately looked away when we turned.

"Is that your boyfriend?" Camila joked.

"As if," Fran rolled her eyes. "Plus, the only one who is going to be leaving this event with a partner is Elio." Fran was somewhat right.

See, my father hosts these balls, and invites opulent families. And there's only one thing these vultures care about. Money. They care so much about money, that they'll even marry their children off, if it makes them even more rich.

And, I have a bad feeling that Jackie will be my fiancée by the end of the night.

"Excuse me everyone," I heard Salvatore's voice on a microphone. "I'd like to propose a toast, to my son Eliomar Russo and his fiancé, Jackie Anderson."

Everyone started cheering and clapping, but I stared my father dead in the eyes, he did the same to me.

One day, I will kill him. He will die a slow and painful death. And it won't just be for my benefit, but for Fran's, Leo's, Mila's, and most importantly, my mom's.

[Lia]

I was minding my business, listening to Wasn't Me when Eliomar interrupted me. All of a sudden, my earbuds weren't in my ears anymore, and my phone wasn't in my hand.

"Enough." Eliomar shook his head. "That's enough."

"What is your problem?" I asked. He rubbed his temples.

"Right now, it's you and your dreadful singing."

I gasped. "My singing is phenomenal." That was a lie, and I knew it. He was right, my singing was terrible. "You're just jealous." I stuck my tongue out at him, as immature as it was.

He looked at me with disgust. "You are an absolute child."

"And you're a little, whiny bitch. What is up your ass this afternoon?" I snapped and snatched my phone and earbuds from him. "Why are you in a bad mood?"

To be honest, I'm not sure if Eliomar was in a bad mood, or if this is how he always is.

"You're putting me in a bad mood, and other things," he muttered that last part.

"No. I'm not. You've been like this, ever since class started." I sighed. "Seriously, you're... you. What could possibly put you in a bad mood?" I grumbled

He must've heard me because he turned his head to me quickly. "So what? I'm not allowed to have any problems?" He asked defensively.

"I- That's not what I said."

"What really are you trying to say?"

"I just don't understand what a person like you has to complain about. Like, what problems could you possibly have?" I looked away from him, but I could feel him staring at me intensely from my peripheral vision.

For the whole class, he stared daggers at me, while I was still looking away. He didn't stop, even while Mr. Smith was teaching. Mr. Smith noticed, but didn't say or do anything.

When the bell rang, I instantly darted out the room, to my next class, which was art. Maybe it's best I'd start avoiding Eliomar.