Life Match

Day Three

I sleep through dinner and breakfast the next day. When I do wake up, Riah is gone and I’m still dressed. Hanging on the door is a blue floral sundress and (thank God) a pair of matching lace bra and panties. I get dressed and head downstairs. I’ve officially been married three days.

I check most of the house for Riah before deciding I don’t give two F’s where he is and head out to eat my breakfast outside. The mansion backs to a grassy field and then the beach. I watch the tide come in and in the distance I can see the faint outline of the academy. A pang in my heart comes as I think about Jericho again. Suddenly, I really wish I had some company. I’m also however, no longer hungry.

Ava is washing dishes when I come back in. “Hey Honey,” she greets me, “Mr. Daniels won’t be back until tomorrow. He had something family related to attend.”

My heart cries out in joy. An entire day without Riah? I bolt out the door and begin to run. If I run fast enough, I can find Jericho. It takes me almost an hour to reach the Academy. There isn’t any security on campus and I’m able to walk right in. I get lucky and see him sitting in the courtyard alone, his head in a book.

I smooth out my hair, trying to make it look like I didn’t just run a ridiculous amount to go see a boy of all things and sit down across from him.

“That seat is taken,” He whispers, not looking up.

“By who?” I ask.

“Look,” He sounds frustrated, but calms down as soon as he sees me. A smile spreads across his face and he grabs my hand. I look over and see his match, Belle, not paying any attention at all.
We sneak away to the edge of the woods and our lips connect in a breathless passion. Every kiss says something we don’t have the words to express.

I’m sorry...
        It’s my fault...
                I miss you...
                        I love you...
                                Don’t ever stop...

When we finally pull away Jericho smiles at me, “I’ve wanted to do that for the longest.”

I nod in agreement and hug him, tears wetting his shirt, “I hate him...”

“I do too,” he replies, kissing the top of my head, “How did you find me?”

I point across the lake at Riah’s mansion, looming in the distance, “I ran.”

He grins at me, “You’re adorable when you’re hot and sweaty.”

“I’m not adorable,” I slap at his chest.

“Well, you are kissable...” he replies, lowering his lips to mine once more.

I push him away, “What about your bracelet?”

He glances at his feet and back at me, “They only go off after ten minutes. In case you’re showering or in the bathroom.”

I look up into his welcoming brown eyes, a difference from Riah’s piercing green ones. Jericho takes my small hands in his large ones and smiles. This is the boy I should be with.

“I have to go,” I say, “At eight o’ clock, meet me back here though.”

He nods, “Definitely.”

I kiss him goodbye once more and sneak back off campus. As I pass Belle, I see she’s talking to another boy as well, a sin if you’re already matched or married. I make it back to the mansion just asI see Riah’s town car pulling into the drive. He leans out the window and tells me to wait for him and I do, begrudgingly. He meets me at the front door and kisses me. His lips feel wrong against my own, but I resist the urge to push him away.