My Own Personal Beethoven

Chapter Five

Hannah opened her eyes and took in her surroundings. Did she really have to keep waking up in his room? She pulled away from him, trying not to wake him up, before going to shower. Her mother made her bring a change of clothes since they had school the next morning. It was odd. She was married but life carried on…so far. She was sure something uncanny and crazy would come along. Even her belongings were here. Did she live here now? And why didn’t Catherine, the woman who was her father’s second wife, tell her anything?

“Ah, Hannah. Feeling better, dear?”

Hannah shrugged. This house was very nice and unlike the apartment. It made her feel out of place. Like a pair of dirty converses at a stiletto party or a hemp choker in a diamond exhibit. She was about to leave when Helen stopped her.

“Aren’t you hungry? You should put something light on your stomach.”

“I don’t eat breakfast…but thank you.”

It was also strange to have somebody care about your well-being. Tristan, freshly showered and ready to get the hell out of there, just left. Hannah checked the clock Too late for the bus. She sighed and followed Tristan.

“Hey…um…can you…nevermind.”

“Do you need a ride?”

“I’ll walk.”

“Hannah. Don’t…okay? I’m struggling with this too…”

“But you knew, didn’t you? Nobody gave me a clue. You probably know your family and everything. So, you have something. I was thrust in a wedding dress and made to do this.”

“Nobody made you do anything. You could have walked away. You didn’t have to say ‘I do.’”

“Bullshit.” Hannah said before walking away.

He sighed and got in his car. He followed her.

“Just get in…it will be faster…we’re going to be late for physics.”

“That’s really not my problem…”

He sped off, leaving her to stand there. She heaved a sigh as Caleb pulled up next to her on a motorcycle. He handed her a helmet. She slid on the back and wrapped her arms around him, resting her head on his back. Caleb was trustworthy. He wasn’t really going to make her do things she didn’t want to and he was easy to talk to. Right now, it felt like he was her only alliance.

“Tristan does care about you…he was pissed when he heard about an arranged marriage.” He said as they stood in the school parking lot.

“Yeah right. And I’m the Queen…”

He bowed and said, “M’Lady.”

She couldn’t help but smile. Damn.

“Go on. You’re going to be late.” He said before putting his helmet back on.

She nodded before fast walking into the school. Barely made it to physics. Tristan wasn’t in the mood to joke about anything and quite frankly, she wasn’t either. They really didn’t talk for the rest of the day. Hannah didn’t bother saying much until free period when Alison sat next to her after not doing do for about a week now.

“Hi…”

“Hey.”

“Hannah?”

“Ally cat?”

Alison smiled slightly.

“I’m sorry…about Marty.”

“Meh. I overreacted. A lot was going on…is going on…and I took it out on you. I’m sorry. “ She said.

Alison spotted the band on her finger. It looked Celtic.

“Did you get married?”

“Yeah…last night…but ssshh. IT’s not supposed to go around as a rumor or anything. Just me, you, and these bricks will know.”

“Who?”

“…Tristan…”

“So. You’re Hanna Giovanni now? That’s pretty.” Alison said.

“I guess.”

“Why did you two…?”

“Arranged. Long ass story and the bell rang so I’ll invite you over sometime.” Hannah said before heading to music class.

Tristan was asleep when she got there, sleeping on his folded arms instead of playing the piano. She elbowed him, making him wake up with a groan.

“Class is about to start.”

“You didn’t have to be so bitchy…”

“Don’t try me, Giovanni.”

He sighed and began writing in his notebook after the teacher started the lesson.

Listen. Just because this happened doesn’t mean I want things to be weird between us. Yeah. We’re married…but that doesn’t mean we have to act like it and besides I kind of miss your fun remarks over those irritable ones. I’m not asking you to cook me dinner or do the laundry or even have sex. It’s just a status..why can’t we be friends?

It isn’t just a status. We share a bed and a house. We wake up next to each other. Your mother and her endearing care is so foreign to me that I’m afraid of hurting her feelings with my rejections and quite frankly, you can do your own damn laundry and if you think I will touch you like that, get a grip. We haven’t even kissed yet. We can’t see other people and at these social Gatherings Caleb told me your mother likes to have, we have to act married because it isn’t an act or fiction. This is a reality and one I’m apparently facing alone.

“Miss Andrews, Mister Giovanni. Is there something you would like to share with the class?” Mr. Shmidt asked.

“Page 103.” He smiled.

Hannah and Tristan opened their books, still fuming with anger. They continued the argument on the way home and the whole way too.

“Oh. I am too. You refuse this when it’s too late to refuse. Where the hell were you when they said, “oh. BTW, lol, you’re getting married”? Huh? Where were you?! If you’re so objecting, why don’t you just go bite another woman?” Hannah shouted

“Maybe I will! Because at least she would be more willing. She wouldn’t be mad at me for something we didn’t have control over. Marry a stubborn, crazy bitch or be murdered by the curse Let’s see, which do I choose? Oh, right. I wanted to live, and keep my family alive, but now. Now, if you will excuse me, I’m going to find a girl to bite.” He replied before dropping his backpack and slamming the door.

Something inside of her ached. It wasn’t her heart. It was something else. Something that made her run up the stairs and slam the bedroom door. She slid down it. What was this feeling? All of a sudden, her throat was on fire. She felt weak and pried the door open before barely making it to Caleb’s room. She fell to her hands and knees with a thud.  She heard the footsteps but couldn’t make much out and then everything went black.