Chasing Jupiter ✔️

Twenty Nine

Its been two weeks since the day on the beach. Two weeks since I've been 'engaged'. For most girls this is the happiest time of their life, planning their wedding and everything. But for me I was terrified. Terrified that if we didn't execute our plan perfectly everything would crumble down and we would be stuck in the world of drugs and guns. Because as I've come to learn Andrew and I both have to much at stake to lose.

Andrew and I played the loving couple perfectly. When we were around our parents we always held hands and gave each other lovey dovey looks. All that nasty shit that made my skin crawl. When he took me out on 'dates' we spent the entire time planning how to get this to work right. Ultimately we decided that the day of the wedding would be the best option.

I was still trying to get in contact with Archer but to no avail. Every day I was losing hope, Andrew thankfully kept me sane. Andrew and I were on another 'date' currently. We just bought me a new phone that would be kept with him. And the next time I go out with him we would start phase two of our plan.

The wedding was only a month away, I don't know how much longer I could deal with it. But my squashed hope was very much alive again. I'd be going home soon, and hopefully Andrew would get to be with William freely. William being his secret boyfriend that only I knew of.

"Jupiter, I have to get you back to the house now. My mom just rang that you're going dress shopping." I nod heaving myself off the sandy beach. "This will work Jupiter. Your plan is flawless. Don't lose hope." That's one of the things I'd grown to like about Andrew, he could sense my worry about the situation. Probably due to the fact that we both had so much to lose if this didn't work. "Let's go get me a wedding dress I guess."

*****

"That looks gorgeous on you sweetheart." Mother coos, at the dress. It was pretty but I just couldn't get into the whole wedding dress shopping, knowing it was all fake. That all of this was a lie. "I'd like to try another one please mother." She rolls her eyes at me. I say nothing else.

We'd been at the boutique for nearly three hours now. I've tried on countless dresses and none of them felt right. I mean you only get fake married in order to escape from being kidnapped once right? I couldn't help but laugh at the thought. I mean I should be shopping with Laci for prom dresses right now, not wedding dresses. Or has prom already happened? I lost all concept of time since that night...

Laci... I hope she's doing okay, I wonder how big she is now? Does she know what she's having? A boy, could I have a nephew, or maybe it's a little girl. A niece. I could feel my heart shattering in my chest. Either way I will find out. Even if it kills me.

I let out a deep sigh returning to the fitting room to try on more dresses. I throw on another dress. Walking back out to the showroom floor there is a collection of gasps. I step on the pedestal finally looking at myself. The dress was gorgeous. A floor length strapless princess gown with a sweetheart neckline. It was mostly white with some cream floral accents to it. It reminded me of the dress Taylor Swift wore in the Love Story music video.

Thinking of that some how reminded me of Halloween. It reminded me of Archer, then again everything did. I smile at the thought. "This is it." I say our loud. "This is the dress."

My mom stands and carefully embraces me. I have to force myself not to shudder against her. I hated her, but I had to pretend I cared for her or all of this wouldn't work. "You look beautiful pumpkin." She pinches my cheek. "Andrew is going to die when he sees you in this dress Letty! You look stunning!" Andrew's mom chimes in. "Well what are we waiting for, I still need shoes!"

I wanted to gag at my forced enthusiasm.

*****

Later that night Andrew was taking me on another 'date'. I was practically gagging in the mirror at myself. Wearing a pink knee length dress and white heels. Topped off with the gaudy diamond jewelry mother dearest has been making me wear. Only a few more weeks of this crap.

Thankfully Andrew took me shopping to get normal clothes for me. It was nice that I didn't have to pretend around him. I could at least feel a shred of normalcy. "Sweetheart are you ready?" Andrew's voice rings through my ears. I smile at him sweetly knowing we were being watched. "Absolutely honey, where are you taking me tonight?" I played along. "That is a surprise. But I've already cleared it with your parents, and we are actually going away for the weekend. A little pre marriage honeymoon if you will."

"That sounds perfect." I peck his cheek.

*****

"Where are you really taking me?" I asked once we left the property. "We're going to stay at a hotel for the weekend like I told you, it just won't be the romantic getaway that I described to them. More along the lines of getting our bearings. I packed you some of the clothes you had hidden at my house, I hope you don't mind. Your mother gave me a bag of clothes for you to wear, once I saw even more pink I thought it would be best if I ran home and grabbed you clothes." Thank God someone had a brain here. "If you don't mind I'm going to hop in the back and get out of this shitty dress."

I quickly changed into a black crop top, blue distressed graffiti jeans and black Nikes. Not bothering to put away the horrendous dress and heels. "You rock Andrew!" I flipped back into the front seat, feeling much more like myself.

"Where's the phone? We have work to do." He points to the center console and I greedily grab it. "Honestly the first time I met you I never expected you to dress or act the way you do. It's like I'm talking to two completely different human beings."

"That's the point remember. If I acted the way I normally do my mom would never believe I actually want to marry you. Part of me thinks she still doesn't believe me, but she also knows what's at stake for me so we both play along. Normally my hair doesn't even look like this."

"What does normal Jupiter look like then?" I couldn't help but smile, gazing out the window as memories of home flood my brain. He's such a sweet guy, I wish we had met under better circumstances. "Normally my hair is half black half silver, I dress the way I am right now. Very punk rock I guess you could call it. My friends like to call me a badass, and I'm very overprotective of those that I care about. And I'm also a street racer." He seemed shocked by this. "Jupiter and Letty are two very different people. Once all of this is over I'd like to come watch you sometime. I truly don't believe that you're a street racer."

I busted out laughing. "Honey you ain't seen nothing yet. I grew up building cars, my favorite movie is about street racers. My whole world revolves around me being behind the wheel. Well it did revolve around that..." I trailed off thinking of Archer, shaking my head refusing to sulk. "But if you need your proof my guest room is always open. As long as you bring the elusive William. I'd like to meet the man who made you nothing like your parents." I laugh punching his arm when he blushes.

"As long as you let me meet this Archer of yours. He sounds lovely." I know Andrew saw my face fall at the mention of him. I still didn't know if he was okay. I could feel his hand wrap around mine with a gentle friendly squeeze. "Positive thoughts Jupiter, I'm sure he's alright." I wanted to believe him, I really did. But it was hard, I plastered on a fake smile nodding. "You're probably right."

"Come on J, no time to be upset now. We have work to do." I don't know why but him calling me J made my heart ache.