The Unexpected Visit

Chapter 9

"Beca, Beca, wake up. I know you're alive. Come on, you're really going to make us wait?" whispers a male voice.

"What," I say annoyed well I am so who cares, as I open my eyes and sit up.

"Feisty. I like that. My name is Eric but everyone calls me either E or Ric," he says in his annoying voice. I already don't like him because of his voice...although he is rather hot, especially after Owen...

"Hey, hey, why are you crying?" Eric says suddenly, his nasally tone shifting to a more bearable sound.

"I'm not," I say, wiping away my tears.

"Well that's good; I like girls who are strong. It helps that you're cute too." He's talking like he's twenty-four.

"How old are you?"

"What?" He asks, staring at me like I have four heads. "Well, I'm 23, if that's what you're asking. Most girls aren't so up front about age," he remarks, somewhat startled.

"Okay," I respond quietly, hoping I don't break into tears. Owen is almost 21...well, he's turning 21 in a few weeks, I think.

"You look like you're about to cry again," he points out, sounding concerned.

"Please leave, I want to talk to my mom," I quickly command with as much authority as I can muster. After all, I am still the princess and rightful ruler when mom is gone--might as well take advantage of that.

"As you wish," he says while getting up quietly and leaving.

Thank goodness he is gone. He was rather annoying with all of the flirting. He was kind of cute, though. With his slicked-back brunette hair with blonde highlights, he's like a beach boy, especially with the tan. I wish I could get a tan.

"Beca, I'm here. What was it you wanted?" my mother asks, looking semi normal in slacks and a nice shirt. At least she isn't wearing a dress or her crown.

"I'm drawing, could you wait a minute, please?" I ask, trying to be nice and civil despite my anger at her.

"Alright, I will wait," she says, sounding willing to cooperate. That was easier than I thought.

"Okay, I'm done. I wanted to ask you: why was that boy in my room? Secondly, why am I not allowed out of my room? Finally, what was the burning sensation I felt right before I passed out?" I glare at her, resembling a lawyer who is angry with another lawyer while putting away my drawing supplies.

"Well, first, that boy's name is Eric, and he was in your room because he is to be your husband. Secondly, you aren't allowed out of your room because you are dehydrated. We have yet to discover the root cause. Finally, I have no idea what the burning sensation you are talking about is from," she explains, annoyed that I asked anything at all.

"What? I'm supposed to marry that guy? How do you not know how I got dehydrated? You told me that you have the best medical practices in the world! If that were the case, how come I was out for 7 weeks with a broken ankle and you don't know how I got dehydrated? I can tell you. I was running through a forest at 11:30pm--with no water! Don't most people get dehydrated from a lack of water? Honestly, Mother, how can I trust that you know what's best for me if you don't even know what I want or need?" I ask, gradually lowering my voice.

"Beca....you know I love you, and I would like to think that I know what's best for you, but how am I supposed to get to know someone who I am never with? You were always more like your father........more than anyone I know," she replies, hesitating.

"Like my siblings, you mean?" I ask quietly, searching her face for a reaction.

"How do you know that you have siblings?" She asks, shocked.

"How long were you planning on hiding that I have a twin brother and two sisters?" I ask, feeling betrayed.

"You didn't answer my question," She replies, avoiding my question.

"My twin brother and my sister told me. Now, you haven't answered my question," I say, trying to keep myself together.

"Well, you learned about them sooner than I planned, but I was going to tell you. I promise I was," She pleadingly whispers.

"Please leave," I command, looking away.

As soon as she leaves, I fall to pieces. Before I know it, I'm crying myself to sleep. I hope things will be better when I wake up.

Well my wish couldn't have been more wrong and unfulfilled, I wake up to silence. That's a good thing, at least. I roll over to find out that I've been moved to a different room. I instantly sit up and regret it. I think this is the worst headache I've ever experienced. Someone rushes in.

"Are you okay?" they ask soothingly, which only makes me feel like I'm on a really high and absolutely crazy roller coaster.

"No," I whisper as my emotions from the day flood me.

"What's wrong?"

"Everything and nothing...I have a killer headache and yesterday, I assume, I had a big fight with my boyfriend. I then ran here and had a fight with my mom," I explain, unexpectedly willing to trust this stranger.

"Oh, well, I can help with the headache; I'm not sure I can help with the emotions from your fighting," she replies, handing me a glass of water that is really fizzy.

"Maybe you could listen?" I ask, pleading.

"Alright," she replies.