The University of the South

Dinner (5 of 8)

"June, you don't have to do this. We'll think of alternatives. I can help you with the bills. You don't have to resort to this." Ursula says as I shake my head.

That was the thing, I didn't have a choice.

I was going to be married to that brat.

At this point I had lost all hope. Nothing was going to save me at all.

I had to suck it up and go through with the plan.

Maybe I could still continue with medical school or have enough money to start my own career and divorce him when I could stand on my own.

This was only going to be a temporary thing.

I turn to Ursula and take her hands in mine, feeling myself want to break down all over again.

"Ursula, you are my best friend. Thank you for doing everything you could to help me, but I'll take it from here." I tell her as she frowns at me.

She wraps me in a hug as I hug her back.

This was just marriage. I know it seemed scary, but at this point I had told myself numerous times that it wouldn't have a meaning if I didn't give it one.

Marriage would simply be a union to me and nothing else.

I refuse to do anything marriage related, like show affection towards my partner, or pretend to be a couple or something.

"Oh June, I hope he isn't as bad as he was at the club. I'm wishing you the best." Ursula says as I sigh.

Maybe he was high or something, or was sick. I didn't want to believe that I would be marrying that boy.

The door to my room opens as I see my mom glaring at me.

"The Darlings are already waiting for us, Juniper. What the hell is taking so long?! Go dismiss your friend, we need to go." She says in a dismissive and impatient tone as I nod, rolling my eyes at her.

She was always this rude.

I give Ursula a sad smile before joining my mother downstairs.

I guess this was it.

. . .

"You cannot remain silent forever, Juniper. I will not have it. The Darlings may be turned off at your behavior." Mother says as I simply remain quiet.

I wasn't talking to her.

Why bother? I was already doing what she wanted anyway.

She threatened me and involved Ursula and Kate as well.

She shouldn't expect me to obey that easily.

We arrive at the dinner place and I feel knots in my stomach.

Let's get this over with.

I sigh and smoothen my dress, as I get out of the car, Kate and Maggie following behind me and my mother ahead.

Here goes nothing.

We arrive at the fancy dinner place as I see that it truly is a high end establishment, not like anywhere we had been before.

The waiter leads us to our seat as my mom's eyes light up.

I easily spot Grant sitting at the table with an impatient expression on his face, with two other people that looked like his parents to be sitting to his right.

I really didn't want to be here.

Grant's eyes widen as he makes eye contact with me.