Scarlett 'Arranged Marriage'

Chapter8

Sira's P.O.V.

I went through all 5 of my stages of depression in less than a minute. Anger, denial, frustration, recognition, and sadness. EXTREME sadness. The only thing that kept me from crying, is the thought of ruining my makeup. I have to LIVE WITH HIM?!! Isn't it enough that I have to get married, become a vampire, and rule a kingdom? Apparently not. I have got to pull myself together. I dipped into the little passageway under the stairs to do just that. I took 3 deep, shakey breaths. "Is something wrong, Sira?" a familiar voice said. I whirled around. "Oh," I said, relieved. It was only Jasper. "No," I said harshly, but my voice broke and gave me away. Jasper's usually hard face softened, his smirk turning into a look of concern. I had never seen my brother look at anyone but Ari like this, and it caught me off guard. His words were kind. "That is obviously a lie, Scarlett. Tell me the truth, what's wrong?" I lost it, buried my face in his chest, and cried. While I did this, I blubbered everything that was wrong. How my birthday was supposed to be happy, but I couldn't be, because HE was here, how I made myself look stuck up and ignorant in front of him, how I was trying to keep my promise to Owen, how all of this was too much for me to handle, how I had to go and live in a house where I didn't know anyone, and how, on top of all of this, I was ruining the wonderful makeup job Olivia, Jazmyn, and Isabella had done for me. I doubt he understood most of it, but the last part he laughed at. "Sira," he said. "You are a strongwilled, beautiful, intelligent girl, but you care too much what other people think. If anyone can make this work, it's you." "You think so?" I sniffled. "Of course. I wouldn't say it if it weren't true." he said. I pulled back so that I could look at his face. He looked concerned, but he stared straight into my eyes. He couldn't be lying to me. "Thank you," I said to him. "No problem. And your makeup's fine. They must've remembered to use the waterproof version of everything." he said. "Well," I said. "That's one thing that hasn't totally backfired on me," I said, as I wiped my face. "You'll be fine, Sira. Just remember: Be as nice as possible to as many people as you can, you never know when you'll need them. And try to stay calm. Things always seem worse when you're stressed out." "Ok," I said. "Jasper?" "Yes, Sira?" "Why don't we talk like this more often?" I asked. He looked at me and sighed. "I've had a hard time accepting my destiny. Don't get me wrong, Ari is wonderful. She's sweet, kind, smart, caring, and all around a good person, but I just didn't like the feeling that I had no choice in who I married. I was kinda like you." He shot me a meaningful look. The kind that said, "If you ever end up like me, we're gonna have to have a LONG talk, missy." Message received loud and clear, big bro, I thought. I smiled. "We weren't really all that close to begin with, so ever since I found out about all this, we just got a bit more separated, that's all. It's easier to spread this kinda hurt and disappointment than it is to talk about it." he finished. "Jaz? Can you promise me something?" He smiled at the use of his old nickname. "What is it, Red?" "I like talking to you like this. Do you mind if, every once in a while, I get reaccquainted with my big brother?" "Course not, Red. As a matter of fact, I think I'd kinda like to get to know my little sister." A huge grin took over my face, and I hugged him again. "Thanks, Jaz. For everything." "No problem, sis. Go out there, put on a brave face, and be the beautiful, charming young lady I know and love. And do me a favor?" "Sure. What is it?" I asked. "Guys like Christian are most often players. They use their looks to get innocent girls, date them for a day and a half, make them feel special, and then rip their hearts out by dumping them, cheating on them, or both. Don't be one of those girls. Always stay 2 steps ahead. Don't get played," he said. I nodded, took a deep breath, and went back into the party, and as I did, I prayed to the heavens that the promise

I had just made Jasper was one that I could actually keep. 

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