Arranged Disaster

Engaged and Enraged

I kept walking, not knowing where I would go or what I should do, so I went to the one place I knew would have all the answers. After walking a mile, I stopped in front of my favorite tree. This is where I would always come to think. This is my mother's grave.

"Hey, Mom...I know it's been a while since I came here, and I apologize. I've been dealing with a lot of things. As you know, a woman is in Dad's life now; I want him to be happy, just not with her. I know it's selfish of me, but something about her isn't right. Besides, I've never liked her. She's old enough to be Summer's friend. It's just weird. Dad and I had an argument, and of course, it was because I was being disrespectful to Diana again, and he just snapped. I'd never seen him so angry, and it was because of that woman. I'm not going to lie to you. I did say some things, but I don't regret what I said because it was the truth." I said, fighting back my tears.

"Mom, why did you have to go? Why couldn't you stay long enough to see summer at least, and I graduate, get married, or see your grandchild? I know that everyone dies, but why did you have to leave so early? I didn't even get to hug you one last time or say I love you. I just... I just" not being able to carry on, I just broke down and cried, letting all my emotions surface.

Waking up a little groggy, I noticed I was outside. I must have cried myself to sleep. Not wanting to return just yet, I decided to stay near my mother a little longer. I'm always at peace here. When they first buried my mother, I used to come here so much that it became my second home. That was until she came along. Saying goodbye to my mother, I got up and walked to my aunt's house.

*KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK*

"Coming?" She yelled through the door.

She opened the door and was shocked to see me. She then pulled me into her embrace, which caused me to cry all over again. She always knew when I was upset, just like her sister (aka my mother). She held me in her arms at the doorway for what seemed like hours until I stopped crying. It was then that she let me go.

"You went to see your mother, didn't you?" she said, letting me inside. All I could do was nod.

"Your father called. He told me about the argument," she said calmly.

"What did you say to him?" I asked quietly.

"I cussed him out," she said with a smirk. I couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"That's what he gets, the old geezer," I said, holding my stomach.

"Yeah, but you were wrong too. I know you don't like her hell, I don't even like the bitch, but your mother wouldn't want you to be disrespectful. She taught you better than that," she said. I knew she was right and didn't want to face it, but I also didn't want to let my mother down.

"Fine, I'll try," I said in defeat. She smiled and placed a plate filled with pancakes with syrup and peaches on top, eggs, and sausage.

"That's Good because I was going to stare at you and eat the food in front of you if you didn't," she said, smiling.

"You're evil," I said, narrowing my eyes; she just laughed and continued to eat her food.

"After you're done, shower and get some fresh clothes for my closet. We're going to have a girl's day out," she said.

When I was done, I did just what I was told and took a cold shower to calm my nerves. I then went to my aunt's closet and got one of her oversized t-shirts and sweatpants. I then put back on my sneakers, and we left. After being in the car for thirty minutes, we finally arrived at the mall. I haven't been to the mall in months. First, we went to catch a movie we'd wanted to see together; It was epic. Next, we went shopping. Since there was a sale today, we went to at least twenty stores. It felt good to have a girls' day out with no drama. By the time we were finished, it was late. It was around nine thirty when I got back to the house.

I asked her if she would like to come in, and she refused. She said seeing them right now wouldn't be good for her. I laughed, gave her the biggest hug I could give her, and got out of the car. I waved goodbye to her and walked towards the front door. I opened the door and tried my best to be as quiet as possible to sneak past them. I wasn't quite enough.

"Autumn?" I heard Diana say as I was about to pass the kitchen. I turned toward her, trying my absolute best not to give her a look of disgust as she walked towards me.

"Your father and I were distraught," she said as she hugged me. I rolled my eyes behind her back, not believing a word she had said. When she released me, I grabbed my bags and departed from her. I looked back and found her smiling like a siren. Not wanting to find out what that was about, I quickly barricaded myself in my room. A few moments later, I heard a knock at my door. I was hesitant initially, but then I opened the door and let whoever it was inside. I open the door to see my father and Diana standing there. I rolled my eyes and went back to sit at my desk.

"Came back here to apologize," I said, taking out my schoolwork.

"No, if I recall correctly, you're the one who needs to apologize," he said coldly.

"It's not going to happen," I said, not even paying attention to them. He sighed, almost like he had decided about something. Suddenly, the room became tense.

"Autumn," he said in a severe tone.

"Yeah," I said, still not making eye contact.

"I have arranged for you to get married in two months," he said.

"Excuse me?" I said, stopping what I was doing.

"You heard me," he said firmly.

"I'm not interested," I said coldly.

"You don't have a choice," he said.

"We'll see about that," I said.

"I think you should just listen to him this time," Diana said.

"Oh, now I see what's going on," I said, standing up to face them.

"This was your idea!!" I yelled, pushing Diana into a wall, but before I could throw a punch at her, my father grabbed me, and Diana ran out the door.

"I'm not done with you!!" I yelled after her

"That's enough, Autumn," he said, putting me down

"Why an arranged marriage? Why can't I marry when I'm ready? That's if I do it all," I said, frustrated.

"It's the if I do at all part that I'm worried about," he said

"I can take care of myself, and if it weren't for her whispering shit in your ear, we wouldn't be having this conversation," I said

"All she did was suggest, but I was the one who decided to put it into action," he told me firmly.

"I'm not staying for this," I said as I started packing

"Autumn, if you leave, I will stop paying for your college tuition," he said firmly. It was when he said those words my hands stopped moving. My education is so important to me, and I don't know what to do if he's not paying. Besides, I promised Mom I would finish college and become someone great.

"Fine," I said through my teeth.

"That's Good. You meet him tomorrow," he said, turning on his heel to exit my room.

"I hate you," I said softly but loud enough for him to hear it. He paused for a little while and then left the room, closing the door behind him.

Tim's P.O.V

Oh, God, why did I say that? I know how important that is to her. Now she hates me. That's the one-word fathers don't want to hear from their little girls. I could've approached it better, but being the hothead I am, anger got the best of me. Diana was right; I'm why she is the way she is. I let her get away with too much stuff and all because she lost her mother. No more; it's about time she grew up to become a woman mentally. Maybe this marriage will teach her a thing or two. Hopefully, her soon-to-be husband can handle her.