Defying Tradition

Chapter 1

Arranged marriage is so stupid, well in my opinion. Like your parents are having you marry someone you might hate or just be awkward around them, for the rest of your life. I mean yeah they want what's best for you. But it gets out of hand. Like when the parents choose, they could pick some stuck up snob rich kid. They would probably only choose that person for you because they want to feel like one of the wealthy people. Becoming snobs in the process or be a bigger one than they were before.

Just so you're not confused on why I ramble on about the stupid arranged marriage thing. My whole life has been trying to prepare for my future wedding. That's all my mom and I ever talk about. No school or anything. I mean isn't that what normal parent are suppose to talk to their children about. My parents don't even talk about arranged marriage with my brothers. Well probably because the other parents with daughters choose them. So they don't have to worry so much about it. This thing is like tradition between all the groups. Oh yeah I haven't told you about that part yet. The reason for this arranged marriage thing is that we keep peace between the people, and we have been all separated into what zodiac we are.

In the groups everyone has to marry someone from their same group. My group of zodiac people is the Gemini branch. We are all some what a descendant of the Gemini twins. But if you're not related to the Gemini blood, but you were born under the sign of the Gemini, or some other zodiac, you are taken from your birth family and places in the group of your sign you were born under.

Anyway! My parents thought they were so brilliant with coming up with my name. Since my greatest grandmother is the Gemini ancestor, they named me after her. Gabriela. They thought I would be as great as she was. Doesn't every parent though in this group. Only one girl every two generations is named Gabriela. Same goes for the boy's they are named Greg after every two generations. Lucky for my parents. They have both their kids named Greg and Gabriela. Not so lucky for me and my brother. I have other brothers but my parents pay attention to us the most. Probably making them feel like they are not a part of the family anymore. That must be a dream made in paradise for them, well that's what I think life would be like for my siblings.

My parents and I were waiting for all the guys my age to come over. All the bachelor's have to meet my parents, and of course me. My mother tried to make me get into a dress to look presentable to them. But I just continued to protest against her. So now I'm were something casual. Like a normal pair of jeans, a T-shirt and some sneakers. I even was wearing a beanie. Just watch when all the guys come in here they will be wearing suits. Then they'll look at me and I'll be just in normal clothes probably making them feel awkward.

"I really wish you would have worn a dress instead of that," mother said gesturing towards my outfit. I shrug not caring for her unapproved look. My brother Greg was over at the door waiting to open it for the people to come in. This thing might be to formal for me. Even for Gemini people, this is to formal. This is the only time we have to be fancy. The rest of our lives we can wear whatever we want. But I'm not following that tradition. I'm a hardcore lazy Gemini.

There was a knock at the door finally after waiting for so long. While I was waiting I was in the living room watching TV. But my father had to carry me to the kitchen, because that's were I was suppose to be all that time. It's so boring in the damn kitchen. Why would I want to be in there waiting. The house began to fill with chatter. Making it obnoxiously annoying. I tried to ignore all the annoyances, which was really hard.

The kitchen was filled with like maybe ten family's. The ten family's all had been chosen by my parents. The ones they thought would be perfect for me. My dad stood up from his seat and raised his wine glass. He started to hit the glass trying to get everyone's attention. All the people soon became quiet and looked at my father.

"The Cooper family would like to thank you guys for coming out tonight. We are very happy to see our beloved, only daughter, Gabriela, find her future husband today. One of you lucky gentlemen will be the one to take her hand in marriage. Though we all know you're suppose to be boyfriend and girlfriend until you graduate high school," Dad says. Everyone laughed at what he said. "Furthermore, one gentleman will come up to the table at a time. While we, the parents, supervise the party," This is not even a party dad. "You may begin."

One by one the guys all came up to the table, introducing themselves to me. They told me what their names were, their likes and dislikes. What they do for fun. And some extra stuff they thought I should know. After they told me all about themselves. I had to tell them what I'm like. Some tried not to cringe at what I told them. These guys kind of made me not like them. If you're going to force yourself to like me, then you could just leave, because I'm not dealing with someone who is unkind.

Eventually all the families leave and its just my parents, Greg and I. My parents want to see who I am going to choose. They are not going to be happy when I say I don't want any of them as my future husband. I lean back in my chair waiting for my parents to say something. "So which one is Mr right?" Father questioned a huge smile spread across his face. Both of my parents seemed to be very thrilled. You would think that normal parents would be scared giving their only daughter away, but not my parents. I just have a feeling they want me gone. Do they love me at all?

"None," I stated bluntly. All the thrill they had, disappeared into thin air. I could tell Greg was in an uncomfortable position. I laugh to myself.

"What do you mean none! We chose the finest young men we thought would be perfect for you! And you say none!" Mother yells. "You will choose one of those boys and that's final Gabriela!"

"Your mother is right daughter. We want what's best for you and those boys could be the greatest thing that could ever happen to you. Now which one spiked your interest?" Father said calmly taking mothers side.

"You're not doing what's best for me! You're doing it for yourselves!" I shout standing up, slamming my hands on the table. That caused my brother and parents to flinch. "I'm sick and tired of doing what's best for this stupid Zodiac rule. I want someone different than a Gemini . . . Maybe a Scorpio or a Leo. Maybe even an Aquarius. But I'm not going to have you choose my future anymore." I finished and ran up to my bedroom. I slammed my door shut. I'm not going out there until tomorrow when I have to go to school.