Marriage By Contract

Chapter 6: Married To An Imbecile

"LOLA!" My father called.

I laid in bed awake, thinking if I change my name, everything will change. Disappear.

Maybe Sophia, Gabrielle, Whitney?

But it didn't happen. My name is Lola and it still stayed that way.

I listened as my name was hollered again. The only difference this time was that it was being called by my mother. I closed my eyes for what felt like forever before I opened them. I dragged myself out of bed and changed. I wore some black sweatpants and took off my hoodie, keeping on the crop top. I slipped on some sneakers then threw my hair into a messy bun. I opened my room door to be greeted with noise of chatter. The Parkers and my parents, no doubt.

I trudged down the stairs with my hands in my pocket. Alex was probably still out because he was nowhere to be found. I walked into our main living room where I saw who I'm guessing is Mrs. Parker talk to mom. She was complimenting her on how beautiful our house was. I rolled my eyes and leaned against a wall unamused. Everyone must've finally noticed my presence because the chatter stopped. I saw Jason sitting on one of the couches. He stared at me but I ignored him.

"Lola, what took you so long?" mom asked. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.

I shrugged my shoulders and turned around to walk away but dad stopped me.

"Yes?" I turned around and asked annoyed.

"Take Jason with you to wherever you're going." he said.

"I was going to hell until you stopped me. Glad he can come along." I mumbled. 

I looked over at Jason and eyed him up and down before walking out of the room. He must've understood my gesture because he stood up and followed me. I walked into the kitchen and went straight to the fridge.

I could feel his gaze on me with every move I made. "Do you want something to drink or what?" I spat with my back still turned to him. I heard him sigh.

"Some water would be fine." he said. I handed him a water bottle. 

"Hope you choke on it." I mumbled.

He must've heard me because he rolled his eyes. I made myself some coffee and sat down at the counter.

"Are you going to continue staring at me?" I asked.

"Why do you have to be such a fucking bitch?" he asked.

This scum. I thought.

"I'm the fucking bitch?" I asked, my voice now rising. "How fucking dare you? It's bad enough I'm being forced to marry and imbecile like you. Go to fucking hell, Jason!" I dumped the rest of my coffee in the sink and went upstairs. My parents and the Parkers heard me and Jason's little fight in the kitchen because when I passed the main living room, it was quiet.  Mom called my name but I ignored her and continued walking up the stairs. When I entered my room, I closed the door and laid on my bed. I closed my eyes and took deep breaths. Once I calmed down a bit, I opened my eyes and grabbed the nearby book on my nightstand. If there's one thing I  loved doing, it was reading. It was my escape. From the world and reality. It gave me an access into someone else's world. A life that wasn't my own. One that had happily ever afters. I flipped the page as I heard a knock on my door. 

"It's open." I said bluntly. I didn't look up from the book when whoever came in entered my room. I continued to read and flipped the page once again. The person cleared his or her throat and that's when I finally looked up. Mrs. Parker smiled at me before walking over to the edge of my bed and sitting down. Though I've never really known her, I did know her and her husband were rich. Just as rich as my parents. I placed a bookmark on the page I stopped before closing the book and placing it back on the nightstand.

"Hello Lola." Mrs. Parker's voice sounded calm and reassuring. But of what?

"Hey." I whispered, not really wanting to talk.

"Look," she said. "I know what you're thinking."

No, you don't because if you did, you'd know I want you to leave my room so I can be left in peace.

I nodded my head pretending to be interested in whatever she had to say. "You do?" I asked.

"Yes." she said. "I know it's a lot to take in. The fact that you're married at just 18 and especially to Jason. Though you barely know him, I'm hoping you'll give him a chance."

Anger rose through me and I tried my possible best not to expose it. How dare she. I can bet a million bucks she doesn't know what Jason did to me in the past. The beat down or the attempted rape. Oh, I know him alright. He's a cruel heartless bastard. I still had scars from what Jason did to me. Physically and mentally.

"This is all new to Jason too and I know for a fact if you just give him a chance you'll learn to love him."

I gagged out loud and placed a hand over my mouth.

"You okay dear?' Mrs, Parker asked.

I could feel the bile rising in the back of my throat. It was going to come out any second now.

"Excuse me." I mumbled. I quickly ran to the personal bathroom in my room and closed the door. I opened the toilet seat and emptied my stomach. The flow of throw-up didn't seem to stop. After what felt like hours of puking, I spit the remaining bile in my mouth and flushed the toilet. I walked over to the sink to wash my mouth. A recap of what Mrs. Parker said replayed in my head.

I'll learn to love Jason.

Is she mad? I thought. When I finished cleaning myself and checked to make sure I looked decent, I stepped back into my bedroom. Mrs. Parker still sat on the edge of the bed. She looked lost in thought. When she finally noticed me, she gave a sad smile and stood up.

"I know it's too much to take in. Just-" she sighed. "Just please think about it. Try to give him a chance." 

Her eyes looked sad. I looked away and stared at nothing in particular. The floor seems to fascinate me now. She hugged me but I didn't hug back. It just didn't feel right. She left the room, leaving me more perplexed than ever. I cracked my door open a bit and pressed my ear to the opening. The Parker's were saying their last words as they were getting ready to leave. Once our front doors closed and signaled that they left, I closed my room door and locked it. I was afraid mom and dad were going to come up and scold me on my behavior. They never did though. They went straight to their rooms where I guess they fell asleep. 

I curled myself into a ball on the bed, hugging my knees, trying to keep the tears from coming. I stared at the wall in front of me, but I don't know for how long. The closing of the front doors startled me. I looked at the time. 12:24am

I opened my door and peeked outside. I walked over to the edge of the stairs and looked down at the entrance. Alex had his back turned while he locked the door. I scrambled down the stairs and stood in front of him. He gave me a questioning look. I stepped forward and hugged him. He was stunned for a moment but he hugged back. The tears I tried to conceal flowed down my cheeks, but I didn't stop them. I sobbed into Alex's chest as he wiped my tears.

"Ssshhh,sshhh." He cooed. "I know."