Too Bad For Her Own Good

day 2 : afternoon

Fear settled in quickly after my name was announced. This couldn't be right. I couldn't even think about how this happened because I was focused on making sure it didn't.

I saw Logan walking up the stairs, confidence radiating off of him in waves. How was he okay with this? I'm sure he didn't know who I was, so maybe he thinks I'm some fantastic girl. I saw him sign the paper, and look around confused. He was looking for me, looking for this Katherine Emerald.

But you see, I hadn't yet left my seat. In fact, I was cowering into it. My hands gripped tightly onto the armrests on either side of my chair, and my breathing quickened. Anxiety and fear battled inside me, leaving my insides destroyed.

"No." I whisper and cower my face in fear looking down at the carpeted floor. I haven't been very well-known these past 3 years, so maybe no one will know who I am.

It's a long shot, yes, but if you had to go up and sign away your life to an apparent psychopath, I'm sure you'd pull some drastic measures as well.

"Ms. Katherine Emerald?" The mayor questions again, and I have a surge of hope. Please, please, Move on. Maybe it's a mistake. All I know is that Logan Chambers is scary. Terrifying actually, and I don't think I'd survive a day living with him. Actually, not even a single 10 minutes.

I notice shuffling on the stage, and Logan is walking over to the mayor, and whispering something, than nodding his head where I'm sitting. No, no! How can he know who I am?

The mayor looks right at me. "Come on up" he's clearly flustered, I'm the first one who's refused. I shake my head no. I can't, I can't willingly subject myself to marrying Logan Chambers. No one in their right mind would marry a violent, apparent street fighter. I can't do it. I can't. And I sure as hell won't.

"Miss." He says harshly, but my legs are now too wobbly to even move. I cower even more in fear, afraid of the future. Afraid of him. Afraid of Logan Chambers. And yes, the full name is still necessary.

The mayor looks behind him, and motions two large men to retrieve me. They make their way down the stairs, and I abruptly stand up. I'm not getting touched. No. I take a step and raise my hand as if to say I've got it and they thankfully back off.

I look up, catching Logan's eye, and I'm shocked.

The asshole is smirking.

I almost cringe at the sight, and I feel a sob threaten to escape my frail body. But no, I will not cry. I will not give these a-holes that satisfaction. I take the long journey up the stairs slowly, knowing once I sign those papers it's over. That it's done. My life, my passions, my dreams of college and success. Done.

Finally I make it, and I realize I have tears running down my face. Shit. I don't wipe them away, I don't want to draw attention to them. I don't want to draw attention to the fact that I, Katherine Emerald, had failed miserably. He hands me a pen, and I sign my name reluctantly and shakily on the dotted line, next to Logan's. I can't make a fool of myself here. Once this "marriage" dies down, I honestly do believe that the law will be changed, or even removed. And until then, even in my wedlock, I will do everything in my little power to end this.

I turn away, and take a quick glance at my classmates. They are all looking at me. Every single one. The boys in awe and pity. The girls with jealousy. They don't even understand.

I jog down the stairs again, and head out the doors all the "happy couples" are instructed out of. I don't even know where Logan is. I don't care. I don't plan on speaking to him.

I run out the doors, and out another and another until I'm in the parking lot. It's empty, all the newly weds must have headed home directly after their beautiful wedding. The ceremony really was, unforgettable.