17 Years To Love

Chapter 1: An arrangement

Author's note: Hello everyone and welcome to my novel! If this novel sounds familiar to you it's because I had it up about 4-5 years ago here on Wattpad. At the time it was growing to be really popular but I made the decision to take it down and I am glad in a way that I took it down because as I have started to reedit it I realized that my writing was not at its best. I hope that you enjoy this story as much as I enjoy writing it and I hope you will all come to fall in love with it. Thank you for taking your time to read this *end of author's note*

It was just another Tuesday afternoon when my whole life changed. "Hey Ana!" my best friend Lauren calls out as she runs after me, "Why didn't you wait for me I told you I had something to tell you" she says out of breath. She was never an athletic person to begin with so it surprises me to see her running. "Make it fast because I've got to get home my mom texted me that she wants me at home immediately and I don't want to get in trouble for being late" "Relax I'll give you a ride home, my dad let me drive the car today" she says. "Okay so what is it spit it out" I say. "My grandma is throwing my mom a baby shower this weekend and they won't be back until Sunday so I am throwing a party on Friday. You and Derek are invited" she says. "Why am I barely find out about this" I say. "Because I just planned it in 6th period" she says flashing her perfect teeth in a big smile. I shake my head, "I'm not helping you clean up the house after. That's your problem" I say. She hugs me, "How can you be so mean" she says teasing me. "After all, I have gone through all this hard work just for you". "What are you talking about?" I ask. She smirks, "We'll have the house all to ourselves and I will make sure our secret room is off limits so it can be reserved for you and Derek". I immediately feel my face turn hot. Derek has been my boyfriend for a year now and Lauren is flirting with a guy after she just broke up with her most recent boyfriend. She lost her virginity sophomore year and now we are seniors and she's encouraging me to lose my virginity to Derek. "Come on Ana don't be so shy about it everyone does it, you love Derek and you've been together for a year so its time girl! Live it out right now that way next year we can live it out with college boys" she says. I look at her, "Lauren its not all about sex. I sincerely do love him" I say. "Then why not give it to the person you love" she says. "I'm not risking pregnancy at 17" I say. "It's called protection duh" she says. I push her playfully as we walk to her car, "Whatever that's for me to decide, why don't you reserve that room for you and Clark instead", I say changing the subject because I really don't even want to talk about the idea of me and Derek being alone on Friday. "I don't know if I like him yet" she says as we get in. I raise my eyebrows as she starts the car. "What do you mean you don't like him if you guys act like a couple and bicker like one too" I say. She smiles, "We are not a couple, I just don't know if I am ready to commit. I'm just having some fun" she says. I shake my head, "Whatever, lets get out of here I need to get home".

Lauren honks the horn as I wave bye. I unlock my door and I crash into something. "What the hell" I say pushing the door harder and I hear things fall over as I peak in through the door. "Mom what are all these baskets doing by the door!" I shout out but no response. I pick up one of the baskets and inside there are rolls of sweet bread. I peak into other baskets: wine, bread, and a bunch of other items.

I walk into the kitchen where I see my mom and dad at the table sorting through dusty boxes and more baskets around the whole kitchen. "Dad you're home early" I say. "Anaysa!" my mom says enthusiastically. Anaysa, my given name, shortened to Ana because a lot of people mispronounce it. I throw my backpack on the floor and I say, "What's going on why are there so many baskets and what are you guys looking at?" My mom smiles, "Anaysa we have wonderful news!" my mom says practically shouting. I raise an eyebrow, how can bread and wine be wonderful news?

"We have arranged for you to get married!" my mom says happily pulling something out of a box. I laugh, "Very funny mom, so what's the deal with all the baskets? Who died?" My mom frowns, "No one died Anaysa. It's a marriage proposal and we have accepted!" she says. "Marriage proposal? Who accepted?" I say getting irritated that no one is giving me a clear answer. "We have accepted a marriage proposal for you" she says. I start feeling nervous, I remember my mom says that back in Mexico families would gather together to ask for the bride's hand in marriage – whether she would accept it or not it was the families who decided the faith of their daughter. If both families came to a general agreement bread, wine, and other types of food would be provided to the bride's family. "Mom what are you saying" I say. "What your mom means to tell you is that we have accepted a marriage proposal by the Santiago family. Their son came to ask for your hand and we accepted" my dad says. "Santiago family? Who the fuck are they!" I shout. My father frowns, "Language young lady!" he says. "This is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard in my entire life. This isn't Mexico. I'm not even Mexican! I will never submit to your stupid traditions" I say slamming my hand on the table, "You mean to tell me that I have been sold to a family we don't even know. How much did they pay you for me? I would like to know how much I'm worth" I shout. "Anaysa, honey, calm down, you are taking this the wrong way. We didn't sell you. The Santiago family came to ask for your hand in marriage and we accepted. They are a very nice and put together family" my mom says. "Oh, so you know them!" I say about to break into tears of frustration and anger, "And where was my opinion in this? I have a boyfriend you know!" I say still shouting. "Look Anaysa, as your parents we are doing what we believe is the best for you" my mom says. "Best for me!" I shout, "You know nothing about what's the best for me!"

My father stands up from his chair and it falls back, "That's enough Anaysa" he snaps. I look at him. I can feel the blood in my veins pulsating and my heart is beating a hundred beats per minute. "You are going to marry this man whether you like it or not. You are to meet Cristobal this Saturday and that's the end of it" he says.

Cristobal Santiago. That's the fuck who decided to come and ruin my life. "I won't marry him" I say. "Yes, you will" my dad says trying to control his anger. "I said I won't and that's final. I will run away if I have to" "Are you threatening me Anaysa" he says, "You are under my roof and under my care. You are still a minor, one call to the police and they'll have you back in my house before you can even leave it" "You know you are right dad. I'm a minor. Tell me how old is this Santiago dude" I say. "He is 20 years old" he says. Gross. "First of all, the police would question you for making me marry an old man and second of all that is gross you are marrying me to an old man" I say. "Grow up Anaysa, we aren't going to marry you off tomorrow. Cristobal is willing to wait for you to turn of age to get married. As of right now you two are engaged and that's final!" he shouts. "I can't believe this!" I shout. "Anaysa enough!" he shouts. "No, I-" "I said enough!" he shouts, "Go to your room".

I knock over the baskets on my way out of the kitchen and I slam the door to my room. On my bed I see a bouquet of chrysanthemum's. I love chrysanthemum's but I know who these are from. I grab the little note attached to them and I open it. "I cannot wait to meet you. Until then please enjoy these chrysanthemum's. I heard they're your favorite -Cristobal".

I rip up the note and I throw it into the trash along with the chrysanthemum's.