Arranged

Technically Normal

I got off my bike and let it fall on the grass in front of Blake's house. I walked up the steps and rang the doorbell.

I literally felt like I couldn't breathe. My face was hot and I couldn't see straight. As I put my hand up to ring the doorbell again the door opened and Blake was standing in her school clothes.

"Jesus what's wrong with you?" She asked holding my face. She grabbed my hand and pulled me into the house. I heard the door close and I was pulled to the couch.

I felt like I was calming down, either from the cool air of the AC or I was sitting with my friend. "I'm gonna get you some water, yeah?"

I didn't even respond...

After drinking the water she gave me I was able to use correct English out loud.

"Okay so can you tell me what's wrong now?" She asked pulling me into a hug.

Any friends I have are either outside of the community or none at all. Anyone in the community is either I know them because of my siblings or same age group in church meetings.

The only thing that separates me from the other kids in community is that I went to public school with other secular kids. That's the only good thing my parents have done for my future.

My mom wanted all of her children to have an education to make something of ourselves. Well that's great for Isaiah the only son she has. The rest of us girls go to school, get our piece of paper that says you passed all of your classes congrats. She wants us to go to college, but what the point when I can't even use my degree to get a job because I'll end up being a housewife.

"Do you remember all of those things I told you about the community?" I asked her. Blake, and my other friend Jennifer, aren't apart of the community. So, they know a few things about it but not all the details. "Well it's my turn." I said shrugging.

"Your turn as in, what?" She questioned holding me tighter.

"Marriage." I shrugged. "And there's no way out of it. I am either going through with this marriage with this guy I don't know or run away and they find me I marry this guy I don't know."

"Oh babe." Blake sighed heavily and brushed my hair back pulling me into another hug. "What are you going to do?" She asked me.

"Well as much as I don't want this I have to. I don't have a boyfriend like Sam to run away with and be all happy and blah blah blah." I shook my head. "So tonight, I'm going to this Formal Ball with Justin, that's his name, and get to know him a little more. Hopefully he isn't a completely bad person. And then I plan my wedding to a guy I barely know."

My phone started ringing in my jacket pocket, and I didn't want to answer it. If I answer that and its my father or Brother David or Some Bishop, I'm in deep shit. Blake took my phone out of my pocket and looked at the caller id. "Do you know this number?" She said showing me the screen, and I shook my head.

"Hey, quien es este?" She answered talking in Spanish. I heard the voice and it wasn't anyone I recognized by voice. "He says his name is Justin, is it the one you were talking about?" She asked covering the microphone. I held my hand out for the phone and answered.

"Hello?" I answered.

"Hey um, it's me, Justin." He began. "Look ill make this quick. I know this isn't what you want but I promise you can trust me, and I'm not like my dad or yours or any bishop okay. I'm technically normal and I hope you come with me to Bush Hall to get to know me better."

Should I go? It's not like I really have a choice or my dad and God squad will come banging at Blake's door. Okay, that's a smidge of an exaggeration but I wouldn't put it pass them.