"Father, I have something to tell you," I say.
"What is it?" he asks.
I stand up. "I have made my choice. I will marry Derek Iver." Lie.
"Really?!" my father asks. "I didn't think you were enamored with him." I'm not. "However that is a very smart choice."
I nod.
"I will get the news to him at once." He's practically glowing. If only he knew the truth.
He runs out of the house, humming with glee.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Derek is on one knee. "Aira, will you marry me?"
This seemed like a good idea five mintues ago. Now it seems so real. My father is smiling. Derek's daughter is trying to look into my eyes. I don't want this. I can't back out now though.
I nod vigorously to avoid saying "yes".
Derek gives me a big hug and I almost punch him in the face. I just want this to be over. Lying is easy when you don't have to face the consequences.
If I throw up, will everybody leave?
At least one good thing came out of this. The diamond in the ring is huge. I could buy a house with this.
When I try to sit down, his daughter jumps onto my lap. She grabs a lock of my hair and starts twirling it. Or should I say ripping it out of my scalp.
"Hello, Thora!" I greet her.
She gives me a toothy grin and takes another piece of my hair.
"What are your favorite flowers?" Thora asks.
"Magnolias. What are yours?" I respond.
"I like bluebells." Her voice contains wonder and joy.
She fills up my time with more fun questions. I'm happy about that.
Thora is the sweetest little girl but I couldn't raise her. I'm barely able to keep myself together.
Soon enough my evening is over and everybody says their goodbyes. Turns out a suprising amount of people want to see me get engaged.
Derek stays a couple minutes afterward. It was awkward. He would try to ask a toughtful, introspective question but I would give him short and meaningless answers.
When he finally leaves, I take the ring off my finger and go to bed.
YOU ARE READING
The Search
Ciencia FicciónIn the distant future, everyone must be married by the age of nineteen. If you are not married by your nineteenth birthday, the government chooses your spouse. This is a fate Aira is dreading. She's also dreading her parents choosing her husband. Bu...
