✔️ The Unwanted Bride (Book One) **UNDER EDITING**

An Unpleasant Stroll in the Garden

     "I heard that he ran out screaming like a girl! Refusing to go on the date with her!"

     "I heard that he called her a pig and then flipped the table!"

     "I heard that he got in the producers face for trying to force him to shake her hand!"

    Voices echo around the classroom, some trying to hide what they are saying as I walk by, others at least try to talk about it quietly. I quickly find my seat and sit down, keep my eyes on the grain of the wood, trying to tune out the voices as I follow the intricate lines with my eyes.

     "I heard that ate his food as quickly as he could so he could leave." Oh that's actually really accurate. "Then he punched a guy who tried to stop him!" There it is. As more people enter the room, more voice join in the chorus of the tall tales of my date.  Each one has a small detail that is correct nestled in a tangle of absurd events that would never take place anywhere. Eventually, the room turns to listen to Claire as she explains her brunch date and how a guy had someone managed to get special permission to fly her to the place with the best chefs ever.

     "Sapor." I mumble as I remember what Bronson talked to me about yesterday.

     "What did you say?" I look down to see Claire, and the gangle of girls, staring up from her desk, each look more severe than the last.

     "You were talking about how he took you to a place with the best chefs in the world." I say it softly, very aware that my throat has become extremely dry.

     "You were eavesdropping?" She shouts and the other girls mutter words of disgust. "Well, what you heard is true, that is what I said."

    "I just mean to say that he must have taken you to Sapor Town. That is where the best chefs in the world are." I say and some of the girls exchange glances. "I hope you had a good time."

     "A good time?" She asks as she stands from her chair. A beautiful silky gold dress trails behind her as she sticks her leg out from the large slit in the dress to step forward. "A good time would have been if I had one of my boys with me. You know, the ones you stole." Her black heels click on the ground as she marches up the stairs towards me. I so badly wish I could stand up to face her, but my legs won't move. "Even the weakest one, Collin could have given me a good time. Jason would have been a great time. But Theo... oh Theo, he would have been perfect!" She barks and she arches her back as she sneers down at me. "What do you have to say to that?" She hisses and I twiddle my thumbs trying to think.

     "Did you enjoy your meal?" I ask and some of the girls below snicker. She throws a deadly glance to which they quiet immediately. Turning back, her eyes glint and she gives me a wicked smile.

     "I actually did." Her body takes a quick turn and she begins walking back to her desk. The golden dress moves as if it is melting onto the floor. "We had roasted pig." She says and throws a look over her shoulder, a smile board across her face. "I hope it wasn't your runaway parents." With that, she is swallowed by the group of girls, laughing and cheering her on.

     Turning my head, I see Reena standing by the door. Her face is set hard as she stares at Claire. She turns her body to face me and our eyes meet. Then, my heart sinks a little. Why do I feel guilty looking at her? Why do I feel sad? She's the one who used me to get back at her mother. She pretended to be my friend for a little bit a petty revenge. Why would I even feel sad about not having her sit by me? I turn my head away first, staring hard at the desk in front of me. From the corner of my eye, I see her continue to watch me for a moment before turning and sitting at the back of the room. That little plummeting feeling of my heart comes again, but I try my best to ignore it.