Bonjour, my name is Kristabelle Augustine. I live in Marseille, France. I am 12 years old. I have never had a good life and it is getting worse. I am getting married next week. Yes, a twelve year old girl getting married. I am a mariée minuers, which means underage bride. I do not want to get married, but I have to. The man I am marrying is Horace Bordelon. He is 37 years old. I am marrying a man three time my age. I must marry him because my maman and papa, say it is one less mouth to feed. We aren't very wealthy, and they say I will become a wife no matter what, so I should just become one now so they can use the money they were using to feed me, on more important things. Horace is not a kind man, he ignores the world, and always has a smug look on his face. My world is crumbling, but I refuse to kill myself. I've read about people go do and people mourn over their deaths. I know my maman and papa will not, nor Horace, but somewhere, in my heart, I do believe someone will miss me. Which is enough reason to not kill myself. I still don't have hope, I haven't in the past 12 years and I probably never will. Today, me and my "Famille" are going to meet my Grand-père (Grandfather). I have known he had existed, but he lives in a place called Canada. He is visiting for my Mariage (Wedding). I hear my mamon calling"ll est ici Kristabelle!! (He is here Kristabelle). I am very effrayé (frightened). I have only met two men in my life, Horace, and my Papa, I believe all men are like them; cruel. I walk down the hall to see a short old man. And he has something on his face I have never had on mine; a genuine smile. I did something no one expected, not even I, I hugged him. I quickly pulled back and looked down at my feet. I didn't look back up until I realized that my parents had left me with him. "I'm sorry" He said. I looked at him weirdly, because I only speak French, so I didn't know what he was saying. "He m'excuse." (I'm sorry) He started. Oh he must have said I'm sorry in anglais (English) the first time. " Pour ce mariage, je souhaite qui'll y avait quelque chose que je pouvais faire, au Canada, cela est contraire á la loi. (For this marriage, I wish their was something I could do, in Canada, this is against the law) He finished. "ll est normal, il n'y a rien que nous pouvons faire." (It's okay, there is nothing we can do.)
Wedding day
"Aïe!" (Ow!!) I yelped as my mamon accidentally burned me with the curling iron. She was getting me ready for the wedding. Once she finished, we started walking to the Marseille Cathedral, it was quite beautiful, but knowing that I would be marrying Horace in there, made it look like a haunted house. I heard the music start and I thought my heart skipped a beat. I walked in and saw all eyes on me, I just looked down. I reached Horace and didn't look at him. I must've zoned out, because next thing I know I hear,"Et ne vous Kristabelle Augustine, take Horace Prenez Bordelon être votre légitime époux?" (And do you, Kristabelle Augustine, take Horace Bordelon to be your lawfully wedded husband?) I froze. I didn't think this part through, I have no where else to go , so I guess I have to say yes. But something was telling me to turn around. I did and saw him; Grandpa. I could live with him! I turned around and faced the priest,"Non" (No) I whispered. I heard gasps, but I also heard claps. I turned around and saw people holding signs saying Dire non g'des mariages dènfents! (Say no to child marriages!) And for the first time in 12 years, I smiled.
One year later
I have lived in Canada with my Grandpa for a year, and I have never been more happy. I am now fluent in English and have made many friends. Everybody knows my story, and it doesn't change their point of view of me. I love my life and I have a feeling that won't change. But I have one last thing to say,
Say no to child marriages!!!!
YOU ARE READING
The Worst Day of My Life, My Wedding Day.
Short Story(I wrote this when I was 11 💀) Join Kristabelle as she prepares to get married, but here's the catch, she's 12, and Horace is 37! Just a short story about how I feel about child marriages.
