Chapter 1: Arianna

Beep… Beep…Beep…

I heard my alarm blaring its beeping song so loud it felt like my ears would start bleeding. I rolled over in my soft warm bed and with eyes still blurred from sleep, hitting the off button on my alarm, and drifting back to sleep. Waking up once again, looking around trying to pinpoint what woke me up again.

"Arianna! Arianna!," a yell comes bursting through the house.

"WHAT!," I yelled in response.

"Are you out of bed yet?," yelled back the voice.

"Now I am!," I yelled back as I climbed out of bed. Walking over to my dress that was on the wall opposite of my bed I let out a large yawn. Pulling open the top drawer I riffled through my shirts trying to find the right one. Pulling out a black tank top that was not too big and not too small. Setting that tank top on top of the dresser. I bent down, opening the bottom drawer, looking for my favorite pair of black jeans. Pulling them out and examining them for stains. The black jeans were from GoodWill. They were broken in and a little worn out, but no holes in the fabric. The jean had these little bronzy gold button-like bumps running down the outer thighs of the pants that went all the way to the bottom. I ran my hands down the pants following the cold metallic feel of the cold buttons.

Standing up and setting the pants on top of the tanktop, I walk over to the closet, which is on the perpendicular wall to the dresser. Opening the doors I start rifling through the hanging clothes feeling all the textures of the fabric and as I look for the right over shirt for the tanktop. Pulling it out. It was an old crop top I had made out of an old arctic cat t-shirt. The bottom of the shirt was a little frayed but it was fine, it looked good that way, or at least I thought so. I walk around my room gathering the rest of my clothes and getting dressed. Walking past my service dog, Bailey, who was still sound asleep in her bed.

Walking down the stairs and turning right into the kitchen, my mom was frantically getting coffee and her lunch together for work.

"Morning, honey. How did you sleep?," she said, looking at me briefly before returning to her tasks.

"Good until you yelled for me to get up," I responded with sarcasm.

"Did you have those awful nightmares again?," she asked half heartedly.

"Is that even a question anymore,". After my father died in a tragic car accident caused by a drunk driver. Every night I have had terrible nightmares, that make me wake up multiple times a night in a cold sweat. The theme of the nightmares change all the time, but most of the time it's about my fathers accent. Shaking my head, getting the idea of the dream out of my head. I walk over next to my mom and open the cereal cupboard over her head and pull out the Cocoa Pebbles. Setting them on the counter I walk over to my right over to the stove and open the cupboard above it, pulling out a white glass bowl. Walking the bowl back over to the cereal box on the counter. I set the bowl down on the counter and poured some cereal. My mom walked to the door putting everything in her bag and looked at me.

"I will be home late tonight," she told me as she opened the door. Walking through it and closing it behind her. I put the cereal box back in the cupboard and walked over to the fridge that was next to the stove and grabbed the milk. Pouring it in my bowl and then putting it back. Grabbing my bowl I opened the drawer under it and grabbed a spoon. Then walked over to the dinning table setting the bowl down. Sitting down in the chair I start to eat.

When I was done eating I put the bowl in the sink and walked to the bathroom to brush my teeth. Turning around and looking at the clock on the wall.

"7:20," I mumble to myself. Walking upstairs and into my room. I gather all my school stuff, shoving it in my school bag one at a time. Grabbing my phone, checking the time. 7:25. I thought. Sliding my phone into my back pocket and ran down the stairs.

Walking up to the front door. I set my bag on the ground next to the door. Pivoting on my toes, I walked over to the closet. Flinging open the door I reach in and pull out my father's steel toe, brown leather, redwing boots. I wore these boots every day in memory of my father. It brought me comfort and a sense of not ever being alone. Holding the boots in two hands I walk back over to the door. I pressed my back against the wall and slid down. Sitting on the ground with my back against the wall I slid the boots on. Grabbing the leather laces I pulled them hard, tying them tight just like my dad did. Remembering all the times he would slide them on and tie them just like this. Standing back up, grabbing my school bag in the process. Throwing my bag over my shoulder and sliding my arms through the arm holes.

I walk back over to the still open closet and grab my black crocheted black hat with a brown rabbit hide pom-pom. Siding it on and walking out of the house. Shutting the door behind me, i started heading down to the end of the driveway to wait for the school bus. It was Thursday, May 18th of 2042. The weather was semi warm as a think mist hung in the air. The mist made the atmosphere feel heavy. I took a hard and long deep breath in. It was officially spring, the air smelling like it had just rained. Birds flew through the air, while chirping their sweet morning call. I could hear squirrels scurrying up trees as cars went flying by. Off in the distance I could see the flashing white light on top of the bus as it drew closer. Mentaly i checked off all the stuff in my bag making sure i had everything. The bus rolled to a stop, a few feet in front of me. Its long yellow arm extended from the bottom. Making eye contact with the bus driver as he waved me acrossed. Taking a deep breath, I walked across the road and entered the bus.

As I climbed up the wet bus stairs. The stingy, stale smell of people and metal hit me. Crinkling my noise as I passed the bus driver. He said "good morning," I just nodded my head to him and found an empty seat. Turning to stare out the window the whole way to school.

….

Once at school we all climbed off the bus in a single file line, like prisoners. The school is our warden. Walking into the dreary building, lacking any color.

"Good morning, Arianna," I hear a voice behind me as a hand lands on my shoulder. Turning around I see Genna. Genna has been my best friend since kindergarten. We had been through it all. Her parents devorce, my fathers death, and all the bullies in our school. All those events just made us closer. We had been through thick and thin, nothing would tear us apart.

"How did you sleep?," I asked her. Turning to face her we stood against a wall in the hallway.

"Good, what about you?," she responded.

"Same as always," her bright cheerful smile turned into a frown. Genna did not like that my nightmares were still happening. She blames herself for what happened.

"You should see someone about those soon," she told me as we continued to walk on.

"I am sure that they will end soon," I told her, sounding reassured. Although I knew the dreams would not end soon. I shook my head again, getting the thought of the latest dream out of my head. Genna looked at me. We stopped and faced each other. She placed a hand on my shoulder and squeezed slightly.

"Don't worry I will always be here for you," she told me as she looked me in the eyes.

"Thanks," I said with a small grin.

"Hey, Bade!," a voice boomed through the halls. Genna and I both looked in the direction the voice came from. It was her lousy excuse of a boyfriend, Cameren. The guy was an asshole. Genna's eyes lit up as he ran closer. Shrugging her hand off my shoulder I looked back at her.

"And this is my queue to leave," I said and left. Walking away I thought about my first class. I had math. I hated math. I just so happened to be good at it. Which is why I was a paid tutor for the school and I hated It. As I walked down the halls I walked past my class and kept walking until I was in the art room.

I loved art. I was pretty good at it too.it was my safe place. I loved to paint but we did not have the money for me to have a paint set of my own. So I made a deal with the art teacher, Ms. Sarah said that half of the money I made tutoring would go to her. As long as she let me have free rain on any art supplies that were in the art room. I liked Ms. Sarah. She was so kind to me and never forced me to talk about the past. Allowing me to focus on putting all my emotions into my art. She would always persuade me to enter art shows. I never did.

"Good morning," I heard from across the room. Ms. Sarah was sitting on a chair by the window on the left side of the classroom. She was painting with oil paint. I could smell the aroma from the paint all the way across the classroom.

"Good morning," I responded cheerfully.

"What brings you in so early?," she asked.

"I just wanted to check on the storm painting I started yesterday,"

"That painting is by far my favorite painting that I have seen by you," she told me very happily. I strolled over to the easel that the painting was left on.

"Thank you," I told her as I examined the piece of work. The painting contained a dark forest that was dark from an overcast storm looming in the background of the sky. There was a prairie in front of the forest with all the grass blowing every which direction. Leaves blow through the wind up into the dark sky. The clouds in the sky were a mix of dark grays mixed with light and a blueish-gray. Lighting strikes arched across the sky. With its edges blending into the sky. Giving the sky an effect of glowning.

"I think it is one of my favorites too," I told Ms. Sarah.

"What are you going to do with it?," she asked as she continued on her painting. I looked at her.

"You can keep it," I responded. Her eyes lit up and she looked at me.

"Are you sure?," she asked enthusiastically.

"Yep, I have no need for it. I am running out of wall space at home,"

"Thank you, it will go right behind my desk," she said as she ran over to give me a hug. I hugged her back and let go.

"Well I'm going to get to my next class," I said as I walked to the door leading to the hallway.

"Bye, have a good day. Thank you again," she yelled after me.

I continued to walk back to my math classroom. When I arrived the bell was about to ring. I walked into the classroom and to my seat. Pulling the seat out and sitting down, I started to rummage through my back pack for all my things. That's when the announcements turned on. A man's booming voice echoed through the speakers on the wall.

"Arianna Smith came down to the principal's office and brought your stuff," the voice said. I recognized the voice of the school's principal. Everyone in the class turned and stared at each other.

Shit this can't be good. I thought to myself. I gathered all my stuff in my bag, stood up and walked out of class. The eyes followed along with a few snickers. While walking to the office I tried to recall all the things I did over the past month. I could not remember anything I did wrong.

Why was I called down?

Walking through the entrance of the office all the workers looked at me with curiosity and worry. No one offered to walk me to the principal's room so I walked by myself. Again all the eyes followed me. Now I am getting worried. As I got to the principal's door it was closed so I knocked on it. The principal cracked the door open. He eyed me up and down. His eyes were full of pity and worry. He opened the door wider and ushered me in. Then the door closed behind me. Standing in the tiny familiar room, I began to look around. The blue walls, with pictures of his family on it. The dark gray carpet and his dark wood desk. Behind the desk a man sat with his arms crossed as he leaned back in the dark gray swivel office chair. The man sat up straight and leaded his arms on the desk. He looked fairly tall. His dark brown hair was cut into a pompadour style and stuck back with hair jell. He was dressed semi formally. He wore black dress pants and his white button up shirt was tucked into it. Around his neck he wore a black tie snuggly fastend. The strange man gestured for me to sit in one on the two chairs in front of the desk. His eyes stayed locked on mine. I sat down, crossing my legs, and setting my bag on the ground. I looked around and just noticed the big burly men standing on either side of him. They looked like bodyguards.

What in hell was going on? What did I do? Was I in trouble?

I looked back at my principal, he was standing in front of the door blocking it. He just stayed focused on the man in the chair. I looked back at the man.

"I am Alexander Johnson," the man behind the desk said. "I have a proposition for you," he chuckled, "well it's not really a preposition, you have to go through with it,"

"Okay," I said, my voice slightly weak.

"I am the financial and family asset manager for the only two royals in the country. You have probably heard of these families," he said looking at me.

"Sorry sir, I have not." I said.

"Well you will soon, he said. The Garcia and Davis families. These families have a very important tradition of arranged marriages," he said. My blood ran cold. "You and one other girl from this school have been chosen to be married to the eligible sons of these families. You have been chosen because you are very fertile and are a lonely child. Meaning you don't have much to leave behind when you get married,"

"What about my mom?''I interrupted him.

"Since you will not be able to contribute to the family. Your family will be paid a monthly amount to make up for your absence,"

"How much?," I asked , raising an eyebrow.

"One-thousand dollars will be the starting amount," he said.

Jesus that more than I make a month.

"You are arranged to marry the son of the Garcia family," he told me in a serious tone, "you will be sent back home you will leave behind all technology and can only bring with what can fit into a suitcase that will be provided to you, once you arrive home,"

"What about my service dog?," I asked.

"Why is the dog not here with you," he asked. I turned around to the principal and glared at him.

"There are no dogs allowed in the school. Service dog or not, it is a distraction for learning," the principal said. This was a problem in the past. When my father passed away I had PTSD from the accident and got a lot of anxiety. I was given a service dog to help with my emotions. Although the school refused to let me have her in the building. Claiming it was a "distraction to learning". It was stupid.

"The dog can go with," Alexander said, looking back at me. "These men will take you home and help get you stuff ready,". He gestured to the men on his sides.

"Your flight leaves in two hours, which gives you an hour to get your things together," he said.

"Okay will my dog get a bag?," i asked

"Yes. After you are all done packing you will head to the airport, and meet the other lucky girl!," he said excitedly.

Why the hell is this lucky!! In an arranged marriage to a guy I don't even know. Never the less heard of. With one last knod from Alexander I was on my way. I was escorted by the two guards to the door and into the main office. Everyone in the office looked at me again. Stopping briefly, I looked behind me.

Yep, still being followed. The two guards followed me all the way outside where a vehicle awaited. The vehicle was a full balck hummer. With fully tinted windows. The windows were so tinted I didn't even see the driver in the vehicle. As we approached the hummer the driver hopped out and opened the back door for me. I climbed in the hummer. The seats were black leather and smooth. The seats were so comfortable, I felt like taking a nap. If only this situation was not so stressful. The door opened in the passenger seat and one of the guards climbed in. Then so did the driver, and we were off. I looked through the window and watched the school disappear in the distance. That's when I noticed one of the guards stayed behind.

"Why did that guard stay behind?," I asked out loud, hoping someone would answer. Noone did.

….

We pulled onto my street. As we drove down the street I started thinking.

What if this is the last time I will see home? What if I don't see my mom again?

We pulled into my driveway. We stopped and I hopped out, stretching and looking around. The guards hopped out one holding a suitcase, and came to my sides.

Great… will I ever get rid of these dudes.

I walked up and into the house, with the guards closely following. Bailey was so excited to see someone who came running up to me. She sniffed me and the guards, but it did not phase the guards.

If I stabbed them with a knife would they even flinch?

The one guard that had the suitcase set it down next to me. I grabbed it and went up stairs with Bailey following close behind. The guards did not follow me up. Entering my room, I threw the suitcase on my bed and unzipped it. It was a hard sided suitcase, with no pockets inside or outside. I started folding my blanket and placed it at the bottom of the suitcase. Following the blanket was a dog pillow pet, my father gave me when I was five. I walked over to the dresser and pulled out ten shirts and tank tops and folded them. Then placing the tank tops and shirts in the suitcase. Next was the pants. I grabbed five pairs of jeans, folded them and placed them on top of the shirts. Walking over to the dresser one last time I opened the middle drawer. Pulling out five pairs of shorts, folding them and putting them in the suitcase. I waked over to the closet, which was still open from this morning. I pulled out three sweatshirts and then folded them. Proceeding to place them in the suitcase. I finished putting stuff in my bag. On top of all the clothes was a picture. The picture contained me when I was five. My smile reaching my ears. Behind me was my mother and father. Closing the suitcase and pushing it down so I could zip it closed.

Grabbing the suitcase I walked down stairs. The guards were still standing in the door. A bag was sitting next to them packed full of my dog's stuff. Walking over to the guards I set down the suitcase in front of them. Bending down, I started rummaging thru the dog bag. I was looking for Bailey's leash and harness. The leash and harness were not there. Walking into the kitchen, I spotted her leash and harness on the counter. Grabbing the dog items I returned to the guards.

"Let's go,'' I said, heading for the door, but the guards did not move.

"Madam Smith, we have been told to confiscate your phone and other technology," one of the guards told me as he stuck out his phone. With a groan, I handed over my phone.

"Is that all?," the other guard asked. All I did was knod, and continued to the door. Bailey followed not far behind. The guards grabbed the dogs and my stuff. As they were loading it in the hummer I climbed with Bailey. When they got in and we were backing down the driveway I asked.

"Does my mom know where I am going?,"

"She has been informed about everything," the guard in the passenger seat said. That was it we were heading to the airport. To get on a plane. To meet the guy who will change my life forever.