Chapter 7

“Look Steph, it's not what you think. Dad made the marriage arrangements, Honestly I didn’t ask for it.” I said, aware that I was shoving my Dad under the Bus. I couldn't bear to face Steph’s wrath, she is my twin and I love her more.

“Really?” she sneered, as though I was some pest beneath her. I swallowed hardly “If that is true, why didn't you say anything to me? You know how much I love Damian,”

‘Love? No Steph, you are obsessed with Damian. You literally have his pictures all over your room,’ I almost said but bit back the words. “I am sorry that you are just getting to know,” I apologized rather 

“Sorry won't excuse this betrayal!” she yelled, tugging at her hair frantically. 

Betrayal? I didn’t ask for either for this?!!

“Fine!” she grabbed my arms roughly “We must come to an agreement; you will end up with Prince Kareem, and I, with Damian Delance,”

“What?” My eyes widened. It wasn't enough that I had to have sleepless night with migraines over the sudden tragedy of my life, and she wants to add to it— I should get married to her betrothed? A total stranger? No!

“Yes, we can go and meet Dad this minute; we will tell him that we agree to get married but on the conditions that I will marry Damian, and you will marry Kareem. Simple!” She smiled wickedly

I shook my head in dismay. No. How can she say that?

When she saw my expression, she pouted, bearing her puppy eyes for me. I shook my head again, but she pouted “Please,” her voice sounding like she was going to cry.

Stephanie hadn’t said “please” to me in years. I could feel my resolve breaking but I kept shaking my head in refusal.

“Please Sarah, if you love me you will let me marry the man of my dreams,”

I looked away, fearing that if I looked at her I would agree to an even undefined fate.

Then she sighed deeply, it was the calmest I had heard her spoke “If you choose to go on with this marriage, consider yourself sisterless, and twinless!”

Twinless.

The word kept hunting me as I walked through the school corridors the next morning. I was a shadow of myself; that my mirror’s reflection revealed as I prepared for school. The dark eye bags, sagging cheeks, my lean body was hidden by a big hoodie I wore.

Just then I noticed that the entire student body was staring at me. Okay; do I look so bad? The hoodie was supposed to protect me from stares.

They kept staring at me and making side talks. It was obvious that I was the subject of their discussion. Some held their phones and were pointing at me. I felt like an invisible force should whisk me away from their midst.

I barely walked pass a set of students when what I heard froze me to the teeth “She is getting married to Damian Delance,”

Oh no, why didn’t I think that they would be aware. I should not have come to school today.

I hurried pass the students, increasing my pace.

“Why does she get to marry Damian? She isn’t so pretty,”

“Oh my goodness, Sarah is getting married to Damian. My father confirmed it.”

“I heard they were forced by both parents— because why would Damian end up with someone like her? She is just plain, there’s nothing juicy about her!”

“I detest her even more,”

My head was spinning from all the voices, and I almost tripped, but Zara’s presence saved me.

"Sarah!" She called, holding my hand. I hadn’t told her about my marriage to Damian, and I knew she wanted some explanation but I was grateful that she showed up in time.

“You seem pale, Sarah. Are you alright?" She asked and I shook my head. I could still feel the hundreds of eyes on me. I couldn't speak. I found it hard to breathe properly.

"Come with me" she pull my hand gently, and led me away. 

“Your name is all over the school, the news; everywhere. What is going on? Is it true?” She asked, her eyes depicting sadness 

“Look, I am so sorry,” I said, touching her arm gently “My Dad and his father made the arrangements, obviously, it was going to be beneficial to both families. Honestly Zara, it was sudden,”

Zara seem to think deeply about it “Was that why you didn’t want me to come over last night?” She asked

“Yes, I was a coward” I admitted “I didn’t know how to face you and if you would understand. I am so sorry,”

“It’s cool,” Zara smiled, but I could tell that the smile didn’t reach her eyes “so you are really marrying Damian?” She asked

I nodded. “Cool,” she sighed again “but have you told Coleman? It would be better if he hears it from you than anyone else,”

My heart rammed heavily against my chest. Oh no, I completely forgot about Coleman!

“Geez…” I was saying when a voice interrupted mine. It was a teacher’s “Sarah!” She called loudly.

I turned to give her my full attention. “ It’s a good thing I found you. The principal wants you in her office,”

I swallowed hard and looked at Zara whose eyes zeroed on me “See you,” she said and scampered away quickly.

The teacher led me to the principal’s office and left me at the door. I knocked and pushed the door open, Mrs Vanessa lifted her head from whatever she was scribbling “Morning Sarah,”

“Good morning, Vanessa” I said and sat on a chair facing her. Her office was large. She had a shelf of books at a corner. A table, five wooden chairs, two large sofas— The floors were pristine and from where she sat, she could see what goes on in the corridor. “You sent for me?”

"Oh, yes," she paused to look at me and adjusted her glasses "Well, I wanted to talk to you about the rumors about your marriage, but I just got off the phone with your— father in law,” she paused “and everything is cleared now,”

Mr Delance? I cringed.

"I was just surprised that you were getting married.

I mean, it's odd but, you don't have to worry about anything anymore. It's not gonna affect your studies here,”

Why is she talking like I am the only one who is a student here? Damian is also a student, and she should be extending ‘her concern’ also to him.

Now to think about it, Damian barely stays in school. He just whizzes in and disappears. Why did even come to this town? My life changed the moment he did. Oh, I hate him so much.

“And I am sure that you are going to  sort things out with your family and friends, so this doesn't affect the studies either. Good luck dear!” She said firmly, dismissing me.

“Thank you?” I mumbled before leaving the office abruptly. I hated how she made me feel.

I can’t believe that in a few days, I would be walking on the aisle to get married to a stranger. Damian Delance.

I was walking quietly to my next class when I heard snickers and boos from a group of boys. I looked at them confused. I do not know them.

"Hey, Sarah," one of them came and pushed the hoodie cap from my head. 

My face contorted into a frown. I rolled my eyes and tried walking away, but he held me back roughly “What do you want? Leave me alone!” I yelled into his face but his smirk grew wider.

His friends were chuckling as well. I looked around and noticed that there was no other student in view. I checked for the school’s CCTV and realized that there was none at the angle where we were. How is it even possible?

Dread filled my loins. 

“I can’t let you go, Sarah. I have been trying to get your attention for months but you wouldn’t budge, so now, I am going to have you all to myself,” He suddenly pushed me to the wall. I yelped, pushing hard against his chest. His friends had turned their backs on us, more like some sort of protection- to watch out for their leader.

“Let her go,” A voice suddenly said. It was a male’s.

I turned to have a look, and my eyes widened at who it was.