Ari's PoV

Did they really expect me of all people to be okay with an arranged marriage? I'm only 15 for fucks sake! Not only that, but my parents want me to marry my cousin. How about, no. I don't even like him as a friend or a cousin or even as a human being. He talks to me like I'm stupid and helpless. He makes fun of me for (sorry for being blunt... Wait not sorry) not wanting to have sex, and he disrespects women in general. Well excuse me, but I am not helpless or stupid, and it's my body. I can do what I want with it, and intercourse is not one of the things I want to do. Every time I try to bring this up to my parents, they don't listen. All they care about is how much money they are going to make off of it, and my cousin's dad only cares about expanding the family business. Well, I'm done with this crap. I'm officially signing out of this family. I find it hilarious how they're trying to force me into this marriage while my dad isn't even my real dad, yet everyone still seems okay with my mom even if she "upset the family honor" or some crap like that. The hypocrisy is unreal, and I'm done.

That leads me to where I am right now. Currently, I'm sitting on a bench at a bus stop, nervously tapping my leg and readjusting my backpack straps. If only the damned bus would hurry up, my parents probably already know I've left. They are probably searching for me, and the sad thing is, they wouldn't have to walk far to find me. The bus stop is really close to my house. I only hoped that if someone were to find me, it would not be my cousin.

Of course, luck was not on my side today. I saw the bus roll tantalizingly around the corner of another street when I heard the dreaded voice.

"I found her! Ari, what the hell do you think you are doing?" My cousin, Kadar, shouted.

I bit back a curse and looked longingly at the bus. I should have known he would catch me. Maybe if I left a few minutes later I would have made it. Instead, I turned slowly away from my salvation and looked into the eyes of the 19-year-old male that was strutting up to me like I was a runaway dog and he was my angry owner. That thought made me pissed all over again.

"What does it look like I'm doing?" I asked forcefully, placing my hands on my hips. "I'm leaving, and there is nothing you can do to stop me." We both knew that was a complete and utter lie. He was way stronger than I was, and he would be willing to pick me up and drag me back to the house where he would gladly lock me in a room for the rest of my life. He was just that kind of person. To hide my building terror at being caught, I gave him one of my world famous death glares. To my surprise and satisfaction, he stopped walking a few feet away from me and seemed to cower for a second before he realized he had the upper hand.

"You almost had me there for a second, Ari. I'm not going to lie. However, we both know you are going to marry me, and there is nothing you can do to stop it." He said with his old smirk coming back to him.

"That's bold talk for someone who is too scared to come closer than three feet away from a 15-year-old girl," I taunted. I realized too late that it might not have been the smartest choice considering my well being in the next five minutes. His face turned from one of a confident sneer to a livid eggplant with his veins in his neck popping out.

I gulped involuntarily as he strode toward me and grabbed my arm in an iron grasp. "That's it young lady. You're going home with me, and you are going to stay locked in your room until our wedding day." He snarled.

I fought uselessly against him as he dragged me back toward the house. After a minute of struggling, I gave up and turned around to watch the bus leave the bus stop without me. What I thought to be my last ray of hope was now gone forever. Fighting back tears, I turned back around and marched up to the house with my head held high. If I was going to be forced into this marriage and this family, there was no use showing weakness over it. I have to be strong or else  they will only use my weakness against me. Not only that, but as a general rule I hated feeling weak and showing weakness. It wasn't my style.

Kadar slammed the door open, and I took a deep breath before entering the place that was sure to kill me. I only wished that later I would be able to look back on what happens next without feeling like it was my fault.

I feel accomplished! Two chapters in one night, and I hope to write another one before I fall asleep with the phone on my face. Tell me what you thought about it in the comments and have a good night!

Update: Sorry guys, I published this yesterday, but I didn't know it didn't show up in the story. It should be working now. Sorry for the confusion, and have a great day! 😊