No, no, no, I’m really not okay.
Grabbing her bag, she pressed Betty’s number, and called. Leaning forward, she rested her head on her hand that held onto the counter in front of her. Closing her eyes, she listened to the ring, waiting for her friend to pick up.
“Hey, babe, did you get in really late last night, and not get in ‘til this morning?” Betty asked. “I thought we were walking in together.”
“Betty, I really need you to be quiet right now.”
“What’s wrong? You sound funny,” Betty said.
“What’s going on?” Lara asked.
“I don’t know. She doesn’t sound right.”
“Betty, I’ve done something really stupid, and right now I just really need to talk to to you.”
“Lara, this is serious. Harper, you’re on speaker. What’s wrong, and can we help?”
“I don’t know if you can help. I, er, I got married,” she said. Even now, a full day since she decided to marry a man she didn’t know, the words were just embarrassing.
Live dangerously.
Do something radical.
Marry a guy you thought was a creep.
Just do everything stupid, Harp.
She had to tell her parents yet, and the very thought of them finding out the truth scared her.
“You got married? Are you joking around now?” Lara asked.
“I really wish I was joking around. I got married to Abel.”
“The old guy!” Betty asked. “I said he’d be good for experience, not to actually get married.”
“I know, but guess what? I got married instead, yay.” She squeezed her eyes closed, hoping she didn’t have to open them again. “It’s not a dream.”
“Wait? Where are you?” Lara asked.
“Vegas. He got us on the first flight out here, and we got married a few hours ago.” Since the moment she’d said “I do”, and the ring was on her finger, she’d been slowly building up the regret. They were now back at the hotel he’d booked, and he was outside waiting.
She was a virgin, and even though it was her wedding night, she wasn’t ready to have sex. Not yet.
“Vegas! Marriage! Abel! You didn’t invite us!” Lara asked.
The disappointment in her friends’ voice was easy to hear. She’d upset them both. “Can we stay on point? I made a mistake, and now I don’t know what to do.”
“Have you slept with him?” Betty asked.
“No. I don’t want to either.”
“Then don’t. Don’t sleep with him, and you’ll get the marriage annulled. Everything will be fine,” Betty said, being the voice of reason for a change.
“You’re sure?” Harper asked.
“Yes. They can still annul marriages. Don’t sleep with him, and tell him how you feel. I’m sure he wouldn’t force you.”
Standing up, Harper stared at her reflection, and saw the fear in her eyes. “This is why I don’t go partying in nightclubs, or do anything stupid. The moment I start, I spiral out of control, and now look at what I’m doing? I’m a complete mess!”