Hey, I got some amazing feedback on this story so I am rewarding you guys with another chapter! But mostly because I have writer's block for TWC so if u have any ideas for that, review on that story and shall take it and run with them! You guys are so amazing, waking me up with your story alerts and everything! Hope ya enjoy(: PS, Sonny isnt gonna be that big of a character btw, she's just their sister and gives mitchie some advice in the future…enjoy(:
Arranged Love: Chapter 1
There had to be some amazing reason as to why the hottest boy band at the moment was joining us for dinner. I mean, most girls would be fangirling and breathing down their necks but I was pretty calm, especially since I'd actually met them before and really wasn't their number one fan.
"I know you are wondering why we have decided to have dinner together," my dad started, using the same tone he did when he was about to make some long important speech. Eck.
"Dad, just get to the point," I urged as there was a wave of chuckles around the table as I just sat there, murderously stabbing my filet mignon with my fork.
My mom shot me a stern look which I proudly returned before President Torres spoke again.
"Well we have big news," he began again as I rolled my eyes, thinking of what their big news could be. Were they renewing their vows? Was mom pregnant? Was he finally quitting after this term so that we can go back to being a normal family? Or was he for sure entering the election?
"This news affects everyone at this table," dad said as I looked around the table at the people surrounding me. What could Connect 3 & Company possibly have to do with my family and me?
"Lately the boys have been receiving some bad publicity on account of Shane," I smirked at what the Gray's mom said. I had saw on Hot Tunes how he had almost run over the paparazzi, dumped water all over his director, and stormed off the set of his new music video in all one night. There publicity had been nothing but bad for the past three months.
"What does this have to do with us?" I asked as mom cleared her throat and answered the question for me.
"Denise was talking, sweetheart," she corrected, which wasn't really the answer.
Denis continued, "With your father reentering the election we figured this could benefit him also. I mean, America's favorite first daughter dates bad boy Shane Gray? The press will have a field day and the nation's attention would be diverted to our familes," Denise explained as I almost choked on my Shirley Temple. DATING SHANE GRAY? I WOULD RATHER DIE IN A TOXIC PIT FULL OF SHARKS AND GET MY EYES CLAWED OUT IN THE PROCESS THAN DATE HIM. Okay, maybe I wouldn't but you get my drift!
"You want me to date your son to improve his image?" I asked incredously, eyeing Shane as he shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
"Well yes date for two weeks claiming to have been in a private relationship, then announce your engagement and have a wedding three months later," the Gray's father said as my eyes widened and prickly black spots speckled my vision. ENGAGED? MARRIED? TO SHANE GRAY?
"I'm 17 years old and you want me to get married to a jerk like your son? You really expect me to give up my life for the sake of your son's image? WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? I won't do it!" I screamed at the elder Grays before turning to my parents. "HOW THE HELL COULD YOU AGREE TO THIS? YOU CAN'T PLAN OUT MY LIFE FOREVER! I REFUSE TO GET MARRIED TO SOME ARROGANT, COCKY, HAIR OBSESSED QUEER!" I screamed, not caring that I sounded like a total spoiled brat. How could they just expect me to marry someone I had barely exchanged two words with in the period of a year?
"Well I don't want to get married to some bitchy daddy's girl that judges people without actually knowing them," I heard Shane mutter as I whipped my head around and shot him a look that could kill.
"Don't ever talk to me like that again," I sneered as I heard a collection of awkward noises around the table. This wasn't going to work and I wasn't going to allow it to happen.
"Michelle, please just hear us out. We always here you talking about how you hate it here and wish you had some freedom. We know you love to sing. This could be your chance to venture out into the world and let them see your talent. Instead of just floating in an island of hope and a sea of sameness you could go to La La Land and fufill your dreams," President Torres (since I'm mad at him, I refuse to call him Dad) said and I wrinkled my eyebrows in confusion. I had heard those words before…OMJB, HE DIDN'T!
"You read my diary?" I spat as his eyes widened in fear, realizing he had been caught. "GOD, I HAVE NO PRIVACY IN THIS STUPID HOUSE! IF IT WEREN'T FOR YOU WANTING TO FRIKING RUN THE STUPID COUNTRY, I WOULDN'T HAVE TO LIVE HERE. I REFUSE TO GET MARRIED TO THAT SCUMBAG AND I REFUSE FOR YOU TO CONTROL MY LIFE ANY LONGER. I AM DONE WITH THIS!" I threw my napkin down onto the table before sprinting out of the formal dining room and up the stairs to my room. Once there, I locked the door before crashing onto my bed and hugging myself. I willed myself not to cry as I sat on my bed, completely alone in my own thoughts. I didn't want to get married. I wanted to at least attempt to enjoy what was left of my teenage years and then go off to Juliard to pursue my singing career. I had plans for my life and it was bad enough that this stupid president crap had gotten in the way of that, but getting married to some pretty boy would just ruin it completely. I felt so hopeless, so lonely, so frustrated.
I heard a soft knock at the door and sobbed as I realized that I had absolutely no one to talk to. There was no one to comfort me; no one that I could rant to until I felt better.
"Mitchie," I rough voice said as I stood and unlocked my door before collasping back on my bed. I felt the person enter my room and the bed dipped down from the weight. I looked over and noticed Shane there with his hands in his lap, looking solemn. The taste of peanut butter filled my mouth like it did when I felt guilty about something and the pit of my stomach sickly twisted. I shouldn't have called Shane those things.
"I'm sorry for calling you bitchy and all that other crap. And I'm sorry for having such a bad image that my parents are forcing us to get married. But you don't know me so you can't judge," he snapped coldly as I rolled my eyes and scooted up to my pillows.
"Wow, the Shane Gray is apologizing. Someone get this on camera!" I weakly joked as he chuckled and rolled his eyes. He had really light hazel eyes that flickered with specks of green and blue and gold. His eyes were so pretty, kind of hypnotizing too.
"Mitchie, this is usually the part where you apologize to me," he hinted as I giggled. Woah, I never giggled.
"I'm sorry for calling you a queer and everything else. And I'm sorry for exploding like that and judging you," I apologized, looking at the middle of his forehead so I wouldn't get lost in his eyes again.
"What do you think about us getting married?" he asked as I just huffed and pushed my bangs out of my face. I tried to remember the reason I had gotten bangs across my forehead in the first place but…I just couldn't.
"I think it is utter and complete shit. Its fuckery! I'm only like 17 and no offense to you or anything but I do not wanna move across the country to be your arm candy so people can stop thinking that you are a total fucking asshole!" I exclaimed as his eyes widened at my language. I never really spoke like that but I was angry and it just bubbled out.
"I didn't know the president's daughter had such colorful language," Shane joked as I sighed and pulled my legs up to my chest. There were a lot of things that people don't know about me.
"No offense again but why can't I marry Nate or something? You're four years older than me and that's creepy on a scale," I asked as Shane ran his hadns through his moppy black hair. It was so shiny and looked as if he had straightened it. I wonder how his hair looked curly…
"Nate has a girlfriend and it would be suspicious if he just broke it off with her and married you. Jason is married and Frankie is a minor so that leaves me," Shane explained as I sank into my pillows and snatched off my heels, rubbing my aching feet.
"So, there's no way to get out of this marriage? I mean, aren't arranged marriages illegal?" I asked, even though I should know the answer. I lived in the friking place where laws are made!
"You're the president's daughter, you tell me," he replied as I giggled again and stretched out my feet.
"I think we started off on the wrong foot. I'm Michelle Torres but the only ones who call me that are my parents so just call me Mitchie. And I also like unicorns and anything that sparkles," I introduced, stretching out my hand for him to shake.
He shot me a charming smile before grabbing my hand and giving it a firm shakes, sending electric waves all through my body. THAT FEELING HAS TO STOP!
"I'm Shane Gray and I like to live on the edge by fighting dragons and eating microwave pizza," Shane explained as I let out a loud laugh before I realized he hadn't let go of my hand. And I was kinda happy about that.
"We probably should get back," I suggested, fighting back a yawn.
Shane shook his head before pulling the covers out from under me and gesturing for me to get underneath him. Did he really expect me to…
"You look tired. I'll explain everything to them while you sleep. It'll be fine, they'll probably arrange another meeting soon. I'll see you later Mitchie," Shane said as I climbed under the covers despite me still being fully clothed and he pulled the covers up to my chin. My name sounded so right rolling off the tip of his tongue that it sent butterflies fluttering around in my stomach.
He leaned down and kissed my cheek before shutting off my main light and exiting my room, leaving me to wait to be succumbed into my mindless dreams. My cheek tingled as I rolled on my back and stared up at the ceiling. So Shane Gray had a soft side…I liked him better that way.
I suck at ending things, hehe. How was it? You already read so review(: thanks so much for your positive and encouraging reviews. This story would be nonexistent without you guys*: REVIEW!