The Bait and Switch

Catherine Louise Armstrong (Blake)

Catherine’s POV

I was second place. I would always be in second place according to my parents. I made the best grades, I had the best manners, I was neat, tidy, and kind. Yet, it never mattered to my parents because I was never Monica. That was my price to pay. Since the beginning of my life I was always told how I was a horrible attention seeker, always trying to dim Monica’s spotlight.

For a while I felt that way as well, until I just grew to accept that this was the lot that life had given me. While Monica went to an elite private school, I went to regular public school. When she got an iPhone, I got a flip phone. When we both got our licenses, Monica had gotten a Rolls Royce, and I had gotten a used Audi.

Maybe I should’ve complained more, but then I would think of the children who were abused, or starving, living a life I could never image. My parents gave me just enough to survive. I grew to be grateful and just accept everything with the smile because they could take it away in a second.

I figured this was just the life that was given me. I thought I would always be second, until something (or should I say someone) had decided I was to be first. That was when life had given me Clark.

Clark was my gold metal, in a life of silver. I couldn’t imagine my life without him. We grew up together, going to public school. It was the one thing I would be forever grateful to my parents for because I would’ve never met Clark had I gone to private school like Monica. Clark was amazing , and he was a dreamer. He would tell me about how we were going to live a lavish life, and that he would get me a castle fit for a Princess.

As time went on our bond grew stronger, and my love for him grew just the same. So, when he asked me to marry him, I couldn’t think of any other answer except yes. My parents didn’t put up a fight, but they also weren’t going to shell out money to their second place child, for her second place marriage.

That was fine by me. I didn’t want a huge, obnoxious wedding. I just wanted my Clark. So here we are at the courthouse. I have never felt so cherished in my life. I loved Clark, and any road that we went down we would conquer together.

“Do you Catherine Louise Blake, take Clark Joseph Armstrong, to be your lawfully wedded husband. Forsaking all other until death do you part”? asked the officiant. “Of course I do”, I answered.

“Do you Clark Joseph Armstrong, take Catherine Louise Blake to be your lawfully wedded wife. Forsaking all other until death do you part”?

“ I absolutely do”. Clark answered with tears in his eyes. I just knew that my life with Clark would be perfect. Filled to the brim with all the love, honesty, and hard work that both us would give.

“ You may now kiss your bride”. I felt my love take my face in his hands, and seal our lives together with a kiss so full of love and promises, that I didn’t even notice Monica leaving the room. I’m not shocked that she did though, the day wasn’t about her, so why would she stick around.

“It is my honor to present to you for the first time ever Mr. and Mrs. Clark Joseph Armstrong”. It was official, I could spend the rest of my life in first place. I was no longer a Blake, but an Armstrong.

“You my dear, look absolutely stunning and I can’t keep to see where my life with you will lead”. Clark said looking at me as we walked out of the courthouse hand in hand.

“Neither can I Clark”. I was finally given something in life that made it all worth wild.