Beth’s New Life

Beth Thompson’s life was about to change, she just had no idea how long this had been planned. It was a quiet night as they were having dinner then, her dad, Darren, dropped a bomb. She stilled did I hear him correctly?, “are you being serious dad” he waited a moment “yes, I am.” She took a moment before hiding her face, “I can't believe this” it was slightly muffled. Darren let it be for a minute or two, “I know that this is unexpected but, its been planned for a while.” She leaned back and looked at him “what,” she has known that arranged marriages happen. She never thought it would happen to her. Darren sighed “its not like you don't know him, you've seen Kent plenty of times.” That part surprised her more “dad, every time I've seen him he's tormented me.” There is a part of her that might have liked him, of course, she kept that to herself. She's nineteen she's not ready for this, they continued eating. As they cleaned up Beth thought it through, “I know how important this is to you. I'm not going to object at all but, I'm also not going to like it” he laughed a little. “That's fair enough” he gave her a hug “thank you Beth,” not long after she headed home. It was still sinking in as she walked the three blocks home. As she got ready for bed Beth couldn't stop thinking about him, its been a few months since they last seen each other. She was so distracted she couldn't focus on anything, not the book she started reading a few days ago. Not even the movie she put on for background noise, it wasn't long before her phone cut through her thoughts. “I’m glad you finally know Beth,” she sighed and wondered what to respond with. “Now you get the chance to torment me for life,” she can see him typing and stopping and typing again. It takes a few minutes before he finally replies, and its something she's not ready for. “That's true, I’ll have a few new ways to have fun with you.” Beth blushes. She sends a simple “I hate you,” it would be easy to guess that he laughed at that. They send a few more messages before calling it a night, Beth wound up dreaming about him. She woke up shocked by how much she liked the idea of being with him, Kent is a year older than her. He had made it a mission to be stuck on her mind, this time he's succeeded in a different way. She didn't want to tell anyone about it, after a while Beth got up and got ready for work. It was a quiet walk for her, the weather is absolutely perfect. As soon as she walked into the store Jess knew, “something happened didn't it.” She smiled a little “care to tell me” Beth sighed, she put her bag in the staff room before joining her. She stood behind the counter “dad told me that I'm getting married,” Jess was stunned “what? To who” Jess would know who Kent is. She's the only friend of hers who has met him, “to Kent” it fell quiet Jess laughed a little. She hit her arm a few times “this is perfect,” of course, she would say that. “How?” before she could answer a few customers walked in, it was a while before they could talk again. After a couple of hours things got quiet. As they continued their conversation Kent just happened to walk in, Beth noticed first “you've got to be kidding.” Kent smirked “I was waiting for the perfect time to come in,” she scoffed “why doesn't that surprise me.” He looked amused “nice to see you again Jess,” a few moments pass “likewise Kent.” She casually walked away with a sly smile, once they're alone “how long have you known.” At first, Kent shrugs but doesn't say a word, he looks around a little before “three months.” Beth deflates a little “you could have said something you know.” He closes the distance and leans in “where's the fun in that.” He laughs a little as he moves away, Beth isn't sure what she wants to do. “I’m going through with this but, that doesn't mean I like you” he looks at her and adds. “How long do you think that will last,” it was clear her body language was giving her away. After a while Kent left, Beth was left feeling conflicted. Kent was prepared to get her to fall for him, it would only be a matter of time. “I bet you'll fall for him in no time” Beth was a little startled, “you were listening.” Jess didn't hesitate, “of course, I was” nothing much is said after that. They spend the next four hours serving customers and restocking the shelves. The weather takes a turn as she walks home, Beth looks around to find some shelter from the rain. She is soon covered by an umbrella, she feels grateful, she turns to see who is holding it. She is soon greeted by Kent and, his s**t eating grin. She doesn't say it but, he can tell “you're welcome.” Kent is tempted to reach for her hand, but he isn't sure how she would react. Beth is already beginning to feel differently about him, this gives her a new perspective.