TRUTH OR DARE

Chapter 5.

Chapter 5.

"We can talk after the dinner!" He answers as if it's not a big deal.

Wow!

Just wow!

This nigga has the audacity to call the shots when we are not even in a real relationship.

I follow him silently to his car and Elise is already seated at the back.

He opens the shot gun for me.

Since I can't sit with Elise at the back, I enter without a fight.

Deep down, I want to explode.

I want to slap him.

I want to spit on his face.

I want to yell at him.

I want to cuss at him.

But more importantly, I want to break up with him. To call off this game.

He has no idea who he is dealing with. Not even the slightest idea.

We pass by a clothes store that Elise recommends, and I find a cute little skater dress and pretty wedge heels.

I pay for both.

I know that that hurts his ego as a man and as a rich boy, but I could care less. I don't want anything tying us together because this might be the last day we will ever be together.

I guess he notices my change of mood because he goes mum on me.

"So, you're parents are okay with you meeting a random girl and marrying her within weeks?" I finally ask when I can't take the silence no more.

He doesn't answer.

"I'm talking to you Carson."

"Just keep quiet and follow my lead."

"You're actually having fun with this situation. Are you that desperate to get married?"

"Just keep quiet Alexa!" He answers in a raised tone and I smile at that.

I want to annoy him.

"Don't you think my parents need to know about all this. I mean, if their daughter is getting married mid-college, it's something we should tell them."

"We can tell them after the wedding."

"So who's gonna walk me down the isle?"

"It won't be a big wedding Alexa!" Elise answers this time.

"I wasn't talking to you."

"It won't be a big wedding." Carson gives me the same answer.

"Big or not, I need my dad to walk me down the isle."

I know that I'm making the situation difficult but where's the fun if I don't do this?

Told you there's something more to this.

These two must be hiding something.

There's no way in hell they could come up with such a stupid dare, and act all serious about it.

"Carson! Talk to me."

"Look, I'm driving. If you don't want us dying in a road accident, please, let me concentrate on the road."

"How comes you want to involve your parents in this? It's a game for crying out loud. Just so you know, I hate being near you."

"Deal with it!"

After that, I don't speak again until we get to his home.

It's not as grand as I expected but it's a cool home.

His dad is crazy, his mum is even crazier.

You want to know why? They've already organized everything for the wedding. They did that the moment they learnt that their son has a potential wife.

That freaks the life out of me!!

*****

We're done having dinner and I'm left in the dining table with Carson's parents.

It's awkward.

The environment is just tense and weird.

Carson and Elise excused themselves to get something a while ago and they're not yet back.

I guess they were trying to avoid the wedding talk with his parents.

"Are you excited for the wedding my dear daughter? You don't have to worry about a thing. I have everything well organized. I have picked the flowers, theme colors, food, your gown, the cake, everything. You shouldn't be stressed out. Your mother in law is here for you my dear." His mum says grinning wide.

Did I say she is super mega crazy?

I don't know what's creepy, the fact that they've accepted me without questions, the fact that they are excited for the wedding, or the both of them calling me 'daughter'.

They've been talking about the wedding and the excitement of having grandkids, and I've been staring at them like clowns the entire time.

I don't even know their names.

I haven't asked because I'm not interested in that. Hell, I don't even know Carson's surname. I'm sure, I've heard Melanie mention it before, but I can't remember.

"I need some fresh air. Excuse me!" I answer her, standing up to go out.

Outside, I'm surprised to see Carson and Elise chatting at a corner of their front yard. The conversation seems to be a serious one even though there are a few laughs in between.

I expected they had gone to the shopping center or anywhere else but here.

That means, they left me all alone there with Carson's parents on purpose.

I walk towards them and when I get near them, the temptation to eavesdrop on their conversation gets the best of me.

"Do you think she is falling for you?" Elise asks.

"She hates me Eli. There's no chance. I have a feeling she is about to call off this game."

"Don't say that. By the time she connects the dots, she will be your wife already. From then, you can work on making her love you."

"Easier said than done. I wonder who else goes through this much pressure at this age. These are the times I wish I had different parents."

"Your parents are just crazy Car. You should have a voice as their child. Having a wife and a family should be your choice not theirs."

"What can I do? I signed an agreement remember. I wish I didn't do that."

"They threatened you with not paying for your education and college upkeep. It was hard for you not to sign."

My mouth drops open when she says that.

"I hope by being a lawyer, I will help many children like me out there. The ones who don't have a say when it comes to making decisions of and about their life."

"Definitely. For now, let's be happy that you already love her. At least you're not marrying someone you have no feelings for."

He loves me?

Did I make him fall for me, or was he in love with me all along?

I'm completely astounded.

"I'm ruining her life through this. Imagine getting married at twenty. She has a whole life ahead of her Eli!"

"She thinks it's a game!"

"Now that's the worst part. If I really love her like I claim to do, I shouldn't have agreed to put her in this situation in the first place."

She sighs, "What can we do?"

"Call off the dare, call of the wedding, stand up to my parents this time? I don't know. Just, let's not involve her in this please!"

"You sure love her! Way to go Car! You know that I got you."

"I know. Thank you for always thinking about me. Who would have thought, you came up with a crazy dare for Alexa just to save my ass from my crazy duo of parents!"

"Don't mention it."

Carson pulls Elise to his chest, kissing her on her forehead.

"You're the best, best friend Eli."

I don't know what to think of everything I've heard them talk about.

I don't even know how to react to all of it.

What I do know is, I understand everything.

I understand why Elise gave me the dare, I understand why Carson is the way he is.

I understand it all!!

And, Elise, she is a good friend. I still hate her but she is a good friend to Carson.

I am going to help him.

"We should go back now before they start looking for us." She says standing up.

"Oh yeah, and we left Alexa there with them. Poor girl, she must be s**t scared of all the things they are telling her by now."

I make to turn and run back into the house but they do that before me.

I guess I'm glued to the ground because I don't even make a slight move.

Carson sees me first.

"Have you been here long?" He asks, his eyes wide open, and he is so anxious.

"I will help you with your parents Carson!"

That's what I manage to say.