Chapter 2

The woman looked at me and said "No ring".

She raised her eyebrows at me.

Pressed a few buttons then said ",11 Pounds. "

I felt my throat constrict.

That's a lot of money.

I took out my card crossing my fingers and hoping it doesn't not decline.

I gave her my card. Swiped it. I closed my eyes as if waiting to be hit by physical blow.

"Hey. Stop day dreaming and pass, I don't have a husband . Unlike you I am divorced. "she sneered giving me my receipt.

".Next".

She called. I walked out the building.

My phone dinged.

"Hi mom ".

"Hi sweetly. Uhm listen, can you do me a favor and buy milk and eggs, flour and some chocolate chips. I'll pay you back. "she said in a hush tone.

" Why are you whispering ?"I asked.

"Tomorrow is your father's birthday. I used some of my money type buy him a gift. So I can't tell him now I want money. He'll suspect me".she cried.

"Okay. Don't worry ".I said.

"Thank you sweety . Your dad's coming. See you later. "she hung up.

I bit my nails in worry. I can't tell my mom I am out of funds cause suddenly I have to have new identity.

I got to the grocer and pulled a cart and put in Milk, eggs. A few other things mom wants. Then I bought my father a coffee mug and slippers with a packet of his favorite sweets.

I got to the line. Nervously chewing on my bottom lip.

I smiled at the cashier as she pushed the food.

I kept on getting nervous with each beeping sound.

",€24.59 ."she said.

That's way above my bank account in two months.

I nervously gave her my card and she swiped. I again waited for the words every shopper dreads. Declined .

I felt relief wash over me when she said".Have a lovely day. Here is your receipt ". I took it and left in a daze of supreme confusion. I didn't have €30.00 in my bank. But today ,suddenly now I do.

I got home tired from walking all the way from the tube. I opened the door.

"Mom. I am home".I called. But not as loud as I would have hoped. My bones where tired.

I put the groceries on the counter and collapsed on the chair.

"Sweety ,where did you get the money for all of this. I can't pay you back ".she said sadly.

"Mommy. That's alright. You don't have to pay me back. Cause then I'll have to pay you back for all you've done for me".I said.

She hugged me.

Then we baked the cake together and frosted it. Then baked chocolate chip cookies so that my father does not know we made cake.

We ate dinner with dad. I could tell he was stressed. My upcoming fees does that. I think I will stay home and not go to university Res. At least then I will save some money. Tanya and Talia will have to forgive me . I am not staying with them.

In the morning we surprised my father. He is an early bird so we woke up earlier. We prepared the small surprise for the three of us. We waited behind the counter .

When we heard him walk down the stairs we ducked down.

We heard his footsteps stopped . Then a startled gasp left his mouth.

"SURPRISE!AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY! ".we screamed.

He jumped back then rocked a goofy grins on his face .

"happy birthday dad! ".I exclaimed jumping to his arms giving him a big kiss to the cheek and his birthday card .

My mom gave him a kiss on the lips.

"Ewan. PDA, I am still underage".I said shielding my eyes.

They laughed at me. Mom gave dad a new Barcelona shirt. They are really expensive.

",Milly, You shouldn't have. "he cooed. My mom smiled and brushed it off.

"Here you go dad".I gave him the gift bag.

He smiled.

"What is it? ".

"I am not telling ".I zipped my mouth. Like I have always done on his birthday and him on mine or on Christmas.

He laughed "Just like always . You are so cute. Please don't grow up".he said softly holding my chin .

"I am never growing up dad. Just growing old. "I said.

He smiled.

He opened his card and lied reading it.

"I'll try not to get white hair just for you darling ".he smiled.

He saw his mug, slippers. His chips .

"Honey you shouldn't have ".he cooed.

"I wanted to ".he hugged me.

We had a nice dinner.

"Sweetheart we wanted to ask you something ?".My mother  started.

"Okay . Shoot."I shrugged.

"Honey we know that you and your friends made plans to stay in res ,but we wanted to know if".dad was really nervous. Holding hands with mom.

Did they really think next such a horrible child.

"No".I said.

".No..? "mom said almost dejectedly.

"I am staying here. I am not going to Res".I said.

"Really. Are you sure? ".mom asked.

"Yes".I said.

"Why,you were looking forward to this all year last year? ".dad asked.

I got married.

"Well let's just say Las Vegas opened my eyes. "I said laughing humorlessly.

They looked at me curiously.

"Did something happen? ".dad asked sitting up straight like he always does when we talk about Boys .

"No. Nothing like that. It's just what I saw made me realise how much of a baby I am . And that I actually like being a baby. I don't want to grow up and do what those grown ups do."I answered.

They nodded their heads.

"You'll tell us what happened when you are ready. "they said.

I nodded slowly thinking how they would react to me being married.

At night my mom came to my room and sat down on my bed.

"Sweety I am very happy you decided to stay. But are you sure this is what you want and not because we do not have enough money cause if its so me and your father decided to sell the house to pay for your residence-".

I cut her short.

"Mom stop this."I took her hands in mine.

"Mom , I do not want to leave home. I was serious. I want to remain a child ,your baby for as long as possible". I said looking her in the eyes.

"Sweety you are my one and only child. You'll always be my baby no matter what ".she cooed.

I hugged her . She patted my hair and said ",Are you nothing happened . You seem a bit rattled?".she asked with concern .

"I am fine. I just cannot wait for next week. First day of university. "I said.

"Do not worry . You will do great and you will meet a lot of cute guys there ."She nudged my shoulder.

"Sorry . I am not interested in guys."I said pointing to myself.

She laughed ,"You'll meet your match one day."she kissed my forehead said goodnight after dad kissed my head.

In the morning ,my dad dropped me off in his blue Chevy pick up truck. He is a handy man .

Mom kissed me .

He said "Good bye . Try to have fun".he said.

I kissed his cheek and left .

I secluded myself. It turned out that only Tanya is attending here . The other two got places in better universities. But in an institution of more than 20000 students it was hard to pinpoint one person.

Around noon ,after a lonely lunch with my lunch on one of them benches . I went to library when I saw the secretary walk towards me . She called me to the office.

"Candice ,I encountered a  problem with your application . Your forms say single , Candice Beckford . But your name on the system comes out as Mrs Candice Stone ?" she questioned .

If I told I was hammered she'll terminate .

I smiled."Well see I am newly married. So my husband's name is Stone. Shawn Nikolas Stone . I applied for my new id and passport .I will bring certified copies when I get them."I smiled.

"Where is your ring?".she asked.

"I don't wear it in school. I'd like to keep it a secret from people who do not know me".I smiled a little.

",Well unfortunately,the scholarship only applies to students who are single only".She said.

I felt like water splashed on my face was cold Arctic sea water.

"No. Please. My husband does not have that kind if money. I need the scholarship". I begged getting off the stool and stooping in a prayer gesture. With tears in my eyes .

",Okay . I will leave you on the list but as Candice Beckford."she sighed.

"Thank you very much."I said .

A week later I got home and saw the mail man going to place a huge paper binder in our mail post.

I ran to him. Greeted him and took my papers that have Stone on them and stuffed them on my bag. ID and passport. Entered the house. No one was home . So I left the bills letter and ran to my room. Locked in my room. I checked my passport .

"Candice Elizsbeth Stone."A small smile tugged at my lips. I really am married.

I will see that I somehow wear my wedding ring. But how to do it inconspicuously.

",Candi!!!",I heard Tanya yell. We have been busy to meet properly at school but we try to talk on the phone or at lunch at school.

"Up here!".I yelled back.

I heard a door closing and loud steps caused by the stomping of six inch heels. She opened my door looking as radiant as ever. With big brown eyes ,blonde hair and coffee caramel skin. With killer clothes and shoes.

"You missy owe me a proper explanation about vegas on the last night ."she flopped down on my bed .

"Nothing much . Really".I shrugged then laughed nervously .

"No way".she sat up looking at me.

"Something happened didn't it. Did you kiss someone,lose your virginity ,Kill someone?".She asked suddenly interested.

"Well . I am not sure if I was kissed or if I killed someone . What I do know is I was hammered and Nowiammarried."I mumbled the last part.

"Ow come on talk clearly".She said raising an eyebrow.

I took a deep breath.

"My name is Candice Elizsbeth Stone".I said hoping she wouldn't notice.

She furrowed her eyebrows.

"Stone ,isn't your surname...."she stopped when I put on the ring and showed her.

She recoiled back so fast she almost hit the floor.

",YOU GOT MARRIED!". She cried.

",Yes. And I do not know how he looks like . I only have his name is Shawn Nikolas Stone ".

She took a deep breath.

",Does your mother know?".she asked.

",No . My parents do not know". I said showing her my passports and ID.

"You are not kidding . You are married. So how about we search your husband on the net so that we can call him and stuff. Maybe he doesn't even know he is married."

"Ow he'll know as soon as this is delivered to him. But for now keep it quiet . And could you tell my parents you gave me this ring . I feel like I have to wear it . So will you help me."I gave her my best puppy dog eyes.

"Okay fine. But really you have to find him . Soon"I nodded.

At dinner I was eating when mom said ",Why are you wearing a ring?".She asked.

"Ow I bought it for her in Las Vegas . This way she can pretend to be engaged all those good for nothing boys will stay away from her".Tanya explained expectedly.

My parents nodded .

Then my mother said ",Then if its like that you'll never meet a guy whom you are meant to marry".my mom's words caused both me and Tanya to choke.

",Marry?".Tanya asked .

"I think we are too young to be thinking about marriage."I said.