Page 129 of Something in Between

“When it means we’d be worlds apart if we don’t! At least I’ll be in America!”

“But at what expense? You’re both only eighteen. Do you know how many marriages fail because the bride and groom were too young?”

“I know the odds.”

“And it doesn’t scare you?”

“I said I was ninety percent sure, didn’t I? Of course I’m scared!”

“You should be. I just can’t picture you as a married woman right now. Isn’t he the first boy you’ve kissed?”

“Pretty much.”

Kayla crosses her arms smugly. “Have you guys even had sex?” she asks.

“It’s private,” I say, but can’t help but blush, thinking of the plans we’d made for after the courthouse.

“Fine, be that way! Well, think about it, then. He’s the only guy you’reevergoing to sleep with. Are you okay with that?”

I nod. “I don’t want anyone else. I want him. Only him. He’s the only one for me, Kay. I know it.”

“But don’t you think you’re both forcing things a little? I know how bad you want to stay. I want you to stay too. But I don’t want you to get married and wake up every morning with so much pressure on your relationship. You’ll only break his heart more if it doesn’t work out in the end. What if you get divorced?”

Oh God. She has a point. We can’t get married this way, can we? I shudder, suddenly cold. Marriages also end in divorce. So many things can happen. Marriage is a huge step, a huge reach. We’re just at the beginning. What if Royce and I think we’re saving our relationship but are actually dooming ourselves? I don’t want that. I want us to have the best chance of forever. “What am I supposed to do, Kayla?” I cry.

“I don’t know yet. Just promise me to wait at least one more day.”

45

Marriage can wait, education cannot.

—KHALED HOSSEINI,A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS

I DON’T CONTACTthe media. Mr. Alvarado has bit onto my bluff. “Just a few more days, Ms. de los Santos, if you can wait this long, you can wait a little longer,” he says over the phone. “I have a call in to the judge. I’ll get to the bottom of this as soon as possible.” But I know he knows I’m not going to talk to any journalists.

For once I don’t care.

I’ve got my own solution. Royce. Marriage. A brand-new life. Three days have passed. Even after my conversation with Kayla, I haven’t changed my mind about marrying Royce. Sure, we’re taking a risk, we’re gambling with our lives, but I’m confident I’m doing the right thing. This is the only way to stay in America and the only way for Royce and I to be together.

I text Kayla to meet us at the courthouse at 1:30 p.m. She hesitantly agrees. It breaks my heart not to have my family there, but at least I have Kayla. I can’t think of anyone better to be there. Except for maybe Millie, whom I haven’t told for fear she might tell my mother. Both of them will find out soon enough anyhow.

Royce picks me up at my house. Mom and Dad are at work, and Danny and Isko are visiting Lola Cherry at her retirement home. I never even used to go to parties, and now I’m sneaking out behind their backs to get married. It’s surreal. I’m wearing a pretty white slip dress I bought at the mall the day before. Royce wears a black suit and tie to match, my handsome groom.

I get inside the car. As I sit down, I lean over and kiss him. He kisses me back, holding my chin gently with his hand. I’m going to remember this moment forever. It’s our wedding day.

“Does anyone else know? Besides Kayla?” Royce asks.

“I might tell Millie,” I say. “I’m not sure. What about you?”

“I’m not telling anybody until we’re ready to make an announcement.”

“An announcement?”

“We’ll tell everyone and have a big reception somewhere.”

“We will?” I try to imagine everyone being in one hall together after finding out what we did. My family glaring at his family. Our friends, wandering around confused. “I was sort of hoping we could just keep it on the down low for now,” I say. “Maybe make a few phone calls and a Facebook announcement.”

“I doubt that would be good enough for my family,” he says. “They’ll want a huge party. Yours would too. Somewhere nice. Dinner. A full orchestra. Dancing. My dad would want to invite his friends, dignitaries. This would be pretty huge.”

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