“Look honey, she’s so happy she’s crying.” My mom said to my dad. I knew full well though that they knew I wasn’t happy about this. That these weren’t tears of happiness.

They both got up and started walking out of the room. What was even weirder though is that they both turned around and gave me an apologetic look. Did they just realize how ridiculous this was?

This was all just so weird though. They knew I didn’t want to get married. That’s one of the reasons they wanted me to work so hard in school- so that I could support myself with a really good job. I heard them walk upstairs and go into their bedroom. I figured I might as well do the same. I still had a lot of homework to do, and I didn’t want to be around anyone.

As I walked upstairs I heard my mother saying something about me. I knew I shouldn’t, but I hung out in the hallway to see if it had anything to do with the lovely piece of news I had just received.

“Are you sure this will be the best thing for all of us? She doesn’t even want to get married.”

“You know this has to happen. Mr. Kim said the only way this business deal could happen is if I brought up the fact that we have a daughter about to graduate school.”

So that’s what it was! This is a business deal? Ugh… I feel dirty. Like I’m some bribe from one company to another.

I heard them coming out of their room, so I scurried into my room and shut the door as innocently as possible.

I laid down on my bed and tried to figure this out. The only thing I succeeded in doing though was freaking out. In a month, I’m moving to South Korea to marry the son of one of my dad’s bosses. I am 17 and am getting married to a guy I have never met. My mom said he’s cute. But my mom said it, so he’s probably… ugly. This really was the best day of my life, huh? No. That would be the day of the wedding.

After a while I called my friend, Natalia.

“So your moving to Korea… to get married?!” She asked after I finished telling her the news.

“Yep.” I answered, trying to act nonchalant about the whole situation.

“Wow. That is crazy, girl. I’ll miss you so much. But promise you’ll have a good time, okay? He’s Korean! He has to be hot. Wait… you know how to make Korean food, right?”

“Duh. I’m Korean too, you know. Besides, you like Asian guys so much, why don’t you go marry him?”

“I would if I could. Trust me.” Natalia replied with a sigh. I could tell it was dawning on her that I wouldn’t be around anymore. Not just run out and get a pedicure not around, but how often would I be able to have hours long conversations with her? I’d most likely be busy running errands for my husband… and raising our kids. I shivered at that last thought. I changed the subject before we both started crying.

We talked for a few more hours until my mom called me down for dinner.