Unknown Desires

Heart and Soul

All chattering stops. My heart pounds rapidly in my chest. This is actually happening. This is real.

Mrs. Caroline clears her throat. "I am happy to be seeing the graduates off as they venture this new time in their lives. I am proud of everything they have accomplished. Now, I will hand the mic off to the president of our four cities, Mrs. Audrey Owens!"

Everyone claps. I glance across the stage. I have never seen the president before. She lives in the head city, Aurora. This is the most important city. All of the court's offices are there with the Presidential Office that she lives in. She looks important too. Dark, straightened hair, slim body, and a gray women's suit with matching pants. She has a deep alluring presence to her.

Men's eyes travel as she walks across the stage. I would never want to be caught dead in an outfit like that. I pull the upper part of my dress up so there is nothing showing. I wouldn't want to be a pinpoint of distraction. Like I ever am anyway.

Her eyes are very cunning and mischievous. It feels like she could suck your soul right out of your body.

She taps the mic once, twice, three times to get everyone's attention. "Hello everyone. Welcome to this class' graduation and selection ceremony. We are so excited to be amongst one of our most dedicated and intellectual classes that we have ever had here in Reverville High School."

"For those of you who do not know me, my name is Audrey Owens, the leader of the four cities, and I am delighted to be here. It has been our founder's mission to rewrite the mistakes of humanity in order to ensure a better future for everyone. This has been a tradition after the closing of the war in order to stimulate our population and, as many of you know, we are always successful in this. We have no room for mistakes." She turns to us.

"We know for our ladies that this will be an exciting and nerve-wracking experience. But we know you all have what it takes to be brave and survive this new journey as you become adults. We know you can do this, young ladies, as you are helping to make the future leaders for tomorrow. Best of luck to all of you."

She smiles and a chill runs down my spine. She has one of those ultimate ruler smiles that if you mess with her, she, without a doubt, will make sure you're out of the picture. I must make sure I stay away from her.

"Will Mrs. Caroline do the honors?"

Mrs. Caroline perches up and heads back to the mic. She taps it again.

"When your name is called, please walk up. Girls will be called first then their matched partners. The boys will walk up and each couple will be seated."

I hold my breath when the first name is called. "Amy Thompson."

I see a young girl walk up from the back of the row next to me and go across the stage. She has olive skin and straight, jet-black hair. Her green eyes make her face very pretty so I doubt her match will be far from that. She looks anxious and she stands up on her toes to try and see the crowd.

Jitters. Everyone calls it that. Being up there not knowing whether or not your match will be good-looking or have other acceptable qualities is terrifying. Also, not knowing if they will fit your character is bad, too. It happens every year.

Mrs. Caroline hands her the diploma. Mrs. Caroline has that stout lady look. Today, she dresses in a yellow suit with a white ruffled shirt. She looks very cheerful today. She has always been a happy person. No one makes any complaints. She only reinforces the rules because Mrs. Owens always sends one of her assistants every year to do a checkup on the school to make sure her rules are being followed.

"Your match is Will Graham. Congratulations to you both." Will treads lightly on the stage. He has blond hair and tan muscles. He looks strong and when he smiles, his teeth shimmer. He is all too eager to grab the girl's hand and lead her off the stage into their seats.