Year 2934

Chapter 3

Lucas's POV

After the conversation with Lloyd, I basically sprinted to the pay phone. I was planning on calling Weston today, but that plan changed. It rang and rang and rang. Just when I thought Hayden wouldn't pick up, he did.

"Lu! I love youuuuuu!" Hayden sang. Then he paused, realizing the day. "Why didn't you call Weston? You are literally all he talks about."

I chewed on my lower lip. "Hay, we need to talk," I say, trying to remain calm.

"Dammit, are you breaking up with me?"

"No. Wait, what? Hayden we aren't even...," I began, but was caught off.

"I knew it! I knew you liked someone else! What's his name?" he said in his overly dramatized voice.

"Hayden, I am serious."

Hayden grew momentarily quiet on the other line; I almost thought he had hung up. He replied after another moment. "Okay. Yes, I drowned my fish," he replied, sighing as if he were exasperated.

"What? How do you...Hayden, focus!" I grumbled, growing impatient. "Why did you never tell me you had a brother?"

Hayden was quiet again; I was growing irritated. When he did reply, he said in a hushed voice, "Lu, you have to be quiet. Sierra doesn't know yet." Before I could reply, his voice dropped even quieter. "I will explain everything I can visitation day. Okay?" Then he hung up, possibly before I could object.

--

"Today we have another member," greeted the manager. I just wanted to finish up my training so I could continue on with my life. I have been here four months now, and I still felt as if I no real purpose. "Welcome....," the manager continued, but I barely heard him. The person who entered the room made my heart skip a beat. I haven't seen him in so long, and I hadn't heard from him in weeks. Every time I tried to call, his mom would answer and tell me that he was busy. I knew he had been avoiding me, or I at least had a vague feeling.

His eyes met my, and for a moment, I felt suspended in time. His hair had grown out; his muscles were more prominent. Despite government regulation, I stepped out of line and threw my arms around him. He remained stiff as a board. "Lucas, don't," he said forcefully. I dropped my arms by my side and stepped back. I tried to disguise my hurt.

"Weston?" I whispered, eyes wide. The pain was like a stab in the chest. He didn't smile. He didn't wink. The blankness on his face made me realize something. He knew me, but he didn't know me. I stepped back and held back a gasp.

"Mrs. Winters, return to your station," the official snapped. I awkwardly stepped back. The rest of the day consisted me of going through the motions.

--

"Lu-boo!"

I had never been so excited about seeing Hayden. Throwing my arms around him, I whispered, "Hay, Weston is here." The look he gave me told me he already knew that.

"I know. When he was taken early, I knew for a fact that he was leaving for good. Like you did," Hayden said, not meeting my gaze.

I reach out and place a hand under his chin. "Hey, Hay. You will see me again. Don't worry," I whispered. I wanted nothing more than for Hayden to be happy. He and Sierra were all I had now. Unless I counted Lloyd, mom, and Arnold. Then I have five people.

Instead of speaking, Hayden pulled me into another tight hug. Then, his lips were pressed hard against my ear. "Twins are forbidden. When there is a twin, the government takes the twin after two years. I am not supposed to know. Neither is Llyod. This conversation never happened," he said urgently in my ear. When he pulled away, he sent me a smile. The look in his eyes said, "Act as if I said something funny. A secret." So I laughed. And so did he.

Then, serious curiosity filled me. "How is life like without me?" I asked as he looped my arm through his. It was just like old times. Except, there was someone missing in our trio.

"Okay. I have a girlfriend," he said nonchalantly. This forces me to come to a halt. Hayden could read me like a book. He smirked at the shock on my face. "I am kidding, Lu-boo. You are the only girl in my life," he said, tousling my hair. Our relationship was like brother and sister. He was the older brother I always wanted. And I....well, that was a work in progress.

"Mr. Carter. Mrs. Winters," someone greeted, and that someone was Weston.

--
After a long discussion, Hayden and I retired to my room. He was seated with his back against the wall. My legs rested on his lap. "What is wrong with him?" he asked after what felt like hours of silence. It was only a minute.

"I don't know. The moment he came in, he shut me out. He wasn't himself," I answer hopelessly. Without Wes and Hayden, I was merely a teen girl. Friendless. Petless. Oh, and family-less.

"Aw, Lu. What happened before you left?" There was a sincerity in his gaze. On a normal circumstance, I wouldn't tell Hayden this. But I haven't confided in someone, except Lloyd. But he was always there. He was almost like a stalker.

I confessed. I told him everything that had happened the moment Weston stepped into the room. When it comes to the kiss, Hayden has to stop me two times to recount it. His eyes were a wide hazel. He would have never suspected it. If I were honest, neither had I.

After I had told him everything, I had began to tear up. Always my hero, Hayden dove in to tell me about his life. Sierra had moved on to the technological school, and she had started talking with a boy. As he mentioned the boy, his eyes darkened a hair. I wanted to ask him why he was so upset about it, but he dismissed it immediately. He told me about his many flirtations that hadn't resulted into anything. Then, before I knew it, it was time for him to go to his sleeping quarters. At least he was allowed to stay for the weekend. I needed him.

"I will see you later, Lu," Hayden said. He hesitated before he planted a kiss on the top of my head. Before I could react, he was out the door.

In my dreams that night, I saw the first sign I had ever seen since I had arrived at the government housing unit. "You are one of the thirty-four. Lucas Adriana Winters. You are one of the thirty-four." Blue words passed before my eyes. It was like a high, but the voice was low and smooth. "You will be something great. You can destroy or you can create."

I shot up in bed; I had sweat on my face, and I was breathing heavily, as if I had run a mile. A banging on the door brought me out of my tirade. I threw the door open; before me, stood the dark headed Lloyd. His hand was poised as if he were about to pound on the door once more. Except, the door was open.

"Lucas," Llyod greeted fluidly. He stepped into the room without a prompting on my part. He seated himself on my bed and shot me a luminescent smile. "You look shaken," he stated. His smile dropped; a confused expression masked his face.

"What's new," I mutter, scrambling to throw a blanket around my bear shoulders. I should really look into wearing a t shirt instead of a tank top to bed. "And I told you to stop calling me Lucas, I am deciding to go by Adriana."

Lloyd studied my face, and I studied his. "I like Lucas better," he stated, crossing his arms over his chest.

"But I am not a boy," I protested, holding back a groan. Sure, I am less girly than most girls and most of my friends are guys. But I am one hundred percent girl.

"And?" A smirk slipped onto his face. He loved torturing me. Any opportunity was one he used to his advantage.

"What do you want," I groaned. Today was not the day for Lloyd Carter.

His smile evaporated as he stood. "Right, the point," he began, "there is a dance every year. The majority of us are still teens, and they want to give us something in compensation for taking away our lives and experiences as teenagers." It was irritating me that he wasn't getting to the point. "So, I was wondering...would you go with me?"