Opportunities at its Finest

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I had been sitting there with the form on my desk for hours now.

   “Cassidy, are you alright?” My sister Dima asked curiously.

“Yeah, I’m fine. I need to be left alone right now.”

  Dima walked out of our room in which we share consisting only of one large mattress, 2 blankets, 2 pillows, a desk, one chair, and a lamp. The form was on my desk tempting me to sign it. I had no future and no way to provide for my family. Like my mother said, the least I could do was sign it and turn it in. I mean I probably won’t win. Me out of 1000+ names, what are the chances?

       I walked out of the bedroom and tiptoed down the stairs avoiding my stepfather’s curious glance he’d just given me. I went into the kitchen to grab a glass of cold water. They want a picture of me, I thought to myself. I looked in the mirror to get a good look at myself.

      “Don’t worry, you look fine,” Dima stated probably standing there the whole entire time without me noticing.

    “Dima, what do you want?” I said quite annoyed.

          “Okay, okay, I need some advice.”

   “On what?”

          “See there’s this guy….”

  “DIMA! You know we’re not allowed.”

          “I know but..”

 “No, this isn’t an option. You’ll find a perfect match where you’ll work at.”

         “You’re just like anybody else! Why can’t you listen! I thought you were different, but I guess you aren’t as understanding as I thought you were. Forget what I said,” Dima said angrily and left the room.

    I couldn’t take all of this. No work, no life, and now I had to deal with my sister’s forbidden love life. I turned to the mirror once more. I have to take the picture now or it’s too late. The drawing begins tomorrow, I considered. I placed the cup back in the sink, ran out of the kitchen, and was out the door before anyone could see me.

"Hello. Welcome to the Capitol Building. How many I be of service to you?" The  welcoming official at the front desk asked me.

    "Oh uh yes, I came here to get a picture taken of myself for the drawing tomorrow."

"Okay, right this way."

      She took me into a lighted room with photos all over the walls and next to each photo was a number written. I guess they were my competition.

              "I'll go get the camera then. Please feel comfortable and grab a seat."

        I nodded quickly and started to walk to the only chair in the room. Once the official had left the room I walked to the wall to get a good look and the kind of people I was up against. They all seemed like normal people I would see at school or anywhere really. I wondered why they applied for this drawing. Before I could sit down and daydream about how my life is a wreck, the official walked back in.

        "I'll just set up the camera and begin!" She said happily.

    I waited for her to set up the camera and to take my picture until we heard a slight knock at the door.

             "Excuse me, sorry for the interruption, may I come in?" The unexpected visitor said quietly.

                       "Yes, come in,"the official replied.