The Central Alliance: A Dystopia

Ryder Bates

His voice grew softer, as if it was fading out to the point where it felt like I couldn't hear. Something must be getting to me. My anxiety.

"Hello?" He repeated his greeting, and I looked at him. He grinned slyly as he removed his headphones. "I couldn't help but notice your staring."

"Sorry," was all I could mutter quietly as he scooted over to the seat next to me, dragging his bag alongside him.

"No need to apologize, I find staring as a form of flattering," he smirked. I looked nervously at my skirt. "Forgive me, I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable."

"It's alright..." I started shakily, "I'm just a little nervous."

"Oh? Well I suppose that's a normal reaction since I haven't even introduced myself. But before I do a formal introduction, why don't you tell me who you are?" I could feel him leaning in closer, his eyes bearing into me, the pressure between me and him building up.

"Fae..." I breathed, "my name is Fae Stewart."
"Nice to make your acquaintance, Fae" he stuck out his hand to shake mine, "the name's Ryder Bates."

"Nice to meet you, Ryder."

"If I'm not mistaken, you're a student from the academy, right?"

"Yes. Are you from the academy too?" He grinned lowly at my question before replying.

"Well, I am a student aren't I?" He made a gesture toward himself, pointing at his uniform that was hidden beneath his sweatshirt, "I've been going to the academy for two years."

"That's a little odd."

"Oh? And why's that?"

"Well...it's just because I've been to the academy for three and so has everyone else who started."

"I got a late start," he replied, looking through his bag. He retreated his hand from his bag, holding a lighter and a thinly paper casing. "Want one?"

"Want one of what?"

"You know, a cigarette?"

"What's that?"

"Stop pulling my leg, of course you'd know what this is."

"I'm sorry, but I don't."

"God," he breathed, lighting the thin joint in his hand, "they don't even let people know what these are."