Rebel Love

Chapter 1: Alecia

"Happy Eighteenth birthday Alecia!" Annette cheered, running up my driveway towards me.

"Thanks Anne." I said smiling back at her.

Annette was the first friend I met when I moved into the city. She welcomed me when I thought all doors would stay shut.

I ran over to her and hugged her tightly, not letting go. I look down at my locket and open it to see the picture of me and Xavier playing together in our nursery when we were four.

"Ally? You okay?" Annette asked worriedly looking at me in the eyes. She's the kind of person who can decipher any kind of emotions through a poker face.

"Yeah..." I say solemnly, "I just miss him... I didn't even get to say a proper goodbye..."

"I know you didn't... I hear you say that every day." Annette pause for a second, debating what she would do to cheer me up. "Hey!" She says finally, "Let's go out to get you a cake! Sugar alway cheers you up right?"

I smile and laugh softly as Annette take my by my hand and sprints towards her car. I get in and buckle my seatbelt as she turns on the radio.

"This is just in!" The station newscaster exclaims, "The nations leaders have been overthrown by a new group called 'The Embassy'. The Embassy's head of national justice and affairs has publicly issued new laws and placement of law enforcement earlier today stating this."

Me and Annette exchange a glance of confusion as a clip of the speech earlier today begins to play.

At first there is static until "Good evening citizens." A voice says, clearly using a voice changer. "Beginning today at dawn, there will be a new set of laws in place. For starters, all citizens who are not designated law enforcement shall be settled at their property by 11:30 pm every night. Fail to complete this shall result in instant execution by designated law enforcement immediately. Secondly, any and all weaponry or firearms will be turned into or confiscated by law enforcement immediately. Fail to complete this shall result in arrest for a minimum of 30 years." The Head of national justice and affairs stated.

"What the hell?!" Annette exclaims in an outrage.

"To conclude this primary set of instructions, any peaceful or violent protest can and will be handled by law enforcement, and can result in public execution. In the name of fixation of the society, we accept and abide by The Embassy." The voice finishes and the radio turns back into static.

I sit there in shock. What the hell just happened? Who the hell are these people? What did we do to deserve this treatment?

"What the fuck was that Ally?" Annette asks, placing a hand on my shoulder.

"I don't know... but let's just focus on staying alive..." I whisper under my breath.

Annette nods and pulls out of the driveway. We start down the street and see the sidewalks filled with people in black uniforms with bulletproof vests patrolling. I look closely and see a faint hint of red before Annette starts to pick up the speed.

I stare out the window and into the horizon as I spot a tall building with a red star on the top right hand corner, and a shit ton of police cars swarming it.

"So this is real?" I ask looking at Annette.

"Yep." She states, "Absolutely real."

I sigh and get out of the car once we pull up to the bakery. I shut the door and Annette sprints in. "Anne!!" I yell, giggling, "Wait up you dumbass!!" I sprint after her.

We enter the bakery and we are greeted by a wide smile from Diana, the final point to complete our friendship triangle.

"What are you gals doing here?" She asked, leaning over the counter.

"Damn Diania, did you really forget Ally's birthday?" Annette asks, grabbing me by my shoulders and pushing me forward.

"Didn't D tell you to stop calling her Diania?" I ask, looking behind me to Annette with knowingly eyes.

"Yeah. I did." Diana replies laughing.

Annette pushes me forward toward Diana as she asks me, "Which one do you want birthday girl? It's on the house."

"D I couldn't ask you to do that." I say in attempt to decline her offer, yet she just shakes her head and says

"Alecia! You didn't ask me did you? No! So it's on me. Now what cake do you want?" She asks,pointing towards the board with all of the flavors.

"Ugh, fine." I sigh, giving up. "Snickerdoodle with the cinnamon frosting." I roll my eyes and fold my arms on top of the table, mimicking Diana's motions.

She snickers and goes behind the counter to the back, while Annette leans forward and yells, "Hey D! Did you hear the Embassy's announcement today?"

"Hell yeah I did! But if we're talking about this you're locking the door!" She replies looking past the wall and pointing to the door, tossing me the keys.

I walk over to the door and lock it, "They sound like Dictators." She says, grabbing the cake and clocking out of her shift and taking a seat at one of the tables.

"In full honesty I don't know how they took control like that. The government would have never given up their position like that..." Diana say's suspiciously, glancing at the two of us.

"What are you implying then?" Annette asks.

"I'm implying that they must have taken over by force. Rumor has it some people found out that the President's house had burnt down, and his wife and kid weren't anywhere to be found." Diana replies.

"You both are thinking too much about a small thing. Sure we have a curfew and a few new laws but that doesn't mean that they took the government position by force. I mean think about how hard it would be with the military and the secret services. I seems impossible!" I say starring out my phone, clearing out my text messages.

When I look up I see the two of them starring at me like I'm a madwoman. "What? It's true!" I say defensively.

Diana is the first to talk, she says "Irene Krawvech had that same attitude today... she was pronounced dead at 5:00 AM."

I look Diana in the eyes, my face blank with an expression as I feel the blood draining from my face. I never talked to Irene. She  was one of the girls at school that had status. Status at our school is everything. It's the safety from harassment and bullying. I, unfortunately, do not have any status.

"But how? What the hell could've been said? What did she-" I am cut off by the hush of Annette as she glances at the door. We see some of the black uniform cops knocking on the door. Diana gets up and walks over, unlocking the door and letting the police in, about three men.

"Good evening gentlemen. May we help you?" Diana asks in a calm sweet voice. We get a glance from her telling us to lighten up.

"Just doing a spot check ladies... carry on." The tall one in the front says. We sit back down as Diana clears her throat.

"So, Anne, what were you saying?" Diana asks I'm her sweet voice.

"I was saying, the tiny details on this cake for Ally look amazing! I love the zen tangle design as a boarder and how you infused the music notes and other parts of Ally's interest inside!" Annette says cheerfully. Annette is an actress. Always has always will be. I look at the other two cops and they roll their eyes in annoyance and turn around whispering to each other. I just sit there and smile, nodding along this whole time. I wonder what will happen if they find something wrong.

Thats when I get up and say "Hey girls, shouldn't we get going? I know the time we have to be at the venue is around 8:00 right?" They both nod and I turn to the lead cop, smile and say "If that's okay with you of course."

"Sure. Everything checks out anyways. Have a good night." He says.

We grab the cake and sprint to the car. I get into the back seat, with Annette driving and Diana in the passenger seat. Shaking, Diana says "Let's get the hell out of here."

Without a single objection, Annette hits the gas and we leave the cops far behind.