Guess who?

Chapter One

(Authors note: This story takes place probably some time in 2040 except they don't have all the fancy stuff we see in the future on Tv shows. Im writing this story just for fun so don't expect me to update on a certain schedule cuz I have school and stuff too. Again, this book is inspired by a TikTok POV i saw on TikTok lol. I don't remember their username but if you really want me to give them credit I'll try to find it. Feel free to make requests or give advice!)

TW: Taser, a bit of violence and swearing

"-As the government issues yet another contest in their attempts to control the population. In other news-" The TV downstairs reports. It turned on by itself because the president thinks this kind of news is 'important to our safety' or something.

"Not again.." Emery groaned into her pillow. This is the third population control thingy this year!

"Emery! Get up, you have the first day of school," Emery's mom shouted from downstairs where she is probably watching the news.

"Im coming, Im coming," Emery mumbled, slipping on a loose shirt that had a washed-out red color she hated and a few white butterflies flitting about on the front. She put on some blue jeans, ripped at the knees, and quickly-and unsuccessfully-tried to yank a brush through her long brown and tangled hair.

"Hey honey! Did you see the news?" Emery's mom chirped as she walked down the carpet-padded stairs. No, mom, I was asleep, she wanted to say but decided she would rather live. Instead, Emery shook her head no. "What did it say?" She inquired, popping a piece of bread in the toaster.

"Theres another contest. It's in New Jersey, I think," Emery's mom said cheerfully from the sofa. "Fifty people will be chosen at random to participate. Oh, enough with the sad stuff. Are you excited for your senior year at High-school?" She asked, changing the subject when she saw Emery tense up.

"Of course!" Yes, of course she was excited for senior year; shes going to a new school, away from all her friends, in a brand new town. Oh, and the school is the most prestigious public high school in the county! Not to mention that her mom is unbelievably strict and expects her to get better grades than the whole student body. Yeah, Super excited.

"You'll do great, hun," Her mom got up from the couch and turned off the old TV with a click from the prehistoric remote. Emery winced. Seriously doubt that, mom.

Emery chugged a glass of water after finishing the toast. Shrugging her backpack over her shoulder, she kissed her mom on the cheek and rushed out the door with a quick "Bye, love you!" Over her shoulder.

Emery began to slow down as she walked the unfamiliar path to this super fancy high school she got forcefully enrolled in, reminiscing in the almost poetic bird songs floating through the crisp September air. Letting out a sigh she continued regretfully on her way, making it to her first class just before the bell rang.

(Authors note: I'm gonna save you the pain of going through the average American school day, because it was very uneventful lol)

*

Instead of immediately going home after school, Emery went to the public garden that was in the middle of town but nobody went to it. As she settled against a big oak tree and pulled out her phone, she began to feel a bit relaxed; that was until a boy with strawberry blond curls and countless freckles, and was probably a year or two younger than her, fell out of the tree right beside her.

"AH!" Emery yelped, flinching away. The boy sat up giggling. "Got you." He glanced slyly at her. "Theres no way that was on purpose," Emery protested, embarrassed. The boy looked down.

"Okay, It wasn't, but that was still funny. You are?" He held out his hand even though they were both sitting on the dirt, ruffled and surprised, 6 inches away from each other.

She awkwardly shook his hand. "Emery. Emery Rose." "Leon." He introduced, and without warning he stood up, still gripping her hand, and hauled her to her feet. Although younger, he was taller and stronger than Emery.

"You go to Ocean Springs?" He nodded at the old school, which could just barely be seen from where they were standing. "Yeah, I do. I just came here from Kansas. This is my first day." Emery responded. "Uhm. Also, are you gonna let go, or.." She glanced at her hand which was still being firmly squeezed and slowly turning purple.

"Oh! I'm so sorry," Leon blushed, quickly yanking his hand back. She suppressed a giggle. "I don't have any friends here yet. I was just about to text my friends from back where I lived before you jumped out of a tree and gave me a heart attack," Emery changed the subject, sensing he was embarrassed. "Yeeeah. Sorry about that," Leon rubbed the back of his neck. "My dad is always saying how I'm never outside anymore and said I should go climb a tree or something." "So you took his advice literally," Emery murmured, gazing up the trunk of the large oak tree.

Leon nodded. He suddenly brightened. "Oh! Has anyone shown you around the school yet?" He asked, and she shook her head. "No. ... Why?" She responded, nervous. "Here's my number. Meet me at the water fountain tomorrow before school starts, and I'll give you a tour. Yes, It's allowed. I'll get extra credit and we both get a free day off," He added when Emery opened her mouth to protest. He handed her a little piece of paper with a phone number scribbled on it and sprinted away, muttering something about piano lessons. Under the numbers was the word 'Leon' and a little heart. She stuffed It in her back pocket and started home, replaying the day in her head. When she got halfway to her new house she got a notification from her phone.

Momma❤️: I went to the store, I'll be back in an hour. Love you stay safe!

Emery smiled, typing a reply. She was just hitting send when she opened the front door to her seemingly-empty house. She rounded the corner into the kitchen, looking forward to a snack when she suddenly got bundled to the floor.

"MISSISSIPPI POLICE DEPARTMENT, FREEZE!" She heard, but could see nothing except the neatly polished marble tiles inches from her nose. "How am I supposed to freeze if you've got me trapped on the floor?!" She screamed, struggling.

"Ma'am, please calm down," "Calm down?! You broke into my house and you tell me to calm down?" Emery protested, trying to shove the officer off.

"I said freeze!" Someone yelled and Emery felt a shock go through her body. Darkness fogged the edges of her vision and the last thing she remembered was seeing the uniform of the Population Control Squad (Otherwise known as PCS or Population Police) on the officers inside her home.

(Authors note: End of chapter one! Cliffhanger, i know, but it's 12 am and i wanna get some sleep. Shorter than i would have liked but it was still fun to write! Thanks for reading this far. :)

(Word count: 1215)