Utopia

Chapter Three

The sound of the clock ticking brings everything back into focus as I was zoning out during the interrogation. The officers repeats in an annoyed voice, for probably the tenth time, "Why is there no data on your chip?"

I have told enough lies today for three lifetimes, but yet again I have to do it so that everyone I love can stay safe. As I tell the Officer again that I have no idea what he is talking about I pray to God that this interrogation will be over soon so I can go home and comfort my very fragile little sister.

Once another tiresome hour goes by the Officer finally lets me go home but not without reminding me that I am not off of the hook just yet. The thought of my name still being at the top of their 'most wanted list' was very unsettling, so much so that it made me feel as though I had to watch my very step.

The walk home is very quiet but I don't mind as it gave me time to think about me next move. I remember always being told by my dad that a situation is what you make it and you can choose to either fight for what you believe or leave. My dad was always a very wise man even up until he died so I know that his advice, every piece, is valid. I know that I now only have two options stay here with the ones that I love but risk the chance of hurting myself and them or leave before they have time to find any more evidence that proves that I broke the law. But if I was to leave, where would I go? The world is a disaster, only a few towns are still liveable.

Once I reached my door I had finally made up my mind, I was going to stay, Poppy needed me. I walk over to the living room, where Poppy is playing with her favourite doll. As I do so I see that in the kitchen is Vince, who is cooking dinner. It amazes me how he can look after himself and his family but also has time to help me. "Hey," I greet him as he looks up and meets me eyes. When he does this it makes me feel nervous, so I look away out of habit.

"Addie, you scared me so much I didn't know where you went! Poppy was freaking out! Where were you?" He sounds like he is trying to be angry but can't because he is too relieved. He leaves the food he was chopping and comes to give me a hug, something that always comforts me. As Vince embraces me I take I deep breath in and out, breathing in the scent of him, a mix of dirt and clean clothes. I have never had any romantic feelings towards Vince as he has always seemed like a really overprotective brother but sometimes I see him looking at me and I am unsure whether the feeling is still mutual.

"I got into some trouble with the Officers." When I notice the look on his face I quickly fill in the blanks so that he doesn't freak out. "It was okay though, they just noticed the missing numbers on my chip and they took me in for questioning." But even as I say this I know that I am lying because secretly I am freaking out about getting caught or charged.

Vince must have noticed this as he grabs me hand in his very large and dirty ones telling me, "You know it is alright to not be okay." This goes right to my heart as a tear falls down my check but I quickly wipe it away as Poppy runs into the room screaming my name. "I missed you, I missed you!" She says over and over as I comfort her with a hug.

Later that night once I had put Poppy to bed with a story and a cuddle, Vince and I were discussing my trip to with the Officers. "This is so my fault." As soon as these words left Vince's lips I immediately felt guilty as he should never feel bad, especially for something I made him do.

"If you didn't erase my chip they would have easily figured out that I never took the test and who knows what would have happened then." I reassure Vince though I am unsure if he fully believes it as he is very stubborn. Even though his stubbornness can be very frustrating at times I think it is his best quality as he never gives up on something that he believes in.

Illuminated by the small light hanging from the ceiling Vince's check bones were very prominent, making me suddenly become aware of how attractive he really was. This was a weird realisation for me as I had never really considered it before but now that it was right in front of me, I understood that Vince was a real good catch. I mean sure he is pretty hot but he also has this really calming nature but yet had a good sense of humour.

He must have noticed me staring as he raised his eyebrows questioningly but for once I was not ashamed, I had this really spontaneous feeling, like I could do whatever I wanted. I had to blame it on the near arrest earlier that day because this kind of behaviour almost never happened. I was always the kind of girl to write a list of pros and cons before I made any kind of decision.

So when Vince leant forward my heart started doing cartwheels in my chest I didn't know what to expect. He placed his hand gently on my shoulder obviously feeling the same way but the shock of feeling his touch wakes me up as I am immediately hit with the thought of whether this is what I want or not. A kiss is not just a kiss when that kiss is with your best friend. As much as I like Vince I think that my feelings for him aren't more than friendly and I am defiantly not the kind of person to lead him on.

"I'm sorry I can't do this." I say in a strained whisper as I stand up to as much distance between us.

A defeated look crosses Vince's face but almost as soon as it comes it goes. He is not very good at hiding his emotion as I can easily tell that I have hurt his feelings, even if he denies it. As I repeat over and over that I am sorry Vince just stands there awkwardly for reasons which are obvious. I had a sick sensation in my stomach as I realised I was the reason he was feeling this way and I didn't know how to make it better.

"I am going to leave now as it is obvious I am not wanted here." Vince says in half angry, half depressed voice which only fuelled my guilt.

"Vince, no..." but even as I said this he was walking out of house.

"Adeline stop, it is okay, really." As he said this as forcefully as he could, I wondered whether that would be the last time I saw my best friend.