Talmer-Grey Terrace (or Hilter and his Beating Heart)

Chapter One: Our Society

We all lived peacefully. Everyone was happy, nothing was ever wrong. We weren't equal, but we weren't different. We were just there. Everything changed when President Marilyn took charge, or so what my parents and grandparents say. I could never seem to grasp what they were trying to teach me when I was growing up, but I always lived by this one rule that every girl was taught: there are always great opportunities for women. There are, and I never really questioned it. My mother said that mothers who produce baby girls are the luckiest people in the world, and I've always believed that. Father never says anything, especially when he knows when I'm doing something wrong. I thought he was just shy to correct me. I've never really noticed it until now.
          My name is Astrid Holter, I am 10-years-old, and my life has been simple since the day I was born. I've never been judged, or insulted, or anything like that, and because of it, I'm always happy. I have an older sister and a twin brother, who's older, and a mother who is the highest ranking person in all of society. I don't mean to be rude, but she is pretty important to the world. She helps President Marilyn make the toughest decisions that involves the fate of our world, decides agriculture and governmental exploration. She's pretty important. My father doesn't have an exciting job. It's important, sure. He's the manager of the Department of Environmental Collection and Sanitation Engineering. He's important to our society as everyone is, but sometimes, he just doesn't fully understand what I'm trying to say, or he doesn't want to. My older sister, Amelia, is very pretty. She has no problem getting over a relationship, because everyday, there is a line of boys outside that wants her attention. I'm happy for her. Now, my twin brother, Caleb. He's a smart guy, very nice to people, but there's something about him that society would push him to the underbelly of social status'. He wouldn't be discriminated or anything, but everybody would just think less of him. I think it's okay, and everybody should just let the matter slide through without any thoughts, but that's just the world.
          There are so many things I should say, but I don't know how to put it. Everything's perfect. Women are no longer scared to be what they want to be; women are no longer discriminated; women can express how they feel without feeling terrible because of society, I quote from my grandmother. Everything is just the way we planned.

"Astrid," my mother called from downstairs. "Astrid, please come down here. I'm going to be leaving soon. Come kiss me goodbye."
          "I'm coming, mother!" I called back. I put my book on Theoretical Warfare on my bedside table and leapt from my bed. I rushed down the stairs, skipping a few steps here and there, and entered the kitchen, where my mother was holding a phone in between her cheek and her shoulder.
          "Yes, I can see, Madam President, but there's also another solution to solve this. As far as some people go, they won't be able to know the difference with their disappearance." Mother caught a glance from me as I entered the kitchen and gave me a kiss as she left through the doorway.
          I watched her as she left the house and drove from sight. I stood at the threshold to see what little of her car I could see left, and I was closing the door, I saw him. He was walking across the street with his shirt hanging over his shoulder and a backpack on he other. I felt my heart stop as I stared at his hair reflect the light of the sun and my breath slow down. I couldn't keep my eyes off of him. Only when he stopped to turn out of fear someone was watching him did I slam the door behind me. I was leaning against the door with my hands pressed firmly against it. I couldn't get his face out of my mind. What is wrong with me? Maybe it's just a faze. It'll go away.
          It didn't.
          It only grew worse.
          I found myself staring at my plate in the morning and at my dark ceiling in the morning, and I couldn't get myself to start. Something is definitely wrong with me. Maybe I'm sick. I never bothered to tell my mom what was going on, because she's busy all the time. And my sister would make a big deal out of it. I couldn't tell my dad, because he wouldn't understand. I have no one else, but my brother to consult.
          I entered my brother's room as he was sitting on his bed reading a book called All is for Women: Volume VIII by Jessica Wright. I remember reading that when I was eight. It was very interesting, but for some reason, it seems that the author was targeting men, saying how awful they are and how they've caused war. I don't believe that at all.
          Caleb turned and saw me standing at his doorway. "Astrid," he said with his plastic enthusiasm as he placed his book at the edge of his bed, "how may be of service to you?" He knows he's not allowed to speak in this tone to me, and he knows the consequences, but he does it anyways, and I know that he loves me.
          "I think I might be sick," I said straight forward.
          Caleb sat up straight from his chair. "You think you might be sick?" He repeated.
          I nodded. I sat close to him at his bed. "There's this boy I saw walking across the street earlier this week, and for some reason, I can't get him out of my head."
          "And why do you need my help?" Caleb said, getting to his feet and walking over to his library to put his book away.
          "Mom's always busy, dad would never understand, and Amelia is just..." I found my voice to trail off for the first time. I sighed and looked to my brother desperately.
          "It's just a faze. You'll get over it," Caleb said simply.
          "Yeah, that's what I thought too, but it hasn't. It's been almost a week and this thing has only gotten worse."
"I don't know what to tell you, kid."
I sighed, feeling hopeless with everything. I need school to start. I need to escape from this nightmare that continues to haunt my every being. Hopefully, I do not have to see him there.