Where the Road Ends || a.i.

Chapter 1

My breath came out in white puffs into the cold winter air as i walked. Snow blanketed everything in sight making this terrible place look almost peaceful. I hated the world, it disgusted me, and for good reason, but winter was always the time of peace for me. I watch as happy couples ice skated on the frozen pond, obviously Pairs.

My hazel eyes glanced at my somewhat exposed wrist, my Mark clearly showing. I didn't understand it. Not one bit. I didn't understand why the government, why society did this. Why they marked infants and forced them to be raised in a place where if you didn't find your perfect match you were just thrown out, "destined to be alone".

The Non-Pairs were usually miserable. Every child was scared of ending up alone, including me, even though almost everyone had a Match. My mother always said death was better than loneliness.

I traced my Mark over and over with my pointer finger. Maybe i won't find my Match, but i certainly won't just give up like most Non-Pairs. I was always rebellious. It was against rules to have any sexual or romantic relations before finding your Match (What a pathetic rule). I, of course, ignored that pointless rule. I had romantic relations with around three guys. Doesn't seem like much but i was indeed judged a lot for it. Being different was a huge thing here. No one in this messed up world likes imperfection.

I just don't understand this horrible world! How in the hell do we find our Match if we can't explore love? I find it so.. Dumb! "Only one other person on this planet has the same Mark. It is destiny to meet and fall in love." I remember hearing those two sentences repeated over and over on the TV when i was little. I'm only 18 but in my opinion it's complete bullshit. I don't think anyone in this generation believes they really get to be a Pair. Not until they actually see it and feel it.

I sigh as i watch people in wonder. How can they live like that? My eyes wonder to my feet. "Love is stupid.." I mutter under my breath.

"Well, why do you think that?" A warm voice startles me and i look up. "What's it to you?" I snap at the guy standing before me. He looks to be maybe a year or two older than me and his green eyes seem warm my soul. His long, brunette hair whips in the cold wind, catching snow flakes. The boy bites his lower lip and shrugs. "Just curious, calm down babe. I'm Ashton." Ashton smiles, dimples clearly showing in his cheeks. Did he just call me "babe"?

"And I'm pretty sure i don't care." I retort and get up from my bench. The same bench i sat on with my mother every Sunday morning.. It became a ritual for me to repeat even after she died..

Ashton looks almost offended. "Oh.." The brunette boy looks down and bites his lip nervously. "it's no harm making new friends.." He says mostly to himself. "Sorry.." He murmurs and walks away from me.

It starts snowing again and i trudge home. I'm quickly greeted by a ball of fluff and joy. "BaH! Kota, stop!" My laugh rings throughout the rather empty house as my dog licks my face. I push her off of me gently and giggle. "Well i missed you too then." I pet her small head with a smile. I strip myself of my now soaked coat and boats and pick up my loving dog.

When my mother died Kota was all i had left of her. My dog is honestly the only family i have left. My only happiness..

I walk into my kitchen with my stomach growling. I haven't eaten all day. When i'm nervous i tend to drift into deep thought, blocking out my emotions and focussing on my nerves.

"You know what tomorrow is, Kota?" I talk to my dog a lot too. People must think im insane. "It's 'The Annual Pair Ceremony'" I mock the governors voice and laugh at myself. "And you know what? I am almost positive i won't be picked once again." I sigh.

Once a child turns 16 they're entered in this, i guess, raffle where the government is willing to give you your "long lost Match" if your name is selected. Every birthday after you turn 16, they add your name once more into this huge bowl they pick from. They stop adding when you turn 20. If you're picked out of the raffle thing, they give you your Matches name. Yeah, only their frigging name. Not a picture, not a location, only a name. Even the chances of being picked is one in 1,000. It's stupid, but it's mandatory to go. Everyone gets excited for these events, for me it's literally the dumbest thing. Only 3 people are chosen each year and in my opinion people get their hopes up for nothing.

I set Kota down and roll up my sleeves. I get out a bowl and pour myself some cereal. "Ya know, i'm probably just going to end up lonely anyway. If i do meet my Match, he'll probably be ugly and retarded." I laugh to myself, shoving a spoon full of frosted flakes into my mouth. "There is no point in trying when it's so obviously useless.." I mumble with a mouthful.

The dusk turns into night and like practically everyone else, i drag myself upstairs to actually go to sleep early. Who would've thought.. Me, getting up early. Hah, very laughable..

~*~

"Shit! Where the hell are my shoes?" I scramble to get ready. The ceremony thing starts in 10 minutes and i'm far from being ready. I had slept through my alarm clock and probably wouldn't have woken up if Kota didn't start barking like crazy at some squirrel outside.

I struggle to braid my hair and it turns out looking like a mess but i guess it's better than nothing. I smooth out the wrinkles in my pale blue dress after putting on my combat boots. "This will have to do." I say and bite my lip.

I always did have my mothers eyes.. I think to myself. Kota barks at me and i jump. "Okay, bye! I'll be back in an hour!" No wonder why people think i'm crazy. I talk to my dog WAY too much.

I can't afford a car so i use my bike to get everywhere. I hop on it and shiver. It's cold even with my coat. My feet pedal as fast as they can to the ceremony building. I'm shaking as i finally ride in the packed parking lot. I park my bike and race inside.

By now, my hair is a disaster and damp from the heavy falling snow. I speed walk through the hall, simply putting my hair in a bun this time and march into the event room. I quickly find a seat in the loud, crowded stadium.

My lungs fill with air as i take a deep breath. "And three minutes to spare.." I murmur to myself. Nice timing..

I suddenly feel like i'm being watched. Am i the only one who constantly gets that feeling? A hand touches my shoulder and my head snaps up to see Ashton from the park. "Oh hey! You're the girl that doesn't care!" Ashton says with too big of a smile, his dimples displaying. He sits next to me and i have to admit, he looks nice in a tux.

"Go away." I say coldly and avoid any contact. "Why are you so mean? I'm trying to be nice, ya know." The boy rolls his eyes in annoyance.

"If you want to be nice, leave." I sass back to him. He looks like he just got shot and watched his house burn down. "Fine.. But first, what's your name?" I pick up an accent in his voice.

I hesitate and bite my lip nervously. "Kathleen. My name's Kathleen.." My eyes finally meet his. "Now leave." I say sassily with a small smile.

Ashton's face lights up with satisfaction and he gets up and leaves. A sigh leaves my body and i look down. Great.. Just what i needed. A guy that's probably stalking me knows my name.

Speakers above me crackle and pop before a voice booms through it. "Hello, and welcome to The Annual Pair Ceremony!" Out on the stage is a tall, elegant woman. I instantly recognize her as the governor of our region. She handles the Pairs, Matches and Marks, making sure everything is perfect before children are born and people are married. Even Non-Paired people get married believe it or not, but the governor must approve or they get taken from one another. It's cruel.

The speech drags on and on. Being me, i ignore most of it. "Now, let's get to the good part. Today, three of our young adults will be chosen to receive their soul mates name. They will be another step closer to finding their future." The woman is handed an envelope and she opens it carefully.

"Ashton Irwin." She announces. "Ashton, congratulations you have been chosen."