Never Let Me Go

Chapter 1 - The Future

I could feel the heat rising in my face, this joker. He was grinning from ear to ear as he watched me stand, preparing to throw my food in the bin. “Did I say something?” A step too far this time. I threw my food, walking back to grab my bag when he grabbed my wrist.

“Wait, Anita – I’m sorry.” I tried to pull my hand from his grasp but his hand covered nearly 1/3 of my arm. “Lucifer. Get off me.” He didn’t hear me, as he stared at my face. Looking for a sign of emotion.

I threw my water at him. Gasps were heard around the group. His hair now slick against his forehead he let go of my hand.

I walked away, thinking angry thoughts. Give me time, and I’ll show you all.

It took me three months to improve my fitness. A further two months to improve my mental strength. Everyone noticed my transformation from chubby girl to super woman. Yes I was now very proud of my body. Guys looked at me in a new light and I saw envy in the eyes of other girls. I had two weeks until my eighteenth birthday, after this point I can join the army. My college tutors congratulated me on my career choice as they were all ex-soldiers themselves from one force or another. I saw the pain grow in Lucifer’s eyes each week. Yesterday he had left a note in my bag, asking me to join him in the library on my free period. I was still debating whether to go when Sophie James passed me, seeing the note.

“From a secret admirer?” She whistled down at me, winking. “Go see him Anita. You’re ready for a man in your life.” She walked away before I could explain that ‘Lu’ was my childhood friend.

The bell rang and I made my way to the library, sitting down at a small two person table. Putting my bag on the space beside me, taking out my notepad and books. Page 298, as I got to the end of the chapter of my favourite book I noticed the feeling of being watched. Lu was sitting across from me. I hadn’t even heard him sit down. I placed my bookmark down and sat up straight, whispering.

“Why did you leave me a note? You could have just spoken to me.” He shook his head at me, sitting on the edge of his seat to get closer to me.

“You can’t go into the army Anita. You have too many friends and family members who love you. Can you imagine what would happen to them if you got hurt? What about your dad? What would happen to me?” I had expected this. I zipped up my bag after putting my book away. Letting my hair fall over one my eyes I spoke.

“I’m not going to live my life because someone is scared I’m going to get blown up. That’s not who I am and you know it Lu, I can’t stay here my whole life I need to do something! If you can’t live with that it’s your problem – not mine.” I stood up, slinging my bag over my shoulder. “There’s nothing you can say that will make me change my mind. If you’re not going to support my decision then I’ll have to say it was great knowing you.” Lucifer shook his hands in my face and grabbed my shoulders, stopping me from moving around him.

“So you are definitely going?” I nodded my head. “I’m coming with you then. I didn’t mean it back then when you first said. I swear I didn’t. I just don’t want to be without you, I mean we grew up together didn’t we?” it was almost like he was starting to panic.

“You can’t come into the army Lu” I smiled then. A big fat smile saying ‘boy, you’re an idiot.’

as we walked home that day Lu told about his serious plans for the army. It turns out – he wasn’t kidding. He had his application just like me, and then a few weeks later his acceptance letter. In fact, he was going to the same training base as I was.

I couldn’t believe it.