Borderlines

Chapter One

Fawn Simmons rushed forward, her body guards crowding around her as she walked briskly to her plane. She looked over at Garrett, the male overseer of Section 2, with flashing blue eyes. His blonde hair was just as ruffled as her brown hair from the cold wind. They both climbed the ladder into the private plane and Fawn straightened her blue shirt. Luckily overseers got to wear what they wanted, unless in the presence of royals, even if the public disagreed. Fawn pushed her long brown hair behind her ears as she glanced around the plane, it was simple, but safe. She glanced at Garrett as he sat down in a leather covered seat.
"Odd weather for June don't you think?" He asked. Fawn nodded.
"You never know with Section 2." And it was true. Section 2 consisted of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Missouri, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, and Iowa. The weather was as inconsistent in the section as the people. Lately Section 2 and 4 had been attacked by western rebels. Not much damage was done, but it angered the people, which put pressure on both Garrett and Fawn along with Abigail and Uriah, the overseers of Section 4. The westerners didn't like the eastern people just as much as the eastern people didn't like them. Fawn and Garrett were doing their best to keep Section 2 at peace, but things were starting to get dangerous. That's why Garrett and Fawn were escorted to the airport in the first place. Fawn sat down in a seat across from Garrett, a table between them.
"Are you nervous?" He asked.
"About the flight or the meeting?" Fawn responded with a question of her own.
"Both." Garrett let his hazel eyes quickly drop towards the window. Fawn felt the plane lurch as it took off and shrugged.
"The flight, no. I've flown about a billion times. The meeting, yes." Fawn answered, but didn't elaborate on her reasons. Garrett nodded in agreement.
"The West is getting too out of hand, something needs to be done, something that will benefit the East and the West." Fawn sighed.
"I don't want a compromise, the West has over stepped their bounds more than once and they need to be punished." She said sternly. Garrett held her gaze for a couple of seconds before standing and moving to the back of the plane where refreshments were placed. His shoes moved silently over the carpet. Fawn sighed, mentally kicking herself for her carelessness. Garrett had always believed in some sort of compromise that would benefit everyone, an equality of some sort. He stuck strongly to the idea hoping that it would work one of these days. Fawn's opinion was much different. She was eighteen and had been an overseer for two years, including this one. She had seen the damage in Section 2 from the westerners and they needed to fess up to their mistakes. They were always complaining that the East had the crowns favoritism, but they were wrong. The crown valued all of the sections, the West was just further away than the East. The royals were stationed at Washington D.C., in a re-designed White House that looked more like a palace. Fawn leaned back in her chair, it was going to be a long flight, about two hours. She couldn't help being a bit nervous about this meeting. Meetings that involved the sections rarely ended without arguments and accusations. Fawn was sure this meeting was going to be no different. She was pulled from her thoughts as Garrett came back and sat in his chair wordlessly, a sign he was still unhappy, but willing to be around her.
"Should we bring up the fire at the mall?" Fawn asked Garrett, trying to start conversation. The Circle City Mall in Indianapolis had been set on fire Sunday night, but luckily no one was in the building at the time. Fawn was sure it was the work of western rebels, but Garrett didn't want to make any assumptions without having strong evidence. This was a bigger issue than normal, since the fire was close to Section 3.
"It's probably a good idea, but I don't want any accusations thrown." He said pointedly. Fawn nodded in agreement, knowing they didn't need another argument. She put her elbow on the windowsill of the plane and placed her chin in her hand. She slowly let herself ease into a deep sleep, the hum of the plane soothing her anxiety.

~

"Fawn." She felt a hand on her shoulder.
"Fawn wake up, we're here." Fawn slowly opened her eyes. Garrett was shaking her shoulder and looking at down at her with a smirk.
"Did I really sleep the whole flight?" She asked, sitting up and rubbing her eyes.
"Yes, I think I even saw you drool a little."
"Don't insult me!" Fawn said loudly, but she knew Garrett would understand she was only joking. Fawn slowly walked to the back of the plane grabbing her bag along the way. She quickly closed the bathroom door and unzipped the bag. A red flowing dress peeked out, tight at the top then slowly beginning to flow as it went down. It was a medium shade of red, which helped bring out Fawn's eyes and hair color. Definitely not highlighting her pale skin, which she was thankful for. All citizens were required to be in tux and dresses in front of the king or queen. If you didn't, you were forcefully thrown out of the palace. Fawn carefully brushed out her hair and swept it to one side, a abnormal look for her. Once Fawn had the dress on and zipped, she opened the bathroom door. Garrett was waiting for her and offered her his arm. He was in a crisp black tux with a red tie to match Fawn's dress. Fawn looped her hand in his daintily and began walking down the corridor of the plane towards the exit. A guard waited at the door and Garrett nodded at him to open it. Fawn felt warm air hit her cheeks and she was immediately greeted by flashing cameras. She squinted her eyes as Garrett led her forward behind their body guard. The local television stations had gathered at the airport and the news reporters were pressing against the gates that kept them away from the overseers. Of course that didn't stop the people from leaning over the gates to get a glimpse of Garrett and Fawn. Fawn kept her head ducked, leaning into Garrett as they continued their brisk walk towards the palace doors. Fawn breathed a sigh of relief as she heard the palace doors slam closed and the noise of the outside vanish. She looked up and smiled, The White Palace, as it was now called, was breathtaking. Beautiful white walls were covered in gold designs and historical pictures lined them. Fawn looked up at the giant crystal chandelier that loomed above their heads. The marble floor was polished so it shined brilliantly when any ray of light hit it. A giant staircase to the second floor lay in front of them. Fawn smelled the air, it was clean and fresh, matching the palaces spotless appearance. She felt Garrett nudge her and she looked to her right, seeing a young servant boy.
"Lord Garrett and Lady Fawn I presume." He asked with a bow, keeping his gaze low. Fawn nodded as did Garrett.
"I have been given the task of showing you to your rooms and letting you know that the meeting will be held in an hour." The servant boy said, as he straightened.
"Lead on then." Garrett said, motioning the boy to lead the way. The boy began ascending the polished marble stairs. Fawn and Garrett followed quickly behind him. Fawn looked around the palace wide-eyed.
"They have this place all prettied up." She remarked.
"They know how important this meeting is, they want everything to be perfect." Garrett paused before continuing.
"Tough luck." Fawn nodded, knowing the meeting would be anything, but perfect. The servant boy led them down a long hall lined with red carpet. They soon stopped at a large white door.
"This, as you already know, is Fawn's room. Garrett's will be across the hall with the other male overseers rooms." Fawn let go of Garrett's arm for the first time since they had arrived.
"Thank you." She said kindly to the servant.
"I'll come get you when the meeting's about to start." Garrett said as he took his leave with the servant. Fawn watched them disappear down the hallway before grabbing the doors brass door knob. She twisted it, lightly pushing the door open. The room was just as she had left it last time. A grey carpet with black designs lined the floor. The bottoms of the white walls had the same gold designs as the castle. A giant bed lay nestled in the left corner of the room, a desk not far away. There was a wardrobe for her clothes, and a bathroom with a shower and tub close by. Fawn loved the room, but her favorite part was the small balcony that let in a small, but refreshing breeze. Fawn walked through the double doors and onto the wooden balcony. She ran a finger along the bronze rail looking out at the countryside. There was a wall around the palace lined with trees to keep any spectators from looking into the private life of the royals. Fawn looked down at the garden that lay below her. Flowers were in full bloom and bright colors flourished. Fawn inhaled and caught the slightest hint of roses, her favorite flowers. Fawn heard a knock on her still open door and turned to see a women standing there. She was short and a little round, but her brown eyes were lively. It was a servant and she held a bunch of little boxes and other things in her hands. She looked only slightly older than Fawn.
"I was sent to help you get dressed for the meeting." The women said in a steady voice that was somehow welcoming.
"Of course." Fawn said, and motioned the woman inside. The servant set her things on Fawn's desk and bowed quickly.
"What's your name?" Fawn asked as the women straightened.
"Violet, my lady." The women said. Fawn walked forward and closed her door before turning to the servant.
"Well I am Fawn, and if you're going to be helping me get prepared for the meeting you must call me Fawn."
"Yes, my- Fawn." The women quickly corrected herself, but Fawn could see a smile spreading across her face. She did a quick look-over of Fawn and tsked her tongue, shaking her head.
"First things first, we need to get that hair of yours under control." Violet said, grabbing a few things, including a comb, off the desk.
"Whatever you say." Fawn smiled and sat down in the chair that accompanied the desk. She sat still as Violet curled her brown hair, making it cascade beautifully over her shoulders. When she was done with Fawn's hair, Violet brought out a light blue dress. It was strapless and more tight to her body, but it did not cling to her completely. Fawn still wasn't used to the idea of having servants dress her, but managed to stand still as Violet did her job. Fawn admired her reflection in the mirror as a little make-up brightened her complexion.
"Wow Violet, you definitely know what you're doing." Violet ducked her head modestly, but Fawn could see a proud smile spread across the her lips. Fawn looked up as she heard yet another knock at the door.
"Fawn?" Garrett's muffled voice drifted through the thin door.
"Coming." Fawn called in answer, turning away from her reflection. She opened the door, finding Garrett dressed in a black suit with a light blue tie.
"Time for the meeting."