Broken

Three

"Lia," Janel's voice snaps me out of my deep thought. "Lia it's time to go." She talked softly, as if I'd shatter into a million pieces. And I slowly focused on her face, her bright green eyes and forced a smile.

"We should get going," she enunciated. I nodded slightly and took her outstretched hand. In the other hand I held the small metal box tightly. The box that holds the key to my future, the key to my existence.

Your fate is in your own hands.

Quite literally, if I may say. The box is encrusted with a few gems, most likely diamonds, and has my name engraved on the top. I ran my finger over it, feeling the smoothness and the coldness of the metal. Janel and I walked through the crowd, pushing past people saying goodbye to their parents. As I reached my mom, my brother, and my dad, I felt the twinge in my chest again, and a longing for the family that could have been. The family that once was.

Stop it. You can't go soft. Once you go soft, you can't take care of Aaron, and if you can't take care of—

Aaron.

I see his chocolate brown eyes, wide and full of tears. I move as fast as I can towards him and silently curse the gorgeous dress I'm wearing. And everything moved in slow motion as he jumped into my arms, sobs wrecking his small body.

"I d-don't want you t-to go," he hiccups in my ear. I rubbed his back and warm tears started pooling in my eyes. Don't go soft. Be brave.

"I know, I know. I'll be back before you even know it." I pulled away from him and gave him a small smile. He leaned his head on my shoulder, fingers digging into my back like I'll die if he lets go. "Hey bud," I stroked his head reassuringly. "You'll be alright."

He nodded his head, wiped his eyes, and let go of me. I looked up at my mom and hugged her. "I love you," I whisper. She stroked my cheek lightly, a proud look adorned on her face.

"You're so brave honey. So beautiful and strong and brave." Tears fell from her eyes and I couldn't help mine from falling too. I nodded and squeezed her hard. As I turn to my dad, the twinge came in my chest again, and I smiled at him wholeheartedly.

"I love you guys. Stay safe. Promise me." My voice full of emotion, I shut up before it betrays me.

"I promise," Aaron whispers. And in that promise I know he'll be safe without me. I nod and run to Janel, who is just finishing up her goodbyes, tears streaking her face.

We both wipe our cheeks, hold hands, and head to the drop off with everyone else without turning around.

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"Is this the bus?" Janel questioned out loud. She made a face at the old yellow school bus in front of us. I scrunched up my nose.

"I guess so," I muttered. "So this takes us to the drop-off and then what?"

Janel stroked the box in her hands nonchalantly. "I guess we just...take out the locket and start looking." She chuckled nervously.

"Actually," a woman's voice interjected, "you go to your assigned car and drive to the training rooms where you will be given supplies based on where you will have to travel to find your other half. Then, you can start your journey." The voice came from a small blonde woman in a white pantsuit, her bright and optimistic voice almost annoying, given the circumstances.

I shrugged and bit my lip as we started to board the bus. It creaked as the students stepped on, and the same woman guided us to our seats. I walked side-by-side Janel, making sure we sat next to each other for the little amount of time we had left together. Once everyone was seated, it was unusually quiet. Unlike every other field trip where all the students would chatter in excitement and laugh and stand up on their seats, this one was eery. The only student talking was Benji Jones.

Benji had already opened up his locket, which was against the rules, and was showing it off to everyone. "Look! Mine has a tree on it. Maybe my future will be rich," he bragged.

Janel turned around in her set and looked at him square in the eye. "The purpose of the locket is to find a match, not tell the future, dumbass. And we all know money doesn't grow on trees." She rolled her eyes and sat back down.

Benji scoffed quietly and shut up. Then it was quiet again.

After the silent thirty minute drive, we all got off the bus, which creaked with each step. The same polished blonde woman that directed us to our seats began to direct us to a sign that said "DROP OFF POINT" in rusty bold writing.

I looked at Janel and took her hand. She smiled at me with my favorite smile and I hugged her tighter than ever. "Love you Janel, I'm gonna miss you so much," I whisper.

"I hate how I'm saying goodbye to everyone today, especially you." She sniffs and squeezes my hand one last time. By the time we finished saying goodbye, everyone had already gotten into their assigned black cars and drove away to the training rooms to change and get our supplies.

I turned around and walk to the old sign and touched it lightly. "Here we go," I mutter to myself.

And so I stepped into the sleek black BMW waiting for me. Then I drove.