The City of Avenir

Chapter 1

Today was normal I guess. I went to school; wait, no, more like prison. I don't know why they call it "The House of fun learning" when there was no fun at all. Seriously, I have no idea what's in our "Mystery Meat" on Monday's, but it sure isn't me that's finding out.

I'm Valkrie. A sarcastic 17 year old girl who lives in a "perfect utopia" called Avenir. People say this place is flawless, and yes we do have that outside influence, but we're not that special, really. We have a big shiny, pointy building in the center of our city that houses the president and her court. Whoopty-doo. Yes, we have technology. Yaaay. But no one is alive here. No, they're not physically dead. What I mean is that they don't have a lot of emotion. Let's just say my friends and I are oddities because we're kinda weird.

Anyways, this place may not be perfect, but it's my home. I don't think I could leave here without a good enough reason.

"Hey, Val. You want anything specific for dinner?" my mother asked me. I shook my head. We were coming back from my after-school violin lesson, so my mom popped into the drive through of a local popular restaurant and ordered me a chicken sandwich. It was pretty busy there, but it didn't take that long to get our food. We drove back home and I ate my food while mom cleaned the kitchen, humming to herself. Her voice was smooth and haunting, almost hypnotizing me without even trying.  You see, Avenir is divided into four different castes, and each caste had special abilities that contribute to the society. Unfortunately, each of these castes is rated from best to worst.  The first caste was financially talented, meaning they were rich, pretty much; They are also capable of becoming military lieutenants and deal with war related stuff . The second caste leans more towards agriculture and construction. Three's are the artists, poets, and writers; the creatives. And fours usually either serve and become maids and butlers for upper castes, or serve in the military for the war against Tyran soldiers. They honestly had the worst; barely able to pay for a meal, and sometimes fours went into the army to give their family the chance of food and money. My family and I are threes, commoners, you could say. Our house is decent in size. But it's dull. Almost all of the house has barely any color. Except in my room, hehe. 

After I finished eating, I set my plate in the sink and ran a bit of water over it, washing the crumbs off. I then went upstairs to my room and shut the door, sighing. I yawned and stretched as I plopped onto my bed, breathing deeply in contentment. This blanket was quite comfortable. I wonder what Bryony is doing right now. I thought to myself. Bry is my best friend, always there when I need her. Alexander was my other best friend as well. Our little trio was sure an oddity in Avenir. Just as if she had read my mind, my phone buzzed. As I pulled it out, the screen lit up, showing a picture of me, smiling, as my burgundy-colored hair was pulled pack into a ponytail. A text appeared on the screen; Hey, you back from lessons yet? It read. I smiled. She knew me so well, it was actually pretty scary. She memorized my daily schedule, so she knew what times I got off violin, art, or singing lessons. Like I said, it's pretty scary. Don't ask me how she does it, I tried that and she refused to admit her secret.

As I was fixing to text back, the phone vibrated in my hand. Bryony was calling me. I answered and placed my cell against my ear, ready for what Bry was fixing to talk about. "Hey, Val! I'm guessing you're back from lessons?" a silvery voice came from the phone. "Yep, just got home a few minutes ago. What's up?" I replied. She sounded as if she were trying to keep something in. And that wasn't exactly like her. At all. A dozen possibilities ran through my head, but what I heard next was really

"Guess what?" Bry said. I could tell she was trying to sound calm, but her normally fruity and joyous voice wasn't about to be taken over by dull tones. "What's up?" I said in slight boredom; I could hear her uncontrollable giggles and couldn't help but chuckle, "I'm not telling you until you agree to what I requested!" I rolled my eyes. I knew what she was talking about. She knew I didn't like to sing, but she insisted it more and more each day. "No." I replied haughtily, "I won't do it." Bryony groaned, "Oh c'mon Val! Your voice is so beautiful! Why don't you ever show it off?" I shrugged, staying silent for a moment. Why don't I ever take pride in my talents? Everyone seemed to like my voice when they hear it. Although, that is usually short-lived. "Because..I-I dunno. I just don't feel comfortable about singing in front of people. It just makes me feel..revealed; unguarded almost." I said, a light shade of red sneaking upon my cheeks. For once, I was glad we're on the phone instead of face-to-face. "Val. You have a beautiful voice. Please, just act like I'm not here. Set down the phone or something, and sing anything you'd like." Her voice was soothing and comforting. I'm so glad Bry is my best friend.

I was silent, hesitating whether or not I should do it. Fuck it, I thought, why not?  I set the phone on speaker and placed it in front of my legs, criss-crossed. I decided to sing an old lullaby my mother would sing to me when I was a child, scared of the thunder or when I couldn't sleep at night. I took a deep breath, closed my eyes, and let my voice take over my mind.

"Lullaby, and good night, in the skies stars are bright.

May the moon's silvery beams bring you sweet dreams.
Close your eyes now and rest, may these hours be blessed.
'Til the sky's bright with dawn, when you wake with a yawn.

Lullaby, and good night, you are mother's delight.
I'll protect you from harm, and you'll wake in my arms.

Sleepyhead, close your eyes, for I'm right beside you.
Guardian angels are near, so sleep without fear.
Lullaby, and good night, with roses bedight.
Lilies o'er head, lay thee down in thy bed.

Lullaby, and good night, you are mother's delight.
I'll protect you from harm, and you'll wake in my arms.

Lullaby, and sleep tight, my darling sleeping.
On sheets white as cream, with a head full of dreams.
Sleepyhead, close your eyes, I'm right beside you.
Lay thee down now and rest, may your slumber be blessed.

Go to sleep, little one, think of puppies and kittens.
Go to sleep, little one, think of butterflies in spring.
Go to sleep, little one, think of sunny bright mornings.
Hush, darling one, sleep through the night,
Sleep through the night,
Sleep through the night."

Huh. That wasn't so bad. I opened my eyes, and found that I could hear Bryony sniffling through the phone.
...

"Come on it wasn't that good." I scoffed. Bry coughed, "Shit, I thought I had my mic muted." She laughed, a beautiful sound I heard all the time and found I was lucky to hear it so often. "Seriously Val, your voice is so amazing!" She gushed as she giggled uncontrollably once more. I rolled my eyes and shook my head, "So, what's this news you wanted to tell me exactly?"
"Oh! Yea, forgot," she laughed, "I found this really cool shirt and need your opinion."
...
"That's the big deal? Dude you didn't need to-" I was cut off by Bryony's snort and I saw the screen of my phone light up as she turned on her camera. I looked and unfortunately saw Bryony in her bra, changing her shirt. "Jesus fucking Christ Bryony warn me next time you do that!" I scolded and blushed; I had never been comfortable with people changing around me, and vice versa. Just never been comfortable with it. She chuckled, "Haha, sorry Val! Wasn't thinking!" She lifted her arm and tapped her head with her finger..
...
Still in her bra.
"BRYONY GET A SHIRT ON ALREADY!" I shouted as I buried my face in blanket, tortured by the full on howls of laughter from Bryony.