Protocol

Chapter One

It took everything in her not to jump out of her skin. "Today's the day, Bug!" Grayson calls, cheerfully.

"Ew, I'm going to be sick," Charlie replies, pulling her hair into a bun.

"Bug, you are going to be saved today. The rest of your life laid out for you! What could be better?"

"Not having the test tell me what I am." Grayson came and pulled her hair out of the bun that she had made. He decided not to say anything else and walked out of the room, pulling Charlie behind him. "I just don't get it," she mutters while walking, or rather being pulled, into the kitchen.

"Seriously, Charlie. You gotta stop with this. It's just a test," her brother speaks up. She sits down, sticking her tongue out at him.

"Says the one that doesn't have to get probed for an hour, Peter," Charlie mutters and smacks the back of his head. He turns and hits her back, smiling.

"Just one of many benefits of being a dude." Charlie smiles angrily, pushing him off the chair. He falls and stands up with eggs in his hand.

"Throw that and I will ground you," booms Tom's voice. Her father walks into the kitchen and pours a glass of coffee. Charlie turns to talk to Grayson, wanting to talk to him about the test. All of a sudden, a chilling liquid is pouring down her back. She turns to see Peter holding a syrup bottle. "Oh, you're so dead!" She yells and charges. Peter runs around the table and squirts the bottle at her.

"Peter Harrison!" Tom calls.

"Yes, dad," he says, bracing for a lecture.

"Put that bottle down and grab a mop for the ground."

"Yes sir," he says, headed for the closet.

"Dad! What about me! This is the only dress I own!" yells Charlie.

"C'mon, you can wear one of Cam's," Grayson says, pulling his sister once again. They get into the bedroom and Charlie throws off her dress, "Tell me you don't think that was rude."

"Charlie-"

"This is the only-"

"No, I mean I found the perfect dress for you!" he says, pulling out a teal, short dress.

"Where's the rest of it?"

"Just put the damn thing on, Charlie." Knowing she wouldn't win this argument, she hops into the shower to rinse her back. Getting out, she pulls her hair out of the bun and puts on the dress. When she walks out of the bathroom, Grayson is speechless. "Oh my goodness! You actually have beauty under there!"

"Whatever, Gray," she replies. Then she turns and looks into the mirror. Who is that staring at me? I can't look like that. I'm an oaf. She thinks, astonished. "You will make someone proud to be your husband, Bug," Grayson says, chuckling. Smiling, Charlie walks downstairs and looks at Peter and Tom staring at her.

"For once, I'm glad to be your twin," comes Peter's voice.

"Haha, very funny," Charlie says, smiling and aiming her purse at his face. Grayson's hand comes down on Charlie's.

"Charlie, at least pretend like you're a lady for today?" Charlie just shrugs and nods.
They all walk out to the car and drive to the testing area. Charlie stares out the window and remembers a memory...

It was 9 years ago,  and Charlie was sitting on her sister's bed. "Why do you have to leave?"  9-year-old Charlie asks.

"That's how it is, baby," Cameron, Charlie's sister says from the closet.

"That's not fair though. You're happy here with us."

"Yes, I am very much so," she says walking out of the closet, "but the test says that I have a new husband."

"How can they do that!?" Suddenly furious, little Charlie stands up and stomps angrily. "What about me and Grayson and, ugh, Peter?"

"You have to stay with dad." Cameron's back was to the little Charlie but she could tell her sister was crying.

"THAT'S SO STUPID! I WON'T LET THEM TAKE YOU!!!"

"Charlie, you have no power.... We have no power." Cameron walks over to her and holds Charlie's shoulder's. "Promise me one thing, Charlie."

"No, you can't leave!"

"Charlie! Please..." Charlie nods slightly and looks at her sister. "Promise me on your test day, do what's in your heart and get the right husband."

Charlie nods as men in black suits come into the room, "Cameron Johnson, it's time to go."

"No! Her name's Cameron Harrison and you can't take my sister," Charlie cries, holding onto  Cameron's leg. A guard pulls Charlie away from Cameron and they escort her out. This is the last time Charlie had seen her sister before the paper came that next Sunday. It headlined, "Woman allegedly beaten to death by new husband sworn by test. Are these tests really working or failing?"

Charlie, Grayson, and Peter became closer than ever as their father fell into a pit of depression. A month later, the trial for the murder of Cameron came. They convicted the man not guilty for reason that she had been cheating on a man. She hadn't but the man claimed she had, so she had.

"Charlie?" comes Peter's voice, breaking her out of her trance, "We're here."

Charlie nods and get out of the car, "This is it...." she mutters. Plastering on a smile, she loops her arms into her brothers' arms and walks into the courthouse. Brace yourself Charlie.... Cameron's voice echoes through her skull.