Systematic Hearts

{ 1 }

As I put my tag ID in the machine, it starts to tell me who I am. Again. Everyday I hear the same thing, as if I can forget my small self. I don't understand why the System has to check to see if I am still alive. Honestly, I think word would get around if I died. When I die.

"Annabella Kate Richards," the woman's electronic voice says. "You are 16, you have blue eyes and blonde hair," no kidding, I roll my eyes as I listen. Like I do everyday. "Your shape is a half diamond." The machine reports. "Would you like to report anything?"

"No." I say confirming that I am fine, and still a part of the System, still alive. The System was set up thousands of years ago. They say it was the right thing to do. The founders were tired of people being hurt by someone who should love them. Its not that I don't like it, it's just, why can't I love someone I want to love, not someone who is guaranteed to not break my heart. Loving is about loosing. Not being lost. Our other half is already out there. No need to disappoint them and get killed for loving someone else. Now that would be a double heartbreak.

All we get to find our other half, is one half of a necklace. We receive these when we are born. Everyone gets one. Everyone but the System leaders. They say they need a focused mind, I guess they mean they don't want to run around trying to find their other half. They just want everyone else too. They just want to send their people on wild goose chases. Some people have to cross oceans to find their other half, others have to go right next door to find their other half. I think it is cruel to have to learn a new language just to talk to someone that is right for you.

When we reach the age of seventeen our necklaces heat up and cool down when we get closer and further away from our other half. They won't stop changing temperature until we touch the other half of our necklace. It's all just a big game of hide and seek. The other half is worn around our other half's neck. When you are seventeen in the System you are qualified to start finding your other half. I turn 17 in one week.
...
I push the door open to my small compact, the smell of bread enveloping me. Rarely do I ever eat bread, it is so expensive to make now. In the kitchen, mom is wearing her tattered apron over her normal System clothes; gray shirt, stiff gray pants. I'm wearing the same thing. The rough material that has grown to be my soft.

She turns to me, smiling. "Hi honey, how was EDU?" The same question everyday. Things hardly change around here.

"It was okay." I say. I have one week left. We are enrolled in EDU until we turn seventeen. It is to see what job we can get, but I am probably going to stay home and raise my family. I have always loved the thought of children.

"I found some wheat at the store. It's not fresh, but I hope that it is still okay," She smiles, "We haven't had bread in so long." I hug her from behind, I can feel her arms break from kneading the bread. "What's wrong honey?"

"I'm about to turn seventeen. I'm about to find the supposed love of my life. I'm about to have my entire life changed for someone I've never met, someone I might not like." My tone came out harder than I meant it to.

"It's scary, but then it is over in the snap of your fingers, and if you're like me or your dad, everything turns out fine. Nothing can go wrong. Just have fun, you're still a kid. And do not worry about falling in love, you're going to. The System was set up for a reason, pumpkin." She turns around and puts her arms around me.

Still a kid. A kid that is going to be married in a matter of weeks. Still a kid.

I nod, "Where's dad?" I ask. He should be home by now.

"He had to work late tonight. The Heads have him working later then usual." She rubs my back and then goes back to kneading the dough. I stand and stare at the yellow mound flaking onto her floured hands, thinking about what I'm about to go through.

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This chapter is edited. I hope. Please leave suggestions if I missed something. Here's the note from a while ago:
So yeah, that was chapter 1! I am really liking it so far, even though it is pretty short...sorry! Anyways, no one is probably reading this so I am going to go back to writing...thanks so much for reading! It means so much.👌🏻