Systematic Hearts

{ 5 }

I stay in the kitchen, too nervous to follow mom to the door. When she reaches it, she pauses, as if she is the one that is nervous. Carson is the first to enter the compact, his emerald eyes scanning the room. "I love the decorations," he says hugging my mom.

"That was all Andy!" Mom says excitedly raping her arms around Carson. His kaki pants are still slightly rumpled from the wash. His blue shirt hangs loosely on his chest, but hugs the muscles on his arms.

Carlin, being my 'almost sister', immediately looks around and goes to the kitchen where I am still standing. "Hmm, someone looks nervous!" Carlin says, her brown hair hanging over her teal dress. Why are my nerves so obviously tonight?

"You don't look nervous." I say trying to avoid the comment.

"That's because I don't really care where my necklace leads me. I just want to travel. I know my parents don't want me too, and I will miss yo-"

I cut in, "Look, I will miss you and so will Carson, but we will both be looking for our other halves too. And more than anything we definitely don't want to stop you from your dreams. Trust me," I say, hoping I didn't sound like I wanted her to go. I honestly don't want her to travel, but, like I said, I don't want to stop her from her dreams.
                                    ...

In front of me is my plate of food. A few minutes ago I was really hungry, but then I remembered what could happen tonight. I try to force the thoughts out of my head.

"You should eat," Carson says staring at me and then my untouched plate, " the pill you have to take won't go down very well with no food in you." He looks at his sister, who is sitting next to me, I do too. She is scarfing down her meal. I look back at Carson and we both start cracking up. I decide to take Carson's advise and dig in. The meal is incredible, the meat is perfect.

I help clear the table and then I sit back down. My mom brings out the cake, and me and Carlin hold our necklaces. Together we say, "We are seventeen." This is the systems way of saying happy birthday. They say it should be a formal statement not a childish one.

Mom passes out the cake and without question we all dig in. The berry flavor is artificial, but the cake still tastes amazing.

Conversations start up, but I don't really hear the words. I am too busy day dreaming about my other half. Will they be close or far? Will they have brown  or light colored hair? Will I live with them? Or them with me?...on and on and on I think about my other half.

I come out of my thoughts to see my mom handing me a pill, along with Carlin getting a pill from her mom. I know what it's for, my necklace. This is the big moment of the night.

Carlin gets ready to swallow hers. She places the oval on her tongue and then she takes a swig of water. The pill is gone. She just stands there. In fact, we all just stand there. I can see the hopeful eyes in her head and the happy ones in her parents. Her brother just looks at me, as if he is afraid.

Another few minutes go by...

"Cold, Cold, Cold!" Carlin says excited. The look on her parents is worried but she looks fine, Carlin is ready to travel. Carson hugs her.

He smiles, "Where are you going to go first?" He asks.

"Wherever you say!" Carlin replays almost screaming in excitement.

I know it's my turn now. Everyone has moved to the living room to get comfy, including me. I am terrified. I know I have to do it, so I mimic Carlin's motions: place the oval in my mouth and take a swig of water. The pill is gone.

I decide to sit down, I hate waiting. I hate everyone staring at me...

Minutes pass by. I know my necklace could change any second now...

I look around, everyone's eyes on me. I pause on Carson. He has his hands on his lap. His emerald eyes lock on my blue ones.

How much longer do I have to wai-
"Hot!" I say standing up in shock. I think I heard an echo to my voice. Maybe I am just imagining it...but why is Carson standing too.

Carson's must have turned hot too.

Our eyes lock again, he smiles and I can't help but smile too.
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That chapter was probably really boring until the end, sorry! Carlin got her travel! And Carson got his necklace out of neutral?!
Thanks for reading!           👌🏻