A Town Called Yesterday

Chapter 5: The Beginning

A/N - I seriously hope you like this chapter because I think it's my favourite. I was really struggling trying to work out how to give this a relationship twist and it's finally started to go somewhere which is a help. Pleeeeeeease enjoy this because I don't know what to do otherwise. I would really appreciate comments as well. Ok so thanks... :) xxx

A week had passed, me dipping in and out of council meetings as I pleased to my mother's disapproval. Trudy is probably sick of the sight of me by now because I've been at her house so many times overnight this past week. Max was preparing for the outcome of this

afternoon 's game. Preparing to be married to whomever chose him at the end of tomorrow.

I was not looking forward to it. The winner of the penalty shoot out at the end got to choose someone to live with him for a month in a cabin a few miles north of the Chamber House, just on the outskirts of the desert. The problem was that I could be chosen because they can literally choose anybody, even if they're not on the list to be enrolled into marriage. All girls who are in line to the throne were targets...so just me really.

Of course men wanted status just like their ancestors had claimed their status as leaders, it's in their blood. Most men would marry into the Chamber House for a better life and power.

As I walked into the stands alongside my mother, we were addressed by the referee to shake hands. I know the referee very well as his son works with Max so I know he's a good, fair man. A gentleman really, kissing first my mother's hand in greetings and then mine instead of merely shaking hands.

There was no doubt about it, a true buzz filled the air with electricity. We all sat down as one great economy united whilst one by one the players entered the field.

The referee decided on two team captains. An older man who went by the name of 'Smithy' and a younger man, a boy really - maybe 17 - who I'd never seen before.

He was tall and strong looking. As the referee appointed them as the 'non-shirts' his broad shoulders lifted up in what looked like sigh before he reluctant took his shirt off and exposed himself to the cool March air. Gasps went up through the stands. Whispers started around which I would have been inclined to answer had his eyes not been glued to mine.

It felt as if nobody else existed, as if we were the only two people on the planet.

And then it was over and everyone seems existed again. His fierce gaze was gone. His pleading eyes were no longer locked onto mine and an emptiness chilled me from my bones, leaving me with a sense of blindness. I was alone in this world.