Trapped

"Ashton Murphy," my name was called by the Head Principal, Mr. Childers. I jumped out of my seat, shocked and excited that I, Ashton Laurel Murphy, had just been awarded the Principal's Award.

The Principal's Award is the most honorable award you can get as a high school senior. Not only do you get the award, you also receive $200 a month for the first two years out of high school.

A lot of my classmates clapped and some of them kept silent. We have all been aiming for this award for twelve years. Some parents started to object, thinking that the only reason I got the award was because my father died in a plane crash three months ago, and my mother had to go to a coo coo room because of it.

I just smiled and told everyone how thankful I was for the award and return to my seat next to Penny Moon. "I'm so proud of you Ashton," Penny exclaimed.

"Thank you. I'm so happy," I sighed.

Since the Principal's Award was the last award to be given, we were all dismissed afterward, and Penny and I met up with Gregory in the lobby.

"I can't believe we're graduating in two days, guys," Greg said.

"I know," Penny started to tear up.

"No tears. You've got toughen up. We're supposed to be government agents in just a few months."

"I'm not going to be the tough kind," Penny said as a tear rolled down her left cheek. "I'm going to be in the background. Computers, machinery, and weapon development. That's it."

"My great grandmother told me that school didn't used to be like this in her day," Greg said. "They used to go to high school, and didn't have to pick their careers until whenever they felt like it. And they were also able to change it."

"Luck them," I sighed. We had to pick our careers at the age of six when we first started school. There are only five major areas to choose from, and of those five you were to go into a special division.

"What I don't understand is why we have to marry someone in our own Pathe," Elizabeth teased as she came up next to Greg. Elizabeth and Greg are an unofficial couple since we aren't supposed to date until the age of 20.

They look great together. They both have glowing brown skin and dark curly hair. A lot of people mistake Liz and I for sisters because we favor each other. And it's true, we could be creepily mistaken as twins, but I was unusually born with straight hair instead of curly hair like my mother and father. My grandfather used to say its because I'm so focus and straight-forward, and my grandmother secretly told me that she think my mom had an affair when she had me.

It doesn't make me look any less than my father though. Now, all of us Americans look just alike. I've read in textbooks of times where there were different races and people would often classify themselves as a certain race, but that's in the past.

"It's just easier," Penny said about the relationship thing.

"It's pretty much illegal," I replied.

"Well, I've found my future wife," Greg smiled down at Liz and she blushed.  They walked off together and there was just me and Penny.

"Do you want to come over to my house and celebrate your award," she asked.

"No, I think I'll go home," I told her and we went our separate ways. 

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I was only a block away from home when I felt something sharply hit my head. I instinctively pulled out my switch blade - which I always kept on my, even in a dress and heels - and swiftly turned to meet my attacker face to face.  Unlike Penny, I was in the government Pathe to fight, and I was ready for it.

I was caught off guard as a pair of lips crashed onto mine as I turned around, and if it wasn't for his familiar taste, I would have stabbed Drew in the stomach.  "I don't know why you insist on sneaking up on me," I told him as we broke this kiss. 

"Ashton, I think it's fun.  And I always like to put a little spark in our relationship," Drew smiled.

"Friendship," I corrected.

"Yeah, whatever," he said as he put an arm around my shoulders and continued on the way to my house. 

"Why don't you ever fall for one of those girls in your Pathe," I asked him.

"Who says I haven't," he challenged.  My heart dropped quickly and my head began to ache at the thought that out friendship would be over.  Drew saw the sad look on my face and gently nudged my chin so that I looked in his face. "I'm just kidding Ashton," he said, giving me another, but much more passionate kiss. i love you, I thought he was going to say.  But instead, "those girls are boring anyway."

"You work for the Entertainment Pathe, Drew. How boring can they be," I asked incredulously. 

"All they talk about is hair, makeup, and boys.  You barely stress over any of that and you're still beautiful," he smiled.  I blushed, muttering a soft thank you.

Drew pulled me from under the bright street light into a dark corner.  "I'll see you soon, Ashton."

"Don't sneak up on me next time I might really hurt you," I warned.

Drew laughed.  "And congratulations on the Principal's Award."

"How di-"

"Maybe I can be a spy," he smirked, pointing at the certificate that was in my hand.  He gave me one more quick kiss before darting away to his home that was only ten blocks away.

 

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FIRST CHAPTER that is a short chapter but hopefully still a great intro.

I really love to get comments on how I can improve, what I did well, and what my readers would like to see so comment, spread the word, and ENJOY! (:

Also, on the side is a photo of Ashton and next will be a photo of Penny and so on.....

Alexis