Paired

Chapter one

I was six when they gave me my life plan.

When I meet the right person.

What I wear at my wedding.

What career I'll take on.

What my favorite color and food will be.

How much I'll weigh.

I know it sounds weird, but that's how life goes for us. I'm not sure why they give it to you at six years old, but I'm sure they have a good enough reason.

"Chayna!"

That's my sister. She's 13 and knows how to get my attention.

"What do you need Chimala?!"

You heard us correctly. Chayna and Chimala. Both names start with C. Just like my parents. And our grandparents. Of course. Chimala is the prettier one, at only 13. But her name does mean "Beauty". And you know what my name means? "Song Bird". Pathetic. Unfortunately, at 17, I'm the unlucky one. But, I am smarter. Straight A's when Chimala only has Straight C 's.

" l need help with my hair!" Yea right. Being the untalented one in this particular category, I highly doubt she needs help with her hair.

"Okay I'm coming," I yelled at her while walking into her dark room. Dark room...

"Suprise!"

What was going on?

"Hey Chayna! Happy Birthday! Why are you so pale?" someone from behind asked.

I.

Forgot.

My.

BIRTHDAY.

I didn't even have to to look at the calendar today. I wasn't allowed to look. I had looked at the calendar on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Four times a week the officials would come and ask me if I was anxious for something. I mean, I knew it was this month. I just didn't, you know, acknowledge it.

"Oh, um, sorry Fintan," Fintan was my husband-to-be technically, but he was just my best friend to me. "I'm just really surprised."

"Oh. You don't like it?"

"No, I like it. I just wasn't expecting it. I mean, Chimala asked me to help her with her hair and..."

"And what?"

"I just don't do those things, Okay? Don't worry. I love what you guys did. It's really sweet."

"Hey Chayna! Over here!" Geesh. Chimala.

"Hey big sis! How ya' like it?" she said with her all-to-perky tone.

"Oh, it's nice. Thanks." I'm more of the shy type. Even with my younger sister.

"Really? You like it? I didn't think you would at first but then..."

Oh.

My.

Gosh.

I didn't hear the rest she said because Ryan James walked into the room. Why was he here?  I mean, he was in all of my classes, and our families know each other well. But this isn't normal for our society. We don't come over to each others houses'. That was one of the other reasons I was so stunned was that everyone was here for me.

"Sup Chay!" Why did he call me that here! He only calls me that when we're at school...

"Hey Ryan."

"Happy Birthday!"

"Oh, um gee thanks."

"How are you?" Man. He has to keep the conversation going.

"I'm great thanks." Oops. That came out harsh.

"Oh sorry, I didn't mean to upset you..

"No! I'm just tense from the party you're fine!" Ryan's mouth tilted up in a smirk.

"Okay, I believe you," he chuckled. "See you in a bit."

Okay. I just blew that conversation. I mean, even though you supposedly get your life plan at six, you don't get your "pair" until your twelve. Your allowed to like, you know, have a crush and stuff when your like ten or something, but all that I'm sure of is that I had a huge crush on Ryan when we were little. Not like he ever knew it.

"Happy Birthday sweety!" My mom beamed coming up to me.

"Thanks mom."

"Are you okay?"

"Yea, just kind if tired."

"Okay, well then make sure you go to bed on time!" She partied  off into the distance. The entire time it was the same useless conversation on how big I've gotten or why I never came over and "played" with their kids anymore.

I was in my room getting ready for bed when Ryan walked in.

"Hey birthday girl."

"Hey,"

"What's wrong? Too much cake?" He smirked.

"No, in fact I never had any."

"That's a crime." He muttered.

"Hey, it's not my fault someone hogged all the cake!" I added playfully.

"Do you mind if I got you a present?" He asked, ignoring my comment.

"Oh, um gee, you didn't have too."

"But I wanted to."

"Okay then."

"Here." He handed me a silver box, with a pink ribbon on it, about the size of my hand. I started to open it.

"Ryan!" I stared at the box. He had given me a necklace, silver chain, with a C embedded in lavender jewels.

"What?" He blushed. "Do you hate me?"

"What?" If anything, that was total opposite of what I thought of him. "It's perfect!"

"Oh, good." He sighed with relief. "I really wanted to get you something special." He looked embarrassed, having added that last comment.

"No, trust me it's beautiful." I felt my cheeks warm up.

"Your welcome." He teased, returning to his usual self.

"Thanks." I tried to return the favor.

"Hey, I have to go, sorry." He said softly.

"Don't be. Thanks for the present. It really is perfect." He looked at me, picked up the box, took the necklace out, then laced the necklace around my neck.

"Goodnight." He smiled, placed a kiss on top of my hand, then left.

He always did that when we were little. I remembered, playing Prince & princess when we were younger.

And that's when the crush started to come back.