Trapped

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

I re-open Elias’ file once again, hoping that Frey’s picture will magically appear. I actually miss him. For the few short seconds that I got to see him, I felt something I’ve never felt before. Something so amazing that I never wanted to look away, but when I did, I felt heartbroken.

I read over Elias’ facts again, trying to memorize as much as I can so I can get to know him better tomorrow. The facts are always simple. Just the basics. I don’t need to know much because I spend a day with each boy. After that, I get to choose who I want to spend my time with.

Every girl dreams about this day. I can’t remember having a conversation about my future where I wasn’t told to be cautious about my feelings and to only fall for one of the 3. It seems simple but it’s hard to control your heart when any one of them could be your soul mate.

I awake to mother rummaging through my closet. Today is the first date. Traditional first dates only lasted a few hours but they changed it to lasting all day so the two people could have more time to get to know each other.

“Good morning, sweetheart.” She speaks to me breathlessly. “Where is that red, polka dot dress that you love?”

I sit up and a few strands of hair fall before my eyes. “I think it’s in the wash.”

She nods her head once and sits beside me. “Are you nervous?”

I take time to think about my answer. I’m not, but I should be. I’m nervous about meeting Frey, but the other dates just seem like minor set backs. They’re just like speed bumps to me. “Yes.” I tell her, still lost in my thoughts. She smiles a comforting smile and stands up.

“I’m going to find that dress. You’re breakfast is on the counter.” She squeezes my hand and walks out of my room.

I’m sitting on my front porch when Elias pulls into my driveway. He looks more eager than I do. I sigh and stand up, fixing my dress. He quickly walks over to me and holds out his hand. First meetings are always awkward. “I’m Elias.” He tells me as I gripped his hand, giving it a light shake. “Julianne.”

We walk down the steps and over to his glossy black car. The only car available to minors.

“In your file it said you liked to hear stories so I figured we could go see a movie first.” He tells me while putting the key in the ignition. I smile, staring straight ahead of me.

“That sounds fun.”

The movie lasted about 2 hours and then we made our way to Connie’s, my favorite diner, for lunch.

“Am I doing well?” He asks me with a grin that could make Leader Sutton; he controls everything, go weak in the knees.

“You’re the best date so far.” He catches on to my joke and laughs quietly. “Am I doing well?” He takes a drink of his water and leans back in his booth. “I couldn’t have picked anyone better.” As my cheeks flush to a blood red, all thoughts of Frey leave my mind and our food arrives.

“So, your file said that your dad passed away. Do you mind if I ask what happened to him?” He is careful with his words, trying not to hit a sore point. I appreciate that, even though the whole topic is a sore point.

“I can’t say.” I answer, twirling the pasta on to my fork, then off it again. “It happened in the past. A few weeks ago.” It’s so hard not to be able to talk about it. I have to keep all these feelings inside me.

“I’m sorry I brought it up.”

I shrug and take a bite of my pasta. I can’t help but want to stare at him. His picture didn’t do him justice. “If you could choose your profession, what would it be?” I ask him, curious as to how much we have in common.

“I’ve never really thought about it.” He speaks honestly. “I’ve never had a reason to.”

I nod my head, understanding his reasoning.

“I would want to be a teacher.” I state, confidence boiling out of me.

“An English teacher?” He asks with that grin on his face. I can’t help but smile back at him.

“Yeah.”

“If you like stories, why don’t you wish to become a writer?”

“I don’t handle criticism well.”

A look of disagreement takes over his face. “I bet you’re a great writer…If you write, that is.”

“I don’t.”

The longer we talk about me, the more curious I get to find out more about him. It seems simple, right? You ask a question, the other person answers. But, it’s more complicated than that. His file says he has broken 1 law, but I’ll never know about that 1 law because it happened in the past. I have to be careful about everything I say.

“What are we going to do after this?” I want to do something he enjoys.

He takes a gulp of his water before answering. “What would you like to do?”

I just smile and shake my head. “You pick.”

“I come here to think.” He tells me as we sit down inside the empty church. It’s peaceful and quiet. I feel like, for once, I’m actually alone. No one’s watching. But, I know that’s not true. My Guardian is always watching. “Do you ever wonder what it would be like if no one were watching?” I ask him, wondering if I’m alone in the way I feel. The shake of his head confirms my feelings. “What’s the point?” I want to argue with him. How could he not want out of this life? I do. But, I’m alone. I have no one to help me.

A tight hug and a kiss on the cheek end the night. Despite our differences, I’m left with a million butterflies fluttering around in my stomach. However, I have to focus. It’s time for round 2.