Paired

Paired: Chapter 7

Chapter 7

I crept quietly into the house at one a.m.

Real smart Chayna. Going to a bowling alley for 8 hours? Just a to win a bet. I thought to myself.

I only had to beat him in one game. But, we always ended up getting ties. So, we just decided to call it a night at the bleach-smelled bowling alley. So, we called it a night. I mean, sure in a way, it could be my fault for accepting the bet from Ryan. I mean, come on. Who else says no to a bet with Ryan James? He's so cute, with his dirty blond hair, and his gorgeous green eyes.

Wait what? Did I just....

No.

I'm tired. I don't know what I'm thinking.

Did I just call Ryan cute?

I must be dreaming. Although, I'm not sure why I'm yelling at myself for calling Ryan cute. Can't I like him?
"You can't break up with me, it's the law." Those words echoed over and over in my head. What if it really was illegal? What if I ended up getting hailed to jail while my dad yells at me for being a disgrace to the family? The thought made me shiver. I would talk to Ryan tomorrow. I would.

After that little afterthought-train, I figured it would be best to take a shower to get the bleach smell off of me. It felt good, having the warm water run down my frozen, and might I add stiff (from bowling) back. It gave me time to think about what Ryan would say about all I have to say. I just pictured him saying, "Its not your fault, don't feel bad." In his husky voice, reassuring me I was okay.

After my shower, I climbed into bed, now realizing that I took a shower at two a.m. I pulled the blanket over my body, and picked up The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. The next thing I knew, the book was on my face, drool was coming out of my mouth, and I was out cold.

Morning came, and I sat up too quickly. I was rewarded with a lightheaded woosh. I squinted to only see the brightness of the Sun, dim put powerful under my eyes. I hopped down the stairs and saw Mom making hash browns. Chimala was at the table reading her schoolbook. Also, as usual, my dad was nowhere in sight. Normal, I guess.

"Chayna!" Chimala beamed at me.

"Hey Chimala, missed you yesterday. I'm sorry. I know you wanted me to help you with your project. I hope you'll accept my apology." Chimala and I were very close.

In our society, the main goal is peace. After we get our pair, we get our jobs shortly after with an examination test.

"That's okay. I'm fine, your here now. I know your eventually going to Ryan's, but about a little after 3 could you come home and help me?" Chimala asked.

"Of course! I promise I'll be home a little after 3." I said, emphasizing little between my pointer finger and my thumb.

I walked out of the room and started upstairs. Did I forget to mention that besides Fintan and Ryan, I have to 2 other best friends? Well, I do.  When I got dressed in my school uniform, I grabbed my sparkly blue bookbag and headed out to my car.

When you turn 18 (my surprise 18th birthday party) you are allowed one vehicle. I chose a shiny purple convertible. I climbed into my car, put the keys in the ignition, and the engine roared to life. Driving out of my driveway and into the morning glow, I mentally prepared myself for today. Would I say hi to Ryan? Or Fintan? Well I didn't like the second option, but my mother said it was required of me. "To practice hospitality." she had told me.

I had to think harder about the first option. Would I say hi to Ryan? Ryan was a popular. I was a..Well, nobody. He said hi to me always, but I never gave him a second look, or even one chance. Never replied, just smiled. Never talked, just endured. Always quiet, never loud. But Ryan was my best friend too. Just as I thought of that, I saw Lauren and Cleo appear in the school parking lot, which I was pulling in to. They smiled and waved, then came over as a approached out of the car.

"Hey superman what's up?" Cleo asked, clearly interested.

"Nothing much, why? Have you heard anything." I tried not to let the anxiety get to my voice. I felt a wave of paranoia wash over me. A blond was standing next to my car looking at my straightened long brown hair, my green eyes, and my short torso.

"Well, I hear you went out with Ryan James. And then passed out." said Lauren. Her shoulder length blond hair and blue eyes glistend in the light.

"Well, you're right Lauren," she and Cleo squealed and I continued. "but I didn't go out with him. If I'm in my senior year of high school, and I'm..." I swallowed hard. "Paired, then I shouldn't be going out with anyone other than Fintan." I flinched at his name.

"Oh. My. Gosh." Lauren murmured.

"What?" I turned around, and saw what Lauren was staring at. Ryan was pulling in on his motorcycle. He got up and took his helmet off, running his hands through his hair. He shook his hair out, and I saw his natural dirty blond highlights perfectly in the Sun. He looked around, and his eyes landed on me. He stared at me with a burning passion.

My heart stopped beating.

He stared into my green eyes while I stared into his green eyes.

"No! No way! Why didn't you tell us?" Cleo yelled loud enough for the whole school to hear.

Ryan looked away and walked into the school.

"Would you hush!" I hissed quietly while I pulled them along to our classes.

"You like Ryan!" Lauren proposed as we were walking into our chemical science class.

"I do not!"

"Yes. You. Do!" Cleo stated.

"Oh my gosh guys! I wasn't the only girl in our school staring at him! You both were!"

"Yes," Lauren started, "but you were the only girl in the school he was staring at."

It took my at least the entire first class of the day to understand what Lauren said. Ryan was...staring at me. The one and only me. I mean sure, you could easily take Ryan as a player, but he wasn't really one. He got asked out all the time! But he never said yes. Occasionally, sure he said yes. But it never really lasted. What am I going to do?

"That explains why he never looks at girls the way he looks at you." Lauren said as she sat down at our lunch table.

"That's not true and you know it. And I'm Paired. It's against the law." As I said that, I heard Fintan's voice in the back of my head.

"If it was me," Cleo started, "I would break the law for someone who looked at me like I was the only person worth looking at." I sighed. She was right, like always.

"Lauren? What do you think of this...mess?" I said. Lauren bit her lip.

"Well, I think that if someone could love me that much, then I could at least try to love them in a way back." Lauren bit her lip again. I bit the inside of my cheek. I knew they were right. Even thought didn't want to admit this, I may not remember Fintan, but I could feel a passion for him in my gut. But it wasn't right. Even if I did like Ryan. It just wasn't right.

I walked out of the lunch room with my other 2 best friends, Lauren and Cleo, at my side. We all said our goodbyes and I turned to my locker. As I was putting the combination in, I heard a click and pulled open my locker. Then a piece if paper flew out. It read;

Dear Chayna,

I know you are Paired with someone else. I know. I understand. But I need to understand more. Do me a favor and walk to the cherry tree outside the back school door. Right after school.  I need to talk to you. I need to confess. Let everything out. Start with a clean slate. I'm going to say sorry in advance, for any pain I cause you later. Please come.

Ryan

I was going to faint it felt like, but I knew had to go see Ryan. After school. It was decided.