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Chapter 1

At the age of 15, I wasn't like the other kids. I didn't want what the government wanted for us. I wanted to make my own choices and live my life the way I wanted. By the age of 20, I was ready to accept that I'd live my life the way they wanted, that I wouldn't fight back. When I met my assigned "mate" on my 21st birthday, I wasn't very excited. It wasn't because he wasn't attractive - which I didn't care about - it wasn't because he was too short - again, don't care - it was because, James was one of the biggest asses in this whole city. One time he pushed his (now ex) girlfriend off of the cliff into the water during graduation, I think she's still trying to wash the smell of dead fish out of her hair. I dreaded the moment I'd have to move in with him. His father is on the council, so he never gets in trouble for anything. Which doesn't seem very fair. One of the biggest reasons why I was so disappointed, was because I was still seeing in black and white. I have my whole life. Once you meet your soulmate, true love, etc etc, you start to see colours. But, I saw nothing. I went home and cried that night, I don't know why. Maybe it's because I knew I would never meet my true soulmate. I had been excited about it since I was a little girl, even if I didn't want to admit it. The next day, I moved in with James. I tried to convince him to let me sleep in my own room, but he wouldn't have it. I slept on the couch that night.

The next morning was our wedding day. I tried to convince my mother to talk to James' father about the mix up, but she said he wouldn't do anything. What's done is done. My mother drove me and my little sister to James' house for the wedding. It was tradition to be married in the house of the groom. I smiled and hugged his mother and father, pretending to be happy. I wasn't happy though. I was devastated. Within 2 hours, I was in the dress and my hair and makeup was finished. I looked at myself in the mirror. It was such a pretty dress. What a waste, I thought. My black hair was pinned up everywhere, it looked amazing. Better than it has ever looked before. My makeup was light and natural. My lips were a darker pink than they were normally and my eyelashes were thick with mascara. I felt...weird. I didn't usually wear makeup, I didn't see the need for it. It made me look fake, painted. I wiped the makeup off, not even worried how upset my mother would be. Once it was all gone, I felt better. I could see my many freckles, and my eyelashes looked less thick. I could see all my imperfections. That scar I got on my nose when I bumped into a table as a child, the little indent in the middle of my nose, and even that one freckle that is way darker than all the others. But I felt beautiful.

After the ceremony, people danced. People ate and talked. A lot of people gave us gifts and congratulated us. I smiled and said thank you. Like I was told. After the night ended, I took off the dress and hung it up. It really was a beautiful dress. It was white as snow and it had a big, flowing skirt and an elegant lace top. It looked light but was actually very heavy. I took off the matching heels and set them by the dress, I unlaced the corset, which James insisted I wear because I "looked a little big". It felt so nice to be out of the dress. I put on some sweatpants and a t-shirt and pulled some shoes on. I got in James' car and we went home. Once I hit the pillow, I was out. It was the first time I slept in our bed, and it was the first time I got a full night's sleep.

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A/N: since this is a short story, the chapters will be pretty short. But I'll try to update every day! Leave a comment with any suggestions and please vote if you enjoyed! ❤ I also didn't edit this so please comment if I've made a mistake!