Chapter 4

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A huge TV sits in front of me. The most important TV in the entire city. It holds each and every person's future. A blinding red light shines on me. I cover my eyes and groan.

"Ryland Woods," the speaker says. "Is this name correct?".

"Yes," I reply meekly, and I can hear the nervousness in my voice.

"DOB: 5/7/3013" the speaker says again. "Is this date correct?".

"Yes," I reply again, biting my lip. I feel dizzy, as if I'm going to pass out.

"Welcome to your future, Ryland Woods," the electronic voice says.

The TV screen pans to a colossal mansion, renovated and elegant. Inside is a beautiful woman with long brown curls sitting at a long, marble dining tables. I sigh in relief, and a wide grin is on my face. My future - it's perfect. Then, a slave, looking tired and wearing something like looks like it hasn't been washed in ages steps into her the room. She's carrying a feast of food, looking delicious on a wooden tray. My mouth waters, remembering the food paradise I had this morning. Suddenly, she trips over the wool carpet and spills the food, staining the floor.

"Ryland!" the woman screeches meanly. "Clean that up right now!"

At first, I'm taken aback by the scream. I wondered how such a beautiful lady could scream so loud. Then, a realization crawls into the back of my head.

"Did she just call her Ryland?"

My body stiffens, and my mind goes blank. I try to process what I've just seen, but I can't. I'm too shocked to think straight. The TV goes black, and my mind is going crazy. I'm paralyzed in my spot, unable to move.

So many questions whirl through my head, and it's too much for me to handle.

Why me? What am I going to tell my parents? What am I going to tell my friends?

The speaker starts talking again, but by now, I've had quite enough of it. I open the door, and tears start to well up into my eyes, but I wipe them away. I put on a fake grin for everyone else, which I've gotten great at after years of doing it with my friends. I walk into the waiting room, and I see my friends laughing and giggling in a big circle in one corner of the room. But on the other side, I see Melissa sitting at a table, alone, a solemn look on her face.

"Lissy, what's up with you?" I ask, concerned. "You're usually so happy and bubbly."

"What don't you go sit with your perfect friends who got perfect futures just like you?" she snaps at me, anger in her eyes.

I'm taken aback. I know what she said isn't true, but I decide to not say anything.

"What are you talking about?" I question, but secretly I was overjoyed. I hated myself for it, but I desperately wanted one of my friends to have a future just as horrible as mine.

"My future," she started, her voice cracking, and her lips quivering. "I'm a farmer." In a matter of seconds, she breaks down and sobs. I hug her tightly, my eyes filling with tears as well. As I pull away, a look of concern forms on Melissa's face.

"Why are you crying?" Melissa chokes out in between sobs.

"I'm a maid," I reply quietly, my cheeks hot and my eyes red. We hug each other, not saying any words for a good 15 minutes.

Okay guys! So that's the end of the chapter, I hope you enjoyed, and weren't too sad about her results 💓 Haha. Anyway, vote comment and follow if you liked! Just one comment has the power to make me smile and gives me inspiration to keep writing💞 next chapter coming soon

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