Removed

12

 This is the first time in two years I've eaten ice cream with a friend, besides Cody, who doesn't really count. I can't help but giddily smile, my eyes crinkling so hard it actually hurts. Eva seems just as content, leaning back in her chair as she licks her cone of fruity vanilla swirl. My own cone of my favorite flavor trails down my arm as we lazily chat about anything and everything. It's been a few days since we Eva told off Harper and it's already like we're best friends. She's just so easy to talk to. She understands.

Jared attempted to make amends a few nights ago when my family returned to his mansion. I literally locked myself in the bathroom for the duration of the two hours we stayed. At least I had Eva to text. Even though I couldn't rant to her about the whole Chip ordeal, it felt good to bond with her. We both love ice cream and despise the perfection imposed on us. She's better than a guy who betrayed my trust.

"So," Eva smiles, taking a long lick of her ice cream, "Whatcha thinking about?"

I blink, my eyes snapping open to her amused expression. Over the past few days, we've both picked up on each other's little quirks. She can tell when I'm zoning out. I can decipher when she's upset and choking back emotions. She's done that a lot the past few days. Whenever her old friends pass us in school, she internally freaks out.

"Autumn?"

Instantly, I shrug. "About my mess of a life."

She laughs, rolling her eyes. "Your life isn't a mess. You've got me now."

"True," I smile, devouring my cone of goodness.

"Man, I love this place. Good thing we exercise."

I nod. The only downside is that we're forced to, that it's a tool of 'perfecting' our society.

Within minutes, both cones have disappeared and we wipe off our sticky hands. Eva hops up, scooting her wooden chair in. I follow suit, both of us exciting the ice creamery. The small, vivid building soon vanishes from our sight. Our steps are light and hers has a bounce, conversation falling easily. Colors and buildings blend into a blur as smiles illuminate our faces.

"Where are we going?" I query as the structures around us transition to dull and colorless.

Synthetic greenery fades and chained fences take their place. Eva's smile slightly falters, her shoulders slumping forward. Instead of answering my question, she ambles ahead. While she seems familiar with the area, I've never stepped foot in it. Actually, I've only heard of it, mainly in rumors. People claim only the low of the low live here. The government barely allow them to stay in the city. They're the people who hide from authority, struggling to pull off a facade of perfection. Whenever their Chips are scanned, the people scanning instantly scorn them. They're the poorest people in the city.

A petite woman waves to Eva and she waves back. The woman's clothes are slightly tattered, but she carries herself with pride. Honestly, I admire her for that, despite the fact that she's a stranger.

"We're here," My friend sighs, sprinting up to a small door. The house is decent size and the dark paint is slightly chipped. It takes her three tries for the security code to work, frustration evident in her huffs. Finally, the pad glows green and she swings open the door.

Few windows let in sunlight. The living room is quaint, dull furniture contrasted by lively pictures. A normal person would turn up their nose, believing Eva's beneath them. I'm not going to. This means she has a reason to hate the government. It's more proof that she's not like the rest. Not that I wouldn't be her friend if she was rich. Well, she proved she wasn't like Jared.