Moving On
I wake up the next morning to the sound of pounding on my door—again.
“Hey Azurite, I need to talk to you!” It’s not Michael’s voice—which lets me down. It’s Madison’s.
“Madison what is it? Is something wrong?”
“Yeah something’s wrong. What were you doing at night with Michael?! You were gone all day.”
“I-I was…I mean, nothing really happened I just—“She lowers her head and whispers,
“You kissed him didn’t you…?” I don’t want to lie to her anymore.
“Yes.”
“Do you love him?”
“I don’t know. I mean, the kiss wasn’t planned it-it just happened. My foot slipped and he caught me and before we knew it we were—“
“Yeah, yeah don’t paint a picture for me.” She rolls her eyes.
“I’m sorry.”
“Why? It’s not like we were really together. I knew he didn’t love me as much as I love him, I just figured once he found someone—it wouldn’t be my best friend. I can’t blame you, but—I-I don’t know why I’m angry at you, I know it’s not your fault. It happens. But it’s just…you are gonna end it—won’t you? For me...?” I don’t know how to respond. I should end it, but I can’t. If he was my friend maybe then I would end it, but…he’s not just my friend anymore. In the city when two people are paired up the become caregivers, you don’t love the person. You’re just paired up by the judges. Nobody in the city has ever felt like I have about someone. I love the way it feels when I’m with him, the way my stomach jumps when he smiles at me, the way I get chills down my body when he touches my hand. I can’t end it.
“Maddy, you know I want to, but…I really just can’t. I mean, would you if you were with him?”
"No, I guess not.”
“So…are-are we ok?"
“Sure.” Her voice stays flat and cold. I can tell forgiving me isn’t going to be easy.
“Wanna go to the market?”
“I have stuff to do Azurite…”
I decide to go downtown anyway. I really have nothing to do, and Michael hasn’t called me on my new “telephone.” I don’t go to buy or trade anything, just to walk around and clear my head.
“Azurite hey I’m over here!” I turn around to see who it is. It’s Michael, big surprise. I pretend I don’t see him, and walk faster. But it’s no use, he catches up to me anyway. “Hey, hey, I heard about Maddy. Are you okay?”
“Ha, I just lost by best friend here and you’re asking if I’m okay?”
“Sorry, stupid question.”
“No, it-it’s fine, really. I just wish it didn’t happen like this.”
“Do you wanna end this?” I almost say yes, but the idea of losing his smile and touch forever would kill me.
YOU ARE READING
Equals
Fiksyen SainsAzurite is a fourteen year old girl, only wanting to be like everyone else in her world--equal. That is, until the day she's supposed to become a fifteen year, and is instead chosen by the city's leader, Judge Maria to go out into the world alone t...
