Missing Pieces

Perfectly Good Heart

"Hey B, are you feeling better now? I went to get your family," Damon burst through the door with my mother and father in tow.

Theo nervously tugged his sleeve and jumped from my bedside.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Thank you," I can't help but glance at Theo's face. He stares at the floor and traces the tiles with his shoe. His cheeks burn a slight red.

"Baby, are you alright?!" My mother settled on my mattress. She clutched my right hand in both of hers.

"Mom, I'm fine! I can go home," I kicked off the hospital sheet swinging my legs off the edge.

"If you insist. I'll go fill out the paperwork." She patted my head and made her way to the receptionist.

"I'm glad you're okay," Theo nervously muttered pulling at his collar.

"Who are you?" Damon demanded.

"Damon, leave him alone. You're fine," I pushed his shoulder.

"He wouldn't let me help you. The last time I checked I'm your match. I'm supposed to take care of you." He sneered.

I waved him off and dropped my hospital gown. My dress rests neatly folded on the nightstand.

"Brittyn!" Damon hollers throwing his arms up.

"What? I have to change?" Theo giggles in the corner.

"You don't need to be naked in front of a stranger." He scolds.

"I'm not naked," I motion to my undergarments and slip my dress over my shoulders. I slide into my heels and march out the door. The boys trail behind me.

At the front desk my mother finishes signing my release papers.

"Mom, I'm just gonna meet you at home okay?" I squeeze her arm.

"Where are you going?" Damon inquires.

"Damon, go home." He places his hand on my shoulder.

"No, I'm not leaving you." He puffs hot air out of his nostrils.

"I will see you tomorrow," I pivot on my heel heading the opposite way.

I need to figure out my match. As much as I hate seeing Damon upset, I can't allow him to know we aren't matched just yet. Theo shuffles behind me. Damon boards the train heading home. He takes the first seat and places his head in his hands.

"So who ARE you?" I stop in my tracks to face Theo.

"I'm your match apparently. I was transferred here after my finals to aide in militarization. Ever since I landed my tattoo has been beaming. After a few months passed I figured you were still a secondary, so I headed to the school. Although my marking burned more there, I still didn't find you. I guess we were destined to meet at an ice cream parlor." He shrugs.

"What's your full name?" I question.

"Theodore Gabriel Atkinson, and yours?"

"Brittyn Demetria Leonard. How old are you?" I fold my arms.

"I am nineteen. What about you?" He took a step toward me.

"Seventeen. How many siblings do you have?" I pull at my hemline.

"One sister, Avery Atkinson, you?" He takes another step.

"Two brothers, Xander and Xavier, and a sister, Marli." I twist my hair around my index finger.

"Who's Damon?" He inches closer.

"He has been my best friend for as long as I can remember. He thinks we were matched even though our tattoos aren't alike."

"I'm sorry you can't be with him," He seems genuine.

"I'm not," the words slipped out before I had a chance to change them. I thought I was happy being Damon's.

"Where do you want to go?" He reaches his hand to my face. He lightly traces the scar on my right cheek.

"Wherever you'd like," I allow my hand to fall into his.

"I'd like to show you something," He grins taking my hand.

I follow after him as he runs down the boulevard toward the upper class district.