The Main Hall was a modern building, consisting mostly of glass and metal. I had only been in their twice, the first time was when I was a child, barely a week old, so my family could sign me down, but that I do not remember. The second time was when my brother was born, as a family we had to go to The Main Hall and make a birth certificate, so the Crowd knew of him. The inside was plain but beautiful. We reached the entrance. A tall bulky guard with a small portable computer blocked the entrance.
“Family name?” He said flatly.
“Matthews.” I replied. He clicked buttons on his computer.
“You are Cecily Matthews?” He asked, his voice showed no emotion at all. I nodded and he let us through, stepping quickly to the side. We scurried in. The inside had not changed since the last time, instead seats were set out all along the large white room, with violet curtains with gold tassels. Guards stood around, and some more superior looking ones guarded the door on the other side of the room, I was certain it was the Testing room. The seats were occupied by many children my age, tapping their feet anxiously. Crying parents said their good byes.
“It will be fine.” My father kissed my forehead. And then my mother approached me, crying, hugging me.
“I can’t – breathe!” I said, she pulled away laughing lightly, I gasped for breath. My mother held on tightly to my father, who usher her out, kissing her head. They were Paired and happy. I hope that would be me. Hopefully. Nausea filled me again.
“You can do it. Just don’t pull a Cecily and puke everywhere.” I laughed, pulling my brother close. “Stay focused. You will be amazing. I know it.” He said into my shoulder, his voice muffled. He pulled away and smiled cheerfully and hurried after parents. Just don’t pull a Cecily. “God, please don’t puke.” I said to myself, mainly to my stomach. I turned and retreated to my seat. Waiting for them to call my name for the test.
Almost an hour passed, people went in and out constantly, one by one, the room becoming more empty. I wiped my sweaty hands against my dress. Keep it together. Keep it-
“Cecily. Cecily Matthews.” Said a melodic voice. Seconds past by before I pulled the courage to stand up.
“Here.” I approached the guard. The guard at the door, looked young, too young to be a guard, slightly out of place. He stroked a hand through his sandy blonde hair. His intense brown eyes met hers from a metre away.
“Hi.” I said. Hi? Hi? I said Hi to a guard. My brain was ceasing to work apparently.
“Hey.” He grinned. He stared at me weirdly. “Cecily right?” I nodded quickly, smiling. His thick long eyelashes cast a shadow over his piercing brown eyes. “Follow me.” I quickly took a glimpse of his name tag, Mr Ortega. His dark tanned skin suggested he had a Latin heritage. And his second name sounded quite Spanish in her head. Exotic in a way. He walked on ahead, leading me to the doors. He opened the wide metal double-doors and stepped out of the way. I stared at him dumbly. Moments passed, until I realised he meant for me to walk ahead of him.
“Oh, oh. Sorry.” I hurried in quickly. His short laugh ringed in my ears. “Not many people decline my gentlemanly deeds.” He didn’t look as old as the other guards, he looked about eighteen or nineteen.
“Sorry, I’m just nervous. I didn’t realise.” I fumbled for excuses. He smiled briefly.
“It’s fine. Just stand over there, where the cross is. The red one.” He pointed to the far corner of the room. I nodded and walked over to the cross.
“Good luck.” He called out after me. I turned and smiled momentarily and turned to face the wall.
