Until You're Cured

Seventeen Days

Seventeen Days

In this world where only the Cured are safe from Amour Deliria Nervosa, I am one of the most hated creatures in my city. Not me specifically, just people like me all are.  I am uncured, unclean, and unnatural.

All those under 18 are uncured and unclean, but we unnaturals are hated because of our attraction to people of our own gender. The moment my parents realized my unnaturalism, they began counting down to my 18th birthday, my procedure and my Cure. They cannot wait until they can freely say that their only son is safe from the danger of the disease and the shame of unnaturalism. I count down too, dreading the day I will be thrown into the cloud of indifference that accompanies the Cure.

"Mitchell! It's September third, first day of senior year. Get up!" my mother yells from my door. I don't even care that it's six in the morning because I get to see my best friend, and secret boyfriend, Scott Hoying, today for more than just few moments.

As I walk into the school, I see the tall, thin frame and blonde hair that mark Scott and I have to force myself not to sprint over, throw my arms around him and kiss him right there. Instead, I put a hand on his shoulder, causing him to turn and see me.

A grin breaks over his face that makes my heart jump. "Hey, Mitch," he says casually.

"Hey, Scott. How was your summer?" I ask, mimicking his nonchalance.

"It was fine. It would have been better if we could have hang out more, but, you know your parents don't like us being friends." He answers. Its code for "You're parents know we're both unnatural and they don't want us anywhere near each other if there's not going to be supervision."

"Yeah, but it's not like we'd be breaking the segregation laws. If it were me and Kirstin or you and Esther, it's be different. But it's just two guys hanging out," I joke.

Scott frowns upon hearing Kirstin and Esther's names. Neither one of us wants to acknowledge the fact that after we're cured and we've finished our educations, we'll be married to our pairs. His is a girl that we've known for years, Esther Kaplan. She's our friend Avi's little sister, which is the only reason we've ever met. She's just shorter than me and she's nice enough. I'd like her well enough if I didn't know she's the one who will be taking Scott once I can't have him anymore.

Mine is a tiny girl named Kirstin Maldonado, she told me to call her Kirstie. Her head barely clears my shoulder, and I'm only 5'9". She's already be one of my best friends if that sort of thing were allowed. But the laws keep uncureds of opposite genders separate.

"I don't even want to think about them until we're both cured," Scott whines. Then his face brightens as he remembers something. "You are still coming over tonight, right? After we meet Avi and Kevin at Avi's?"

"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?" I ask.

"Well, your parents..."

"Right, don't worry about them. My dad's going out of town for the next two weeks, my mom's job is getting super busy and Rachel just moved out, she's not letting me stay with her. Besides, I got special permission for the next few days. I convinced them that if they gave me until your cure to spend all the time I want with you, then I'll go willingly to my procedure in July. If they didn't I was going to force them to get the tranquilizers. You'd be amazed what I can make them do if I promise my cooperation in July." I laugh.