[Discontinued] Not Equal

fifteen//impossible

One day after midnight, Ellie and I snuck outside, behind the home unit, where a batch of flowers was growing. We didn't have much time to look at it because we saw the Advisors patrolling the street behind us, so we had to leave. The flowers were yellow and white daffodils.

Now here I am, holding three yellow daffodils in my hands, standing in front of Cole's door, too embarrassed to knock on the door. Today, the Advisors are gone, and three Bodyguards have taken their place. They don't know who I am, unlike the Advisors, and they are particularly impatient.

"Open the door, before I have to shoot you." A Bodyguard says gruffly.

"Y-yes, sir," I stammer, knocking on the door and holding my flowers behind my back.

Cole opens the door. His shirt is off again, and his perfectly tanned and muscular stomach is beaded with sweat. "Maddie." His eyes light up, and he smiles.

"Hi, Cole," I reply, answering his smile.

Cole closes the door behind us and walks over to a table, and I follow him. Cole wipes his forehead to rid the sweat.

"I got you something," I say, holding out the daffodils.

Cole doesn't say anything. I flush, embarrassed that he didn't care for the flowers.

"How'd you get this?" He asks, gathering both of my hands in his. One of the flowers falls to the floor.

My cheeks warm. "At...at my home unit," I swallow nervously. "You don't like it?"

Cole looks down at it, his face unreadable. "They're okay," He says finally. "I don't think I could compare, not with you standing there."

I blush, gazing into his beautiful blue eyes. My heart is beating, no, leaping, like a rabbit jumping through a meadow.

Moments pass, and we are lost in each other's eyes.

We are interrupted by a sharp rap on the door. I jerk my head over to look at Cole, but he stands still with his jaw clenched.

The person opens the door without an invitation and scowls. "Cole. You are executing a ceremony today, why are you still standing there?"

My shoulders are immediately tense. I know who the person is, but I wish I didn't.

Eric scowls again. "Your father is requesting mine and your presence."

Cole ignores him. "Why are you in my room?" He says darkly.

Eric smiles. "I'm the highest Advisor, don't forget that." His dark, steely gaze flickers over to me. "What a surprise, Maddilyn Carter. Didn't think I'd find you here."

The nail of my index finger digs into my thumb, desperately trying to contain my emotion. "Eric." My voice is edged, more than I expected.

Cole's gaze flickers with confusion. A moment passes, and he recollects himself. "Why are you in my room?" He repeats. He unconsciously leans closer to me, the edge of his broad shoulder lightly tapping against mine.

"Well? Aren't you going to the Ceremony?" Eric smiles. "The little girl your Pair saved is finally being executed. Your father was so upset about the interruption of the last Ceremony that he ordered al the Rebels to be executed, even the ones whose execution are months away. I would feel Pity, except.." His voice cuts off, and he sends a chilling smile to me. "I don't care. In fact, it's quite satisfying."

Bile rises in the back of my throat, threatening to release. I feel the urge to throw up, but I resist it, shoving it back into my stomach with an uncomfortable swallow. I'm pressing my nail so far into my skin that beads of blood shape around my nail, coloring it a dark red, but I don't feel the pain, only anger, and resentment.