Complex - {A Joshua Bassett fanfic} X reader

II🌹

2/3
The meet
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The L/n residence was bustling with activity. For a Red, what upper class is usually referred to, their fifteenth is especially important. Y/n was picking final designs and colors when Storm, her little sister, came up from behind. ❝Y/n/n!❞ she yelled. Y/n jumped slightly in shock. ❝Storm L/n, what do you want?❞

❝When you address me by full name it seems like I did something to you.❞

❝Really? I wonder why.❞

❝I was just wondering, can we talk?❞

❝Why? Is something the matter?❞ Storm waved her hand in a "so so" manner while glancing around the room. Y/n let out a sigh and leaned down to Storm's level. ❝Wait upstairs for me. I have to finalize some things.❞ Storm nodded and headed for the staircase. As if on cue, three members of the Union walked in.

At the sight of them, the house went quiet. Y/n approached them and bowed her head before speaking. ❝People of The Union.❞ They nodded in return. ❝Y/n L/n. ❞

❝I have a request for you.❞

The only woman in the group sat down on the couch and nodded for her to continue. ❝Well, as you know I'll be turning sixteen tonight, and I was wondering if we could stretch the curfew? Just for half an hour at the most. And only for those attending. Eight thirty is so short of time to do everything and it's nearly five.❞ The woman stood and took Y/n's hands into her own.

She smiled at Y/n and gave her hands a firm grip. ❝I suppose maybe an hour would do?❞ she looked at the other two Union members. One an elderly man wearing a monocle nodded. The other, a younger man around his late thirties, looked between Y/n and the woman. ❝I suppose.❞ He said before giving a half smile.

Y/n almost squealed in delight. But instead, she gave a wide grin and shook all of their hands. ❝Thank you kindly for your time.❞ They nodded and escorted themselves out. She spun continuously while squealing until it only became laughs as she crashed onto the couch. ❝Y/n/n?❞ Her mother asked approaching the living room. She sat up and tucked loose hair behind her ears.

❝Yes mom?❞

❝Storm is waiting.❞

❝Oh! I almost forgot about that.❞ She mumbled, pulling herself off of the soft gray couch. Y/n was a little way past when her mom called out. ❝And y/n?❞ She turned around. ❝Yeah?❞

❝She seems a little anxious. I went upstairs earlier and heard her foot tapping as loud as a rocket.❞ She smiled to herself and headed upstairs. She opened the room door and sat on the bed. ❝Talk to me.❞

                                       ***

❝So you're afraid of your Ceremony, because what, you had a bad dream?❞ y/n asked. Storm shook her head. ❝It's not just that. I was labeled an Anomaly. Everyone turned away from me, I was so lonely.❞ y/n scoffed. ❝What are you hacking about? This isn't funny.❞

❝It's just- I can't picture you as an Anomaly. And I can one hundred percent guarantee, there is nothing to worry about.❞ She said hugging Storm.

❝What about you? What makes you so sure?❞

❝I dunno. I have my off days.❞

❝So then how would you know?❞

❝I don't. I'll just have to see.❞ Storm let out a long sigh. ❝We should get dressed. Company arrives in an hour!❞ Storm said in a sing-song tune while pulling out of the hug. Y/n's eyes widened. ❝An hour?❞ she exclaimed. Storm patted her head twice before laughing as she ran out of the room.

                                         ***
Your POV

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I quickly ran through the hall and skidded to a stop in front of my room. I opened the door and yote myself in front of my vanity. Its monotone electronic voice began to speak. ❝Good afternoon Y/n L/n. Show schedule for today?❞ I clicked yes on the left panel while pulling out my makeup drawer. ❝This afternoon: prepare for birthday, have afternoon snack, dinner, curfew at 9:30.❞

I slowly nodded to myself while applying foundation. ❝Stats show you've missed your 12 p.m injection.❞ I took in a sharp breath through my teeth. I forgot I was gone so long. The whir of the circular pad popped out and I placed my finger on it. I felt the sharp pain for a split second, then the pad retreated.

I looked at my finger as the blood faded and the skin quickly healed over. I've gotten used to that whole thing happening. I started my eyebrows immediately after not wanting to waste a second.

                                         ***

I put my hair in a slick bun and smiled to myself. I kinda look halfway decent. I left the bathroom and saw my dress lying on my bed. I mentally thanked my seamstress and quickly put it on. I grabbed a pair of silver chandelier earrings and put on my family's heirloom, the necklace. I've admired it ever since I was little. And at age ten, I finally got it for my own.

For whatever reason I couldn't stop stroking it like today was the last time I'd wear it, the last time I'd see it. I only wore it on special occasions but I always had it with me. Why am I being so sentimental? I pulled my hand away from it and grabbed my heels from the front door, heading downstairs.

                                       ***
Joshua's POV

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I hate having all this security around me. I'm not a bad person. I never did anything wrong! Yet I'm labeled an Anomaly. I never understood my parents as a kid. We were middle class. My mom always used to tell me to learn how to protect myself. My dad feared for my safety. I'll never forgive myself for not trying to- I tried holding back my tears as we approached the place I've been living in for the past eleven years.

They walked me in and locked the door behind me. I'm trapped until tomorrow. The place is small, the walls are bland. I have a caretaker, Sarah, that comes and gives me my morning and night injections. She's the only person I'm close to. I just wish I could be like other kids. Like that girl and her friends.

She was a sight for sore eyes. Even though I saw her for a second it felt like an hour. Her smile, her skin, everything about her just radiating. Pure beauty honestly. There was something familiar about her. I can't quite put my finger on it yet. Just then, Sarah entered. She took a deep breath before making her way over. ❝Well, you sure do keep this place up and tidy.❞

I smiled and let out a breathy laugh. ❝Well I don't necessarily have a choice.❞

❝Everyone has a choice Josh.❞

❝Well then what about me?❞

❝You can choose to follow orders.❞ I rolled my eyes and sighed. ❝Yeah, like I haven't been doing that my whole life.❞ She set her purse down on the small table.

❝You're gonna get out of this mess.❞

❝How can I? I'm not necessarily let out without a guard.❞

She leaned forward and whispered to me, ❝You can sneak out.❞ I scoffed. ❝Honest! I'll help you.❞

❝How?❞

❝At seven, when I come to give you your injection, I'll leave the key to get out.❞ she whispered. I tilted my head in interest.

She then proceeded to take her watch off and set it on the table. ❝Keep this. When it says eight thirty, sneak out through the back window. Take the keys. Wear a hood and keep low. That should get you at least an hour to yourself. Come back in through the front door and leave the key under the mat. Bada bing bada boom.❞

My face lit up in excitement. I grabbed the watch and went over to hug her. ❝Thank you.❞

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Hello readers!
First off, sorry I'm late, had a busy and stressful day yesterday but we back and betta than eva!
Sooo how was this part? What do we think is going to happen with Joshua? The final part of this chapter comes out next week. See ya then!

Thanks luv🧚🏽✨💕