T R A P P E D

Chapter 6

The next day, mother is silent as we drink our Nutri-shakes at breakfast time. Matthew is fidgety, itching to tell me the forbidden secret; father sits idly, reading the news. I sit awkwardly, the tension so thick it could be cut through with a knife- not that we have knives here, they're way too dangerous.

I'm not sure what to think anymore and my dwellings from last night continue to swirl my brain. But why? Is Will feeling the same way?

Will is already on the HoverBus when I clamber aboard. "You in trouble too?" He asks. "My parents are disappointed in me and apparently are keeping something from me."
"A secret?" He whispers the word delicately, as if simply being heard saying that little word could ruin anything. Although to be fair, it could. "Yes."
"According to who?"
"My little brother Matthew."
"Did he seem genuine or was he joking?"
"Definitely serious, he panicked when he got caught about to tell me."
"Wow..."
"I know." I sigh.
"You don't think...?" Will starts before trailing off.
"What?" I ask, intrigued.
"Well, maybe you're parents found you a partner."
"But, they would tell me, wouldn't they?"
"Probably..."

The thought of being partnered up to anybody other than Will scares me. I haven't known him long but he's perfect. I can just tell. I hope he feels the same way about me...

The HoverBus comes to an abrupt stop in front of our workplace and I trip in my haste to leave. Laughing, Will holds out a hand for me to take. Tentatively, I reach out, clasping his hand in mine. My small hand slots perfectly into his, entwined like ivy up a wall. The smooth skin of his hand makes mine tingle in anticipation. We lock eyes and he hauls me up gracefully. I stand, still holding his hand in mine. He let's go a second later than necessary and I feel my skin itching to feel his again, an intense craving. "You, uh, ready?" He smiles cheekily.
"Yeah. Thanks."
"It was my pleasure."

We walk off of the bus side by side, a little closer than before. Sparks fly between us, but we remain silent, unsure of how to act. If we were caught, there'd be severe consequences. Still, I long to take his hand back into mine, swinging it gently in my stride. But I don't.

We find our way to our shared office straight away and get to work, typing endlessly on the computers without a minute spare to chat.

I can't stop thinking about earlier. It was my pleasure he told me. He wanted to hold my hand? Maybe he does feel the same way! Oh my god, he might like me! Even though I probably looked clumsy, I'm so glad that I tumbled on the train. It was my pleasure. It was his pleasure. I squirm happily, pleased and excited at the thought of somebody liking me: Violet Anne Lockfield, the ordinary girl who likes to blend into the background, with mousy brown hair and plain looks. Does he think I look pretty? Oh my god what if he thinks I look pretty? My inner child is squealing and giggling with contentment: Will might feel the same way.

Echoes of tapping fill the otherwise silence into a gentle cacophony of ideas forming. At one o'clock, we agree to take our lunch break and head to the serving room.

We are each handed a chocolate flavoured Nutri-shake - only ever issued to important people - and savour the goodness. A thick brown sludge of delight coats my warm tongue, tickling my anticipating taste buds with the taste of chocolate. Will gets a chocolate moustache forming on his upper lip and I laugh at his pure goofiness.

Nothing could ruin this moment, or so I thought...