Soulmate

Chapter 1: The Birthday Prep

Jade Miriam was 20 years old and suddenly felt like she was about to become an adult. Only a few days separated her from setting out into the rest of the world; only a few days separated her from her future. A tear came to her eye as she gazed around her Los Angeles apartment one last time - her childhood, her family, her happiness - all of this would be gone soon enough. With a large sigh, she tried to convince herself that she was about to embark on an even more exciting chapter in her life, one in which she would experience the adventures of a life time. Having never been abroad before she was sure to discover many wondrous places when she travelled with the one she had been waiting for, for her entire life. What she was waiting for was still unconfirmed, but it was soon to arrive.

Mrs. Miriam had been watching her daughter the entire morning although Jade had been certain she had been alone. She had peered through the window to the canteen as if she was a secret agent trying desperately not to get caught; Mrs. Miriam ,or Annie as she liked to be called, knew her daughter would soon have to leave her for good and with that she brought her newspaper closer to her face, absorbing any of her tears as she wept in silence,

In that moment, as brief as it may have been, the sun faded into an ebony blanket of cloud, as though it may never return. Another interval of hope had parted through Jade's fear once more, leaving her to wander around her home, noticing the flowers droop in sorrow and the water in her glass turn to ice. For the past year, Jade had dreaded the day where she would find herself turning the calandar to the 11th of July 2020 - her 21st birthday. There would be little surprise on how the day would be carried out for she had played its events in her head for so long. The only thing left to her imagination would be the present she would be receiving for nobody was giving that secret away until the big day itself. For any other girl her age, their 21st birthday would be the best day of their lives, a start of the life they had dreamed of. Tasha, who lived at Number 20, had spent months planning her special day before she turned 21, spending thousands of dollars on a dress she would only be seen wearing for a couple of hours. 

Annie Miriam had tried to do the same for her daughter, her only child, but money was tight and she was off work with stress meaning that the amount of energy she had to make arrangements was limited. She had always tried to support Jade and give her everything she had ever wanted but Jade never was able to go on the luxurious holidays or shopping days out that she saw all of the other girls do; she understood that as a single parent, her mother was doing everything she possibly could to make sure she was content and with that she never complained about anything. The mother/daughter bond the couple had was, as a result, so strong, tearing both of them apart more then ever when they realised they were to be separated forever.

In a few days time, Jade would leave her key in mother's hands, leaving the person she loved most in the entire world; she would watch the door close and hold hands with a complete stranger , stood in the place where her mother should have been. Reader, a 21st birthday is not simply another day whereby a person gets older; it is a portal into the adult universe. One wakes up as early as possible and waits for the arrival of a white car which will take them to their preffered venue of choice. This will have been decorated a few days before by the birthday girl's family and perhaps, in some cases, the girl herself. Then a personalised message will play on a large screen in the venue - from the President himself, this giving you the recognition you have deserved. He will then announce what your gift will be - or who it will be. Yes, a 21st birthday is a wedding day. The gift you receive is a present like no other - your soulmate, born on the same day as you 21 years ago, carefully selected by all of the world's government leaders so that their belief of an ideal nuclear family can continue for generations to come. You would not be allowed to know who you will be marrying until the day itself and then will immediately have to move house into government-selected accomodation that could be in any area of the world - to maintain a stable level of population in all parts of the world. 

Jade had pondered this scenario for sometime. Should she make an effort and dress up especially for the occassion?; her partner would be forced to marry her whether she turned up in a tracksuit or a white, frilly frock. Supposedly, a person who was today a stranger, would tomorrow be the one she had been waiting for her entire life. Would she instantly fall in love with the man in question or would it take time? They were soulmates after all, perhaps there was already a connection that they just were not aware of yet. Her mother was in love with her father - until he tragically died in a skiing accident. Jade had seen the way they looked into each others eyes. Annie had been able to find her soulmate, proving that the system had worked.