Incarcerated

Ch.2 "Preparations"

October 31st, 2,328

"Buzz..."

"Mother," I whine, "Must I get my hair cut? Can't I just grow it out for once?"

"Now, now, Rose," my mother laughs, "You know the rules, hair must always be no longer than 6 inches on the top and 2 inches on the sides. Tch...what do we have here? Yours is 7 on top! You're lucky I let it grow that long...who knows what the officials would do if they saw it an inch over!!!! Besides you have to look sharp for the last you're going out with at the Halloween Festival which I assure you always ends with a dance!!! It's his I met your mom...Now you wouldn't want to disappoint your lucky lady would you? Besides the whole district is going to be there, atleast most of them since it's completely optional of course!"

"No, I guess not," I pout and cross my arms turning my head to my side, "Just...don't make it too short on top. I like it long," I inform my mother. My mother nods her head and begins cutting. She has golden blond hair that is buzzed to her scalp and bright blue baby blue eyes. She also has very fair skin almost like a porcelain doll. I refer to my parents as Mother and Mom. Otherwise it would get confusing if I called them both Mom or Mother.

My mother buzzes the sides of my head and the back leaving it long on the top. She then gets the scissors and trims 2 inches off of the top. Leaving my hair 1 inch at the sides and 5 inches on top.

"Alright Rose, It looks like I'm done," My mother says clapping her hands together, "Now get in the shower and rinse all that hair off and wash up well! You want to impress your date!"

I lied to her, my stomach clams up, I never got a date...I get in the shower and wash myself well. I make sure to scrub my face well so that I don't look  oily. My mother would make a fuss over it if I was. Mother is more stylish and we'll kept than Mom. I guess you could say that Mom is sort of like me.

Once I finish washing up I get out of the shower and dry myself with a towel. I see that Mother laid out an orange button up, a black suit jacket with orange cuffs, black slacks, and a black bow tie which I was taught to tie in grade school. And, of course, a sports bra.

I change into my suit and tie my tie just as I was taught and I begin blow drying my onyx hair. After I'm done, I just decide to leave my now fluffy hair to rest on my forehead. Besides I think the messy style is a better look for me anyways. I put on my black framed glasses. It make me look a bit sophisticated and nostalgic since they were a very big thing centuries ago and we're very stylish for the time. It makes me look a bit like a dork but that's not neccesarily a bad thing since it makes me look intelligent which I very attractive or so I'm told. Lastly, I put on citrus perfume and lavender deodorant which is intoxicating to the smell.

Now that I'm done freshening up, I look in the mirror. I have a grey eyes that sometimes appear black in certain types of lighting and glass blue in well lighten areas. I also gave freckles which lightly dust my nose and cheeks. I'm very pale almost like a ghost. I have well tamed black eyebrows which frame my face well. My eyelashes are very long and thick give me a somewhat feminine appearance which some would say is desirable. My lips are a dark peach almost crimson in color. My eyes, however, ate like neither of my parents.

Not to mention I am very slender in build and I have a well toned form. In this society, no one is obese, this is mainly due to the strict diets we have to obtain at all times except during mandatory events or holidays. Also, we are out on a exercising plan based on our body type and height. I'm to do a lot of cardio because it would suit my body or frame well. I wouldn't look good all bulked up like some people would. I guess you could say I'm more delicate or fragile in appearance which kind of sucks. I'm  5'8 in height which is slightly above average and gives me a more lanky appearance.

I wouldn't consider myself unattractive bit I wouldn't call myself attractive either. I'm pretty average by all means which isn't a bad thing. I'm told that I'm too hard on myself and that I'm actually breathtaking...pshh... I don't know what world they're living in.

I put on my silver and golf watch; this society is very wealthy.

Mom walks in looking disheveled, she must've had a hard day at work, " Hey Rosie, I'm going to drive you to the festival." Mom, actually had a British accent; she's from London and moved here when she was 14. She never quite lost the accent. Mom's eyes are a light brown and she has messy dark brown hair which isn't quite black like my hair is.

"Okay," I say tensely with curt nod. Though Mom doesn't care much for her appearance, she is very strict and big on rules and therefore forced me to go to this damned festival which I initially refused.

"Lose that tone, Rose, I know you're to going to have fun, I mean you will have fun. Am I clear?" Mom says stiffly.

I nod again and cross my arms while sighing. We walk out to the car which is a black sports car. The legal driving age was set back to 18 which is why I couldn't drive there myself. Because 'studies' show it is 76% 'safer' which is a load of b.s. Screw those fucking studies they're cursed. They ruined my life and many others too. I just wish I had the freedom to like who I like. But instead I have to live this lie because it's safer and more healthy. What happened to a little rebellion and risk in our lives?

I open the door and get in shutting it behind me. We're just about to go when Mother comes running out and knocks on my window. I roll down the window and she hands me a pack of breath mints. What the hell? I raise an eyebrow at her. Is she implying that my breath smells or that I should kiss my non-existent date?

"For small talk," she winks and says smiling MOTHER, "well anyways off you go!!! Have fun and be safe!!!"

At that, I say thanks, roll up the window, and wave goodbye. Mom begins pulling out and driving. She stays silent for about 5 minutes. She isn't too big on talking which suits me fine, more peace I quiet for me I guess. In fact, you could call her awkward. She clears her throat...oh lord, time for the interogation, " So what's your dates name? You still have told us, you just said you asked someone out," Mom informs/reminds and questions me.

The question takes me off guard but I should've been expecting it, "Oh...erm...Her name is J-Jace," I tell her stuttering on my words in the process. I'm a terrible liar and I just hope that she doesn't notice.

"Oh, Jace? That's a unique name given she's a girl. Well, looks like we're here," she says pulling into the parking lot. Which is held in a hotel lobby. Though, it's a nice hotel, and the other floors are shut down fog the reservation, by the district.

"Have fun Rose, you're going to have to introduce me and Sharo--- I mean mother to her sometime," Mom says getting caught on her words like she usually does.

"Okay, see you later," I say and Mom claps me on the back and squeezes my shoulder in reassurence. I hop out of the car and she zooms out of the parking lot. Well, here goes nothing...I'm so screwed.

What the hell did I just get myself into?