The Other Colors of the Heart

Chapter 1 (addison)

Nadia pretty much despises everyone right now. Or so I think so.

"Addy," Nadia says sternly, "You do realize that I've been compatible this WHOLE time, and Jake could be my soulmate?"

"So?" I say, Jake would be an amazing soulmate. I'm pretty sure Nadia realizes what I'm thinking.

"Oh, just STOP," Nadia laughs, "We ALL know you lllliikkkeee him."  My face goes tomato red. Uhh. Heh heh. ttotallllyy not.

Nadia laughs again. "Come ON, Adds, it's okay. I mean, if he WAS my soulmate, I wouldn't do anything bad about it. He's cute, too. But I STILL don't want a soulmate. Can our oligarchy, like not have stinking true love date nights?"

"Oh, Nads, we'll be fine," I say. "Let's go catch the Hovership. Don't wanna be late for the  PARRR-Taeee!!

We run to the Hovership. Nadia is panting. I love the feel of running.

"Haha, Nads!" I yell behind me. "Guess who's winning?!"

And that's when I trip, for the second time today.

"Addy!" A scream pierces the air. My breaths feel killer. My ribs feel punctured. I know they're not. I've just fell into the oligarchy's security system. They're in place for war. The pain in just in your mind. That's what I try to tell myself.

It's not real. It's all in your head. It's not real. It's all in your head. It's not-

My thoughts are cut by the feeling of me being lifted. Grreeeaaatttt. The oligarchy just found out that I fell. Grreeeaaatttt. I find my way to standing. Out of the pit. Thank goodness I'm out. Then a flicker of the Seven Elders is In front of me. A hologram. Ugh. More trouble.

"Addison Noll Denver," Elder Smith says. "Why were you in the torment barrier? Your mind could gain serious damage."

"Ma'am," I say, quietly annoyed, "I was trying to...uh... catch the Hovership. I was running, and I decided that I wanted to yell at Nadia Angelica Nor, to, uhh, hurry up."

" I vouch," Nadia says behind me.

"I vouch," says a random stranger who is also behind me. Wait- JAKE!! Yes!!

My face lights up, and I'm pretty sure the Elders realize this. I try to cover my enlightenment.

"Ms. Denver,"  Elder Lowery says, "Has your class received the Lists?"

"Yes, sir," I say, my heart speeding up with worry.

"Keep your mind on that boy," Elder Lowery says. But I know he's not talking to me. His expression gestures to a person behind me. Nadia. "Sir?" She says, questioning.

"None of your hypocritical manner will be tolerated. Either you're compatible or you're not. And you don't need to be married. You will still age," Elder Lowery says, his eyes almost crossed over.

Nadia nods, but she doesn't look to happy.

"Sir, will there be consequences for me?" I say.

"None, Ms. Denver. You focus on your future," Elder Commsaw says. I sigh in relief, but she's not done. "And Ms. Nor, come with ME."