Fallen Angel in Waiting

'NUMBER 26 PLEASE PROCEED'

"Callie, you're finally ready for your match?"

"Yeah, my parents made me understand more."

"It's totally understandable to be confused."

"It is?"

"Of course! Your body wants to attract a mate, so your body can have babies. It isn't proper to act on those feelings because?"

"Feelings lead to negative emotions that would not be productive in repopulating the earth into a kinder and stronger race. We need to have a stronger population to better distribute resources for the future."

"Exactly. You are one of our kindest and smartest children. We will use those biological instincts of yours to create the next generation to continue the mission. You are very important to the future of personkind."

"Really?"

"If you weren't important, you wouldn't be chosen as a special breeder."

"Okay, yeah, who is my match?"

"We need to do a few more tests sweetheart. There was an issue with the male breeders recently. Nothing you need to worry about. Please wait on the bench. I'll check in with the doctors and your case manager."

"Callie, you finish everything?"

"No, apparently, my matches need to be re-assessed."

"I heard it's because they were caught up in their own experiments."

"What do you mean?"

"They did the devil's tango. It doesn't matter if they have good genes. They can't repopulate, you risk love and love leads to the negative. When you risk love as a queer person, you break the law more than murder. They treat it like that because you're killing chances of the future. It's ridiculous. My parents are progressive so the only reason I'm not banished or put into punishment is because they didn't tell about it to the breeding committee."

"Sophia, you?"

"I kissed Cara in 11th grade. I didn't regret it. My only regret is I just kissed her."

She winks at me. I wish she never told me. Sophia is like a fallen angel in waiting. She has done everything right since doing one thing wrong., It is only a matter of time before she does something wrong. She'll get caught and fall. If I wasn't terrified, I'd wait with her.

"Lucky for you, you like both genders. I basically recoil at the sight of a man. It might be perfect for them, though. I'll never fall in love with whatever man they want me to do the devil's tango with."

"We aren't supposed to call it that."

"I'm not saying coitus or repopulating. Isn't it more fun to break little rules?"

"Do you ever wonder what happens when you are banned?"

"I try not to think about it, but maybe I should. Strike one remember?"

"Do other communities allow love? What if people like us could have breeding as an occupation and have a companion we love?"

"A little weird, Cal. I'd prefer that to what they make us do now."

"I read about it from my ancestor's journals. It was called poly. They had a friend who lived in a Polycube. She was married to a guy, but had two girlfriends." 

"Maybe we should adopt a system like that in the future if they are worried about what future housing crisis would happen. Sadly, we will be stuck in this for the rest of our lives."

It is. I wish I could see if it is true. How would I leave? It isn't like I could be a stowaway on one of Benny's supply runs to other towns. I'm being watched too much; my skills, activities, and health are part of the perfect family recipe. It's all monitored for the best future.

"Great news Callie!"

Ms. Suzanna's voice is jarring, and I wonder if she has heard any part of me and Sophia's conversation.

"While it's disappointing that David and Evan stopped being your match type. We can't disclose the reasoning. I know you were friends with Evan. It is unfortunate for both of you. We found a replacement quickly. Josh only just complicated testing. You both enjoy reading and drawing.

"You have different favorite genres and while you are an excellent artist, he enjoys drawing animals. You are an excellent match for these reasons. It will be a peaceful living, but not too much in common to develop those harmful emotions. You are both attractive, so you will have no problem with coitus. If we are lucky, it will mean your future children will be better than average-looking."

She looks through the paperwork more. What other wonderful things will she say about this? It's almost like Sophia can read my mind and rolls her eyes for me. I hold in my laughter.

"I truly think the unfortunate incident was a blessing in disguise. Don't you?"

"Like its fate."

"Yes! What a wonderful way to put it! Neither of you have any medical conditions or disabilities."

Anybody with medical red flags is considered left to death. They phrase it as them having special skills to help better the community. If you're not chosen as a leader or a family unit maker. You're left to a slow death. 

I'm curious if it was like this before the reset. I can't imagine such harsh treatment as we have now for humans who are different.

She leaves me with more forms to fill out and a picture of Josh. He is attractive. 

"Congratulations to you, Callie! You got a forever partner you can draw with and read next to."

"Lucky me. It's a dream come true."

She laughs, and it's the best sound in the world.  I don't know what I will do. I could reject everything. I could ask her to run away and do one of those marriage ceremonies I read about. Would I be happier loving someone or doing things that give me happiness even if I'm living without a lover? Josh seems okay on paper. If we have two kids, we have the opportunity to have a big enough house where I could avoid him. I have a picture of Sophia and me together. I'll have her in my heart, but is that enough. She starts trying to make me laugh and take my mind off of everything.

All I know is I want to spend as much time with Sophia until her inevitable fall.