The Other Half

Prologue

Love is a strange custom on my planet that I never understood. When we are born, we are given a unique necklace but only half of it. The other half is in the hands of the person you are going to fall in love with when the right time comes. I never understood this system. The people should be free to love who they want and that's why I'm an outcast. I was sent to a nearby planet called Eradi (Ear - A - Dye) when I was 14 after stating my opinion in my history class debate...

"Planet Earth was destroyed in 2461 due to a war that destroyed the planet and the peoples remaining humanity. The remaining people managed to escape and discover our lovely planet Amare (Ah - Mar - A). This planet was similar to earth and could support human beings. These people created a peace treaty based on love and restored the human population. Technology has advanced since then and our knowledge on love has become very strong. That is why today's society relies on love, to keep peace and order on our planet." Mrs. Allington stated as she turned to face the class again, "Any questions?"

An boy in front of me raised his hand. "Yes Mr. Peterson?"

He stood up, "Is that why we have these necklaces?" he asked as he lifted his necklace from his chest

"Yes. In fact, the closer you are to your true love, the warmer your necklace will become.

I put my hand up to my necklace. It was cold. I raised my hand.

"Yes Ms. Hartely. Do you have a question?" She pointed at me.

"Yes," I cleared my throat, "In my opinion people should be able to love who they want, not who a stupid necklace tells them to love. It's completely bull-"

"That's enough Ms. Hartely! Please sit down!"

"No! This is my opinion and if you could hear me out for a single second you might understand that-"

Mrs. Allington grabbed my arm and pulled me out of class. "You are being completely disrespectful towards both me and the law! I am going to have to send you to the principle's office to see Mr. Greenwood for this type of behavior!" she let go of my arm. "But-" she looked me in the eye and grabbed my arm again "No buts. Go!" I stood frozen for a few seconds. "Now Ms. Hartely!" I ripped my arm from her grasp and looked her dead in the eye before I stormed down the hall to the principles office.

"Ms. Hartely? Mr. Greenwood is ready to see you now." A short old woman with grey hair grabbed my arm and lead me into Mr. Greenwood's office. She sat me down in the only hard wood chair that was obviously very old and very uncomfortable. It was very different from the new chairs that we had in the classrooms that hovered above the ground and were cushioned for extra comfort. A large bald man sat behind a large white desk. He turned off the holograms that he had been looking at before I entered the room and brought up my records instead. "Ms. Hartely!" He had a deep booming voice that was so raspy it was almost relaxing. "I never thought I'd see the day that you of all people would be sitting in that chair! You're such a good student! Can you explain to me why you are in my office today young lady?" I sat in silence and stared down at my feet. "No need then. I already know why you are here. You have been completely disrespectful to the most important law of the planet. The law that keeps everyone united in harmony. Is this right Ms. Hartely?" 

I froze for a second then I looked up from my feet and started him in the eyes. "Yes Mr. Greenwood' I said half heartedly "Good. So you understand why-" I stood up and slammed my hands down on his desk. "Yes! I understand completely why I am here! It's because of this stupid law on love that apparently I'm not allowed to state a simple opinion on!" I threw a cup of pens on the ground. "Ms. Hartely! There is no need for this type of behavior!" He walked around his desk sat me back down in my chair. I stood back up to look at him face to face "I have a name!" I screamed. 

He turned around and pressed a large red button underneath his desk and before I knew it security had me handcuffed and escorted out of the school. The next day I was sent to court and was banished from the planet of Amare to live on Eradi until I understood the meaning of love and what it meant to the planet. That's how I ended up where I am today with a wolf as a best friend.