True Love Is Closer Than You Think

"Coming Of Age" Ceremony

"Phaedra. Wake up! Today is your big day!" yelled my mom. I rolled over in my bed, not wanting to get up.

"Phaedra, now!!!" she yelled, angrily.

"Ugh! mom! Why do I have to? I don't want to do this! Don't make me!" I tried to convince her. But she pulled me out of my bed, anyway.

"You have to. Everyone has to. Today's just your day." my mom said, trying to comfort me.

She had already laid out my clothes for the big ceremony. Matteo ordered that every girl must wear the same outfit; a grey, frilly dress down to my shins, it had a very low cut top, so everyone could see the locket. And long, glittery sleeves that dangled past my hands. Plus, grey flats to match. I had a braid-bun hair style, just like every girl that was in the Coming of Age ceremony. It was mandatory to have the same clothes, shoes, and hairstyles for the females. 

While I was getting dressed, my mom made breakfast; homemade raisin oatmeal with syrup. She always made that when we were having a special day.

"Mom, I don't want this. I'm not hungry." I said, hoping she wouldn't let go.

"Phaedra, you have to eat. It's just one day. You can do it." My mom said while doing the dishes.

I sat down, spoon in my hand and started eating the oatmeal. My mind was going crazy. I didn't want to do this. I was really nervous. What if I do something wrong? While I was eating, unaware of my surroundings, my hair found its way into my breakfast.

"Mom, I'm not hungry anymore. I'm done." I muttered, with disgust on my face. "Can you do my hair now?

My mom came over and started braiding my hair. She was yanking and tugging really hard to make it tight.

"Hold still Phaedra! It won't look good if you keep squirming!" My mom nagged at me. I wasn't going to lie, it hurt. Her tugging on my hair. But I did had to deal with it. This day was important for her. And I guess, for me.

Only a half hour until the big ceremony. All the eighteen year olds had to been there an hour in advance to go through the routine of what was going to happen. The "host" or person who explains what is going on is Mrs. Severine Margaux. When she came back she told us not to be nervous and that it doesn't hurt.

"Wait... What?! Why would it hurt?!" I spoke up from a big crowd.

"Well, you see, it doesn't hurt. But there is a burning sensation. That is all. Please wait here until you are announced to come up. Thank you." Mrs. Severine Margaux said.

I heard on the loud speaker a few minutes later Mrs. Margaux started speaking. But it was all a blur, I was dazing out. I only saw this ravishing ebony skinned girl walk up on stage. Then again, I blurred everything out. One by one each girl was called up. My best friend Cicely was called up. I was getting extremely nervous by this time, because I know only a few more moments until it was me up on stage.

"Number 137001315, Phaedra Hyacinth Coen. Phaedra likes to garden and hang out with her friends. She is a very smart, A+ student in her school. Would you like to read your letter Phaedra?" Mrs. Margaux said.

I was staring out into space. Speechless. I could not think of anything to say or do, so I just shook my head, "no".

"Alrighty then. Dr. Mordecai, please come up." Mrs. Margaux said.

"What?! Who?! Why?! Damn it! Tell me!!!" I barked. I was furious!

"Dr. Mordecai. He's the doctor that puts the tracker in you. So we know where you are. And how close you are to your love. He also can tell you your soulmates name. What he looks like and where he is. Well, of course, if you want to know." Mrs. Margaux said with a smirk on her face.

I looked around. I saw Dr. Mordecai and Mrs. Margaux staring at me. Along with over a thousand people in the crowd. I looked at my mom, her facial expression was of shame. Like I was a disappointment. I looked back at the doctor and Mrs. Margaux.

"No, I don't want to know. I just want to know what he looks like." I said. Kind of frightened.  

Dr. Mordecai and Mrs. Margaux looked at each other. And shrugged as in "I guess so". The doctor went over to the list. He put a picture up of who my soulmate was. He was gorgeous. He had olive skin with bright, icy blue eyes, and blonde hair. Very muscular. And the most amazing smile.

"Would you like to know his name, Phaedra?" asked Dr. Mordecai.

"I want to know his first name. That's it." I told him.

"Asa." Dr. Mordecai. "Also, would you like to hear his letter to whoever was his soulmate?"

I nodded. 

"Sure thing, sweets. It says here..." Dr. Mordecai cleared his throat. 

"Dear Soulmate, 

I know you don't know me yet. But I have been thinking about you since I was about fourteen. When my mom first told me about the love lockets. I was weirded out at first, but then grew to love the idea. I was picturing you, your name, and everything about you. How beautiful you must be. If you were tall or short. And finally, today or soon I will be able to see you face to face. Your beautiful face. We were born soulmates and we shall stay soulmates. 

Goodbye for now, Asa."

I was looking at all these other people in the crowd, I was blushing from the letter, Asa had wrote me. Skimming for people I knew, for comfort. Some sort of comfort. Any kind. Just, comfort. 

"Are you ready for your tracker, Phaedra?" asked Mrs. Margaux.

"Um, I guess..." I said with skepticism.

The doctor came over to me with a little, about four inch, tracker. It started to blink.

"Hold out your arm." He demanded.

I did so. He grabbed it with force. My face grimaced. He picked up my sleeve to as far as it could go. Looked at me, smiled and pushed it in. I let out a scream. And ripped my arm away from him. 

"Did it hurt, lovely? I'm sorry. It wasn't supposed to. What can I do to make it better?" He asked, very creepily.

"Nothing! Damn you!" I screeched as I ran off the stage.

I ran off the stage, and back into my mom's arms. I looked at her.

"Mom, I didn't want to do this. Why did you make me do this?" I said, bawling.

"Phaedra! I did not make you do this! You had too! Don't accuse me of such things! I know you're angry, but still." My mom snapped at me.

I ran off.