For the fourth time, she re-entered the code on the door till the screen flashed green. After the long, exhausting preparation and verification, Julie picked up a mint chocolate chip and quickly rushed out of the building. Skylar had been reminding her for several minutes about being early for her matching process, and it irritated her to the core. Moreover, it seemed that she could only be matched if anyone present there had a compatibility of more than eighty-six percent with her. Hence, she prayed that none was available.

Julie loosened her curls as she stared at the window — the calm, morning breeze sending shivers down her spine. After yesterday's horror, she couldn't sleep and eat, for that reason, Julie felt a little nauseous. Luckily, Skylar ordered some concealer earlier to cover her dark, eye circles to avoid suspicion. Either way, She hardly had a logical reason to mourn her parents because they hadn't had an affectionate bond to begin with.

Moreover, it wasn't easy for her to obtain information because Skylar monitored her searches. Even though history and political discussions were banned to the public since 2036, only a few brainwashed individuals were selected to work in such positions. Her father was one of the special ones to be selected. For that reason, she concluded it was a political dispute gone wild.

"Julie." She was startled from her thoughts. "We have arrived."

Shocked by the short distance from the lodging hotel, Julie stared at the gigantic, glass building with a pleasant green theme. "That was a quick drive." She walked out of the warm car, then inhaled a sharp, thick scent of chemicals. "Ugh."

Looking at the surrounding, she noticed the people running into the building whilst humanoids stood at the entrance — being guided toward another entrance. Skylar quietly followed behind her as they walked toward the considerable doors. The building ahead was a classic office area, but the other opposite it seemed to ruin the atmosphere. It's rusting, brick walls and combat humanoids that guided the entrance almost made her flinch.

"We are getting late. Shall we?" Skylar pushed Julie, though her gaze was still fixed on the heavily guarded building. They arrived at the large entrance, which was divided into three columns with separated doors. Julie looked at the labels on the paths; the first door had the word matchmaker engraved in bold, capital letters. On the central door was management and the third; system reinstallation. The third door seemed to lead to the narrow, dark hallway.

"Shall we go?" Skylar pulled her toward the queue filled with her age mates. "I'll leave after you are permitted entry."

After several minutes, they reached the humanoid that verified her codes. "Room three, the instructions will be provided when you face any screen."

"I'll be waiting for you." That was all Julie heard from her company before entering the hallway. Her attention was on the large doors that had numbers engraved on them. Immediately, she stood in front of the third metallic door.  

The dark room was filled with numerous human sized cubes, which she ignored— nervously, she rubbed her forehead, then stood in front of a huge, crystal screen. Thereafter, the logos popped up, then various notifications began to alert her of what was to be expected throughout the process. Julie slowly tilted her head, then gazed at the cubes and people entering.

"System is loading; 10:07 a.m" The programmed female voice suddenly alerted her that the matching had begun. "Unidentified position, error 401 — redirecting in 3 seconds."

Suddenly panicking, Julie's eyes wandered around the place until she noticed the white metal beneath that stated; step here. Doing as instructed, immediately, a voice echoed from the machine. "Preparing process." Within seconds, two walls raised beside her as a cubic structure was formed — surrounding her with metallic walls at all angles. "Accommodating the host." A sudden warm breeze made her relax.

"Welcome to the matchmaker, follow the instructions to proceed with the matchmaking." Julie carefully wore the transparent eyeglasses attached to the left wall. The instructions quickly checked whenever she did what was written. After a long time filled with stamping her chest with a round material attached to the other buttoned wall, the reflection on the screen changed from a normal reflection to her skeletal scanning. "Step one; complete."

A random, dark-red light scanned the lens of the eyeglasses — at that moment, her vision became slightly blurred, causing her to blink several times. "Identifier is in process... seventy percent... ninety percent... Identification complete." Julie covered her eyes as the system searched her citizenship and records. "Summary; Julie Jien- 103, born on the second of May 2046 and from Elifixa city. Black hair, chestnut brown eyes, umber skin tone and 5'3ft."

"Proceeding as Julie Jien-103. Thumbprint verification required." Julie stared at her right, then giggled after noticing the hand verification tablet and camera on top. She quickly did so, then watched when the whole cube lit up in green. "Step two; complete."

"Matching is in process." Various profiles and names without face identification became popping on the screen. Julie could feel the sudden heartbeat that fastened upon hearing the words, and a random excitement rushed through her. "Compatibility; ninety-two percent. Match 137827 verified at 11:02 am." Immediately, the walls that covered her were separated and re-entered the tiny spaces that opened up on the floor. "Transferring data to H-Jien-103; transfer complete." After a minute, Julie watched as the spaces closed and the screen turned off.

With amusement, Julie smiled as she walked out of the room. Though tired and anxious, she ran her hands through her hair, then opened the door — Immediately facing Skylar, who had been waiting on the benches. "We'll be heading to C-1263 on the fourth floor." 

Skylar quietly guided her toward the elevator until they were at the fourth floor. Julie followed in silence, though ignoring the numb feeling that she was experiencing. Moreover, she suddenly felt dizzy after the missed meals. Her attention was on her weak body; hence, she couldn't pay attention to her surroundings nor the voices that were heard around her. In awe, Julie noticed the numerous doors, which seemed like lodge rooms.

"Cube room 1263." Skylar finally broke the silence as her companion's eyes stared at the tag. It was the time that she hadn't prepared for, yet waited to experience. Julie coldly gazed at the countless humanoids seated outside the cubes, and for some reason, she felt relieved that Skylar wouldn't be inside to record her reaction.

"I'll make it quick."

At that moment, she opened the door with her shivering hands; a little, deep breath before she walked in. The room felt comfortable upon entry and the bright, colourful atmosphere made her relax. Her eyes were fixed on the floor as she noticed the two single couches positioned at the centre, but one had been already occupied by a person that she didn't wish to stare at. Julie stood at the door until the random sound of fingers playfully hitting the seat made her look up.

Julie felt her eyes widen for a second, but she quickly composed herself. She had decided not to be a puppet for their country, hence his very existence as her match had to irritate her. But, she had to admit something...

Skylar really did her research.

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