"A note? In the shed? Really?" I ask, crossing my arms in disapproval. "You're getting less and less creative."

"Touche, Dolly," He replies. "Touche."

"I'm not your Dolly," I snap.

"Whatever you say, Dolly," We are close enough together that he is able to whisper this.

I roll my eyes as he kisses me. I can feel his cocky smile on my lips. Caden Pierce is mine. I had wanted him since the third grade when he punched a kid in the face for calling me a freak. I am never going to be allowed to date boys, so we became friends. Until one night when he asked me to meet him at the far side of the field next to my house. That night, he told me that he had feelings for me. I told him that I felt the same way about him, and we began seeing each other in secret. I found that it is easy to sneak out of my bedroom window, as it is only a two-meter drop to the ground. On the night of my thirteenth birthday, he kissed me. We still continue the act of being friends in school. We are both saving money to buy a small house when we are eighteen years old and able to leave our homes. 

I pull away from him, resting my forehead against his. His thumb traces my cheekbone, the line of my jaw, my lips. Then, out of the corner of my eye, I see two figures making their way down the path leading to my house. They are my parents.

"I have to go," I whisper. 

He nods. "Meet me here tomorrow night. Wear something nice, I have a surprise for you."

"What is it?" I ask.

"If I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise, would it?"

"You know I hate surprises, Caden,"

"I know, Dolly, but you're gonna love this one,"

Caden kisses me on the cheek and I run back to my house, the warmth of his touch still filling my face.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I have never worn this blue dress. It has been sitting at the back of my closet for about a year now, so I might as put it to some use. The top is tight with long sleeves and open shoulders. The skirt is loose, coming just above my knee. When I twirl in the mirror, the skirt fans out around me. The dress has quite a low V-neck with crisscrossing lines of fabric semi-covering the space. My parents would call it scandalous.

I lace up my brown leather boots and wait for the sound of the front door closing. My parents are saying goodbye to Apollo. The second hand on the very ancient grandfather clock seems to grow fatigued.

SLAM! They're gone. Finally. I open my window and look down the driveway as my mother and father made their way down the short path that leads to the road. Not all Regions have roads, but many automobiles have to pass through 372 to get to larger cities. My parents begin walking on the path beside the road. 

I hop out of the window, dropping to pebbles below with a sharp CRONCH! sound. I hold out my hand and the rusty barbed-wire fence creates a space for me to slip through. After I'm through, I will the fence to bend back to its neutral state. 

Caden is waiting for me, just where he is every night we meet. On his face, he wears a distressed expression. His eyes find me, looking me up and down.

"Hey Dolly," He chokes. "You look beautiful."

"Caden, what's wrong?" I place a hand on his cheek, wiping away a tear.

"Oh, Cass, I'm so sorry, I had no choice," He sobs.

"Caden," My tone hardens. "WHAT. DID. YOU. DO?"

A hand clamps down on my shoulder, hard, and spins me around. He is there, the man I fear most in the world.

My father.

"D-Dad," I stutter.

"We're leaving, Cassiopeia," His eyes show no emotion. This is not going to end well.

"Dad, I need you to calm down and let me explain-"

His hand swiftly strikes my face.

He raises his hand for another blow when I am pushed out of the way, and Caden takes the blow. Caden whips his head back to my father, unfazed.

"You promised me," Caden growls. "You said you wouldn't hurt her."

My father hits Caden again, this time with his hand closed tightly in a fist. I can't believe it. Caden sold us out. 

"FATHER!" I scream. He turns away from Caden. His knuckles are bloody from Caden's face. "I am going inside. You are going to follow me. NOW!"

Dad looks shocked and nods.

I glare at Caden. "I'm so sorry, Dolly."

I spit at him and walk back to my house. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I open my eyes and stare at the ceiling of my room in the Underground, the tears from Caden's betrayal still stinging my eyes. However, the memories of Dakota bring a smile to my face. Perfect distraction.

Then, I get a strange sensation. Someone is sitting on my bed, watching me. But who?

The person speaks, clearly male, their voice oddly familiar. 

"Rise and shine, Dolly."