(This is all made in Sqaishey's POV btw)
I wake up in my comfy bed. It was a loud noise that woke me up. Dad.
I slowly forced myself out of bed, running my fingers through my short brown hair, eventually finding my small blonde streak. My hair used to be long, before the capital decided to rule against it. Aka, my dad.
My father is the president of our small little corner, and by small corner I mean what's left of America and England. Nobody seems to know how the war started or how we took over, but everyone seems to know the former names of some of Earths most powerful countries. And it's new name was Galexia.
Anyways, my dad and his "court of advisers" ruled out long hair quite recently. It was because it wasn't useful, and whatever isn't useful, goes down the drain. Some examples may be sweets (those were ruled out yesterday actually), hair driers (I mean your hair is just gonna dry anyway), dresses and skirts, fairy lights, jewelry, drawing utensils, music, toys, etc. It can all be outlawed if unnecessary.
I remember when I used to sing, but with dad around, I found I had no time to do such things. I had to focus on my brand new job (which my first day is today), and on my reputation. And at the moment, courting a young man.
I don't even want to begin with that task, but with the kind of tyranny that dad has, I have no option.
It's not like I disrespect my father, I just disagree in some areas and agree in the other areas.
I walked lazily over to my white and gold vanity and slowly brought my hairbrush to the top of my head.
One advantage to having short hair: easy to brush.
I ran the brush through my short hair, still bringing it down to what length it used to be out of old habit.
I placed the brush down carefully on the vanity again when I finished, and trudged through the soft carpet towards my closet.
I opened it up, and in it were several outfits of the same accord. Nothing ever changes, except for the sizing of course.
The capital provides the clothes to the citizens. Everyone has a different style of clothing, some more luckier than others. Some have more vibrant colors, and some, (like me) have dull grey colors to cover ourselves in.
I carefully took my outfit off my hanger and lay it out on the bed, like I do every morning, and undressed out of my pajamas.
Left in my under clothes, I picked up my white button up shirt and put my arms through the sleeves. Once both arms were through, I started buttoning it up all the way up, making the collar grow stiff; it was sticking up.
I picked up my dark red ribbon and tied it in a bow in the crook of the collar, leaving it drooping down.
I grabbed my grey vest and put it over my shirt and buttoned it up all the way and then gently pressed the collar of my white shirt to my collar bone, over my vest.
I grabbed my matching dark red skirt (with an immodest length in my opinion) and slid it on up my legs.
I sat down on my bed and grabbed some socks that reached just below my knee. I slid them on gently, making sure I didn't poke a hole in the thin cloth. I dragged myself back up again and walked back to my closet; I had forgotten my shoes. I grabbed my black flats and slid them on my feet as well. They weren't the most comfy, but what could I do about it?
In my opinion, I absolutely hated this outfit, but my dad seemed to love it, since he made it a law to keep it on.
I walked over to the door exiting my room, and opened it, the stairs greeting me as I pushed through the door. I closed it behind me as my leg landed on the first step, follow my other.
I gripped onto the rail as I slowly climbed down the stairs and entered the room the downwards corridor connected to, which was the kitchen.
"Daddy? Are you okay?" I spoke quietly. Speak too loud around my father, and he might scold you with punishments.
"Hey Bethany. Sorry, that was me," my mom apologized. She was sat down by the dining table in the middle of our kitchen. "but your father is out of the house. Some 'emergency' over at work." She put air quotes around the word emergency and I giggled.
Mother was a sweet lady, she'd never hurt a fly.
She looked like me for the most part, our brown hair in resemblance. I looked almost exactly like her, but almost nothing like my dad. I guess genetics weren't in his favor.
"Oh alright. What did you do? Are you okay?" I asked.
"Be careful honey, not too affectionate..." My mother warned. She was right, affection was one of the things with a set limit. "But, I just got off of the phone with your father and he said he found a suitor for you. He's coming over and he'll be here in about five minutes, and out of shock, dropped my glass. I'll get punished but it's no big deal, the capital will replace it." My mother gulped nervously, trying to change the subject, but most of the words she said afterwards were blanked out.
"Dad is sending a suitor?!" I screeched.
"I'm afraid so Beth. I don't know much about him. Your father didn't even give me his name." Mother sighed.
I was so angry I wanted to punch a wall or something, but instead I dug my nails into the palm of my hands and tensed my muscles. I relaxed, and sat down at the table with my mother.
"Great." I grumbled. I let my head fall on my empty hand, my cheek smushed up to my eye.
"I don't like it as much as you do darling, but it's going to have to happen with your father around here. I don't think he's going to loosen up on you about this."
From then until the painful five minutes of anxiety were filled with nothing but silence. But those five minutes were long. And over.
As if on cue, we heard a knock at our front door. I groaned.
"Do I have to?" I whined at my mom.
"I'm afraid so honey. Just..." she hesitated. "...smile. Don't worry, nothing bad will come your way." My mom comforted. I did as I was told then took the quick steps toward my front door. I cut through the living room and made my last few steps toward the door and put my hand on the knob. I anxiously turned it and pulled the door open.
He was kinda moderate in height, his dirty blonde hair pulled back and held by hair gel. He had blue eyes, but they weren't sparkling like they would be if you were meeting someone be new. He wore a navy blue suit with a red tie and black formal pants and shoes. And I thought my outfit was horrible.
"H-Hello, my name is David Spencer...I'm...uh...here to see a Ms. Bethany Bates?" He inquired all formal like. Ugh. Dad.
"You're looking at her." I grumbled, unamused. He looked at me with wide eyes.
"Oh...um...sorry about that." David said, rubbing the back of his neck. His eyes were full of fake worry. It was more like determination.
"Yeah, whatever. Come in if you must." I grumbled and let him in unwillingly. Lets just get this over with.
I trudged over to the couch and sank down into the cushions. He followed me and sat down beside me, but not closely. He sat as far away as he could, as if out of shyness. That's what was in his eyes.
If you couldn't tell, I can read people's emotions well through their eyes, so I can tell if they're telling the truth or not. The one thing I never understood about someone's eyes is why the sparkle shows up when they're happy.
"So uh-" David started, when I got saved by the bell; my watch going off.
"Oh, I'm so terribly sorry!" I mocked a posh accent." I must be going on a walk now my love!" I wailed sarcastically and made a beeline for the door. And I slammed it behind me.
I sighed out of relief at my busy schedule. I guess it wasn't so bad after all. It gets me out of situations that I don't like! Like courting young men. I'm just not ready.
I started my walk, listening to my feet tapping the ground. I walked to our gate and opened it. I walked through it then closed it again.
I started walking my normal route,stopping to gaze at my many similar landmarks.
"Hello Ms.Bates!" I heard a mocking call. It was my friend, Annette. She had dark brown hair, still in their long curls cascading down her shoulders. Not for long. She either has an appointment to get her beautiful chopped off today or tomorrow.
She had deep chocolate brown eyes and natural pink lips.
She was lucky enough to have a little splash of color in her outfit, while I was mostly gray and gray-red. She wore a purple-gray woolen jumper (trying my hardest to sound British here. Sorry.) with thin and wide stripes streaking across it. She wore purple skinny jeans and some black ankle boots that looked kinda uncomfortable, but then again I wouldn't know.
"Hey Annette! How's it going?" I asked, walking over to lean on her gate.
"Not so well. I get my hair chopped off today. I don't mind cutting it, but I'm gonna miss having long hair..." She said, disappointed. She came towards me from the other side of the fence and leaned on it, folding her arms beside me.
She was an assigned friend, arranged friend, whatever you wish to call her. She just happened to be one of those people who cared about everyone enough to accept me as a friend.
"Don't worry, you'll look beautiful with or without it." I comforted, placing a hand on her arm.
"Thanks. Anyways, I better leave you be. I'm scheduled for target practice today." She cringed, scrunching up her nose.
Only people with some of the best test scores get accepted into target practice with a weapon. Annette's weapon was a bow, and no matter how clichè that sounds, it's actually one of the most important weapons used today. They're a good weapon used for stealth and if you're really good at it, really easy to reload.
It was forced by my father for her to be trained in such a way. It was a desirable trait amongst people, but Annette was a person of peace. Even though she was outstanding at even wielding the weapon, she hated every moment of it. Just the thought of that target turning into a real person someday...well...I'd be scared too.
Father doesn't allow me to have such skills because, well, I'm his little girl. But I think it would be cool to have a skill to use in need of self defense.
"Aw. That stinks. Well, I guess I'll see you later then." I shrugged and backed off the gate. She smiled at me and waved.
"See ya." She smiled. But her eyes were filled with sorrow.
Annette had a brother go missing five years ago. His name was Joseph.
I never had met him personally, Annette came into my world only straight after he left. I guess it was a blessing and a curse.
I shook the thought out of my head and kept walking forward, eventually meeting the edge of the city.
It was a big city, seeing as my dad had to live in the capital. I mean he was in charge.
Surprisingly, I saw him a lot for a guy that has to run a whole "empire" and personally, I kinda wish that wasn't the case.
He was a busy guy, and I'd rather him take the time to make the country better then spend time with me.
I walked past my first tall building, it being a office building. I'm not too sure what it does, but I imagine a lot of people are working hard in there.
I started walking past people as the crowds started getting larger.
I kept walking, building by building, block by block, getting close to my destination, where I had to turn back. I always ended in the very center of the city, and that's where I'd turn back to go to my next activity which just so happens to be my job. New job, so to speak.
I'm going to work in the field of assigning people their clothing, which will be fun but scary.
I get to pick out the outfits, but someone else picks the colors, so I have to work in a certain color scheme for a certain person.
I was about to reach the final building I needed to pass when I was jerked into the alleyway to my left, and was greeted with a person holding a knife to my neck. They had smartly moved their hand over my mouth so all that came out of me were muffled screams.
When I realized it wasn't working, I whimpered out of pure terror.
"Alright princess," The guy growled.
He had long hair...strange...that went up in curls, out of control. His eyes were a forest green and filled with...I don't even know what. And thats saying something.
He wore all black, except for the fingerless gloves hugging his hands. The were brown stained with red dots of various sizes, inferring he was tougher than he looked; he was pretty scrawny.
"you're coming with me." He said, forcing a harsh tone.
Smartly, I bit a finger that was sticking out. He helped in pain.
"Why you little-" he growled but I interrupted.
"How dare you do this to me?!" I said harshly, pointing at him.
"What, princess, are you too perfect to be handled like this?"
Wow, I never got this reaction.
"Uh...no...nobody should be treated like this." I argued back. I was well aware I could run away, but for some reason, my feet told me to stay pit. "Not even you. Look, I'm not my father. I know he may have made some bad choices, but he'd never hurt a fly!" I tried to reason with him. His eyes widened.
"S-So you don't kno- ohhhhhh this is bad..." He said nervously looking down, starting to shake.
"L-Look," he said hurriedly. "if I let you go, w-will you not tell anyone about this?" He pleaded. He obviously wasn't very smart, I was already let go of. But being the kind person I am, I smiled.
"Yes. I won't tell a soul." I promised.
"Well, Ms.Bates, until we meet again!" He smirked and then stamped his foot against the ground.
He jumped up, griping the pipe above him that connected the two buildings. He swung towards the wall and let go, planting his feet in the wall and jumping. He did a front flip and landed on a fire escape platform and jumped up onto the tiled roof of the smaller building and disappeared.
It all happened so quickly that I didn't even get a chance to say anything except for:
"See you too I guess...Mr.....Stampy.