Aris and I took the main street towards the inner city. The electromagnetic field in the sky pulsed calmly, and the homeless start appearing less often. The upper district contains many politicians and researchers alike. Most of them are known to be entangled with high level council members by either lobbying for them or helping to cover controversial subjects. This in the end has caused a noticeable segregation of the upper and lower class, putting a divide between them and the common people.

Those up high don’t notice the conditions of the common people. They pretend to not see the severe repercussions their so called ‘new world laws’ have done to the regular citizens. Only thing they seem to care about are money and power. With a blind eye, they build new buildings in the upper district and have never attempted to revitalize the dwindling population in the lower districts. Instead they are forcing the elderly out of their homes and the young into the military. And currently, I’m following Aris into the middle of all this.

Nervously I look around, making sure no one might recognize me and/or try to stop me. I usually don’t travel this far into the rich area, considering they look at me with contempt. Sometimes the local gangs note down those who leave and come back. Making sure they aren’t up to something.

It’s not my fault I am traveling into the rich district. I would’ve tried looking less conspicuous. Judging by Aris’s unfazed face, I figure she comes from a wealthy family. No wonder she isn’t as nervous as I am.

I know I don’t fit in here, but I didn’t have time to change my clothes. I imagine I look very suspicious. Hopefully having Aris with me gives some sort of leeway.

She is currently wearing a yellow skirt with a tan shirt. White heels and a golden necklace. I never imagined the sports bra, yoga pants girl to look so fancy before. I at least feel a bit more comfortable with her here now.

“You okay Will?”

Snapping out of thought, I get my act together. “It’s nothing. Just surprised of the stark difference between here and the lower district.”

Playing with her hair, she lets out a small chuckle. “It’s not a big difference. The upper district just have a different style compared to where you’re from.”

Difference of style? They have the newest gadgets here. T.Vs that are projected out like a 3D illusion. Rich kids showing off their gold watches, and girls talking about thousand dollar brand clothes. I wonder if you’re just joking or just blind to these things.

“Is that so?” Pausing for a moment, I ask. “How much further till the shop?”

“It’s right around the corner up here.”

Watching her bounce ahead, I start thinking about how all this class division doesn’t matter. We all are human and we all die in the end. Some of them are just more fortunate than others. The only difference I see, is how much you can make out of your life. However, being rich, and without a care in the world does sound very tempting. However, I have to worry about the military breathing down my neck.

Seeing the blonde disappear, I pick up my pace. “Wait up Aris.”

Catching up I stop next to her. Seeing her pointing towards a fancy shop, she pulls me in. “Let’s go in slow-poke.”

Walking into the building, I first notice how expensive everything looks. The tables are made out of stained wood, the stools are made with velvet cloth and the front counter is some type of marble I believe.

Feeling anxious, I follow Aris, trying to blend in. Seeing her glittering eyes wander over the selection of pastry, I take my time to look over the menu.

Hot, cold, ice tea and espresso; I don’t really see anything different from this place and down town. I notice they’re using fancy Italian names, but they all seem like drinks I can just make back home. Looking at those prices I start to imagine my wallet catching fire.

Waiting for Aris to get done looking, she waves me over. “See right here? Isn’t this what you wanted?”

Looking at where she is pointing, I notice my coconut doughnut; except it’s huge. Seeing nothing out of the ordinary, I search for my wallet realizing its missing.

Patting my pockets, I say. “Aris I think I left my wallet at home. Can you get this one for me?”

Closing her eyes, she stretches out her hand. Counting each finger, she looks up at me. “Yeah I think I have enough, pay me back some time. Okay?”

Taping her shoulder, I give off a big grin. “Thanks Aris. I owe you one.”

Waiting by the window, I try concentrating on what I would do about the military. Would I have to pack up and run away? I have some preserved food and water bottles stored away. I could get my old backpack and store everything before they get me evicted. I guess after I’m done with my little date, I can get everything packed up and call up a storage facility. This way, I won’t have to worry about being blindsided by Rich and his group.

Seeing Aris bringing our food over, we sat down by the window. Drinking my coffee, I admire how cute she looks with crumbs all over her mouth. She’s like a hamster I saw on the internet, stuffing their cheeks with seeds. In her case, she’s more like devouring everything. Grinning to myself, she stuffs a muffin into her mouth giving me a confused expression.

Trying to speak, she asks. “Is thew somtin wrung?”

Chuckling to myself, I take a bite out of my food. “It’s the way you’re eating. You shouldn’t try speaking with your mouth full.”

Swallowing hard, she gives off an embarrassed expression. “It’s because the food is so tasty. I kind of forgot you where here.”

“Don’t worry about it. Nothing to be ashamed about.” Drinking my espresso, I give her a thumbs up. “It’s pretty good food. Honestly it’s better than what I could have made back home.”

Happily she gives her drink an audible gulp. Pulling down her cup, there is a milk moustache spread across her face. Without realizing it, her tongue slowly licks her top lip seductively. With the final drop running down into her mouth, I accidently choke on my drink.

Grinning to herself, her face flushes red realizing what she done. “Are you okay Will?”

“No. Um yes. I just remember something funny from last night.”

“Oh. What was it?”

“Just something I saw on T.V.” Attempting to make something up, I say. “It’s about how hamsters suck on their water feeder. They use their long tongues to lick up the drops at the end of the rod. Kind of fascinating if you think about it”

Embarrassingly she covers her face with her hands. I on the other hand try to stop imagining Catharine from last night. Attempting to salvage the situation I say.

“Do you, um… like your drink?”

Pulling her hands down, she visibly starts to turn back to normal. Gathering her bearings she says. “It’s really sweet. My family never makes me anything like this. I’ll ask them if they can have our cook make me some later.”

“Well… if you want, I could brew you something too. As thanks for paying.”

“Really? What do you have in mind?”

“I have an espresso machine, and some mocha flavoring.” Finishing my doughnut, I continued. “Also some iced tea and some regular coffee. If there isn’t anything you want there, we could go grab something from the store.”

“Would I have to go over to your house for that? I don’t know what my parents would think.”

“What would your parents think? Aren’t you old enough to make your own decisions?”

Thinking for moment, she leans forward. “It’s not that Will. It’s just my family doesn’t like me being around those from… you know, where you’re from.”

I see now. So you’re parents are control freaks, and don’t like people like me? Is it because I’m poor or unemployed. It pisses me off thinking about how snobbish people can be sometimes. Is Aris being secretive by bringing me here?

Calming myself down a bit, I say. “It’s fine. You are the only one who can decide. If you think we can’t be friends then we don’t have to see each other.”

“Will! It’s not like that. I don’t care what they think. They were always very controlling when I was young. What I meant was I can come over, but my parents might not like the idea. The whole point I’m joining the military is to get away from them and see what I can do myself.”

Taking a deep breath, I apologize. “I’m sorry Aris. I got a little worked up. When ever it comes to things about where I’m from and stuff, I sometimes take it rather badly.”

“It’s okay Will. I’m the same way when people think I’m just like my parents. I want to be different and walk in my own steps. My dream is to be independent and prove to my friends and their parents I can do better than them. In that way, I can laugh off other’s criticisms of me.”

“That’s rather admirable. It sounds better than my own dreams for the future.”

Seeing my pensive expression, she looks straight into my eyes. “If you don’t mind Will, can you tell me yours?”

Feeling her hand entering mine, I give out a sigh. “I want to see the world with my own eyes. Go exploring and figuring out the truth in things. Maybe after that I would like to change the way the lower district lives and be a role model for the younger generations. I want to feel free of politics and class division, and make a worthwhile change to society.”

Her vacant gaze is interrupted as I give her hand a slight squeeze. Noticing she was spacing out, her entire aura now feels a bit warmer. Instead of her excited personality, I notice a more familiar one like Catharine’s.

“Will your dream is very different from mine. It’s not as selfish.”

“Selfish?”

“Yes.” Her hands noticeably become sweaty, with an anxious expression she says. “I want to be recognize by everyone. You instead want to help others in your own way. Mine is self-centered, while yours isn’t.”

Is it really? I only want to do this to give a slap to those who are in control. It’s only for my self-satisfaction, nothing noble about taking care of the less fortunate.

Coming out of my daydream, I tighten my grip. “Thank you Aris.” Looking into her eyes. “I never thought of it like that. In the future, you should help me.”

Feeling my domineering tone, she blushes a bit. “It’s no problem. Do you want to walk me back home?”

“If that’s what you want sure. Let’s go.”

Exiting the shop, we made our way down the clean streets. Up in the horizon, the sun starts to set in the winter skies. One by one the street lights come on, and people in expensive wool coats depart from work.

In the afternoon rush hour, Aris guides my hand out of the busy intersection and down one of the side roads. Having calmed down, She lets go and walks in pace with me. Silently we made our way down the sidewalk, enjoying the calm atmosphere with each other.

Looking at Aris’s yellow dress I start feeling bad. It’s slightly chilly out and I can see goosebumps forming on her rosy skin. Taking off my jacket, I offer it up.

Awkwardly she accepts it and puts it on. “Will, weren’t you running in this?”

“Yeah, but you seemed cold. I hope you don’t mind?” Scratching my head I walk a bit faster.

Putting up the hood, she takes a deep breath. “Thank you. Will you be fine?”

“I can deal with it.” With my hands in my pockets I joked. “I have to walk back after this; so don’t think you can keep it because I still need it for the way home.”

Giving a giggle, she retorts. “No. I think I’ll keep it. You look warm so you shouldn’t miss it.”

Grinning to myself, I give her a flick on her head. “Whatever you say.”

After talking about all sorts of things, we slowly come up to her house. My first impression is how big and gothic looking it is. I believe I saw this building on T.V. about famous villas in our district.

Noticing guards at her front gate, I start sweating a little. Hopefully they won’t give me a hard time. I just need to imagine myself as an escort for the young miss. Whom happens to have mix feelings about our current relationship.

Watching us come up to the front, the guards welcome Aris home. Turning towards me, they give a blank stare.

“Aris who is the guy?”

Turning towards me, she shrugs. “He’s one of my friends I meet the other day. I just asked him to help me back home.”

“Is that so? Please try not being so late. Don’t want you to freeze out here.”

“I’ll try.” Taking off my jacket, she hands it to me. “Will here you go. Be careful heading back and thanks for helping me home.”

“You’re welcome.” Slipping my coat on, I added. “I’ll see you later then. Give me a call if you need anything.”

Nodding she walks into her house before disappearing. Now left out on the cold streets, I start my journey back home. Passing the intersection, the coffee shop and the fitness center, I managed to make it home safe.

Opening my apartment and laying down on my couch, I can’t help but wonder how Catharine and Aris are doing right now. It’s quite and calm. The wind picks up making the house groan eerily. I pick myself back up and start packing my backpack with some supplies.

Once I’m done I pour myself some whiskey and sit in the dark. Feeling totally relaxed I imagine a life where I’m sleeping with Aris and Catharine. Oh how wonderful it would be. But I’m a one woman kind of guy I believe.

Interrupting my musing I hear a knock on the door. “Who is it now?”

Grumpily I stand up and check the time. One in the morning. What asshole is knocking at this time? Putting down my drink, I walk over to the door. Turning the door knob, a click echoes through the room. Instantly the door is pushed open and men in military gear barges in.

Disorientated by the light in my eyes, I hear someone screaming at me. Not knowing what is going on I raise my hands as a gun barrel is flung in my direction. With a punch in my gut, I bend over gasping.

I watch as a black hood is tied around my face and feel my hands become bound.