The school day finished rather ordinarily and slow. As I usually did, my boyfriend Sean walked me home from school. His eyes are hazel, with dark chocolate brown hair swept into a wave. He was the head of the basketball team, strong and lean. Perfect for me.
"Babe, can I ask you something?" he asked.
"Sure, whatcha wanna ask me?" I said cutely.
"Aren't you even a little bit freaked out for the Taking? This year... I dunno... I heard rumor... You know..."
"No Sean, I'm not nervous. And I won't be picked. I checked the stats of probability this morning." I reassured him. "Besides. They only pick, like, prodigies. I'm not a prodigy. Even if I was picked, I would run just like that last girl, Amber did. She tried to get across the ravine. That's what I would do."
"Yes," he said irritated. "But then she got shot in the neck!"
I frowned at him. He usually never yells at me. "Sean, why are you yelling at me? What did I do to you?"
"I just don't want you to get hurt! Or... You know... Chosen, before..." He trails off.
"Stop stammering!" I scolded. "Sean, stop it. Stop yelling at me. Stop worrying about the Taking! Just..."
He cut me off and grabbed the back of my head.
"I love you." he said, shoving his lips onto mine and running his hands through my hair. "I don't want to lose you." he said between breaths.
"Oh, Sean." I said, l said, grabbing a lock of his hair in my fist.
He moved his hands down my head a couple more times, then after a long moment like that in the middle of the school yard, we reluctantly parted before the teachers came.
"Alright." I giggled. " Let's go."

***

As soon as we got to my house (more like mansion) we kissed again. "Goodbye." I said, pulling away from his grasp.
He stared at me.
"What?" I asked.
"I...I..." he stammered, shifting his feet.
"Speak up, I hate it when you mumble." I scolded him.
"Well you can't tell me who I am!" he suddenly bursted out, replacing the usual calmness in his eyes with a raging fire in instants.
"AURORA, I HATE BASKETBALL." he suddenly shouted.
I was stunned. He was supposed to like basketball, just like I ordered him to. We were - are - supposed to be the power couple! The most popular and gorgeous and sexy girl in school dating the strong, handsome head of the basketball team! It was - is - perfect! I decided to fight fire with fire.
"Oh yeah? Then I guess I just don't like mascara! Or lipstick! But I love you, Sean, and you love me- "
"NO I DON'T! IT'S ALWAYS YOU AND YOUR FRIENDS TELLING ME WHO TO BE AND WHAT TO WEAR! I HATE YOU! I HATE BASKETBALL, AND WE'RE DONE!!" he yelled, running off into the storm.
"Sean, wait!" I cried. "Sean!"
He never did turn back, but I didn't really care. Jake, quarterback of the football team is WAY cuter then Sean. Plus, in my opinion, we are going to be a better power couple.