A/N: Yeah, another new section of FF I can invade. I just finished Reached and I have mixed emotions about it. It's a great way to end a series but like just about every other books, my favorite character gets the short end of the stick. Oh Indie. *SPOILER* You didn't deserve to die like that. *SPOILER END*
This is an extreme AU if The Rising didn't exist, Indie was never Reclassified, Xander wasn't Matched with Cassia and Ky wasn't an Aberration. I apologize if anyone seems out of character. I kinda of sped through the book. This is a six segment piece switching between Indie and Xander's pov. Here are the first three.
Playing By the Rules
I.
Indie Holt sighed as she ran her fingers over the virtual image of each dress, committing each one to her memory. They were all dazzling in their own way, infinitely amazing compared to the plain brown of her student clothes. She wanted to make the right choice, needed because this was the only time she would wear such fine clothes. Her Matching Banquet. A familiar uneasiness swirled around in her stomach before she forced it away, looking at another alluring design. Did she want a short dress which would show off her mile long legs? Or a strapless one which will accent her long neck and slender shoulders? She frowned, regretting how often she spent times with the boys. This would be so much easier if she had a female friend.
"Indie!" The redhead spun around to see a younger version of her standing at the doorway. Clair stood there, proudly with a huge smile on her face as she tipped back and forth on her heels. She was tall for a twelve year old. Her straight hair fell past her shoulders in a slightly tangled mess. Clair flashed Indie mischievous smile before looking at the Port screen. "Are you still looking at dresses?" She asked, leaning against the chair, blue eyes staring at the array of colors. "Blue? Indie, we see blue all day. It's so… plain."
"It's not plain." Indie muttered, absentmindedly clicked an image of a dress. "It's how you wear it. Oh that's pretty." She said, smiling slightly. The dress was gorgeous like many others. It had a crisscross pattern on the back with a bow at the lower back. The dress was dark blue and judging by the length it would fall a bit above the knees. It wasn't the exact shade of blue Indie would have liked but it was good enough. Clair stood beside silently as she made her choice, finalizing her decision. They sat there, staring at the Port's screen as a small circle spun in place, processing her input. It chimed and the words, 'order processed and approved' appeared on the screen. "Thank goodness," she sighed; tucking a bit of her amber locks behind her ear. She just made the deadline for the Matching banquet.
"That's what you get for procrastinating!" Clair exclaimed as she tugged her arm away from the Port and out of her room. "When it's my Matching Banquet, I already know what dress I want." She bragged as Indie followed her figure through the narrow hallway. Indie rolled her sapphire eyes as she watched her sister spin and dance. "I'm gonna have a deep green dress and my hair is going to be pulled up. I'm gonna eat pork chops, steam vegetables and chocolate cake!" Their mom looked up, amused by Clair's antics as her daughters sat down at the table. "And whoever my Match is, he's gonna love me at first sight.'
"I don't know, Clair-bear." Indie teased as she ruffled her sister's hair before sitting down beside her. "Almost 78% of teenagers who are Matched have some kind of youthful fling. And most of these occur within the year or so after matching." Indie recited, recalling the Official Matching material they read in class. Clair wiggled her nose and placed her hands over her ear, singing la-la-la over and over again. Indie traded glances with her mother before pulling her sister's scribe over. She tapped a few buttons before pulling up a typing game.
"Indie, you meanie! Don't ruin my fantasy!" She pouted, sticking her tongue out and pulling her scribe over. Indie chuckled and tucked a piece of Clair's vibrant hair behind her ear. Clair easily tapped out the answers. Indie watched silently, her knees pulled up as she rested her chin on top of it. She could feel her mom move behind them as Indie silently solve the puzzles with her sister. Her blue eyes slide close as she felt her mother's smooth fingers through her hair.
"Did you choose your dress?" She asked, running her fingers through Indie's knotted locks. The young woman nodded her head, fiddling with her own lock of hair. "Are you nervous, sweetie?" Indie bit her lip, tempted to recite another silly statistic from the Official Matching material but resisted when she saw how misty her mom's eyes were.
"Just a bit." Indie admitted as she placed her hand on her chest, feeling the rhythmic beats against her hand. The Matching Banquet marked a significant part of her life. The society finally recognized her as an adult. Indie smiled at the thought of meaning her Match and maybe starting a family in the not-so-distant future. It was exciting and nerve racking at the same time.
"Everyone one is. Abraham and Lincoln will be there also." Indie smiled at the thought of her two best friends or as the borough called them, her boys.
"They're not getting rid of me that easily." She said, placing her legs down when Clair finally finished her puzzles. The twelve year old flashed a triumph smile and showed off her scores. Almost perfect. "Ok, little fish, it's my turn." Indie said as she tickled her sister's side before pulling the scribe over; about to start the game until their dad appeared at the door.
"I'll get her, boys." He said to whoever he was speaking to before turning towards them. A huge smile brightened up his unshaven face as he looked at his girls. "Indie, your boys are here." He announced as he wrapped an arm around his wife's waist, kissing her cheek. Their dad was tall with dark brown hair and soft blue eyes. He had broad shoulders and solid muscles underneath his blue plainclothes. Clair jumped up; eagerly give her father a hug as Indie stood up to peek outside. Through the window, she could see two shadows speaking to each other. "I swear those boys were only this tall a year or so ago. They like trees now." He swore, pulling Indie into a warm hug. She could smell the scent of the sea and salt on his clothes. "Go on, they look lonely without you."
"They're just bored easily." Indie whispered back before smiling up at him. Clair looked displeased as she moved to the closet to retrieve her brown coat. "Don't give me that look, Clair-bear. You know it is tradition." Indie and the boys would always go to the Game Center every Friday to play games before taking a walk around the town. "I promise tomorrow we will hang out. We can talk about my dress and fantasize about my Match. I would even let you play with my hair." Clair giggled, knowing how much Indie hated messing around with her hair. "Alright, I'll be home by curfew." She told her parents before heading out.
"Took you long enough, Holt." Lincoln muttered as he stood up from his lax position. Lincoln was the 'older' twin by only a few minutes. He had long black hair which he tied back with a piece of string. His sharp brown eyes followed Indie's movements as she pulled her jacket on. A small lazy smile appeared on his mouth as he noticed how her plainclothes fell over her form. Indie's eyes narrowed when she noticed her friend's glances. "Some days I forget you're a girl." She rolled her eyes at his comment, unconsciously pulling her coat closer before turning towards Abraham. "Let's go, I want to beat your score." He whispered into her ear, sending slight shivers down her spine.
"Not likely." She replied back before heading towards the Game Center. "How do you live with him, Abe?" Abraham was the more reserve 'younger' twin. He was quiet but sweet with short hair, bright brown eyes and infectious but rare smiles. Both twins were tall, their last predicted growth spurt a few months ago. Unlike Indie and Lincoln, Abraham wore blue plainclothes instead of brown. The tiny fishery insignia was printed on his left sleeve. Abraham had a bit more bulk than Lincoln from hours of pulling up nets of fish. Indie and Lincoln were still in Second School, with various trips to the docks. They were training to be captains of fishing boats or something of that sort. No real permanent positions yet.
"I shared a womb with him. At least out here, there's room to breathe." The three of them burst out laughing as they dodged a group of giggly girls their age. Lincoln winked at a few who blushed bright red. Indie ignored the obviously glares from the girls. She has grown used to them since the beginning of Second School where they finally noticed how cute Abraham and how attractive Lincoln has become. Indie has never connected well with the girls in the borough. With the boys, it was just easier. "Anyways Linc, why are you so obsessed with beating Indie's score?"
"She promised me back in First School." Indie wiggled her nose, frowned at the memory. The Game Center was packed so the trio decided to wait outside on a bench. Indie leaned against the railing, feeling the salty spray of the sea against her face as the boys talked behind her. "I need to finish my collection before the Matching." She could feel Lincoln as he leaned beside her. The heat for his arm felt like a furnace against her arm. "I've kissed all the girls in our grade but you, sweetheart." She gave him a look and leaned towards Abraham for comfort.
"You're a pig." She said, poking his arm. She dodged his attempt to pull her into a hug as she danced around Abraham, using him as a shield. The three of them laughed, echoing through the city. It was so easy for Indie to pretending things were normal. That they will stay normal even after the Matching.
X.
"Scared?" Xander Carrow looked pass his reflection to see his older brother standing at the door of his room. Tannen looked so different than a year ago when he first left. His blond hair was much short than his usual style. His azure eyes were sharp, constantly looking around for something out of the ordinary. He gave him a tentative smile before focusing on tying a skinny black tie around his neck. "This place hasn't changed at all." He said as he stepped in, sitting on my bed.
"A year isn't a long time.' Xander said as he studied the instructions. His tie looked nothing like the knot on the Port screen. A rough chuckle escaped Tannen's mouth as he stood up to help his young brother. "Look at this, I'm shaking." He muttered, holding his hand out as Tannen unraveled the mess. "I've never been this nervous before." A reassuring smile grew on his brother's face. Xander looked very handsome in his black jacket and slacks. His blond hair was trimmed neatly with only a few stray bangs falling over his blue eyes.
"I know, what happened to my cool suave little brother?" Tannen teased as he finally unknotted the mess. "I was too, little bro. I think I was shaking even more than you if that's possible. But when Jules appeared on the screen and smiled at me, I knew it was going to be ok." Tannen looked up and Xander could see how much his brother's Match meant to him. Xander has spoken to the girl once or twice before via the ports. She was a sweet quiet girl from Central with fair skin and light blonde hair. Whenever she blushed, it would start at her ears and her face would resemble a tomato. "It's good, reassuring, knowing that there is someone out there for you, Xander. Only you."
Xander nodded his head and thought about his next words. Even though Tannen was his brother, he was also an Official. Xander couldn't tell him he already loved someone, already found his Match. "It must be." He said instead, once his brother tightened the tie and smoothed his lapels down. Xander looked at his reflection and smiled. "Hey, now I look less like a train wreck." They laughed and it felt good, unstrained, like it hasn't been a year since they've seen each other in the flesh. The door creaked open and they both turned to see their mother. She looked proud, studying both of her sons. "Hi, Mom." Xander greeted, giving her a reassuring smile as they stood side-by-side.
"Aren't you a handsome boy, Xander?" She said, stepping up to run her fingers through his hair. She was a head shorter than him. Xander actually stood eye level to his brother. She ran her fingers over his cheek, tracing the lines of his face. "Oh my baby boy."
"Ready, son?" Xander's dad asked as he stood there, holding their coats in his hand. Xander nodded his head, despite feeling unprepared, unable to say anything right now.
"Hey," Ky said as he sat down beside Xander. Dinner was just cleared out and everyone was moving to set up the screening. He looked fine-looking in his brown jacket with no tie. His black hair was swept back, revealing his bright blue eyes. Xander smirked at his best friend, trying to disguise the uneasiness. The feeling was starting to pool at the bottom of his stomach. "The food was good. Worth starving for." Xander chuckled, trying to recall the sweet taste of the moist chocolate cake and the tenderness of the roast meat they just consumed. But right now, all he could feel was sick with nerves. "Are you sure you're ok?" Ky asked as he bumped his friend's shoulder before slipping his hands into his pocket, feeling the smooth face of his Artifact.
"How are you ok?" Xander asked instead of answering, fingering the silver cuff links his father gave him. He straightened up when the Matching Official took the stage, ready to read the names of the girls. The boys were forced to sit and wait until their image appeared on the screen. Xander tapped his foot against the tiled floor, into with the Society Anthem, trying to work out his jitters. Ky shrugged his shoulders, leaning comfortably in his seat before looking across the room, towards the girls. Xander followed his gaze and sighed, noticing their eyes both fell on the same girl.
Cassia looked stunning in her green dress. She stood out from the typical pinks, yellows and reds. Her hair was tied up in a fancy up-do with a few strands kissing her beautiful face. She and Em were sitting together, giggling at some little joke. It was reassuring and frightening that Cassia was at their Matching Banquet. It meant that maybe she could be Matched with one of them. Maybe she was Xander's match.
"She looks beautiful." Ky whispered, breaking Xander's train of thought. Xander nodded his head. Cassia has always been stunning with her copper brown hair and green eyes. She always stood out from the rest. Ky loves her too. They both loved her since they were younger. It was easy to love her but right now Cassia could be anyone's match. "Of course I'm nervous, Xander. But I'm more nervous for her." Xander couldn't say the same. He was nervous but mostly for himself. Instead of looking into Ky's intense gaze, he turned towards the screen just as a red head stepped up to the stage.
He blinked; curiosity evident in his eyes as he leaned forward to watch the Matching. Just about every boy in the room did. The girl was beautiful from a distant as she moved with grace. She lived in Sonoma, the province near the ocean and rivers. Her dress was beautiful, hugging her natural figure nicely. The midnight blue contrasted pleasantly against her tan skin. The folds of the dress fell like water over her legs as she moved with confidence. She turned her head just so, looking into the camera with dark mysterious blue eyes. Her flaming red hair cascaded down her shoulders in waves, hugging her face. But what drew everyone in wasn't her figure or natural beauty; it was the way she smiled. A bright unreserved smile that lit up her whole face, making her looks simply more dazzling.
"Indie Holt." The Official in Sonoma spoke through the speakers. Everyone in City Hall knew the stunning girl was going to be matched with someone in Oria. That was why they were witnessing this Matching. Indie looked unafraid as she placed her hand on the tablet, allowing it to scan her DNA, finalizing her match. Xander sucked in a breath, wondering who this pretty girl would be paired with. Would it be Lon? Or Ky? Or even… "Your match is Xander Carrow!"
Xander froze, eyes widening as he sat there stunned. Ky nudged his leg and the boy stood up, walking cautiously as he looked at his own face on the screen. The photo was of him, smiling from a Second School photograph. He looked happy, sure of himself. Where are you now? Xander thought as he nearly tripped up the stage to accept his silver box. Xander tried to disguise his disappointment as nervousness when he looked at the screen where Indie was. She gave him a piercing stare like she was looking through his soul, like she knew he didn't want to be her Match or anyone else's. Just Cassia's.
Stop it, Xander. He chastised himself before smiling, almost looking like himself in the photo and gave her a little wave. Indie giggled on the other side and waved back before she was handed a silver box. A small smile played on her lips as she accepted it. Keep smiling, he told himself as he accepted an identical box with a mircocard.
I.
Indie slouched in her bed as she ran her fingers over the rough lines of her leather bracelet. Her bright eyes were distant as she sat there, thinking, waiting for the call every girl in her province was excited for. Clenched in her fingers were sheets of paper with scribbled facts about her Matched. Xander Carrow, Indie read, tracing each printed letter with her eyes. She has read over the small list of facts maybe a hundred times, committing each fact to memory. Favorite activity: swimming and card games. Projected occupation: Official. Favorite color: blue. Indie paused over the letters. Blue… she thought, as she looked at the black Port screen, recalling another boy whose favorite color was blue too.
"You were pretty banged up, Indie." Lincoln noted as they headed back from the dock. The sun was already setting, low on the horizon casting huge shadows from the building. Indie didn't reply as she rubbed her shoulder where she hit it sharply. She was spacing out today. She never space out. Sighing, Indie reached into her pocket where the printed message sat which caused her distraction. It was an official notification from the Matching Organization that her first port-to-port conversation with Xander was today. She hated how that small little fact threw her whole focus off today. "What's wrong?"
"I'm supposed to have my first port-to-port with Xander today." Indie said as she pulled her flaming red hair free from its ponytail, running her fingers through the tangled locks. "I don't know if I would be happy or sad if I was late for it. We came in much later than usual." The seas were rough today, tossing and turning the tiny fishing boat they were piloting. They were thrown way off course and it took nearly three hours to find their bearings. Lincoln studied her profile as a piece of hair slipped into her face. He wordlessly reached forward and tucked the strand behind her ear. "Thanks, how was your first port-to-port?"
"Hadn't had it yet." He replied, tucking his hands in his pocket. "Truthfully, I haven't even read her mircocard." Indie spun around, eying her friend. The last sunrays danced across his handsome features as he stopped, looking at her. "I'm not Abe." Abraham was like every other Matched. He printed out a photo of the girl, a petite brunette with a small mouth and big eyes, and memorized almost every one of her facts. Indie has read Xander's information over and over again like a studious kid.
"I know you're not Abe." Indie whispered. She knew the difference between the two even when they resembled each other. Lincoln was always bolder, brasher and stood out more than Abe. He had a certain way he walked, talked and smiled. He was simply Lincoln. "Why don't you look at her data? She's your Match."
"No," Lincoln said in a soft voice, touching Indie's left hand. She turned but allowed the boy to pull her towards the shadows. The two leaned against the building. Indie was waiting for Lincoln's next move as he gazed out into the water. "What's my favorite color?" He asked.
"Easy. Blue." Indie replied instantly without thought. Lincoln smiled, reaching over and pulling out a leather cord he twisted into a bracelet. It was made of different cords of leather which were littered across the various boats they piloted. Indie looked at the bracelet, awed by the amount of time and work Lincoln put into it.
"Do you know why?" He asked, stepping in front of her and taking her right hand in his larger ones. Indie didn't struggle, trusting Lincoln as he twisted the fragile piece of fabric around her thin wrist. Indie shook her head, never truly wondering why his favorite color was blue. She just knew it was. Lincoln leaned in close, his breath lightly fanning her face. He was close. Closer than he should be but Lincoln was never one to follow rules. Indie stared into his dark brown eyes, blue eyes full of depth and emotions. "I like, no love blue because it's the color of your eyes. An alluring shade of blue that drew me in and never let me go." Indie opened her mouth, about to say something until Lincoln slanted his mouth against hers, stealing her breath.
*beep beep beep* Indie blinked out of her memory by the sound of the Port call. She lunged towards her desk where the Port screen was blinking. Pressing her fingers on the button, she quickly smoothed her hair down, hoping she didn't look too disorder. She smiled just as the screen lit up, revealing a young man dressed in white. "Hello," she greeted, trying to hide her disappointment.
"Evening, Ms. Holt." The man greeted stiffly. "As you know this is your first port-to-port conversation with your Match, Xander Carrow. This conversation and any future contact will be monitored. Do you understand?" She nodded her head, calming her heart as the man smiled. "Have a nice conversation."
"Thank you," Indie said just as the man disappeared. She sat there, running her fingers through her red hair and look at the bland walls of her room. "What is the first thing you should say to your Match?" Indie wondered, leaning her cheek against her left hand as she placed with a printed picture of one of the Hundreds paints.
"'Hi' would be a nice start." A deep voice said causing Indie to jump. She turned to see Xander sitting across from her, smiling through the screen. He looked good, maybe even better than the Match Banquet. He seemed relax in his plainclothes, brown like Indie's. His blond hairs were sticking up like he ran his fingers through it multiple times. "That's how I usually start."
"Because you have so many Matches," Indie teased back, smiling a bit as he shrugged his shoulders. "Also, your hair is sticking up." Xander jumped, patting his head as Indie chuckled into her hand. He looked adorable, fumbling with his hair. "This is much better than just a simple 'hi'. I'm Indie." She said, twisting her finger around a bit of her hair.
"I know." He replied, sitting back and pulling his hand away from his hair. "Now what's my name?"
"Hmm… now what was it again?" Xander wiggled his nose remind Indie of Clair. "Xavier? Nah, that's not right. Oh don't pout like that, Xander. Of course I know your name. You're too charming for you own good." Xander tilted his head, blue eyes sparkling, amused by the girl in front of him. "87% of your classmates look up to you? That's quite impressive." Xander chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "I don't even think that many know my name."
"Indie, don't sell yourself short. Top 10 percentile of boat pilots in your class. An amazing swimmer. A candidate to become an air pilot. An amazing sense of humor."
"That wasn't on the mircocard." Indie said, smiling despite it. Xander shrugged his shoulders, grinning. "Yours should have said big flirt. How do girls resist you?" Indie finally felt the butterflies leave her stomach. Speaking to Xander reminded her of speaking to Lincoln. She paused, remembering what happened between her and Lincoln. Xander blushed at the compliment. "What's your fastest lap time?" Trying to focus on the boy in front of her, her Match.
"Lap?" Xander echoed, tilting his head.
"Swimming? You do time yourselves in Oria?"
"Not very often but when we do, I'm about 25 secs. You?"
"We swim in the ocean in Sonoma. It's something all of us learned when we were younger, helps us in the near future of playing on boats. I can swim a 24 seconds. Beat ya." Xander rolled his eyes and Indie giggled. "When you visit, you have to see the sea, taste the salt and feel the warm sun against your skin. You would love it."
"How would you know? We're only spoken for a few minutes."
"Not many hate the sea and you don't seem like one." He smiled and Indie felt calm. She rested her head against her arm. "Tell me about your friends." Xander straightened up, confused by her request. "I feel like I'm doing all the talking and I want to know more about you. Something that's not on the mircocard. Here's mine, the only friends I have are guys. Two twin boys who lived a few houses down. I could never connect with the girls. Aren't I sad?"
"No, you're not. You're just different." Xander confessed. "I have many friends but the ones I'm really close to are Ky and Cassia. Ky is more than he seems. He holds himself back. I know he could be better but he doesn't. It frustrates me but I think I know why he does it." Indie listened silently, noting how similar Ky seemed to Abraham. "Cassia…" Indie looked up at how Xander's voice softened at the girl's name. He wasn't look at her now. He was staring at his hands, lost in his thoughts. "She's different like you. She loves history and reading, especially the poems. She loves nature." Xander paused for a split second before continuing. "She's Ky's match." And you love her. Indie connected, feeling lost.
"Aren't they lucky?" Indie said, trying to hide the hurt in her words. "Aren't they lucky…?"