The first chapter went well, I guess.

Now, you must now, that all my stories are purely improvisional, meaning that I just make things up along the way (I'm explaining this

because apparently "improvisional" isn't a word).

So, wish me luck if this is to continue.

Disclaimer: "Matched" belongs to Ally Condie, and I own my thoughts . . . SO THERE.

.: continue :.

HERE IN THE DELTA PROVINCE, YOUR MARRIAGE DRESS IS THE SAME COLOR AS YOUR MATCH BANQUET DRESS, meaning that mine would be dark blue

again. Of course the dresses were different, because the Match Banquet dresses were lighter, frillish. The Marriage Celebration dress was more of a gown,

heavier. Today I had to wear a dark blue Marriage Gown to to be what was once called a "bride".

Once upon a time, brides would walk down the aisle, holding a bouquet of flowers to be married to whomever she chose. Like a fairy tale. Now, I would be

ushered up to a stage by Officials, empty handed, to be Matched with someone that the Society had given to me to "assure optimal results in the offspring". So

much for my happy ending.

I started a the back of the room, behind a velvet curtain. Through the curtain, Dalian and I's families were on separate sides of the aisle, with a few Officials

along the walls. I wish they still did the Celebrations in "chapels", with rainbow light filtering down from the old stained glass windows, also used as a house of

prayer before religions were disused. The Society did not want wars, like in the olden times when schisms happened all the time.

"Ready, Faye?" asked an Official.

I nodded.

The Officials at my sides opened the curtains, and walked me up the stage next to Dalian, who gave me a reassuring smile. I returned the gesture. Behind us,

on the wall, a port displayed a man's face. The Society got rid of priests along with religion. It used to be that the couple would say vows, then the big "I do",

but our Celebrations were short and curt, getting straight to the point.

"Dalian Wright," the unknown port man said," do you take Faye Harris as your Match, and wife?"

"I do."

"Faye Harris, do you take Dalian Wright as your Match, and husband?"

I wanted to say no. I wanted to yell to the world that this was wrong, I should be able to marry whoever I chose, and run outside in the free air, but, of

course, I wouldn't. The threat of citation and status change was enough to persuade anyone to say yes. But, I did hesitate before I said anything. And it was

evident that it had been noticed. One nearby Official narrowed her eyes and watched me closely.

"I . . . do."

The small audience clapped as the moment everyone was waiting for came.

Dalian swept me up and, just like that, I had my first kiss. I did not melt into it, or fight back, I just stood ,as I always have, silent.

We pulled apart as we were ushered to what would be our new home.

.:.:.

Because we had our Celebration in the Delta Province, we would reside there too. Our new home was in Woodgate Borough, were there were neat, brown,

fences plotting the property.

Dalian and I stood in front of our house. I amused myself with naming every flower in front of our window, because it kept my attention away from the small

crowd gathering to look at newlycelebrateds move into their home. But it did not work.

"Hello," says a light female voice behind me, "New?"

Dalian and I turn. In front of us was a woman, more of a girl actually, with blonde hair and green eyes. She hopped a little on her tiptoes, showing her

enthusiasm. The mood of the day instantly turned cheery.

"Yes," Dalian answers, "We just had our Celebration."

The girl hops up and down, "Really? I'm still too young to be Matched yet, but I'll be seventeen soon! By the way, I am Hatilie! My mother says I talk too much,

but I disagree, it just means I'm friendly, right? Being talkative isn't bad, right?"

I look at Dalian and he glances at me. Hatilie talked so fast I barely understood a word she just said.

"Yes?" Dalian says uncertainly.

"That's good!" Hatilie says, "Well, welcome to the Borough!"

"Thank you," I try, "My name is Faye."

"And I am Dalian."

"Okay! Well, I have free rec soon so I'm going to go now! Goodbye!" She runs off.

After a moment of silence, Dalian says, "Do you want to go inside?"

I nod. He steps up and opens the door for me, a gentlemanly gesture.

The inside of the house is typical. A buzzing port and trash disposal, a table, chairs, and doors leading into other rooms.

"I'm going to change out of this dress . . ," I say, hoping for alone time.

"Alright," he says understandingly, "I'll help the men outside with moving in the other stuff."

I slip into a bedroom and find most of the smaller belongings there already. I change back into black plainclothes. I'll have to return the gown later, but for now

it stays in the closet. Next to my silver box, I pick up my scrap of blue dress.

Remember those days?

No. I don't.

Okay, just to make things clear, I have NEVER read Crossed or Reached. If something I write is incorrect, remember that, folks.