Vivid emerald green eyes stare at me through the lattice. Crinkling at the edge of the eyes lets me know that the owner is smiling. Everything fades away as we stare into each other's eyes through the small hole in the ivy covered lattice.

"Bella, are you listening?" my father asks, shocking me to attention. I think I hear a muffled masculine laugh from the other side of the ivy.

"Sorry Dad. I am listening now. Please continue with the wonders of growing banana squash," I say as I glance back at the now empty space at the lattice. My father is the one of the many gardeners in the village of Forks. Before the ending, he was a sheriff with a green thumb. That green thumb is what has ensured our safety since The Ending happened. Before I was born I am told the world was much different, much easier. Easier to find food, easier to communicate, easier to offend, and easier to kill. A push of a button could cause many things to happen. Push a button and reheat your food or push a button and start your car, or push a button and destroy the planet. All so easy. Life is not like that anymore. Everything is hard but if you work hard and you follow the rules you will be safe, at least in Forks. There are other villages where life is even more difficult.

"Bella! Stop daydreaming and listen! You know what will happen if you are caught not paying attention" my Dad warns.

"I know, I know, they will send me to the outer edge," I grimace. You see Forks is a large circle with the most important items and people the closest to the center. The center has our fields and our council. Without food or guidance we will not survive. If you are not productive or a disruption you are sent to the outer edge. Being on the edge is dangerous. If we are attacked those are the first to die. Nothing grows outside the circle either, that is why our fields are so cherished. The edge-dwellers get whatever is left and are not allowed into the inner circles of the village. After refocusing and learning as much as I can absorb about the amazing banana squash, I look past the lattice but any evidence of the owner of the green eyes is long gone. I follow my Dad to the meal hall and sit down next to the Webbers. Angela Webber is my age and also doing her career training.

"How is learning the wonders of cleaning the council chambers?" I ask.

Angela looks around and rolls her eyes once she sees no one is looking, "At least you get to be outside all day. I don't think I will ever stop smelling like vinegar."

"Girls, quiet!" Mr. Webber whispers and we continue our meal in silence. Dad and I head back to our lodging for the night, where I immediately climb into my bed and dream of green eyes.

Author's Note:

I am finally returning to writing after a super long hiatus. I have a few chapters of this written and hope to post once every two weeks on Mondays. Hopefully it will be a reason to look forward to Mondays!

Be kind and stay safe!