Chapter 2470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0McpJk0rOf
Reed's POV
As we arrived at The Picking, my nerves started getting the best of me. I was sweating and playing with my fingers a lot. When we got out of the car, Henry whispered in my ear.470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkCdNqot673
"It'll be okay short stuff. Just breathe." I nodded, too nervous to reprimand him for the nickname. I took a huge breath in and out and it worked to some extent. It'll be okay. Just like he said.
We arrived and sat in our family area and Henry had to sit in his. When I followed where he went, he sat alone. Hmm, weird. But I won't ask him about it.
After a little while, and a bunch of whispers among people my age wondering who they will get with, an elder came up to the mic and tapped on it.
"Excuse me everyone." Elder Patricia said. "We are going to start The Picking now. When your name gets called, come up to the stage and stand with the person who gets called with you. We took our time looking at all your information and picked wisely. I hope you enjoy who we picked for you."
My eyes widened. Of course! They took all of our information. I-I should have came out to my mom. Maybe I would have gotten a guy. Or kicked out of the town. Breathe, I told myself.
Names started being called and my nerves picked up again. I looked back at Henry and he seemed neutral. He had no emotion on his face. I looked back at the stage.
"Georgie Wallis and Terry White."
Applause erupted around us and I started to clap to fit in. They were perfect for each other. Georgie was a rough gal and always ended up with a broken something and Terry was the good boy, and never did anything wrong. It was perfect.
More names and perfect couples started forming. It made me even more nervous.
"Henry Allens and Alicia Gonzalez."
I looked back at Henry as he stood up and went up to the stage and some brunette girl, who was short and had olive skin came up to the stage as well. She seemed nice enough.
I wish it was me470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtm6sVwjvuL
I'm happy for him. I smiled when our eyes met. I waved and he waved back nonchalantly. After a couple more names, it was finally me.470Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf96yi9eJxK
"Abby Grace and Reed Walters."
I stood up and looked at my mom. "That's my son!" She screamed. I chuckled and looked back at the stage. I walked up there and it seemed like slow motion. But soon, I was next to a beautiful young girl. She had long blonde hair and many freckles. She had a nice pale complexion and blue eyes, like the ocean.
But she wasn't a guy.
I looked over at her as we held hands and she looked like she was forcing a smile as well. But not as good as I could.
Afterwards, we settled in the group of the other couples. But suddenly, I was being pulled towards an empty room. It was Abby.
I stood awkwardly. "Uh hi?" I said, but it came out as a question. Suddenly she broke down crying. "Woah woah!" I exclaimed, rushing by her side.
"I can't do this. I'm sorry." She sobbed. My eyes lit up. "Why?" I asked, curious.
Her lips trembled. "Please don't hate me." I shook my head. "I won't." I said.
"I-I'm a lesbian. I like girls. I can't do this." She said. I let out a huge sigh of relief. And I giggled. I think Henry is rubbing off on me, cause I sound crazy.
"Y-you-re not mad?" She asked. I shook my head. "I'm gay." I said. Her eyes widened. And then we both burst out laughing. "Oh my god, they picked to gay kids to go together!" She exclaimed. I laughed even harder at that point.
After we calmed down, we both left the room, and went back to the group. I saw Henry and he looked bored. On the other hand, the girl who was paired up with him was talking her head off.
"So, what do we do now?" I whispered. She shrugged. Then I heard yelling.
"UGH YOU'RE SO RUDE. WHY WAS I PAIRED UP WITH YOU! UGHH" I heard a girl shout.
I looked and saw Henry. I gave him a look. "What? All I said was that she could have looked better than that." I glared at him while Abby laughed her head off.
"I like this chick. She's cool for laughing at that." I chuckled a little bit. "I'm Abby by the way." She introduced. "I'm Henry. So, you're stuck with this shorty?" He asked. I punched his arm.
She nodded. "But I-" She looked at me. I nodded. "I'm a lesbian." She whispered. He nodded. "We're all kind of gay here." Henry said, chuckling. I nodded in agreement. Abby only cocked her head.
"I'm bisexual." Henry said. She gave him an 'ohh' look.
We all started laughing and talking. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad. Thank god my pairing wasn't with a chick who actually wants me.
This wouldn't be so bad.
At least that's what I thought at first.
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