A New Feeling

I just don't understand how no one else feels the way I do. For untold generations after genetic breakthroughs over a century ago, couples have been selected by the governing bodies based on genetic matching. They select partners based on the best outcome for the children they will bare. The idea was to enhance strong genetic traits and offset or counter weak ones, thus each successive offspring should be stronger and smarter and have a longer lifespan. While not perfect, the data shows that, for the most part, it is working. People are smarter than they were a century ago, are living longer and there is less illness and malady then there ever has been.

Everyone seems to be onboard with this and it is the norm in our world. No one seems to have an inkling otherwise, or feels the emotions I am so conflicted with right now.

When I started to have these feeling welling up within, I went to the local library to see if I could figure out what it was. The librarian didn't have any clue, but did suggest that I look into the distant past as they remembered learning about inner-turmoil that our long ago ancestors struggled with. I eventually found some old literature that described the concept of "love" in a variety of ways. Some claiming it is just the dumping of chemicles in our brain while others had much deeper meanings.

After reading as much as my brain was able to process, I pondered if this is what I was feeling? Am I experiencing a long forgotten emotion? Am I the only one?

I grew up next to her and we spent a lot of our youth playing around the neighborhood with the other kids. But there was something about her that fascinated me, I was drawn to her. She was vibrant and full of energy, and while I probably didn't recognize it as such when I was young, she was very beautiful. I came more to that realization the older we got. She had short white hair and soft features, but exhuded a sort of strength that not many have. She was always up for an adventure and could outdo the boys in any sports we played. We spent a lot of time together talking of adventures we wanted to go on. I always felt like it was where I was meant to be when I was with her.

We are now older and the time has come for our partners to be assigned to us. I had never met who was assigned to me as she live more than 500 miles away. I felt very uneasy. I didn't want to be with anyone other than my childhood friend. I think I was truly in love with her.

Without warning she burst through my bedroom door with a large bag in tow. "I got my partner assignment." She said almost out of breath. "But in that moment, all I could think about was you." Their was a feiry passion in her eyes. "Let's go on those adventures we always talked about."

TBC