“I… I love you, Hal. I will always love you. I loved you ever since I met you.”

Hallie, sitting on the boardwalk beside Madison, looked up. “I can’t believe that the feeling is mutual…” she smiled sweetly. “I love you too, Madison.”

“So what happens now? The Captial will never accept us, and we’ll be forced to marry boys we don’t care about.” Madison looked sadly at the water shimmering below them, glowing with the moonlight. She’d hoped to acheive something with her confession. Now the words had left her mouth. She no longer felt like she was holding in a growing tide, always pushing and splashing against the sides when she was with Hallie, but in releasing it, she was drowning in the worry someone would find out, and she would be condemned for loving a girl.

There was silence. Then Hallie said, “I haven’t been completely honest with you about my heritage, Maddy. I know a way for us to be together… if you can bound old wounds.”

“Wh-what do you mean?” Madison’s heart beat faster, both panicked and hopeful at once.

“I’m part of rebellion 13. If we succeed in our mission, equity will happen for both genders, and we can be together, forever. But… we have to overthrow the emperor. And I’ve stolen things, Maddy. I want you to know that. But it was small stuff- I promise. Just food.”

Madison was more focused about the first thing that came out of Hallie’s mouth. She stood up suddenly, her chest exploding. Weeks of trust and love for Hal built up now crashed down, the rubble leaving her with only mistrust. Clenching her fists, she struggled to push her next words out. “I can’t believe you just said that, Hallie. Really? After all we’ve been through? Now you spring this on me?? I thought you would… I can’t forgive your stupid rebels. They killed my mom. They killed my sister. The emperor didn’t. That’s why.” Hot, furious tears clouding her vision, she turned on her heel and started to walk away.

“Maddy, wait! Please!”

Madison took a few more steps before turning. “What.”

“I’m sorry! Please let me explain.”

“Um, sure, but it won’t change anything. Maybe if you’re lucky I won’t turn you in.”

“Maddy, the rebellion that your mother and sister were killed was not ours. That was rebellion 12.”

“So?”

“So we’re different people with different motives and different methods of getting to the public, ways that don’t include murder. Listen, Madison. We don’t kill. And it’s not like the emperor didn’t anything to help you when the murder happened.”

“I don’t know if I can trust you.” Madison wanted to run, but her legs were too weak. She just wanted to crash to the ground and cry. She looked up at Hallie. “I want to trust you. But I can’t.”

“Hey, it’s okay.” Hallie saw Madison crying and held out her arms. Knowing she shouldn’t, Madison couldn’t help but collapse on the ground and let Hallie wrap her arms around her. Hallie gently stroked her hair, and Madison let herself relax into Hal’s hug.

“Please, trust me,” Hallie whispered, a plead. Madison looked at her, and she looked back.

“I’ll try,” she whispered back. “I’ll join the rebellion and see if I can.”

Hallie leaned in close and her lips brushed Madison’s, just a bit. Madison’s eyes grew wide and she blushed. Hallie leaned back. “Thank you. I won’t let you down.” She smiled mischivously. “Let me introduce you to the others.”