They say that the two most important days of your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why. Some people spend their whole lives trying to figure out who they are and why they are here. For me, it was never really a choice.

“Amaria! We’ll be late for the choosing!” my mother scolded.

Ironically, they call it “the choosing” when we have never made a choice in our lives. This is the life I have endured for 18 years, but today, I will get a new life––whether I like it or not. This is all thanks to the LC199, a machine that is guaranteed to find the perfect life for you.

I make my way into the auditorium as the crowd sits silent and perfect. Most of my friends could not understand why I did not reveal that all my choices were made for me. I cannot blame them. When you spend your life believing that it is supposed to be a certain way, you never question things. Despite hating the machine for stripping me of my freedom, I sat down, trembling. It processed my information as I held my breath.

“Future found. Occupation: Head Chairlady.”

I froze in my seat. The crowd gasped. The last chairman was chosen 50 years ago, and never since. He was the only person who got to make decisions along with a few advisors. Now it was all up to me, the Head Chairlady.

The worst part is that I had no idea what todo with it.

            I distinctly heard the clock tower chime in the square, signifying the end of the workday. The townspeople moved in a line towards home, as guards lined up to keep everyone inside the borders, preventing them from escaping―a chance at free will. A life without choice. Without risks. Without true happiness.

            The door opened, snatching my attention as I saw Alex Diorman, an advisor who had escorted me here yesterday, entering my room.

Immediately, I said to her, “Free them.”

She stared, confused.

 “Free them,” I repeated, “The people. Tell them that they don’t have to do the jobs they were assigned by the LC199, which I want destroyed. They deserve to be free.”

I expected her to argue, but surprisingly, she grinned.

“Will you inform the rest of the council or proceed regardless of their votes? You have the power to make decisions without their input,” she reminded.

“This has to be done,” I replied confidently.

Many people did not know what to do with this new freedom. However, that was the beauty of the unknown. I resigned shortly after. I was not going to let anyone decide for me. They say that the two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why. I am ready to find out why.