When Challenging Perceptions

Log #8

ATTENTION: This is a Public Service Announcement from The Collective! We remind you once again that any unauthorized audio or video logs are not permitted in The Collective. Please report any unauthorized copies to the proper offices immediately if found. Penalties for not adhering to these guidelines include, but are not limited to, up to five years imprisonment and a fine of $30,000! Thank you!

*** *** ***

August 8, 2105, 10 AM

The alarm rings loudly in my ears. This is one of those rare moments where I am tired and don't want to wake up. However, if I know AI, there's no way they'd allow it. Even on an off day, they want us to be up and about. 

I get up and take a shower. The cool water is just what I need to wake me up. I take the time to think about everything that transpired yesterday, including my kiss with Jenna and what this means for the future. She asked if I could see her tomorrow, but I don't know what she meant by that. Then, I remembered that big challenge yesterday between the sexes. Did our team win or the women's? Well, I'm sure that the guys will either tell me about how we either crushed it or gripe about how unfair things were yesterday.

Once I finish showering, I put on jeans and a red short-sleeve shirt. Looking in the mirror, I see that my facial hair is starting to grow back in. Shaving it probably won't do much, so I'll leave it be for the time being.

When I walk down to the cafeteria, the guys are all smiles and gab. Several of them are laughing and toasting mugs of coffee and juice. Their plates are stacked with the usual breakfast fare, though only a few of them are focusing on enjoying their food. In short, things seem to have gone well in my absence.

"There he is!" Jason calls. "The resident romantic."

My face turns pink. "You don't have to say it like that."

"Oh, don't even try that. I saw your little PDA moment earlier. Have to say, she is quite the looker. So, do you plan on having her over later today? We won the challenge, so, any time you want her to pop by, you can without any trouble."

"Well, that remains to be seen."

Brian sits his coffee down. "Now, now. Give the man a breather. After all, the ladies are there to assist us. Abusing that wouldn't be fair."

"Oh, come on. You don't think the women wouldn't try the same thing if they were in our shoes?"

Brian and I were thinking the same thing: He does have a point. It's funny; even with everything we've achieved over the centuries regarding our technological advancements, we haven't changed. We are still instinctual creatures desiring companionship. That being said, what will Jenna and I do together today? 

Breakfast time quiets down after a while, mainly because everyone focuses on finishing their food. Looking around at all that we have here, I honestly wonder why anyone would want to leave to live in the Colonies. Even with all of the rules in place, I can't imagine anything unpleasant about this place.

Even Jason, who got in trouble before, enjoys himself like nothing happened. He isn't even wearing The Collective's Watch anymore. I guess that was also his reward for winning yesterday's festivities. It appears that for the most part, everything is back to normal.

Once breakfast concludes, most of the men start to head outside to enjoy the weather, maybe even arrange to have company over later. All in all, that sounds like a good idea. I want to check on Jenna to make sure she is doing okay.

I start to make my way back to my room. Once inside, I go to call Jenna; however, there's no answer, which I find odd. I figured she would have been all too happy to return my call and chat up a storm. Did yesterday's kiss repulse her that much? No, that can't be it. Perhaps she is just busy today.