I run across the house in search of my bringt blue ceremony dress. Its the only dress i have ever, and will ever, get to pick. From the moment i saw it, i knew that when i faced my terrible fate, i would be wearing the dress. The way it hugged my body and flew from it below made all of the reason. I dash across the hall towards the closet and swing the doors, nearly running into Mae.
Sometimes i cant stand her, but i know she is the only one i will ever have. She is crying. "what's wrong?" i wisper, looking left and right for Robert and Leta to see us. If they see Mae crying they will beat the both of us. "Why?" she asks me. I dont understand. "what is it Mae?" Mae is seven, she wont have to face the Kreed Ceremony for years. "I love you." she swings her arms around my neck. I hesitate, but then hug her tightly back. "Arabella? Will i have you forever?" She doesnt know yet. She doesnt know what hapens to girls who are my age. My head falls. I cant look her in the eye. "no."
Her head falls just moments later. "oh."
"Listen Mae," I tuck my hand under her chin and lift her head. "im here now, so im not going anywere for six more hours." her head immedietly falls as I let go. I walk her to the couch. I feel the dust srround me as we sit on the unstable matress. "Do you know what happens to me today, Mae?" I want to tell her I have a small chance of seeing her again. She doesnt reply, her head still tucked to her chest. "Mae, today i have my Kreed ceremony." she finally lifts her head, a show of interest. "so?" she sasses me. "Mae, do you know what a Kreed ceremony is?" I giggle a bit at her ignorance. She doesnt reply, so i go on without an answer. "A Kreed Ceremony is when i have to go through a mental and phsycal challenge in The Center. I may not pass, and you know what that means." She still doesnt pick up her head. "Look at me Mae." she obeys my order. "Mae, the Centers arent nice people. They want to create a mental and physically fit nation. They think that if we Treaders cant do anything perfectly, we arent worthy of being part of that nation, and Mae, you ARE strong. And i belive for you. If i dont make it today, i will be looking down on you at your Kreed ceremony, and you will live." My head drops at those last words. i wisper, " you will live."
