And Life Goes On

Pretty Little Thing (5)

Sean's P.O.V
I promised myself I would never fall in love.

I intend to keep that promise.

But this girl sitting in front of me... she's gorgeous. She has these emerald colour eyes, and long, wavy brown hair. She was turning the heads of boys all around her when we were walking out the waiting room, but she didn't seem to notice.

After I left her at the Classroom, I went to read her files; find something that could make me hate her.

I didn't find anything. This girl has been tortured by her messed up boyfriend for two years. She was an accident in her family. She has a younger sister called Em who doesn't give a damn about her, even if they adored each other when they were kids. It just makes me want her even more.

I haven't loved anyone in twenty odd years. Loving people is what got me killed; it's what got Daniel killed.

It was working out for me just fine until a couple of hours ago.

To be honest, what I just told Jenna was true, but she seems to take it the wrong way. She gives me a strange look.

"I should have realised you were a player." She says. I'm confused for a minute.

"Oh no, Sweetie, not girls hearts." She looks at me, and I realise what she must be thinking. "I mean like... I've broken one girl's heart, and it didn't end well... I ended up breaking the hearts of my family... I'm straight, by the way. Nothing against gays, but I'm not one." She's silent for a minute, and then she bursts out laughing. I start laughing along with her, and for a few minutes, we're both in fits of laughter. A cough interrupts us.

"Oh, hey Ty." I say, standing up and giving him a fist bump.

"Hey, dude... who's this pretty little thing?" He replies, standing taking a few steps forward and looking Jenna up and down.

"Ty, Jenna. Jenna, Ty." Jenna extends a hand and Ty kisses it. I shake my head; Ty is such the ladies guy. Jenna starts blushing and I decide to interrupt. "Um, Ty is like the unofficial leader of the Keepers. He knows everyone. Great to have around."

"Awww, that's so nice of you to say, man. I'm touched." Ty replies sarcastically and he puts his hand on his heart. Jenna giggles. "Wait, is this the Jenna?"

"Yep." She says easily. 

"Wow, so you got pulled down the cliff?" Ty questions with curiosity, looking at Jenna in a different way now; with concern.

"Yeah." She replies, scratching the back of her head and looking down at the ground. 

"You know the entire population of Sky is buzzin bout you?"

"Shit." 

"We've really gotta sort out your cussing issue, Jenna." I say. She rolls her eyes.

"Fine. This is not the best thing in the world. Better?"

"Much."

Ty says, "So I just came to tell you that I'm askin around bout Jenna, but I may need some help. Do'yu mind if I steal Lauren? She said she needs to come back here. She your Script?"

"Yeah, but I'm not loving her at the moment." Jenna replies.

"Why not?"

"Uh... she just... um... she's kind of a bitch."  Jenna stutters, ending her sentence with a curt nod. 

"Jenna!" I yell, looking around to make sure no one else heard.

"Sorry! There's no other word!" she yells back, matching my tone exactly. 

"She gotta point, dude." Ty adds.

I sigh, "You can take Lauren, and I'll fill in for her. I was a Script last decade."

"Alright, man, thanks. Nice to meet you, Jenna." Ty starts to walk away, and sticks a hand up in a wave.

"You too." She replies. I turn to her and look at the papers in front of me. Lauren may be a pain, but she is the most organised person I know.

"Okay, where did you and Lauren get to?"

"Um... she was just telling me that I shouldn't have been pulled down that Cliff."

"Has she told you about the Keepers yet?"

"Uh... they guard the Cliff?"

"Good. Has she told you about life here?"

"Um... I don't think so."

"Okay, we'll start with that. So, everyone here has a specific job in Sky. You can be a Keeper, a Script, a Deliverer, a Frontrunner, a Cleaner, an Assigner or just part of the general maintenance team. Obviously, they have different rankings. When you're finished in the Classroom, you go to the desk just outside of here and the Assigner will give you your specially chosen job and you will keep that job for a year, before you either switch or keep the same job next year."

"Okay. So a Keeper guards the Cliff, a Script teaches the 'newbies' about life here, what do the rest do?"

"A deliverer is what I am now. I take 'newbies', as you called them, to the Classroom, and then to their room. Frontrunners are the people in charge, they make the laws and stuff- like the government. A Cleaner... well a Cleaner cleans, an Assigner works behind the desk and tells you what your occupation is. They're also in charge of the job system. The general maintenance team are just there to help things run smoothly."

"Okay... and Frontrunners pick the jobs?"

"Yep."

"So I could be a Cleaner?"

"Theoretically. But only if the Frontrunners think it would be right for you."
"Shi- I mean, oh."
"Yes. Anyway, everyone gets up at nine, start work at half past. You don't eat or drink here. The working day ends at five. Half Sky gets Tuesday and Wednesday off, half get Thursday and Friday off, because obviously, people commit suicide every day. You get told which days you have off at the desk. I think we're about done. Questions?"

"I don't think so. Will you come to the desk with me?"

"Yeah."