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Chapter Twelve

[Autumn]

I flopped onto my bed, straining the mattress springs. My whole body aches from the hardcore training. These Frays really meant business. 

I groaned as I ran my fingers through my hair, trying in vain to straighten it out. 

Jay walked in, setting a small, black bag near her bed.

"Haven't see you in a while." I managed to say. "Where have you been?"

"Doing some important business." She snapped, but her cold  expression soon softened, a smug grin appearing  on her face. "How was your first day of Fray Sector training?"

I groaned at the thought. "Horrible."

Jay chuckled. "I know, it's bad at first, but you'll get used to it. I've been doing it for years! However, I don't plan to get my license."

I sat up with a start, I thought Jay's dream was to be an Outside operative! "Why not?" 

"Don't get me wrong, Fray Sector is fine, but they have a bunch of very...interesting rules. I mean, by the age of 17, you have to become a Fray Sector warrior. I don't want to go fight unknown creatures in the forest." I looked over and saw Jay clench her fists. 

"I just want to live a life in which I can choose what I want to do, not the leaders. The Fray Sector leaders are far better than the Aggregate ones, but they're still leaders who dictate how you live your life." 

She slumped on her bed and looked up at me. "You know?"

I nodded, even though I couldn't really know. 

Blenders in the Aggregate who didn't choose to turn to crime were treated like normal citizens, with the same rights as one another, even though we didn't have the same things as the Specials. It felt fair, and it felt right. 

We didn't have to worry about being forced to sign up for the Army unless we volunteered. Most of the Aggregate military consisted of robots anyway.

"So, when will you tell me where you've been?" I asked.

"When you're ready." Jay said quietly.

Genni walked in, her light blue hair wrapped in a loose bun. She was carrying a small, light orange piece of paper.

Jay looked at it, and her eyes widened.

"Okay, tonight instead of milling around our rooms, we will be attending a Fray Sector party at the leaders' building. It's to celebrate the arrival of two newbies....and you and Layla." Genni turned her attention to me. "You should meet Natalia at the jewelry market, now."

I sat up, still sore, and nodded. "See you guys at the party?"

"We would't miss it for the world." Genni smiled, and Jay nodded. "Celebrations here are as rare as pink sheep."

*****

I never really looked good in dresses, but today was certainly an exception. After giving me a lovely lilac dress to wear, Natalia had curled my wavy, black hair, and cleaned my fingernails. She handed me a pair of matching flats. 

"I thought that this would look great on you." Natalia said softly. I smiled.

I walked over to a mirror just as Zia, the jewelry owner's daughter, walked in with Layla, who was styling a long, floor-length dress the color of her eyes.

Her red hair was in a tight bun, and I was surprised.

Layla never wore her hair up, unless it was a special occasion, and there aren't very many of those when you're a Blender thief running from Specials all the time.