Stories I Will Never Write

Mismarked

Summary

Aye is at the bottom of the caste system. When she was born, she was Distributed to this level based on her IQ potential.

She's always known she doesn't belong.

Gellenita is at the top of the caste system. When she was born, she was Distributed to this level based on her IQ potential.

She's always known she doesn't belong.

The identical twins were mismarked at birth. The mistake has been corrected now, when they're sixteen. They are both where they belong now.

Or are they? Aye struggles to kick back and enjoy the easy life as a pampered rich girl while Gellenita has to learn servanthood with the same ones that served her. Both long for their original homes. When they meet unexpectedly, they decide to switch back secretly. But this decision may be the most dangerous one yet when they discover a secret the world hasn't been aware of for centuries...

1. Aye

I'm helping my mom with the dishes when there's a knock on the door. Immediately, my mom and I stiffen. Knocks always mean something official. Official is always bad. Normally, friends either walk in or yell to ask for entrance. My mom walks across the room and pulls open the door. I glance over my shoulder and get a glimpse of dark green uniforms. Fear clenches my stomach. Did my parents forget to pay taxes this month? Or maybe there's a new law that applies to us.

"May we come in?" they ask. At least they asked. I resume washing dishes as I hear their polished boots on the dirt floor.

"Would you like to sit?" I can imagine my mom gesturing to the old couch covered by a dusty sun-bleached blanket.

"No, thank you." The same one speaks again. I resist the urge to turn around. It's best if they don't notice me any more than they already have. "Does miss Aye Gelden live here?"

I turn at my name. My mom and I share a surprised look.

"I'm Aye," I tell them.

They both turn to me. "When each child is born, he is taken to a testing center where his potential IQ is tested. Then he is Distributed to the Level that corresponds with that result. You were Distributed into the lowest Level. You know this?"

I nod. Everyone knows that. It's almost as if you're born knowing it.

"You were born with another, a twin. Somehow your paperwork got switched. We are extremely sorry for the inconvenience. Now it is time to Redistribute you, Miss Gelden, to your true Level."

"Which Level is that?" I ask, still trying to process what he said. I'm in the wrong Level? I have a twin? I knew I was smarter than most because I went through the workbooks twice as fast as the other students.

"The Level of Monarch."

I actually laugh at that. I can't be in Monarch. If there's one thing I know, it's that I don't belong in Monarch.

"You have ten minutes to gather your possessions and say goodbye, miss."

"What? I have to leave now?" I can't leave now. I still have to finish everything. At least I have to say goodbye to my dad and brother, who are working right now.

"Yes, miss. You might want to start right now."

"You can't just take my daughter like that," my mom objects.

He turns to her. "First of all, she is not rightfully, nor legally your daughter. Second, I can take her. She belongs to another family. Maybe your family will get her twin." He's curt with her. I realize he's been showing me more respect than to her. He turns to me. "Miss, if you don't want to bring anything, you don't have to. You don't need clothes. Are there any sentimental things you would like to bring?"