Sector 7

12:00

"Pencils down and any remaining tests come up to me." The Count called. We stood up and left in a single file, with Juith and I taking up the back end. When we exited the building, we made our way to the main tunnel that would lead to the apartments. As we arrived in the main tunnel, Juith came up beside me.

"Are you going to talk to Circuit?" She whispered excitedly in my ear.

"Wha-oh. Oh, yeah." I nodded, still feeling numb about the whole subject.

She sighed dramatically. "I would love to have a boy dote on me like that. I used to be envied in my Sector for my beauty. Of course, my sister isn't considered the prettiest in her Sector, which I find terribly unfair because I think she beats me in beauty any day."

I took a double-take at her words. "Her Sector?" I inquired.

She paled and her eyes widened. "Nevermind. But you an-"

I stopped Juith, both physically and verbally. "Juith, is your sister from another Sector?"

She shook her head. "No."

"Juith. Is she from another Sector?" I glared at her.

She gulped before nodding slowly. "But you can't tell anyone! No one should know, not even me! You see, my parents are poor. Like, it's not even funny how poor we are. So when it turns out I was a twin, you can see why they could only keep one." I nodded. "Anyways, the Count and Countess of Sector 5 were visiting and my father, who is rather important in Sector 8, tried to sell one or both of us off. I've always been told it was for our best interest. But they refused until my sister held the Countess's finger. She was enamored with her big blue eyes and her cheery smile. She managed to convince her husband to adopt, and now my older sister is well on her way to marry and become the next Countess of Sector 5." She sighed sadly. "It's really quite thrilling and she visits as often as possible."

My mind traveled back in time to that October morning with Thesel. That signal. That was a Sector 5 signal! Juith's sister was the one I caught that morning! I gasped at my revelation.

"Juith, when was the last time your sister visited?" I questioned, still calculating everything in my head. It all added up!

She thought for a second before replying. "The last time Imogen snuck in to see me was the day of the Slate announcement."

"Juith! I saw your sister!" I all but shouted.

Her eyes widened and her jaw dropped. "Really?! Did you see Imogen? Imogen Aguecheek, I mean, Blenkinsop?"

"Well, I didn't actually see her see her. It was just, during that day, I picked up the Signal coming from her Chaser watch. I wanted to talk to her about illegal Sector-crossing, but I guess now I can go to you about that."

She smiled slightly. "Yeah, I guess you can." She looked up and added. "We should probably get going."

I followed her gaze and saw that the tunnel was practically deserted. I gave a weak laugh. "Yeah, we should. I'd love to talk to you about this sometime."

She nodded. "Me too, sister." We hugged and she went on ahead.

I took a few deep breaths, trying to clear the headrush that came with all this new information I learned. When I finally was even remotely calm, I started the walk to the apartment. I had just reached the doorknob when a hand grabbed my arm. I turned to see Ajax looking at me both guilty and worried at the same time. I was honestly relieved to see him there.

"Hi." I blinked.

"Hi." He replied. "I-I wanted to talk to you."

I nodded. "So do I."

"Really? I mean ok." He took a deep breath. "Can I go first perhaps?" I gestured for him to go ahead. He nodded. "Look I'm really sorry about last night. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable or put you on the spot like that. I don't even know what I was thinking. I know you won't forgive me so, I'll just go."

As he turned away, it was my turn to grab his arm. "Ajax, I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have said no. It's just I was so scared if something were to happen to one of us," I paused.

"It's fine, honestly. You have the right to say no." He tried to justify but I shook my head.

"No, I love you Ajax and I shouldn't let the Slate make me afraid." I took a sharp breath before saying what has been on my mind since last night. "Yes, I will marry you, Ajax Bona."

It appeared I might have winded him, for he started gasping for breath. "R-really? You, you, you mean it?"

I nodded, a smile plastered on my face. "I really do mean it, AJ. I love you."

His smile only grew. "I love you, so, so much Del." He picked me up and spun me around. "Oh, you've made me the happiest man alive."

And with that, he kissed me and I have never felt more in love like I did in that moment.