Consequences

Chapter 1

"Come on Tyler," Jordyn taunts, grinning, her blonde hair flying into her face as she looks over her shoulder at me.

Breathing hard, I glare at her and put on an extra burst of speed, making it to the steps of the Task Office a second before she does. "Left you in the dust, McAllister, as usual."

Jordyn just laughs. "I'll get you next time Ty."

I smirk. "Doubt it."

Slinging my arm over her shoulders, she wraps hers around my waist, me being substantially taller than her. Together we walk into the office and each grab a number from the roll sitting on the Task Official's desk, before sitting down in the waiting area.

I sit on an uncomfortable chair, while Jordyn chooses to plunk herself down on the carpet beside me. We both look around.

The Task Office is built in a modern style, not unlike the buildings Jordyn and I are used to for School and Social Hours. Everything around us is traditional colours, white, grey, and black, and all furniture is made of the shiniest metal our Crafters have. The room is 100% sterile, and everything is polished to perfection, with the exception of the dust Jordyn and I tracked in mere moments ago. Even as I watch, a Cleaner enters and removes any evidence of our entrance.

Jordyn and I look at each other, then down at ourselves.

   My best friend is wearing the mandatory female uniform for our age group, and I the male equivalent.

   Her top half is covered by a white, high collared, three quarter sleeve blouse. Females under the age of 16 are strictly forbidden to wear any clothing flattering their curves, and any sleeves shorter than elbow length are considered immodest in the eyes of our Council. Jordyn also wears a grey, knee-length skirt, and high socks that are slowly slipping down her ankles. Her hair is falling out of the elastic holding it in a ponytail, the under-16's hairstyle. Tomorrow, when we both turn 16, she will begin wearing it in a tight bun, the more adult fashion.

As for me, my uniform is pretty plain. My shirt is a white, short sleeve polo, paired with loose fitting grey shorts. My brown hair is fairly short, with a couple of tufts that refuse to be combed down with the rest of my hair.

Both Jordyn and I have black, high ankle, slip on shoes, and our uniforms are coated in dust and sweat from the heat outside. 

 I can feel the disapproving stare of the Task Official on us, me on my chair and Jordyn, who is still plopped on the floor.

"Jordyn McAllister and Tyler Ward," the stern looking official says loudy. "Please come to the front of the room."

I can't help but watch her red lipsticked mouth move around the words. It seems like she enunciates every letter in our names.

Jordyn and I stand and walk slowly to the desk where the Official waits for us.

"Fingerprints, please."

I press my first finger into the sensor in the desk, and watch as the computer blips and processes my identity.

She pulls out two forms from a shiny metal drawer and hands them to us, along with two black pens.

"Please fill these out with your personal information and return them to me."

"Why do we have to fill out forms?" Jordyn asks. "The sensor already took all of our information."

"It's a formality," the Official answers.

I begin to complete the paperwork right there on the desk in front of the lady, Jordyn doing the same, but the woman glares at us.