Blood Bank

Chapter 3

Monday had arrived quicker than usual.

Both of my parents were up this morning and already hating the day. They watched me come downstairs in a nice red pants suit with nude heels since I wore a white shirt under the jacket. Hair was protected under the closure sew-in Avery did for me the other day and I wore some simple dangling earrings and bracelet to match.

I did a spin for my parents as the watched me with pained expressions that honestly hurts my heart.

" If y'all keep making faces like that, you'll make me cry my eyeliner away. It's not waterproof." I fake
pouted, trying to bring the mood up just a little bit.

It didn't help.

" How can you joke at a time like this?" My dad said with furrowed brows. " This is a first for anyone in this household and your cracking jokes? Do this sound like a joke to you?"

It felt like it was hard to swallow. I wasn't tryna come off as rude to them. I just wanted them to think positive.

" I just wanted to lighten the mood..." I mumbled loud enough for him to hear and he sucked his teeth.

" Not everyone would be as happy as you to go and get shipped off to some demon or something. You must be excited about something like this, aren't you?" He argued and I couldn't find the strength to say something back without crying. I could never deal with my dad getting mad at me. My mom yelling? Yeah. It's her specialty when she's not being an emotional mess, but it was as rare as a solar eclipse until it involves nonhumans.

My mom nudged him hard as she got up and wrapped her arm around my body and I hugged her tight.

" I can't have them take you, sweetie." She mumbled into my hair.
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" It's just the interview mom. I might not even get selected so please don't worry okay? Irate seeing you cry." I told her as I pulled her back to look at her and she gave me a weak smile.

"You're more mature about the situation than me." I laugh half-heartedly and it made me feel a bit better before here the dreadful sound of our doorbell.

My father went up to open it and standing there was a brown-haired human boy with an array of freckles on his face.

" I'm here to pick up Amani. Is she ready?" He asked while keeping eye contact with my dad, who still wasn't too pleased about the situation.

"I let go of my mom and saying farewell before standing in visible sight behind my dad.

" I'm Amani and yes I'm ready to go," I told him as his eyes fixated on me and offered a sharp smile.

" Then we must go. Tardiness is not appropriate for the selection." He said as he stood to the side to let me go first. I gave my dad a quick bye and a peck on the cheek before scooting past him and out the door.

The freckled boy walked me to the all-black car with tinted windows and opened the door for me to get inside. I looked back at my house, seeing how my dad never moved from where he stood, but my mom moved up beside him, holding his hand.

I gave them one more smile before I got into the car and headed to this dreadful selection.
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The drive was quite long and I found myself going in and out of sleep before I felt the car stop and I adjusted myself back up in the seat. My side door opened and I casual stepped out to see a quarantine looking building in front of me. It was colored white with steel and it just looked like everything was sterile.

" Ms. Amani, follow the rest of the people who have arrived before us. Once inside, they will first check your person for anything that could be seen as deadly and once passing that you'll be instructed to take a photo for your reference file and then you'll wait until you're called for your interview. Do you understand?" He asked me and I nodded my head yes before thanking him for the ride and following the other group of people who walk inside.

It seemed like there were about 50 people here including myself. A different array of melanin, shapes, and sizes were pressed together in a single file line as we all were told to spread our arms and be pat-down for any weaponry.

We were all directed to another sanitary room a camera placed in the center with the occasional flash going off that made me tilt my head down.

While waiting in line, my mind could only beat a bit fast at the thought of how I'm really here. I looked around at the people in line and it was a plethora of emotions running across their faces. Some were angry because they probably hated nonhumans just as much as my dad. Some were upset to the point where tears are threatening to stream down their faces. There were others who looked apathetic to it all and then there was me. A human with mixed emotions and don't know how to feel at this point.

" Next person!" The photographer yelled, realizing I was next in line. I got in front of the camera and stood there. " Give me a smile." He instructs and I gave a fake smile before he quickly took the picture and smiled back. He gave me a number and told me that they'll call that number when they are ready for me.

I followed the people before out to the waiting room for the interview when I felt eyes stare down my back. They were heated and it made me want to take my jacket off just to relieve myself of the rising temperature.

I just ignore the heat on my back as I went out of the room and sat down in one of the chairs. I pulled my phone out of my pocket to check the time.

10:06

I wonder how long this process will take? I would rather be home in bed; my younger brothers trying to annoy me and my older sister just laughing about it all. My mom probably watching one of her shows and my dad just napping the day away.

All of that sounds like heaven to me and U would rather be there.

" Number 26!"

I looked down at my card and shot up to show that they were heard. They motioned need to follow them and I rushed to catch up since her stride was quite fast despite her small size. When I catch up to her, she started to speak.

" Once you go inside the interviewing room, you will be hooked up to a lie detector. You're supposed to be completely and utterly honest. We will know of any indications of hesitation, so it's best if your honest from beginning to end. You must answer all the questions that were asked before you can leave the room. You will be monitored by potential employers. You can't see them but they will be able to see you, so be on your best behavior." She turned around sharply in her heels, almost making me bump into her. " Do I make myself clear?"

The glint in her eyes made me worry if I did something wrong, what will happen? I just nodded my head yes before she gave me a tight-lipped smile before opening the door for me to enter.

I swallowed the lump in my throat before straightening my shoulders and walking in.