Red Spider Lilies [TPN]

Chapter 8

"You know, I don't think it can get worse than this." I say chewing on my straw. "They took Norman, the kids look so sad now, Ray looks more and more tired everyday, and now I'm afraid that they might take another boy."

Yuugo drinks through his straw. "Aren't you worried they're going to take you? You're incredibly athletic and healthy, a top candidate for a soldier."

"They wouldn't take me." I blow bubbles in my tea. "When they look at me they see a girl. And they prefer boys over girls for drafting, not taking into consideration what traits they have regardless of gender."

"I guess so. Though it is a good thing for me, can't let my only kid be taken."

I smile and grip tightly on my cup, he's signing all the papers for adoption with mom right now.

"And I'm glad you're too old to be taken too." I tease.

"Very funny." He scoffs and pats my head, pushing his seat in. "I have to get going now, say hi to your siblings for me."

I watch as he walks away and waves goodbye and I wave back, I hope he makes it home safely.

The clock strikes 8 pm, I hadn't noticed it had gotten so late. Curfew is at sunset and the house is all the way across town, I should have asked Yuugo for a ride.

"But I don't want to inconvenience him." I sigh and gulp down the rest of my tea.

On the way I out I throw my cup away and begin the risky walking home, it's still early June so the sun doesn't set for a few more minutes. I have to hurry home.

"Hey, antenna."

I stop and look to my right and there's Ray leaning against the stone wall.

"Oh, good afternoon..? Or night?" I shake my head. "Wait, why are you here?"

Ray shrugs. "Did you know if you are accompanied by an adult you can stay out until 9:30? We can take our time."

We smile at each other and walk alongside one another. The sunsets and the soldiers ask if one of us are adults.

"Yes, 18 as of this year. She's still 17 but I'm helping her home."  Ray hands an ID. she looks at it quickly.

"What is you're relationship?"

Ray and I glance at each other. "Does it matter?" I say.

"Yes, this rule applies if you are legally bound together, like siblings or parents... or you have some sort of romantic relationship?"

My face heats up and I look at Ray, but he doesn't look panicked at all. What is he going to say? We aren't technically siblings nor are we more than friends.

"The second one." He says stiffening, he's blushing too. This must be even more embarrassing for him since he has to say it.

The lady nearly closes the gap between his face and hers, she's looking for any sign of lying. Then she looks at mine but for not as long. My face is red, does she think it's because he's lying? She wouldn't be wrong but let's just hope she thinks it's because of what Ray said.

She takes a step back. "You two don't look like you would be a couple, looks like opposites do attract. Well, get going, you only have until 9:30." She places a red sticker in Rays shoulder. "So the other soldiers know what's going on. Have fun, kids."

We nod and walk away. God, that was so awkward. I shove Ray.

"Way to do your research." I say.