The Fracture

Pink highlighter

Staring down at my plain natural nails I feel a bit sad. 70 years ago the government issued rules to each assemble that they regulate and enforce. I pick up my pink highlighter and run it over my nails leaving a hint of pink as I do this I recite the rules in my head.

   •Rules of Modesty and appropriate interactions•
1) ALL women must conduct and present themselves as a modest woman. Not enhancing their natural features with unnatural colors or to embellish their bodies with anything other than the approved pieces issued to you by your assemble.
2) You must only keep the company with those who have been approved for you thru your assemble.
3) Anyone caught using words that have been forbidden will be summoned to their local assemble and receive a sentencing.
      NOTICE: Anyone caught committing a fracture for the third time will be dispatched to the unfavorable assemble indefinitely.

Sighing I rub the highlighter off my nails, the number of people who commit a fracture is not advertised. Sometimes though I think about just throwing caution to the wind and leaving the pink highlighter on one day to see if anyone would notice, but I know they would. Once I was at the grocery and witnessed a young girl committing a fracture. Somehow she had rosy red lips...I was amazed! This was a major fraction, the color red is forbidden as the elders decided it's to sensual. For several weeks after I locked myself in my room trying all sorts of ways to recreate the scarlet color. Ultimately I discovered that red berries do the trick! But that's why I locked myself in my room, as the color red is forbidden I could have been discovered and charged with a fraction.

Last week I received my paring list. It's a list that the assembly is kind enough to allow you to read over before they ultimately choose a paring for you. I know it's just a curtesy and that I'll have no say in the outcome. I also know that since I haven't been charged with any fractures I should be receiving a good paring...although one name on my list is concerning. They have been evaluating us since we were 10 everyone knows to be on their best behavior, we all want a good paring. I walk across my room to my desk and pick up my list reading thru it again.

Noah Smith
Jared Coffman
Caleb Jetsetter
Jonah Collins
Abraham Skyles

I know all the names on my list and the only one that doesn't make since is Jonah Collins. I'm very aware that Jonah has committed two fractures, so why has he been placed on my list. As I'm setting the paper down I remember that my father did mention that the panel that handles parings have been considering allowing higher parings for people with a minimum of two fractions. He said their hope is that it will encourage good behavior and in turn they should be able to remove the fractions from their record and blend back in with the public. But I know Jonah and I don't think he is interested with blending in. Jonah is quite alluring I'm not about to deny that, he is about 6'3 and stands well above most of the other boys in my list. He has the most mesmerizing blue eyes and magnificent brown hair. But he just has never fit the mold for men in this assemble and I know that if I am paired with him nothing good would come from it. It's desirable to fit in and not be noticed around here and Jonah has never fit in and he is always noticed.

JONAH COLLINS ^

I however blend right in everything about me is ordinary all except my freckle covered face. I try not to let it get to me. My mother is always telling me
" Maddie we all need to blend in but it's ok to appreciate your difference if it's something you can't help. You are beautiful despite it. No one will hold it against you." She was never very comforting but I know she cares for me. It's hard to have a child that draws attention I guess.

MADELINE (MADDIE) WINTERS ^

Jonah is not one of my approved people to interact with but since he has been placed on my list I'm now allowed to befriend him. Although I'm not sure that's something I'll end up doing I don't want to be hanging around someone with two fractures on their record. Sometimes I see him at the local park and I always say hi but that's as far as is allowed. Maybe next time I'll ask him how he is then he will know he is on my list... shrugging my shoulders trying to brush these thoughts away for the time being I turn to my closet I think I'll go for a walk to clear my head a bit. I picked out my go-to spring outfit.

MIDDIE'S OUTFIT ^

Not that I have that many outfit options the list of approved clothing in my assembly is pretty small. I heard last year that there is no clothing regulations in the unfavorable assembly I bet that's nice... I grabbed my small brown backpack and headed out. It was the most perfect Friday the temps were steadily staying around 65 degrees and the sky is blue and clear. I walked down the hallway from my bedroom to the kitchen to let my mother know where I am headed.

"Hi mother!" I said while continuing on my way to the island to grab an apple.
"Hi sweetheart! How are you this morning? Still excited about receiving your list?"
"I'm doing ok...did you know Jonah Collins is on my list?" I ask her
".....what?" She looked at me he face going a bit pale and her eyes wide.
"Yeah....um I'm headed out for a walk ok."
"Ok be safe I love you. And don't worry they probably won't place you with Jonah your too good."
She said as she continued to cook her breakfast while waving at me.
"Yeah your right mother I won't worry about it! I love you too."
I turned and headed out the door once outside I started walking towards the local park but quickly decided to go to the library first.