Part 1: Asfalia Chapter 3: Life Changing Exceptions

I woke up in Rodrik’s arms in my bedroom the smell of warm chocolate muffins wafting up from the kitchen as I felt the heater kick on. Today was going to be another cold day it would seem, my mother never allowed the house to be cold and always made sure if we were expecting cold weather the heater did its job well.

“Get your hormonal asses down here!” She called and I nudged Rodrik.

“So much for an early night?” laughing I rolled out of bed and threw back the blankets. “You’re going to need to wear the same clothes today.”

“Damn, no extra clothes here anymore?” He jumped out of bed and quickly grabbed his clothes that had been strewn across the floor.

“Nope, our last off again ended in a fight, remember?”

I jumped out of the room barreling down the steps before we both had to recall it.

“You know I think I put up with a lot,” my mother grumbled pouring herself a mug of coffee. “I thought we were done with the sleepovers?”

“It was an accident.” I pointed to the muffins, “These are a day late.”

“Sue me,” she snarled back, “Can’t help that I hate the fact you turned eighteen in the blink of an eye.” She took a seat across from me tapping her mug with her ring, “Listen, your dad’s coming early. He’ll be here tonight. I’m sorry we fought last night. It wasn’t fair to you. I’m glad you got to hang out with someone last night though.”

Truthfully, I didn’t care about the muffins. Birthdays were never something that we had to celebrate, once you turn thirty though you start to get much happier with the celebrations. Before that it’s just a reminder your boyfriend, husband, or some other male in your family could be sent away. The girls didn’t celebrate out of solidarity.

“You two need to get moving, take the extra for your walk to school.” She finished her mug before Rodrik made his way downstairs and I think it was deliberate. He was always awkward after my mom caught us. “Good Morning stud.” she winked at him and gave him a pat on the shoulder before jumping back upstairs to get ready.

“Shall we?” I smiled and tossed my bag over my shoulder.

“Not without the muffins!” He gasped and grabbed one shoving it in his mouth. He had good tastes, many people loved my mother’s baking, it would seem though it wasn’t enough to make my father stay.

School wasn’t any better and finally we were back to our boring last bell. Halfway through though there was a knock at the door which could only mean one thing: a notice was going to be served. Rodrik sat up back straight as if it could have been him. He was still a few weeks away, but there were at least three boys in this class that I knew were at that mark.

“Can I help you?” My teacher with her snooty nose in the air acted like she could have prevented the interruption.

The man in a blue uniform that looked like a finely decorated suit passed her a piece of paper and she looked back before turning to the class mouth gaped as if she couldn’t breath. The silence in the room was palpable. No one dared to make a noise out of respect for the soon to be comrade at the border. I closed my eyes knowing Rodrik was safe, he had to be. Whatever happened next was what was needed.

“Ashai Sumter.” My teacher whispered, causing my eyes to shoot open. “Miss Sumter.” she uttered again unsure if this was reality or not, “Please make your way to the hall for your orders.”

I looked around unsure if there was some mistake. Surely there was a mistake. I wasn’t a boy. How could my name have been called? What sick game was someone playing?

“Miss.” The man in uniform looked beyond my teacher to the one person who had everyone’s attention. “We would appreciate your timely acknowledgement.”

I nodded and turned to Rodrik first shrugging. We both knew this had to be something else. Maybe my father was here to pick me up from school early? Yes, I thought. That was it. My father was right outside and he was going to just take me out for some private time before we went home. I got to my feet, shaking as I struggled to gather my things.

“I’ll get it.” Rodrik whispered, leaning over, “Go on see what’s happening.”

I nodded again, unable to find myself. I knew where I was, I was in a dream. I hadn’t woken up that morning to chocolate muffins and stern warnings from my mother. “Thank you,” finally something was able to make its way out of my mouth but my feet were still being stubborn in their place. Slowly I shuffled to the door where my teacher moved as far from me as she could manage. The full access to the door allowed me to see I wasn’t the only person who got orders.

In the hallway, I heard a girl several doors down making a point that she knew a mistake had been made. “You can’t force me to do this!” She yelled, “There’s been a mistake!” Her high blonde pony tail was wagging with her attitude as her officer stood motionless getting every piece of mind she had to give.

I looked to my own grim reaper and took the envelope that sealed my fate, “You know this is a mistake.” I looked back up at him but he was expressionless.

“I’m just the messenger. You need to report to your location tomorrow morning fully packed to the standard provided.”

“Tomorrow?” I laughed and looked around hoping there were some cameras or something, this was a terrible practical joke.

“Tomorrow.” He nodded and turned to meet his comrade farther down the hall.

When the two officers left the girl rushed up to me, her steps with as much intention as her rage could provide, “Tomorrow?” She asked as if this were the most despicable thing imaginable as she waved that envelope around.

I nodded.

“Figures.” She scoffed, “Not even the decency to let us finish school. Even the fucking boys get that courtesy before being shipped off.”

“When was your birthday?” I whispered, fiddling over the seal of my own orders not wanting to broadcast the shame in my hands.

“A few weeks ago.” she huffed, “But it didn’t matter. We shouldn’t be called.”

I nodded as if her answer destroyed any hope of logic to what just happened. The logic was gone, nothing made sense with this. So I took a deep breath in and slid my finger under the government seal popping open the envelope and taking out the official thick cream paper.

“What are you doing?” She snapped

“It’s not like not reading it will get us out of trouble.” I shrugged, returning her snide tone, “It’s just where we need to go and a list of things we cannot bring.”

She looked over my shoulder now which wasn’t difficult, this girl was taller than many of my classmates. “No jewelry, no patterned clothes, and no personal belongings? What kind of shit is this?”

“Standard issued orders,” I sighed, “They want us to prove we can follow these simple orders first because we won’t have anywhere for any belongings. I also heard we will all be issued iron jewelry anyway, so might as well not lose anything.”

“Okay fine, so you were expecting this or something?” She snapped and suddenly I was the enemy.

“No no!” I gasped, feeling her stare and judgment, “My father’s an officer at the northern outpost. I’ve just seen these letters before and know about the procedure.”

“Does standard procedure explain why not one but two girls were noticed?”

I shook my head. “No, but I’m heading home to figure this out.”

“See you tomorrow then.” She grumbled, “My name’s Sylis by the way.”

“Ashai.” I nodded back and rushed out the door hoping when I got home my father was going to be there to explain everything in far better detail than this answerless letter.