*****
Chapter Thirteen
Times and Tracking
As Thorn and I approached the couch where Petunia and Petals sat talking to the four chosen young men, I noticed heads turning, eyes following, and fingers pointing. It had officially started. I was being watched. Cimarron had warned me that it would happen. She said that after the video was shown over the national broadcasting system, and after I was introduced at the Gala, my face would be recognizable. I was the face that went with the rumor of a Lush girl. Except it wasn’t a rumor, it was true.
I circled my right hand around my left wrist and wished for some of the bracelets that Aspen wore. Aspen had more bracelets in her jewelry chest than I cared to think about; or so she said – the door to their bedroom was always closed and she’d never invited me in. I should have borrowed some from her. The day my gown arrived, she suggested we find some matching jewelry to cover my Brand. She said I should consider placing a few bracelets in my bag so I could wear them after the big announcement. Many of the women in the room had some sort of covering on their wrists; even The Pets wore matching beaded cuffs, but I’d resisted.
I squared my shoulders, released my wrist, and walked up to the first set of brothers.
“Hello. I’m Bluebell.
The younger looking one spoke first. “Hello, Bluebell. I’m Leaf and this is my brother Blade.”
“Blade,” I said, looking at the older one. “That sounds like a strong and dangerous name.”
He laughed and shook his head. “Actually it is quite the opposite. He is a Leaf, as in from a tree, and I am a Blade, as in a blade of grass. Not as dangerous as it sounds.”
“You could always just pretend it is the dangerous kind,” I winked.
“Actually, he couldn’t,” Leaf smiled. “Our mother tells that story to everyone she knows, so his secret is out. I never stood a chance at subterfuge, there isn’t much chance of coming upon a tough and treacherous leaf.”
“Unless it is the poisonous kind, from a hazardous plant, you know?” Petals suggested. Her voice had a nervous edge to it.
“That is true,” Leaf said. “I never thought of it that way. Now I have a dangerous edge.”
“It was nice to meet you,” I said and then turned toward the other set of brothers. “Now it’s my turn to meet you two,” I smiled.
“Hi, I’m Hunter.”
“And I’m Reed.”
I looked from Hunter to Reed and then back to Hunter again. “It is remarkable how similar your features are. If your ages hadn’t been revealed when you were introduced, I’d swear that you were twins as well.”
Hunter nodded his head up and down while Reed shook his back and forth.
“We hear that all the time,” Hunter said.
“Every once in a while we would switch classrooms at Training Tech, before Hunter went through Incorporation of course. Our trainers rarely figured it out,” Reed explained with a proud smile.
“We did that too,” Petunia grinned. “But our trainers never figured it out.”
“It was nice to meet you both,” I said to the second set of brothers. “I probably shouldn’t take any more of your time.” I leaned in to give Petunia and Petals a group hug, and positioned myself directly between their heads. “Crazy hard choice, girls,” I whispered. “They both seem quite nice.”
“We know,” they whispered back.
I stood back up. “Talk to you later. Have fun.”
“We will,” The Pets smiled.
Thorn stayed by my side and we walked toward the refreshments. After talking so much, my whole mouth felt as if cotton balls had swabbed out the inside of it, and a few were still stuffed in the back near my throat. I realized that it had been close to two hours since I’d had something to drink. Cimarron would give me a mini lecture if she found out. She’d reminded me just yesterday that when speaking in public I should make sure to keep myself hydrated.
When we reached the bar, I asked for an enhanced water. It was full of vitamins and all that other stuff they kept telling us was good for our bodies. After quickly downing the first, I asked for a second, and another one for Thorn.
“What should we do now?” Thorn asked.
“Crash Stone and Rosebud?” I suggested.
“I saw them!” Thorn exclaimed. “She’s exactly what he said he was looking for.”
“I know!”
“Bluebell, there you are,” Aspen’s voice smoothed. It came from behind. I turned my head to find her just as she reached a clanky jingly arm out and wrapped it around my shoulders. “I just told your father I’d fetch you. Come, dear, he is waiting.”
“Oh?”
“Yes. Say goodbye to your little friend,” Aspen said dismissively.
“What? Ummm…” I looked at Thorn. No part of me wanted leave with Aspen and walk away from him.
“I’ll see you around, Blue. Remember, a headache is not so bad,” he winked, turned around, and walked away.
“Do you have a headache, Bluebell?” Aspen asked.
“A small one earlier. Nothing to worry about,” I assured her.
“I was watching you. You seemed quite thirsty a moment ago. Dehydration can do that… cause the headache,” she said pointing from the glass in my hand to my head.
“You were watching me?” I asked.
“Your father and I have been keeping track of you all evening. You are working the room fairly well. Just don’t let one person monopolize too much of your time and attention. It really isn’t the best idea.”
I knew exactly what she was trying to say, but I refused her any more than a mumbled “Umm-hmm” in response. I enjoyed Thorn’s company; I didn’t care much whether or not she thought it was the best idea. I planned to message him as soon as we returned home.
My father smiled widely as we approached him and held out his arm. “There’s my Bluebell. Are you enjoying the evening? Your grandfather is watching the video feed. He is expecting great things from the Lush Ambassador. You will make us proud, won’t you?”
“Yes, Father, I am enjoying the evening. Wait, what? There is a video feed?”
“Of course there is, dear girl. Many years ago, The Council started to video all public functions. It is for security reasons. That way The Council can have someone review the footage if needed,” he explained.
“Oh?”
Aspen placed her hand on my shoulder. “Bluebell, if the Citizens know that Concord is watching out for them they’ll feel more secure. Don’t you agree?”
“Um, yes, of course,” I answered. “A good Citizen knows that Concord always acts with the best of intentions.”
“Yes, Bluebell.” My father stared straight into my eyes. “Remember that.”
“Jackson, there were a few people that missed meeting our dear Bluebell earlier. I’m going to show her around again,” Aspen announced and took me by the arm once again.
“Of course. Enjoy,” my father smiled and stepped to the side as Aspen and I walked past.
Aspen ushered me from one group of people to another, making introductions, easily chatting about whatever topic they happened to be engaged in when we arrived. She was a master at working a room. Flitting around from one social function to another day-in and day-out seemed to have its advantages after all. She was the perfect Councilman’s wife and daughter. I probably should have taken mental notes, but then I had a stubborn streak when it came to Aspen. I really needed to get over it. I’m sure there was something I could learn from her.
As the Gala was winding down, the announcer took to the stage once again. He brought my friends and the two sets of brothers up to the microphone with him.
“I promised you a surprise at the end so we should let the countdown begin,” he boomed and a timer lit up on the wall screen behind them all. The blue letters and numbers read 3 Weeks, 6 Days, 20 Hours, 59 Minutes, 59 Seconds. “This is the time that remains for our lovely twins to rank these gentlemen beside them. The ranking system will show up on
your tablets in just a few minutes, because all Citizens get a chance to help pick the best fit! The average of the Citizens’ scores, in addition to The Council’s scores, and of course Petunia and Petal’s scores, will be calculated. The winner wins the prize, and the loser will be required to return to their Concord at that time. May the best men win!”
As soon as he finished his sentence the numbers at the end of the timer started moving. The countdown had most definitely started.
Petals and Petunia looked at each other in shock.
My friends had approximately four weeks to find out which set of brothers would make the best match. Together, they were only allowed a one-third share of the input that would decide who they would be spending their lives with. I didn’t know what I’d do if I were faced with such a rushed decision. It was a daunting prospect.