Living in Hollowridge was ordinary, safe, and predictable… I liked the predictable. I liked knowing the rhythm of days, the creak of old floorboards in the morning, the way the fog rolled in from the marsh and clung to the trees. I liked that no one ever asked questions they didn't want answers to.
What I didn't like? My nineteenth birthday. Placement day. The day the Supreme Commission would send me a letter. A letter that would decide who I was going to be with, what work I was destined to do, and my class schedule for the next three years. Because that letter was the end of everything ordinary.
Placement Day…
I stared down at the red envelope with the insignia of the Supreme Commission. Everyone around me buzzed with anticipation and excitement. I nervously began to trace the infinity lines with my pointer finger, unwilling and unable to break the seal.
"I bet you're going to be placed in the science department," my mom said, her voice too sweet, too hopeful.
"No, she's a pilot for sure." my dad argued, his eyes gleaming with pride.
"I always thought she'd be placed as a teacher like her great-grandmother Ellen," my Aunt Marget added, folding her hands nervously.
I just continued to stare down at the envelope, willing it to disappear, wishing the whole thing was some terrible mistake.
Life in Hollowridge was ordinary. Safe. Predictable.
But this…this was different.
Finally, hands shaking, I broke the seal. The paper inside gleamed under the dull light, but the words hit me like cold stone.
Career Placement: Bookkeeper (Logistics Division – East Tower, Sublevel 3)
Assigned Pairing: Corvin Hale (ID #2197)
Cohabitation begins Term 1, Week 2.
Note: Placement is final. Requests for reassignment will not be reviewed.
I swallowed hard. The world blurred around me.
Bookkeeper. That was it.
No adventure. No honor. Just a dusty desk and stacks of forgotten forms.
Ordinary. Predictable. Safe.
Then why did it feel so wrong?
"Oh. That's… stable," my aunt said quietly, her words echoing in my head.
"At least you'll have your evenings free," my mom added, giving me a firm hug that felt more like a closing door than comfort.
"Isn't that the job where you process requisition forms and track ink usage?" my dad asked, trying to sound neutral, but I heard the disappointment underneath. He had wanted me to be a pilot, like he was.
"I think it fits me," I said softly, the words landing flat, like a lie I didn't want to hear out loud.
"It's okay, honey. You're going to do great things," my dad said before walking out of the room.
"Happy birthday," my aunt whispered as she kissed the top of my head. "See you on arrival day, kid."
I nodded, but my eyes stayed locked on the page.
Corvin Hale.
He's going to be my partner through all of this.
"Okay!" I said suddenly, standing up too fast, the chair scraping behind me.
"I'm going to make this work," I added, too loud, too determined.
Then I marched out of the room before anyone could see that I didn't believe it yet.