Graduation Wedding

The 84th 12th year 1009 years since the formation of The Republic of Herculean Misava is coming to its end. The final day of the twelfth month of the year has arrived. The thirty-first day, the day that leads to the wedding, graduation and next year. January first, the day that all these events are held and the day everyone becomes a year older.

The final day of the same year of school has arrived. Everyone leaves the school with pure happiness. They have to get ready for the day to come. Some will be lost, some will be saved and others will remain where they have been for years.

Stone prepares the orphanage children and their uniforms for the next day. Clover is excited to sit and watch the ceremony quietly. She hopes she will see Violetear lurking about in the arena. Faris and Flute are eager to see the proceedings of the ceremony because of having to do it the following year. Siren could care less about anyone and anything.

Icterine has her lavender dress ready for the next day. Her brothers prepare their sky blue pants and shirt. Icterine and her brothers, Major and 6, prepare to watch from the background as usual. They are looking forward to a new year filled with the same routine they follow. Their mother has her black skirt and shirt ready for use.

Falcon dreads having to attend the wedding. He is happy that he will have his mother and father beside him while he struggles to hide his feelings of sadness. Falcon’s sky blue uniform is prepared for the following day. His parents are also ready with their grey uniforms.

Navy and Nicolette are preparing the clothing needed for a baby. Only from the age of six do kids have the lilac or peach uniforms. The baby from birth to the age of six should have fern colored clothing. Their father along with them has acquired fern colored clothing for the coming child. Navy and Nicolette have gathered their uniforms for the next day. Their father has prepared his black uniform. They have planned to go to the prison immediately after the graduation so they can make it to the wedding.

Quade is confined in his room with his white suit and a red tie for the coming day. He holds the ring for Galaxy in his hands as he tosses the sky blue uniform aside. His mother and father will be wearing their white uniforms as usual. Mazarine will be wearing her lavender uniform until she graduates.

Galaxy is preparing Legacy’s lavender uniform. As soon as she is done, she goes to her parents’ room to prepare their grey uniforms for the wedding. Finally, Galaxy walks through her house for the last time. Tears fill her eyes as she walks towards the room she shares with Legacy. Galaxy looks at the white dress and the red roses alongside them. Her beige shoes sitting beside them.

Galaxy looks at Legacy and realizes the fact that she will no longer be in this home with her any longer. She will only see her once a year and at school. Her parents will never see her until the one-year mark. Tears fill her eyes as she irons the lavender dress that she will wear for the last time. Her eyes sparkle with sadness and a waterfall of tears make their way across her face.

The next day arrives, the sun has no care in the world about the doom it brings when it rises the following morning. It just rises as it is programmed and waits for the moon to take its place.

All the R’s and 5th’s have already left for the testing that will determine their lives. The 12th’s are making their way to the stadium and the 11th’s are following behind them so they can watch the proceedings of the ceremony that they will soon be a part of. The stadium fills up with colors while the testing is underway.

The whole stadium goes silent.

“Welcome to the 84th 12th year 1010 years since the establishment of The Republic of Herculean Misava.”

Everyone begins to clap as usual and then silence ensues. All the friends are sitting together, in their uniforms, along with Galaxy and Quade who are wearing their lavender and sky blue uniform.

“We will begin announcing the 12th’s and their assigned jobs. The animals will be given after the ceremony and all the new members of society will be expected to attend the wedding of the leader for a short time in the day. We shall begin announcing the 12th’s alphabetically.”

The group of friends have become sixteen years-of-age. Navy and Nicolette are now seventeen along with Siren. Clover has turned eight this coming year. She still has one more test to pass before being able to become a member of society. Legacy is one year younger than the friend group and is sitting beside them. Faris and Flute are sitting with the 11th’s as they have turned eighteen this day.

“Ibis, you are no longer a squirrel. We have had to converse with you over whether you want your original post of dancer or to be one of our specially recruited members of the government. You chose wisely to be deemed Geneticist and will have a beige uniform. Since you are a rarity in intelligence and post you will have a fox as your animal.”

Everyone claps as she exits the stage with a smile posted on her face.

“I have barely seen this happen,”Galaxy says to her friends and they all nod in agreement. “I guess she will be working alongside me,”Quade says and smiles with pride, “geneticists are the ones that tell you your fate.” Everyone nods knowing that they have never been deemed worthy of this information. No one has ever heard of the rank just bestowed and what it does.

“Finally, we bestow the rank on Quade and Galaxy as leaders of the future. They will be taking their ranking earlier than most. We have presented them with the white uniforms they will be wearing for their entire career. Now, we will move on to the R’s.”

The rankings of the 12th’s, the R’s and the 5th’s come to their end after a grueling ten hours.

Navy and Nicolette along with their father leave the arena so they can get to the jail center and pick up the new baby.

Galaxy and Quade leave immediately after so they can go their separate ways and get ready for the day that will change their lives. Both dress in their white clothing that they will wear once and bring the rings, they have been given, along with them. Galaxy waits until her queue to arrive.

Main guests start arriving for the ceremony. Galaxy’s friend group, leaders and Galaxy’s family are among the main guests that are arriving.

The green field has white seats with red flowers and decorations everywhere. Beige bows adorn the seats that people will be sitting on for the day.

Finally, the ceremony begins and Quade is standing in the front. He is wearing his white suit with a red tie. His shoes match his suit. Galaxy is wearing a white, puffy dress with red roses in hand. Her shoes a beige color as she walks across the aisle towards Quade with her father in his grey uniform beside her. Her father leads her down the aisle with tears in his eyes. His grey pants, shirt and shoes causing a drastic contrast in colors.

Galaxy’s heart pounds as she gets closer to the life she wishes she could impose on someone else. Everything moves in slow motion.

Everything becomes blurry. Her father is the only thing holding her up. Her palms are sweaty. Somehow she still manages to move forward. She, finally, reaches the front where Quade stands and her father hands her over dejectedly. His heart is as sore as hers.

Quade holds her hands and she turns towards him after she watches her father walk to a seat beside her mother and sister. Galaxy has tears running down her face and Quade is just watching them fall helplessly. A leader below the main leader starts reading the vows until Galaxy and Quade are done repeating them. Finally, the rings are placed on each of them by each-other. They kiss slightly as they were told by Aldrich to do so. They then turn around and smile brightly at the people waiting to see them.

The main group scatters soon after the ceremony. Many people from all parts of the society come to congratulate them. Quade and Galaxy are sitting next to each other with their wedding clothes on. Both of them hold smiles but have a distant look in their eyes. Their thoughts are like a storm and are raging on but it’s unseen to the public eye.

Time passes and the day almost ends. Her friends have congratulated her and so has her family. Quade and Galaxy get up to leave when Navy and Nicolette come running into the leader’s home with their father trialing behind them. They hug her tightly and she smiles brightly when she sees them.

“Congratulations,”4 says to Galaxy and Quade, his smile bright as he looks at the baby boy in his arms. “I think I should be congratulating you,”Galaxy says honestly and the man smiles warmly. “I’ve never had a leader congratulate me,”4 says politely, “I think life will be different with you guys in power.” Their father bids them goodbye but Navy and Nicolette stay behind.

“What’s his name?”Galaxy asks while Quade sits beside her silently. “Benning,”Nicolette says with a smile on her face, “father was very happy with all the name choices.” “He looks similar to mother,”Navy says with a smile, “so atleast we will have a piece of her around.” Everyone nods and soon after they leave Galaxy and Quade alone with their thoughts.

Galaxy takes the lead by heading into the house. Aldrich, Nazareth and Mazarine are sitting at the dinner table waiting for their arrival. Quade guides Galaxy upstairs to his room and they gather the clothes needed so they can change.

Galaxy changes into her white dress while Quade changes into his white pants and shirt. They both come downstairs together. Aldrich sits at the head of the table with Nazareth and Mazarine on his left while Quade and Galaxy take their places on his right. Everyone eats silently.

Galaxy thinks about being with her friends on this day and spending time with her family. Legacy and her parents having a picnic with their rather large extended family. She eats solemnly and Nazareth notices her disposition. Quade is in his own world of sadness while his father and Mazarine look on at the new couple. Aldrich with anger and Mazarine with sadness.

Finally, dinner comes to its end and everyone goes their separate ways. Quade goes to his room but is followed by his father. Nazareth drags Galaxy along with her to the sitting room. Mazarine lurks around both rooms to listen in.

When Quade steps into his room and looks at his father entering after him, he groans deeply. “What do you want father?”Quade says with annoyance. “I want you to step up and be a man,”Aldrich says with anger in his voice. “What do you expect from me?”Quade asks dejectedly, his mind drifting to other places. “You know I was in the same position as you,”Aldrich says honestly, Quade nods, “except I took charge and talked to my wife. I told her what was expected of her and I didn’t let her take advantage of me.” Quade nods and says, “We aren’t the same person.” Aldrich’s anger blazes, “Look at me, I can easily replace you with Mazarine.” “You know you can’t,”Quade says threateningly, “you already told me why.” Aldrich sighs and walks out. He spots Mazarine exiting the bathroom nearby but continues walking.

While their conversation is going on, Nazareth is looking at a sad little girl. “I know it’s hard,”Nazareth says with sadness in her eyes, “thankfully my son is nicer than Aldrich.” Galaxy looks at her with a smile through her tears, “I know he is nice but I am sixteen. I don’t know what to do when it comes to marriage. I am supposed to be messing around and playing with my friends.” Nazareth nods, “I know that. I didn’t know what to do either. You will figure it out and so will Quade. It takes time. Don’t force yourself to rush and become a couple quickly.” Galaxy nods and smiles halfheartedly. Nazareth’s eagle flies into the room and perches itself on her lap. Galaxy’s tears fade when she sees the interaction.

“When will we get ours?”Galaxy asks Nazareth with hope. “When you turn eighteen,”Nazareth says sadly, “they can only make so many exceptions.” Galaxy nods and then looks at her, “You get to see your family right?” Nazareth looks at her and says, “There’s some things that can’t be explained when you don’t know someone well.” Galaxy looks at her with confusion. “I don’t get to see my family, Galaxy,”Nazareth says and Galaxy’s eyes widen with fear, “but it’s not what you think. It’s because I don’t have one anymore.” Galaxy looks at her questioningly and then her previous words explain the dilemma, “Will you tell me later?” Nazareth nods, “Probably sooner than you would like.” Galaxy nods but still holds her confusion on her face.

The darkness becomes darker as the moon doesn’t take the place of the sun even though the shining star disappears. It’s as if the moon got the message of hopelessness that fills Galaxy’s heart.

Mazarine hugs her on her way to bed. Nazareth and Aldrich head to bed and close the doors behind them. Quade looks at her without words and then she walks into his room. She sits on a chair in the corner of the room.

“I’m sorry,”Quade says honestly. Galaxy shakes her head, “It’s not your fault.” Quade looks at her with pain in his eyes, “I will sleep on the floor. You can sleep on the bed.” Galaxy looks at him with a smile on her face, “We can sleep in the same bed.” She laughs and he smiles at her uncomfortably. “Stop being so awkward around me,”Galaxy says pleadingly. He nods, “I want to tell you all the secrets I haven’t told you as of yet.” Galaxy changes and gets into the bed and Quade follows.

Quade whispers, “Our island is bigger than our society. Zeroes are kept outside the walls of our society. I believe failing R’s and 5th’s have the same outcome.”