Free Heightened: The Federation Series by Miria Masdan Page B

I hope no one saw.”
    I hear the first Proctor call out...Political and then the next call out Defense: Labor, Information, Technology, Medical, Agriculture, Community, Science, Business Transportation, and Education.
    I feel the relief in my gut. I wanted Education last, and I got it but is it because of Adam or because I deserve it? My chances to end up with Education as an occupation were good. I’ve worked hard my whole life, which means it is considered my strong attribute. I’m happy but conflicted. I have more than enough education points to have scored into Education, Political or even Science or Technology, but I’ll never know if I deserve it.
    I step off the stage and take my seat next to the girl. I hear them call out Sean. He takes the chance to look over at me. He has a confused look on his face.
    The Proctors's voice calls out Labor. All the next components muddle together, but I do hear the last one called for him; it’s Science. He got what he wanted. I smile because he is looking at me. Adam is looking at me too. I look away. He must have seen me and Sean exchanging glances.
    I look around the room. I am now considered an adult. I have passed out of the pre-occupation stage and have entered the internship stage. We are allowed to look at one another now. There are still restrictions, but we no longer have to walk around with our heads down.
    Visitors fill the room: family, friends, and representatives from each component. I look around; I don’t see my family. It’s odd. There is a balcony filled with representatives for each component. I look up at them. I will be spending the next year with them. Maybe I will get to travel outside the territory. I smile, and then I realize my first two components are Political and Defense…two of the four components that allow for travel outside the territory.
    Sean sits next to me. “We have Defense and Community together.”
    I smile. “See, it won’t be so bad.” It feels nice to be able to hold my head high.
    I bring my eyes towards him but am distracted by a man standing in the back corner of the forum. It’s a defense officer, and he is looking at me. A sinking feeling settles over me; I squirm in my chair. I look away, but I can still feel him looking at me. I look back. He glares at me. I wonder if he saw Adam, but surely no one would find it offensive. Soon, he and I will most likely be married.
    I decide to stare back. He’s too far away for me to get a good look at him, but there’s something about him. A quick, but hard jab to my side draws my attention back to Sean.
    “No,” he whispers.
    He’s right. I look down at my lap and concentrate on my folded hands. I need to make it to the banquet and the heightening ceremony. Then I will finally be free, even if it’s only for one night.
    I smile, and a muffled laugh escapes my lips.
    Another jab in my side, but this time it’s harder.
    I meet up with my friend Grace. She is smiling at me; she is always pleasant.
    “Who were you looking at during the ceremony?”
    “What?” I can feel my cheeks blush, “no one.”
    “Liar,” She hugs me. It’s the first time that she has ever touched me. I’m not sure how I feel. “I saw him, that officer at the back of the forum. He was looking at you too.”
    “I don’t know who he is,” I say, “but have you ever had that feeling that you know someone? Like you’ve met them before?”
    “Maybe its fate,” she laughs. “Like one of those old stories we found in my grandmothers attic.”
    “You promised never to mention those again,” I say, looking around. “They are not appropriate.”
    “I know, but we have the chance tonight to live like that,” she says, “to find love.”
    “In one night?” I laugh. “It’s more important to build a sound partnership.”
    “And what about your plans with Adam?” she asks. “Isn’t that love?”
    “No,” I say. “It’ll be a good partnership.”
    “You need sex,” she says. “We need to