Free Memory Girl by Linda Joy Singleton

sister, Rosemarie, who is very sweet. She even gave me a gift. Don’t worry about me. Enjoy your joy at becoming a Sarwald.”
    â€œI am,” he says with a sudden smile. “I expected work with gardens and orchards, but I just found out my memdenity will bring knowledge of pollination techniques. The first Neil was an apiarist—a honey keeper.”
    â€œThat’s great.” I try not to sound envious.
    â€œI’m sorry you didn’t get the Family you expected, but the Cross Family dwells near the Sarwalds, so we should be able to meet often.”
    â€œStill, why did they Choose me instead of a boy? I don’t understand it.”
    â€œYou’re not large or muscled, but you’re tough. Whenyou tackle a project, you never give up.”
    â€œNever,” I say, forcing a grin.
    â€œRemember when we raced and you stumbled in a hole and sprained your ankle? You were in last place but even when the winner was announced, you didn’t quit until you crossed the finish line.” He gazes at me with something like admiration. He’s different tonight—more confident and full of purpose, as if his new identity has matured him, while I’d rather stay a youth and play games with my best mates.
    But I know Marcus cares about me, which means a lot. “I’ll be okay,” I tell him again, perhaps more to reassure myself. “Thank you for everything, Marcus.”
    â€œNeil,” he corrects.
    But to me he’ll always be Marcus.
    We don’t talk any more as we leave the dorms of our youth to join our Families. The Sarwalds, a large group of ruddy, tanned men and women, surround Marcus with back-slapping and rowdy voices. His bags are snatched by Grand Sarwald, who pats Marcus on the shoulder. “I’ll carry them for you, Neil.”
    Beyond them, I see the Cross Family—the men standing with arms folded as if bored and Rosemarie peering around anxiously, clearly looking for me. I don’t see the unfriendly woman.
    â€œThere you are,” a soft, lyrical voice calls behind me.
    I stop, stunned, recognizing that voice. When I turn, I’m facing Scientist Lila, dazzling in purple and gold, her silver hair shining too bright for an ordinary human. But then a scientist is far from ordinary.
    â€œMe?” I gasp, dizzy to be so close to a real scientist.
    â€œI’m so glad to meet you, Jennza,” Scientist Lila sayswarmly. “No one knew where you were, and we nearly called the Uniforms to search for you.”
    â€œI was packing,” I say quickly.
    â€œOf course you were.” Her gaze captures mine with humor I don’t understand. “This is an exciting day for you, and I’m sure you’re eager to join your new Family. But I’ve spoken to them and gained permission to talk with you privately.”
    Graces good! Am I hearing right? Why would a scientist want to talk to me? I have never heard of anything so awe-making ever happening to a youth.
    My hands tremble, so I clasp them together. “Have I done something wrong?”
    â€œMy stars, no.” Her laugh is music, and I’m drawn closer, wanting to touch the silky fabric of her tunic. “Will you walk with me?”
    I nod, even more confused when I remember her brother warning her to stay away from youths. Yet here she is with me.
    â€œJennza,” the scientist says once we have turned a corner of the dorm building where no one else in near. “We don’t have much time, and there’s something of importance I need to ask you.”
    My head spins. What does a scientist—
a scientist!—
want from me? The only thing I am sure of is that it can’t be good.
    She’s staring at me with an intense gaze, one hand lightly on my shoulder. “I need you to be honest with me,” she says solemnly.
    â€œI never lie,” I say automatically.
    â€œNever?” she challenges.
    I glance away. “Well …