Free Memory Girl by Linda Joy Singleton Page A

not without a good reason.”
    â€œNow that’s an honest answer I can respect.” She chuckles. “Some lies are necessary, but knowing when to be truthful is necessary too.”
    â€œHas someone been talking … about me?” What has she heard? That I have poor study habits and lose my temper? (Homer deserved a bloody nose for releasing Marcus’ earwigs collection into the girls’ dorm).
    â€œIt’s nothing like that.” Lila flicks her purple-gold fingernails, flashing a sapphire ring that dazzles as brilliant as stars. “I’m concerned about your future.”
    â€œYou are?” My mouth drops open.
    â€œThe reasons you were Chosen trouble me.”
    I bite my lip. “I don’t understand.”
    â€œYou weren’t Chosen because of your skills but because of your lack of them. They have always selected boys, so usually only the boys are prepared with a Cross name. Not the girls,” she says angrily. “You had no real Choice. Leader Cross was swayed by his cousin Rosemarie who still grieves for her sister. They want to replace Milly.”
    â€œRosemarie is kind,” I say, well aware I’m talking to one of the most powerful people in ShareHaven. “I’ll do my best to be a good sister.”
    Lila touches my cheek softly. “You don’t belong with the Cross Family.”
    I stare at her, relief rushing through my veins. It’s a mistake! I won’t have to go with the Cross Family. I was tricked, and a powerful scientist is on my side …. But why is she interested in me? She seems sincere, but her brother’s words push down my hope.
Stay away from the youths.
What was he warning her about? Could speaking to her be dangerous?
    I twist the edge of my red scarf. “The Crosses are myFamily now.”
    â€œIs this really what you want? To perform mundane duties rather than stretch your mind and discover your true potential?” She draws closer to me, and I’m drowning in perfume and uncertainty. “Do you want to bond with the Cross Family?”
    â€œIf I answer truthfully, I’ll dishonor my Family.”
    â€œI will tell no one how you answer,” she assures.
    â€œWhy are you interested in me?” I finally ask what’s troubling me most. “You’re a scientist.”
    â€œScientists care deeply about youths. Did you know there were only two youths born in the first group?”
    â€œWhy so few?” I ask.
    â€œScientists were in charge of youth creation in the early stages, and we only had limited resources. This was decades after the Attack, over two centuries ago, which may seem like a long time when you’re only age fifteen, but my memory stretches far.” Her gaze drifts across paths and buildings, as if winding into the past. “I had expected people to be content once they ceased aging and no longer feared wrinkles or death. Yet once they realized a side effect of immortality was infertility, there was a rush to get pregnant for those still under twenty-five. The sudden population increase drained our resources.”
    â€œYou mean people in ShareHaven gave birth the retro way?” I say, wide-eyed. Instructors had never told us this.
    â€œOh, yes, it was quite archaic,” she says with a chuckle. “After much trial and error, we calculated that fifteen youths every twenty-five years creates harmony among Families and restores an adequate number of Lost Ones.”
    While this is interesting, I still have no idea why she’stalking to me.
    â€œSorry for rambling on,” she says with an apologetic smile. “You must be wondering why I’ve singled you out from the other youths.”
    â€œWell … yeah,” I admit.
    â€œAfter speaking to your Instructors, I know you have unique talents.”
    Being the worst student ever is not a talent
, I think guiltily.
    â€œYou enjoy walking, often early in the morn, which is an