The Government Notice

• • • •

HOW TO AVOID FROM RECEIVING THE GOVERNMENT NOTICE

"And post!"

You can't and you shouldn't...

There's no way...

There will be punishments...

Just accept it...

Ugh. The results are all the same!

I tried posting the same question every day using several fake accounts on different websites but it's no use.

I'm doomed.

I just turned 18 last week and I'm really thankful that until now, I haven't received the government notice yet.

But I know for sure that I can't celebrate yet because anytime, the government officials will come and they'll hand me the papers where information about me and my partner will be written.

Just the thought of someone owning me for the rest of my life gives me the chills.

I let out a deep sigh and glanced at the time on my alarm clock. It's already 11 in the evening and I should really get some sleep. My class starts early tomorrow and I don't want to be late. I'll just clear my mind off these things and hope that tomorrow is not the day.

"I hope not."

• • • •

My eyes are still half closed as I went down the stairs and into the dining room. I noticed two silhouettes in the living room but I chose to ignore it. It's probably just Nana and some friend of hers. My stomach was growling, so I did not waste time and hurried to the kitchen when they noticed me.

Oh boy.

"Oh, Kira, I'm glad that you are finally awake. Come here and meet your fiancé." Nana said happily while holding some papers.

I stopped on my tracks and was about to smile at my Nana when—

Wait for a second. Did I hear it right?

F-fiancé?

So, that means that the paper that Nana is holding right now is the government notice?

.

..

...

I gasped. My eyes had widened in fear when I finally realized what it meant.

"Fiancé!?" I blurted out loud while looking at my Nana and to the man that was sitting beside her. Nana let out a belly laugh while the man just smiled.

I suddenly froze in horror. Not because I was stunned by how handsome he looked but it was the opposite. He was faceless. Literally faceless and all I see is his faint smile. I glanced at my Nana but she was still laughing. Something's wrong and it's making me uneasy.

I ignored my Nana and approached the man instead. I don't know why but I really want to make sure if what I'm seeing right now is real so I moved closer to him but he's still faceless. I'm starting to feel a bit irritated so I brought my face closer to his face then his hand moved.

He got something out of his pocket that seemed to be buttons and attached it to his...eyes?

His faint smile suddenly turned into a devilish grin as his pair of buttoned-eyes stare at me hungrily. He wasted no time and held my face tightly while opening his mouth. He was about to devour me when I closed my eyes and screamed.

I jumped out of bed. My hands are cold and my forehead sweaty. I blinked thrice and slapped myself.

"Ow!" Curse that dream. Again. Was that my fifth nightmare? Tenth? I've lost count.

I looked at the time and it's still 5 in the morning. My class starts at seven but I guess I'll just have to get ready for school because I don't want to go back to sleep and have that nightmare again.

I went down the stairs and into the kitchen. As usual, I saw my Nana in the dining room, sitting while drinking her black coffee. "Good morning, Nana!" I approached her and kissed her cheek.

"Oh, Kira, you're early. Let me guess, it's your nightmare, again?" Nana chuckled at my problematic expression as she stood up from her seat and placed some of her delicious foods on the table.

I helped Nana prepare our meals and sat across her. "It always happens. Let's just not talk about it anymore, Nana, or I'll be late for school. We should eat first." I pleaded and started chewing on my food.

"Oh dear, Kira. I know that you are just excited to meet your future partner."

"You know that's not it, Nana. Stop teasing."

"Yiee."

"Nana, didn't I promise to finish my studies first and pursue my dreams?" I stared at my Nana seriously as I held her hand. Ever since my parents died, I promised them that I'd focus on what they thought was best for me and enjoy life with my Nana. She smiled and raised her hands, admitting defeat. I continued eating when Nana said something that made me cringe.

"Hmm, I bet you'll tell me soon enough that your future partner will become the man of your dreams." I was about to protest when Nana cut me off and asked me to hurry up because I'll be late for school. Good gracious!

• • • •

I arrived at school 5 minutes before the time and thankfully, the teachers are having a meeting that's why I decided to be here at the school garden with my very close friend who is now sitting beside me on the bench.

His name is Josh. Josh Diamanté. He's my friend since grade 1 and we've been inseparable since then. He'd always listen to me whenever I have a problem and I would do the same thing to him. He's kind, sweet, caring, funny, and a happy-go-lucky person. He's really like a brother-sister to me.

He is also handsome. He's tall, has fair skin, and has a body that's just right. He has this cognac brown eyes that would make you stop and stare for a moment. He has thick-straight eyebrows, long eyelashes, long nose, thin lips, and spiky hair. Any girl would fall head over heels for him but he is such a waste because he's different from all the other boys.

He is gay. Yes, you read it right. A handsome man like Josh Diamanté is gay. It's funny because he's gay but he has a deep baritone voice.

• • • •

The Government Notice 2

• • • •

"Gosh, gurl. I have been asking here nonstop about how you have been doing, dreaming about all that weird stuff and you are just going to smile at me? Are you thinking about someone? Your crush, perhaps?" Josh asked while raising his eyebrows at me. I smiled at him and teasingly said,

"What a great question that was, gurl! I was just thinking about you." He rolled his eyes unbelievably at me, probably thinking that it was just a joke but we all know that it isn't. Telling him that it's true would just make him think of me as weird and laugh so, I'll let him be. I just laughed at him in response at his silly behavior and started telling him about my nightmare. He chortled, his breathy laugh echoing in the air.

Minutes have passed until he decided to stop laughing and wiped off the tears in his eyes. "You watch too much Coraline, gurl." He commented while trying to stop his laughter.

"Because I love it and will always love it." I always watch it since I was young and I never get tired of it. It's the best movie that I have ever seen-just my opinion, though. There are probably only a few who really loved it but nah, I really don't care about it as long as I really enjoyed it and really, really love it.

Josh was about to say something when someone called our attention. "Excuse me, are you Kira Castelle?" Asked the petite girl in front of me.

"Why, yes."

"Please come with me." I looked at Josh, wondering. He just gestured me to follow the girl as he stood up from his seat, telling me that he'll be waiting for me at the classroom.

"Uhm, where are we going?" I asked the girl as I walk beside her. She just glanced at me and turned to a wooden double door. The principal's office?

"Mrs. Principal is waiting for you inside." She told me and walked away without even glancing back at me. What does the principal want from me? If I remember it right, I have done nothing wrong other than defending the students that were being bullied. Isn't that a right thing to do? Or maybe the bullies tried to defend themselves, in case I was going to tell the principal about the evil things that they've done and placed the blame on me? Oh well, let's find out.

I walked inside and there I saw Mrs. principal sitting on the couch. She looked up at me and smiled widely. "It is nice to see you, Ms. Castelle. Why don't you take a seat?" She pointed at the couch across her. I obeyed her and sat down.

"Is there a problem, Mrs. principal?" She laughed ridiculously at me.

"I just want to congratulate you."

"Congratulate me? For what?"

"Your government notice is finally here."

"H-huh?" My face turned pale as I hear those words come out from her mouth.

Oh, crap.

Shits about to go down.

• • • • •

"How was it?" Josh asked immediately as I sat beside him, his tone was serious as he looked at me with a worried look on his face. My eyebrows raised as I recalled.

~~

"You don't get to attend school for three weeks. It is for you and your partner to get to know each other. Isn't it amazing?" She said chirpily.

"That is so not okay."

"Why? What's the problem?"

"I really love school so I'll pass on that."

She stood up and went beside me.

"Your teachers won't mark you absent. And good news is that you are exempted! Aren't you glad?"

"Not at all."

"You should be!"

"But I am not ready yet." She giggled at my statement.

"Oh please, all the students keep saying that just like when I was your age. Besides, it's normal. Don't always play safe. Take risks and enjoy it while it lasts."

~~

As soon as our conversation with the principal has ended, she left, saying that she will be attending the meeting. I stayed there for a couple of minutes, thinking about the things that Mrs. Principal told me but I just can't seem to understand it.

Not yet. But I'll know soon enough.

"I will not be attending school for three weeks." Even without looking at him, I could feel his muscles tense.

He knows.

He shifted at his seat as he took deep breaths and relaxed. I glanced at him but he was looking elsewhere, drowned in his thoughts.

There was a long silence between us. Only whispers of the few students can be heard inside this spacious classroom. I couldn't say anything. He knows that I'm not ready yet and he also knew that this will happen soon enough and it did.

I don't know what he is thinking right now but he's probably thinking of words to say to lighten up my mood. He does it all the time.

My train of thought had stopped when he leaned forward and looked at me. His expression went back to normal but for a second, I could see a hint of sadness in his eyes before it disappeared. I wonder why? Oh well, maybe it was just my imagination.

Showing his happy-go-lucky look, he patted my head and smiled, "You are going to be fine, gurl. Trust me. Just remember your priorities and," he stopped for a second and gave a little shrug as he continued, "go with the flow." Ugh. Seriously, Josh?

"Wow. That's very helpful!" I sarcastically said. He ignored it and let out a small laugh.

"By the way, what else did you and Mrs. Principal talk about? And, who's the lucky guy? Do you have a picture of him? Is he handsome? Macho—" I pressed my hand against his mouth, stopping him from asking any further.

"It's a secret." He held my hand away from his mouth and gave me an angry look. "Tsk tsk, where did you learn keeping secrets from me?" He suddenly gasped when he realized something and placed his hands on his mouth,

"Don't tell me...you have a crush on him already!?"

• • • •

Visitor

• • • •

"What are talking about? Of course not."

"Ehhh, then tell me!"

"Mrs. principal herself told me that it's a secret. Gets?" He whispered the 'ahh' 'I-get-it-now' sound while nodding his head.

"Ughhh."

"Oh? What's wrong?"

"It's so unfair. I have already received mine but you haven't yet. How's that possible?"

"Duhh. They just couldn't find the right one for me." He flips his imaginary hair. Josh already turned 21 months ago but he still hasn't received any. He stopped going to school when he was in kinder so he's older than me. He doesn't want to tell me what really happened. He's a secretive person. All he said was that he has family problems at that time and that's it.

But you know what? I'm really curious about Josh. He's gay. Will he ever receive one from the government? What if he won't because he's gay? What would he do? What would the government do? But what if...Josh isn't really gay?

Omg. It's possible, right? I mean, he's hiding it for so many years, but, for what reason? I should try asking him about it just to be sure.

"Josh. Are you really g—"

ATTENTION. STUDENTS OF GATES ACADEMY, CLASSES WILL BE SUSPENDED. YOU MAY NOW GO HOME.

ATTENTION. STUDENTS OF GATES ACADEMY, CLASSES WILL BE SUSPENDED. YOU MAY NOW GO HOME.

Some students were happy and some complained after hearing the announcement. The meeting would take longer than I expected. I guess there's a problem or the like. Something like this also happened last time.

Students stood up from their seats as they pack their things, ready to leave. Josh did the same and faced me, "Did you say something, gurl?"

Should I? Hmm, it seems to me that he isn't in the mood to talk. Maybe he'll get mad at me so I'll just ask him some other time.

"Nothing. I'm just nervous for tomorrow." I stood up and began to walk. He silently followed behind me. We went to our lockers and got our bags which we placed there a while ago.

"You can do it, gurl. Just call me anytime if you need me. I'll always be here for you."

"Thanks, Josh."

• • • •

I'm now in my room, laying down as I stare at the ceiling. A lot of things happened today and I'm sleepy.

"I wonder what will happen to me tomorrow. Will I be fine?" A while ago, while Nana and I ate our lunch, she told me that she received a call from our principal and that she's really happy for me. She was even more excited than I was for tomorrow. I even asked her for the name of the man that I'll be meeting tomorrow but she refused to answer.

Mixed emotions rushed through me as I try to picture out some things that would probably happen tomorrow.

I was about to close my eyes when Nana knocked on my door. "Kira?"

"What is it, Nana?"

"Wear something presentable and come down after. Someone wants to see you." Who could that be?

I stood up from my bed and changed my clothes. I wore my favorite blue batwing top that matches my fair skin with skinny jeans and flat sandals. I tied my medium-length cinnamon brown hair into a messy bun. I put a little lip gloss on my lips and looked at myself in the mirror.

To be honest, I care less of the people who think that I have no fashion sense. As long as I'm comfortable with what I'm wearing, I'm good with it. Hell, why do they even care? It's my kind of fashion and I love it.

"Perfect." I was satisfied with my look so I left the room. I heard the faint laughter of two people coming from the living room. My heart was beating fast as I walk down the stairs.

Is this Déjà vu? If that's the case, the person in the living room right now is the man from my nightmares?

I took larger steps and every step I take made me breathless until I reached our living room. And there I saw the person who wants to see me.

A woman? But not just any woman. I could clearly see that she's hella gorgeous even when we're 10 feet apart. I guess she's still around her mid-twenties. They both noticed that I was staring at them for a while now so they looked at me. My Nana smiled while the woman with beautiful ocean blue eyes looked at me with excitement.

Her light golden-brown curls bounced on her shoulders as she stood up from her seat. She's wearing a peach-colored wrap around dress that shows off her small waist and robust bosoms. She pairs it with wedged sandals and finishes off her look with her simple orange-colored lipstick.

She's like a model.

She came to me and hugged me. Wow, she's tall. "Gosh, you're so pretty!" She said as she scanned my whole body with big smiles.

"A healthy and a fit pear-shaped body, cute height, hazel eyes, thin heart-shaped lips. You're perfect!" She hugged me again, squeezing me in her arms.

What does she mean? Is she my partner? Seriously? I looked at nana and she just laughed.

This is a very big problem but if that's the case...

I looked at the woman who was still hugging me and realized that there's another problem.

Despite her model-like figure, she acts like a child playing with her toy. Do I really look like a cute little teddy bear to her?

Thankfully, she decided to let go of me so I stepped back a little far from her. "Uhm?" I stood there in confusion, hoping that she'll introduce herself before she does weird things to me. She seems to understand me so she stood straight and gave me an apologetic smile.

"I apologize for my childish behavior. I am July V. Lovino. It's lovely to meet you, Kira Castelle."

"Are you my partner?" They laughed so hard their mouths could drop as if I told them a very silly joke. But I wasn't joking?

"You're funny, dearie," she cleared her throat and continued, "but to answer your question, I'm not your partner."

"So, who is it?"

"My little brother. Neal Valastro."

• • • •