Graduation Day
The day has finally arrived to give the 12th’s their jobs, the 5th’s their maturity and the R’s their tickets to freedom. All members of a family get to attend and spend the entire day together. The day starts early for the 5th’s since they will be privately tested for their knowledge on the basics like the chant and the twenty rules that govern the society. The R’s will be tested on their knowledge of the chant. Failure isn’t an option since it proves that you aren’t fit for survival.
“Legacy! It’s 6 A.M. so wake up! We have to be there by 7 A.M. so go and get dressed in your lilac school uniform this second,”Galaxy shouts from the bottom of the stairs. “I thought I could sleep in today,”Legacy mutters to herself as her blue eyes open to the world, “today I become a squirrel.” “Hello children. You must be excited for your personality reveal tomorrow Legacy,”their mother says quietly as their father sits down and sips on his coffee. Galaxy sighs knowing they are of the introverted personality type. Their mother has cooked a feast but has to go with their father to take Legacy for her testing so she can gain maturity.
Galaxy remembers the day she went to get tested because she stuttered so much that they couldn’t make out a single word which resulted in her almost getting into trouble for not memorizing her rules and chant, but the team realized that she was naturally introverted at the time due to her parents and her orphanage background. Legacy doesn’t have those excuses since she came here since she was very young. Galaxy’s thoughts are interrupted by the swallows’ flying down to sit on their designated spots with her parents. Her parents leave with them trailing behind and head to the Dray train. Her parents wear their grey uniforms while she wears her lavender uniform.
Feldspar, Falcon, has only himself but is forced to attend these events since his cousins are so many and constantly graduating, yearly, from something. “Falcon!”his mother and father shout simultaneously causing them to giggle. “I’m awake mother and father just irritated at attending this event for my cousins who don’t even know me,”Falcon announces to the world. “Think about the possibility of finding true love,”his mother says honestly as she holds the visionary personality which he has as well but doesn’t often see. “I do think of the possibilities and then I realize how irrational they probably are, mother,” Falcon says with a serious expression. His father sighs, “Be glad you have someone to watch graduate because you would be going and watching no one if we had no family. You know we have no choice but to go.” Falcon sighs deeply. Falcon and his parents with their swallows make their way to the Dray train to go to the graduation in the city.
All of them have gotten older by a year on this day.
“6 (Cadmium), Icterine (Infinity) and Major (Midnight)! Come on we have to go! You know how I feel about what people think and want to be done,”their mother says honestly. The triplet’s mother has the people pleaser personality and so she lives to please. The triplets don’t question why they have to go but dread it since they have no one to watch except their friends’ siblings. Navy and Nicolette meet up with them. Their father is trailing behind them in his black uniform.
All the friends are now fifteen-years-old except the twins who are now sixteen.
“Clover!”Stone shouts as they are running late, “come on we are going to be so late.” All of them are dressed in their uniforms as they wait for the little girl to come down the stairs in her lilac dress. “I’m here!”the little girl screams out as her wavy blonde hair falls to her sides and her blue eyes sparkle with happiness.
All of them make their way to the graduation center by the Dray Train.
“Welcome to the graduation ceremony!”
(Claps)
“As you know we always start with the 12th’s since they have no examination to undergo except receiving their jobs and their respective animals. 12th’s please make your way to the stage as we call your names alphabetically.”
R’s and 5th’s are taking a test at this time which takes time to complete.
As the names are called, you hear applause and various animals are handed out as well as uniforms. The pets have to choose you and not the other way around. Dancers – Yellow uniform and a Spider Cleaners – Black uniform and a Koi fish Waiters – Grey uniform and a Swallow Teachers – Purple uniform and an Owl Police officers – Dark Blue uniform and a Dog Athletes – Orange uniform and an Eagle Doctors – Green uniform with an artificial Heart Singers – Rainbow uniform with a Butterfly Writers – Turquoise uniform with a Seal Veterinarians – Brown uniform with a Dove Astronauts – Maroon uniform with a Tree Leaders – White uniform with a Lion
When the categories are announced, the leaders use the real names and perfectly pronounce every single one.
“The R’s will be introduced by least made mistakes to most made mistakes but still with a pass. The full marks go to...Clover.”
Clover smiles as she approaches the stage with a full mark filling her with pride. A P pendant representing pups is placed on her lilac dress. A beautiful necklace is placed on her neck with her name engraved on the coin-like shape. Clover then makes her way back to her seat beside the other orphans.
Just like when the 12th’s become zeroes and people despise them, cry over them so, too, parents whose children’s names aren’t called can never see their child again as they are now classified as something else and something is done with them. No one knows what. To fail an R level means you aren’t worthy of survival since you couldn’t pass a simple chant test. At least 12th’s becoming zeroes is genetic and has nothing to do with them except being unlucky to have the gene.
“Finally, the results of the 5th’s has come and we will reveal the highest scorers to the lowest scorers. We will call them by name.”
As the scores get lower and Legacy’s name isn’t called, Galaxy’s heart fills with dread and so does her friends’ hearts.
“Our lowest passer is Legacy.”
Legacy walks onto the stage with tears in her eyes and Galaxy’s heart drops at the sight she sees. Galaxy’s year of 5 comes back as she remembers walking onto the stage with tears overflowing and a newfound hatred for the leaders. Legacy has a squirrel pendant placed on her and a shiny new phone placed into her hands as she hands her P pendant back to the leaders standing before her. The lavender dress is also shoved into her free hand.
Legacy walks as quickly as possible off the stage and runs into Galaxy’s arms. She holds onto her tightly as her tears start falling rapidly.
“I announce this day to be the graduation day and family day. The 84th 12th year 1009 years of the founding of The Republic of Herculean Misava. I congratulate all the graduates and welcome the new society members.”
No one ever sees the real leader for some reason. The only time you get to see the main leader is if something is wrong or if the leader’s son or daughter is getting married and taking over rulership which will only happen in the 84th 12th year 1012 years from the founding of The Republic of the Herculean Misava.
Everyone rushes out to spend time with their family while Galaxy and her family try to comfort an inconsolable Legacy. “Tell me what happened, Legacy,”Galaxy asks seriously. Legacy continues sobbing into her shoulder and embracing her strongly. The Graduation Day announcer is watching them closely. “Let’s go. We can talk later,”Galaxy says to Legacy but she doesn’t budge, “people are watching you. You are a squirrel now. Weakness will just get you into more trouble so stop crying and let’s go.” Legacy follows Galaxy out but not before looking back at the announcer.
All the families are outside in the city and in the parks enjoying their time. Galaxy and Legacy make their way to the park to meet their family.
All her friends and their families are in the park, as well. “Legacy, talk to me,”Galaxy says as she sits on the grassy floor with her younger sister as she eats a sandwich solemnly. “What happened when you had your testing?”Legacy asks seriously, her tone quiet. “I was nervous and only calmed down when I saw my friends. It boosted my confidence so much that I decided to go first and regretted that decision immediately,”Galaxy says seriously as she watches her friends with their families in the background, “why do you ask?” “Well I decided I would go last so I could practice more so Finch, my best friend, decided to wait with me,”Legacy says and her eyes fill with tears, “do you know how many people go for testing that never get to leave?” Galaxy frowns, “No, I honestly don’t even know how many kids go for testing.”
“There are two thousand classes in each grade holding twelve students each that go for testing,”Legacy says seriously, “and that’s in the pup division alone.” “So in the grades R to 5. So I don’t understand where you are going with this,”Galaxy says seriously, her impatience clear.
Legacy sighs. “I saw them taking the people who failed away. They were counting them. I could only see the pups section and since the R’s finished first I got to see who got taken away from them and from us,”Legacy says honestly, “out of the two hundred and forty thousand students in the R’s 1% fail their testing.” “That’s about two thousand four hundred students,”Galaxy says with fear in her eyes, “so where do they all go?” “I honestly don’t know,”Legacy says and tears start forming in her eyes again, “but out of the 5th’s…about 12% fail every year. Twenty-eight thousand eight hundred students all taken away from their families. So…w-why? When 12% and 1% are such small numbers out of a 100%, did my best friend, Finch, and her younger sister have to be of that percentile.”
Legacy breaks down in sobs. “What did you see?”Galaxy asks impatiently. “Her sister was being dragged as she screamed and they took her into a back-room. The testers came out and she got up. I could see she wasn’t ready to go in since her sister was just taken from her,” Legacy says with fear and regret in her eyes, “I froze and didn’t take her place. The next thing, I heard screams from inside the room as she was being dragged towards where her sister was being held. I went next and I just just passed, because I couldn’t concentrate on something so trivial when my friend was just taken away from me forever.”
Galaxy sighs as she realizes the severity of the situation. “Don’t speak of this to anyone else,”Galaxy says seriously to the broken-hearted girl. Legacy’s mind wanders to her best friend smiling and laughing beside her on the metal chairs as they await their turn for testing. Her best friend’s wavy black hair framing her face so perfectly, her eyes deciding between a blue sky or a grey sky. Legacy thinks of what her future may have held and what it holds instead of it.
Feldspar leaves his family and walks towards Galaxy’s family. “Hey Galaxy! How’s Legacy?”Feldspar asks out of concern. Galaxy looks at him and says, “If she wants to live another day, she will forget all that’s happened.” Feldspar is taken aback, “Is it something the country doesn’t want us knowing?” “Yes! Remember when we used to talk about the Zeroes and where they go?”Galaxy says and asks, Falcon nods, “well we never thought to question what happens to the R’s and 5th’s who fail their tests.” Falcon’s eyes widen at this revelation, “She came across the answer?” “Partially,”Galaxy says with fear and dread in her eyes as she sets the table with food, “she lost her best friend today due to it so while we are here celebrating some other family is mourning the loss of two of their children.” Falcon sighs and bids them goodbye.
“Hey Galaxy!”Stone says as he comes near their group, “we are free to join anyone today so I chose you.” “You won’t like my drama-filled family all that much,”Galaxy says honestly. He shrugs his shoulders which causes his wavy red hair to sway to one side but his one green and one hazel eye sparkle in the lights. “What about your siblings?”Galaxy asks as she glances at Legacy. Stone continues setting the table, “Faris and Flute will probably hang out. Siren will stay with Clover and her friends today.” “Ah! There’s Siren and Clover,”Galaxy says as she sees the little blonde girl searching for someone while Siren’s wavy red hair sways about and his black eyes hold a scary feeling.
Galaxy and Stone walk towards them. “Sepia!”Clover shouts at him. Stone looks behind him and then sees the little girl running to him. Siren grabs her hand and talks to her about calling out his real name in public, she frowns. The group stops near Legacy. “What are you looking for Clover?”Galaxy asks seriously. The little girl hides her face from Galaxy and looks to Stone. “Violetear,”Clover says sweetly. “Oh! Your bestie,”Stone says and then realization hits. “Her name was never called,”Clover says honestly. “Oh,”Galaxy says, wondering who’s going to explain to this child when her much older sister couldn’t even grasp it. “Did you say Violetear?”Legacy asks as she stands up and the little girl nods profusely. Tears fill Legacy’s eyes. Galaxy’s worst fears are confirmed as she looks at the boys with sadness in her eyes. “Legacy, take Clover to the playground while I talk to the boys,”Galaxy says seriously and Legacy nods.
“Boys, Legacy’s best friend didn’t make it through the test because her younger sister was dragged out into the hallway before she had to get tested,”Galaxy says seriously. “What does this…”Stone asks and then says, “Oh!” “Violetear was her name,”Galaxy says seriously. The boys sigh deeply as they realize the dilemma they will have to explain.
Hours pass, the twins, Nicolette and Navy, have spent the whole day with the triplets; 6, Icterine and Major. Their families have talked for hours about their everyday lives. “How’s your father?”Nicolette asks carefully. “He’s the same as he was before,”Infinity says with annoyance, her blue eyes darkening as she ties her wavy red hair. “He’s in the same place he’s been for years, Nicolette,”Major says seriously as his green eyes dull while his straight dark brown hair sways in the wind, “jail.” Nicolette nods solemnly, “I’m sorry I was just….” “It’s ok, Nicolette,”6 says seriously, his amber eyes hold sadness as his wavy hair falls flatly to the sides making his light brown hair look darker.
The day finally comes to its end. All the families disperse back to their daily lives until the next Graduation Day that will bring joy and sorrow. A school day ensues and work comes to its start. Everyone goes to sleep without a single sound. No one cries for the losses at least not loud enough to hear. Even if all the families cried for those lost their sounds would be drowned out by the rejoicing of the entire country while many desolate souls are stolen from their families either for forever or for a lifetime of torture.