~*Chapter 3: Jovada*~
Jovada went directly to the futon and sat down, her head in her hands. A wave of guilt washed over me, as I saw how much my punishment hurt Jovada. I stared at her for what seemed like millenniums, until she finally lifted her head and turned her tear-shot eyes towards me.
"I suppose we will have to work something out. With you Life-Skills Training, they cannot expect you to sacrifice you education just to work in the Labor Ward." Her voice cracked as she said the last words.
The Labor Ward was what the JS's had rendered adequate "precautions." I guess they were afraid of losing control.
"Why?" I asked quietly. How can turning me into a slave cure my 'mental issues'?"
Jovada looked up at me as it I had slapped her. "It's not slavery! We stopped that long ago. Slavery was atrocious as is fettering anybody without cause."
The slavery part was said very quietly because the Elders had put very strict restrictions on such words.
"Jovada," I suddenly asked, "do you love Cran?"
Again I was greeted with a look of consternation. Jovada's face seemed to contort and her lips turned white.
'What kind of question is that?" she demanded. "I was paired with Cran at the Choosing. I am very honored to be Cran's Partner as you should be for being his Gen. Love is irrelevant."
Now it was my turn to be shocked. I had never seen Jovada so distraught. I didn't dare ask if she loved her Gen, me, but I was satisfied somewhat by her response. It was just as I suspected. Jovada didn't even like Cran, let alone love him.
I should have known. Whenever he gave her a hug or kiss, which wasn't often, she would be come withdrawn and her eyes vacant. She tried though. She'd plaster a huge smile on her face, but some how it never reached her eyes.
I think Jovada may have been in love once, with Alex, who worked in the Mechanics Field (MF).
Well, maybe she would speak to Cran about my punishment and I wouldn't have to go to the Labor Ward. I was positive that Cran loved Jovada, which is pretty ironic, since the JS Commune had officially announced that there was no such thing as love or hate. That was a total lie since Cran seems to hate me well enough.
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