“ Ever Changing Dresses” by Sarah Buchmann
Today is the last day of eighth grade. But that’ s not what’ s special. The special thing about today is that tonight may be my last in the Aqua Blue Water Section. I may never wear this blue dress, though it’ s not likely that I’ ll Switch. Today is the day. Only eight years ago was my first test. I will take another one tonight.
When I was five, I took my first test. It was a crisp September day, and every other kindergartner was crammed into the Bowl with me. The Bowl is where the tests are given. Our tablets appeared in front of us. For being so young, it was almost like magic.
They gave us simple questions, with a broad range from academics to interests, from moods to abilities. As soon as our results were analyzed, we were called in Section order to receive the dresses that we would wear for the next five years, until we got to middle school.
My mother is also an Aqua Blue Section, and has been since she was born into it. Same with my father. This isn’ t uncommon--most people stay in the same section of their parents for their whole lives. People never Switch when they take the kindergarten test. It’ s just unheard of. You’ ve been raised by people of one Section, so naturally you’ ll be just like them and that Section. With the second test, you might Switch. My brother, Fryn, Switched. He’ s a Red Orange Fire Section, which is the opposite of my family’ s. Switches are not impossible, just very uncommon.
“ Krinabelle,” Fryn calls. His freckled face peeks into my door. He is five years older than me, and it’ s strange to see him at home. He’ s already begun his living with the other Red-Orange Fire Sections for a year, as expected, but I never thought I would actually get used to his absence.
When you are eighteen, and have finished your schooling, you have to leave your home to live with other members of your Section. This test, the one I will take in two hours, stays with you for your entire life. Whatever happens tonight will decide my future.
“ Krinabelle, come on!” Fryn walks into my room and sits next to me.
“ You don’ t want to be late, do you?”“ You’ ll still love me even if I stay here? Or if I... Switch?” I ask.“ I Switched, and do I look okay?” Fryn laughs.“ Anyway, you’ re my sister. Nothing you could ever do could stop me from loving you.” His shirt with the Red-Orange Fire Section shirt clashes with my dress. I realize that I may never see much of him through the rest of my life.
I throw myself at him as he wraps his strong arms around me.“ Hey,” he complains.“ You’ ll get tear stains on my shirt!”
I release my older brother, my mentor, my role model, and wipe my tears. He takes my hand as we walk down the stairs together.
“ Krina!” my mother squeals.“ Let’ s get a picture, just in case!”