ella

pull away, holding me at arm's length. His adoring gaze was dancing. "Now

to talk, I turn to the brown leather so

ehind his back and pacing in front of us while we all nod in agreement. "I will warn you that the life outside may appear normal, but it is anything but.

o prepare you for the outside world, and just like the other students, you will be attending the

e will consider my accomplishments and grades worthy

d been accepted to a school u

alluring, even though I was obviously unh

entered Columbia. I give her a secr

n his and says, "And for you, my smart Josephina, I have decided that it is quintessential that you be close to home." "I have accepted yo

busy trying to stop the tears from streaming down my face to p

not po

take a big breath, but it's s

ying, giving more to charities, and

rom losing my mind over Dan

rson who watched out for me. For as long as I

re insufficient. I was so worried about him that I ha

it was no longer suffici

ck the tears for very long by the tim

hesitating to tell me to stay behind

cry right now, I really didn't want to s

d do. I had to make sure

unable to stop the tears that were

gestures for me to accept it. He shows me the way back t

onto the area between them as h

ting to look him in the eye or perhaps not

the bitterness from rising when he just straightened up and put his arms aroun

ob of being inconspicuous because of the way he sighs and puts his hands on

n't com

d caressing my shoulders, bu

w you had your sights set on NYU or Columbia, and believe me, I heard a

rs and stutte

ile sitting up so that his chest is now pressed against my

mber one. You are destined for greatness here." He hums into my hair, "And as such a key factor in our commu

nd making an effort to be sympathetic. I ha

devastation. Even when Daniel

York City in the future. I

s me back into his chest and rubs the sides of my waist, whispering, "You

It was an honor for me to receive this particul

close to him. He continues to hold me close to him, rubbing my hip with h

es small things about how precious I am, how wonderful I smell, or how he ha

g in favor of attempting to m

had enough of his constant intrusive presence. I rise and

body so I'm facing his seated form before I

r and looks up at me, saying, "Ac

me into the side drawer of his desk

he holds up a gold rectangular

that sometime within the week, you are required to completely integrate into The Co

but blush at the thought of talking about

d laughs softly. He tucks the tiny piece of gold foil into my hand a

fore, but the folded edges show that the actual object is underneat

gritted teeth. "This is a contraceptive- a condom. It is to be opened before the act." He ends stiffly, as if the thought bothers him. "It is used as a safety

spitefully, instead of seeming uncomfortable,

turn to walk away, but then I get a though

as how our community expanded and procreated. Nearly all were obliged to become preg

to assist in reprodu

olony, and I would not have been allowed to go to college if I had been pregn

use we needed more doctors. However, his eyes convey

ome space, my back hits his desk beca

ce, raising it. He kisses the top of my forehead

r perplex my already inquisitive thoughts, he loo

be bearing h