The Suit

Chapter 1

   The United States of America used to pop into anyone's head as freedom. The flags and the eagles and independence. But now we are no longer the U.S.
  
  We are called The Suit. And we have no president nor preference of one. We are to sit there, not speak, dare to dream or take risks.
  
   We have the Sections. Which are numbered 1-10. I live in Section 3. Section 3 is mainly where all the Aces are found.
  
   Aces are the people who can weild the Ace power. It is only in girls and it usually takes effect on us when we turn 18 or somewhere around that time. My mother was an Ace but she was bought by the House of the Clubs.
She was said to be killed for rebellious behavior. I never met her so it isn't really my choiced option to talk about her. She was never supposed to have me. Aces are never allowed to have children.

   If we do have children, it is to create a small bloodline of Aces for the Royal Family to use privately.
   
   Aces are either bought or inherited to Royals. They basically breed us with men of the Royals. My mother was bought. She gave birth to me a week before she left for the House of the Clubs. My dad has been sick since I was 10. He's been stuck in his bed for years.

   My name is Simone. I am 17. The Testing starts tomorrow. I will lose my friends and the people close to me. I will be owned by the Royals and will never see my father again. Nor my sister. She is 14. Brina is my light and joy. I have to leave her and she'll forget all about me.
  
   My friend Flint flashes in my mind. His light brown eyes with his black hair. I smile and shake my head. I find myself sitting in our old garden. The flowers are wilting and the grass is dead.

   I close my eyes and take my fate. I am an Ace. I know I am. I can make things grow. Just by touching it. I found out 2 weeks ago. No matter what I do, I'll pass the test and I'll have to leave.

   Tears form on my eyes and I try to blink them away. I stand and walk down to the corner of the garden where a single flower stem pokes up.
I place my hands on the stem and concentrate. The flower pops into my head and I jump. It's life energy is weak so it latches on to mine. I feel it take the energy happily and I see it's color burst into life and I smile.
The flower is a rose. But it's my favorite color. A baby blue color. I place my hand on the dead grass and watch it spring to life. Rich dark green washes over the entire garden.

   Life seeps into the other bushes until the garden is filled with every kind of color there is. A large vine that climbs on the cement wall and shapes into an S, wrapping around itself and I lift my hand and the growth stops.
I take a deep breath and my stomach wrenches. I groan in pain and lay on the grass. Once the pain subsides, I sit up and touch my ear. I look at my ear and see blood on my fingers.

   I walk into our house and go straight to the bathroom. Grabbing a wash cloth, I see the doctor and his Secure Guard walk down the street. There are girls getting ripped from their homes and out into cars, leaving behind the painful sobs from the family.

   I quickly wipe my ear clean and step into the living room. I see my sister at the desk reading a book.
"Hi, Brina." I say happily.
She looks up at me and smiles.
"Hi." She says.
I sit next to her and look her in her beautiful eyes. They shimmer with a dark green emerald tint.
"When are you leaving?" She asks.
My eyes widen. I don't want to tell her that this will be the last time she can talk to me freely. I take a deep breath. She's 14. She can know.
"I'm...leaving tomorrow." I whisper.
I feel her arms wrap around me and I sink into her embrace. Her brown hair covers my face so I willingly let my eyes fill with tears and drop into her hair. Hopefully they stay so she has me with her forever.
"Please remember me, Brina." I sniff.
She looks at me and wipes her eyes. Then she nods strongly.
"I promise." She sighs.
I stand and ruffle her hair, trying to lighten the mood.
I walk down the long hallway, running my hand along the wall. I see my father's room door is open and I walk in. He's asleep. Maybe he forgot about the Testing. I hope so.
I go to his bedside and lean down. His brown hair is almost invisible, the white hair dominating. I kiss his forehead and rub his hand. It's warm and comfortable. I wonder who will take care of him.
Will the organizers of the Sell-off, or the place where Royals buy the Aces, take care of him as compensation? I sit in his chair for what feels like hours. At some point, Brina walks in and sits on my lap.
It is dark. But I am happy. I'm happy to have this moment with my family. To have Brina, to have my dad, to have Flint. Ah! Flint!
I quickly place Brina in my bed and throw on a a dress with a floral print across the chest. I walk outside with my jacket on and start running down the street until I find his house.
Throwing myself on his widow, I rapidly knock. I don't care if someone hears me. I need to see him one last time. I see a figure walk towards the window and it opens.
There he is. Flint has on a loose white T-shirt and black sweatpants. He looks down at me, concerned.
"What is it, Simone?" He asks urgently.
I look around and make a face. He motions for me to come in. I grab his outstretched hand and pull myself into his room. I stand and look at him.
He runs his hands through his hair.
"I'm leaving tomorrow. I'll never see you again, Flint." I sigh.
His face is alarmed. Then he quickly smooths it out.
"For the Testing, yes?" He asks.
I nod and he walks towards me. His light brown eyes are burning with emotions. He holds me close to him and I melt into his warmth. I let out little sob as he let's go.
He looks at me and I feel something pull at my heart. He leans down and presses his lips against mine. I stand there, shocked and confused. He pulls back and looks down.
I lift his head and kiss him once before I close my eyes and start crying.
"I'll always remember you, Simone." He sighs.
I smile weakly and rub his arm.
"You have a special spot in my heart." I say. I go to turn away and he grabs my arm. I turn my head and look at him.
"Simone, I...I love you." He whispers. I stare at him. He...loves me?
He looks down at his feet and I eliminate the space between us.
"Flint. I love you too. But no matter what, I'll remember you and cherish our time together." I say.
He smiles and kisses my forehead.
"You better head back. People are gonna look for you soon." He sighs.
I nod and climb out of the window. I look back and he's holding his hand against the window. I smile and copy the gesture.
I run down the street with my heart heavy. I will lose everything I own. Even myself. I wish I could run away. But that's just as bad as being there with the Royals.
Always in fear. I won't live like that. I will fight. For my mother and father and my sweet Brina.
When I arrive home, Brina is still asleep and my father too. I curl up next to her and I sleep lightly that night. I wonder how many others have been trying to sleep at this hour.
I fall asleep and the next morning changes everything...forever.