A/N: I changed the age of the main character, Maxine Lockdream, and those around her age, like Emmie, her ex, and her seniors at school. Instead of fourteen, I started the story with her at fifteen, and she returned to school to start her first year of high school at sixteen. Though the story is not just p*rn with a plot, gender, sexuality, and identity are a big part of it, so I couldn't let the characters start too young. I think I forgot to take into account the general sample, because personally, I was already in high school at fourteen, finishing by seventeen to start my undergraduate studies right after.
Anyway, I hope you will not be inconvenienced, and will keep supporting the story.
Yours truly, LifeDayDreams.
Enjoy.
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At sixteen, we were not supposed to face some things. Unfortunately, we are past the age of obliviousness, especially with how our minds have been sharpened by the years of knowledge intake until our first year of high school. Furthermore, life has its way of forcing some weight onto our minds without any care at all.
I glance at Emmie, not even needing to read her mind to tell that she is down, even though she is trying to hide it. But she is just too bright most of the time, and that makes it difficult for her to hide a dip in intensity.
A breath filled with gloom settles into my chest, before a part of it is blown away as I return my focus to the teacher, and the lesson.
It is another class of history. It is the class that can be either very boring, or very interesting, depending on personal interest and the teacher. It is also a class during which I can let my mind rest, sometimes.
I seem to have developed some OCD and a desire for perfection.
The subject today is a continuation of what has been the focus some time ago, the shifts that have started the new period of peace. I glance to the side, then focus on the front, on the not so young teacher and his calm but deep and rhythmic voice.
"There used to be more countries than before, as you must have been taught in junior high. Hundreds of countries, right? Unlike the few that exist now. Previously, there were countries of different sizes, the smallest not even as big as the provinces of some of the biggest. But none of them have disappeared. Everyone has only changed to survive. Survival, an interesting word, isn't it?"
Whether with his experience or through a talent he has always had, the teacher has the class captivated. Especially with a subject so impactful. He waves his hand and smiles, with amusement, but his words that follow have nothing amusing at all.
"Seven countries now, but do you believe that if a new war comes, only about three will survive?"
Silence. Not even gasps. The prospect of the calamity that would chew the world and reshape it is too heavy to even let people breathe, especially youngsters like us. Sometimes, the future, when dark enough, can really be despairing.
The history teacher's smile returns to normal, and I exhale a breath I didn't even know I was holding.
"Alright, no need to worry. We might not even be alive by the time of the next shift in the world. Though, we are lucky to be living in the foremost superpower among the seven federations."
The class relaxes, and he goes on.
"Of course, no matter the names, whether federations, unions, or whatever, that change that happened after the last war has been the only recourse for securing a future, for staying relevant and remaining in the competition.
Before, some smaller nations were powerful, and some bigger, but poorer ones held resources that made them desirable, and even a market, for profit. But no matter how strong a small nation is, with key parameters like population, market, land and so on in the hands of others, the latter could rise up at any moment and overthrow the foreign domination. That was a risk, and risks are to be curbed, and if possible, eliminated. But the worst has been the nations that had been big, rich, and powerful. They have dominated the world, and the reshuffle from the war had many seize the opportunity.
That was the beginning of the first federation, to compete with our country, who has reestablished its dominance once again during the war. So, resources were pooled together, and the pattern of conflicts changed. No more big wars. Only friction, and maybe some other unspeakable exchanges of blows where no one can see them, and where us normal people are not bothered. So, that is not bad, all in all, especially for us, because we have remained dominant even throughout the wave of changes."
After panning his gaze over us and feeling satisfied with our attention, the teacher opens his book.
"Now open your history book at the chapter on the new world pattern. We will continue with the first federation, and the second most powerful country in the world."
The silence lingers for a moment, before the sounds of exhales sweep it away, followed by the shuffling sounds of papers.
*Riiiing*
The class lasted the exact same length it had too. It ended as soon as the bell rang. Actually, we were made to close our books a second before the bell for lunch break even rang. That must have been experience shining through, certainly.
I smile at myself, and put my books away before waiting for Emmie. Seeing how lethargic she seems, I take her by the hand and pull her along, making myself the energetic one in our duo.
We attract gaze along the way. Even though we wore nothing outrageous, just us two remaining pasted together, is enough to turn heads. Moreover, we have been even closer to each other this year. It is like a closed group with just the two of us, two girls, attractive, whether more romantically or more sexually, who don't shy away from physical contact.
That is something many have noticed after our story with our old teacher of chemistry. It is no wonder some looks have been floating our way, suspecting what more there is to our relationship, even dreaming to be a part of it.
Really, men… or rather, boys… Though, girls… Would I mind?
I shake off the unduly signs of lust from my mind. I pull Emmie to get our plates, then find seats for us. I look at her, then start eating. I don't say anything. I don't see the need to.
I simply wait and accompany her. She will talk if she wants, if she needs to. Though, after a moment, I pause, and look at the untouched food before Emmie.
"Eat. Even if you want to lose weight, that is not the way to go."
Emmie keeps her eyes on the food on her plate, before she opens her mouth to speak in a soft voice:
"Do you know, Max? Helene and dad might divorce."
The hand I'm raising to my mouth freezes.