Saven Deception by Siobhan Davis Read Free Book Online

the first place. And
I respect my body. I’ve no interest in hooking-up unless I love the boy.”
    I’m proud of myself for speaking my mind.
I’d never have the guts to say anything like that at home in front of my
family; I’d sit there and take their pitying looks and their accompanying
abuse.
    She pauses considerably before replying.
“I don’t pity you. I’m surprised. It’s normal in my sector to be sexually
active from a young age.” She lies on her stomach and rests her head in her
hands, a reflective look on her face. “You don’t get teased for that?” she
asks.
    I shake my head.
    She looks pensive again. “I think that’s
admirable, Sadie. And dignified. You should hold onto that conviction.”
    “Thank you.” Then part of what she says
clicks into my brain. “It’s normal for girls to … do it, when they’re young?”
I’m aghast all over again. How can our society stand by and permit this? It’s
wrong on so many different levels.
    “I can’t speak for other Sectors, but,
yeah, it’s normal in Sector twenty-five. Of course, most have already taken the
shot by the time they first start working, and some of them opt for early sterilization.”
    “What?!” I pull my knees up to my chest
and pin her with a shocked look. All females receive a regular annual
contraceptive injection as soon as menstruation starts. The government isn’t
taking any chances when it comes to unwanted pregnancy.
    Mom told me once that the first few years
after they introduced the ban on marriage and motherhood, some women got
pregnant anyway in direct contravention of the law. All were removed from their
families and never seen again. One doesn’t need an active imagination to
visualize their fate. Thereafter, the government introduced some new rules to
ensure they didn’t have to deal with such situations again.
    The annual contraceptive injection was
introduced, and compulsory sterilization at age twenty-five is the law unless
you’re one of the chosen ten percent. I’m totally sickened that some girls
would volunteer to have the procedure earlier. I cannot comprehend how any girl
would willingly make that choice.
    “I know,” Jenna says, apparently reading
my mind, “I think it’s wrong too. But some of the girls I know are quite happy
with the way things are. They know the chances of being selected in the ten-percent
pool are minimal and they’d rather get the op out of the way early. Personally,
I’d never volunteer to sign away my right to kids. Who says I might not be part
of the ten percent? If I’ve already had the op, I’ve already sealed my fate. I
think it’s beyond foolish.”
    “I totally agree. I … I’d love to have
kids,” I admit, sheepishly. I’ve never told anyone that. “And a husband.” A
faint blush blooms in my cheeks.
    “So would I,” Jenna says. Her eyes glaze
over and I know she’s dreaming of a future that’s well out of reach.
    I should know. It takes a dreamer to
recognize a dreamer.
    “I thought you were all about the fun,” I
say, getting into my stride now.
    “A little fun along the way doesn’t do any
harm.” She smirks and I laugh. “You should totally indulge in some fun with
that hottie from the cafeteria. I bet he gives good fun.”
    I snicker as if I’m three years old, and
it feels so good to giggle. “Oh God, I hope I never meet him again. I’d die of
embarrassment.” My face is flaming and I fan my cheeks with my hands.
    “That’s a Goddamn lie and you know it.”
She rips my hands away from my face and stares me straight in the eye. “You
couldn’t take your eyes off him. Admit it, you want him.” There’s a mischievous
glimmer in her eye.
    “The only thing I’m admitting is a
temporary bout of insanity. I’ve never stared at any boy like that. I’ve no
idea what came over me.” I inwardly cringe as I recall my wanton behavior.
    “That’s because you’ve never seen anyone
as hot as him before.” She twists onto her