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I nominate "Expiration Date Duology" #MyWattysChoice

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This is an Expiration Date Holiday story. This one is a prequel and actually did take place. I dedicate this to my mother GingerB33 who's taken the time to edit three bulky stacks of paper that were rough, rough drafts for me. And that's only a tiny portion of all that she has done.

You're the greatest mom ever. I love you. <3 <3

"Gwen, you're on eggs. And Colton, you're making the waffle."

My brother scowls. "But why can't we just have one of the cooks do it, Jonas? That's what they're for."

"I sadly have to agree with him," Gwen comments as she opens the fridge. She retrieves a carton of eggs and sets it on one of the black granite islands.

My siblings just can't listen to me. I sigh. Gwen at least starts cracking the eggs, but Colton still stands between her and I, defying me.

"Will Mother even like this?" he asks.

"She'll love it. Now do I need to repeat the directions? You want to be a proper Beta, don't you?"

He shoots me a glare before grabbing the pre-made waffle mix out of the fridge. "That's not for another decade," he mutters. "Are you even going to pitch in?"

"Yes, obviously. I'm slicing the bananas, plating, filling the cup with syrup, and pouring the drink. Now, do you have any other pathetic comebacks?"

He ducks his head and plugs in the waffle iron. Gwen bites her bottom lip, containing a smirk. While she'll express her opinion, she'll always obey me, unlike Colton. We both know she wants the role of Beta. Even my parents do. But that's not the way things work in the Society. Girls do not become one of the Order. If I did not have my brother, the role would pass to my cousin, Erik. It's a pity. She's much more easier to handle than Colton.

With care, I remove the closest wine glass from the pantry that houses all of the glasses. I pour the orange juice one of the cooks squeezed last night into it and then take the eggs from Gwen. While I'm plating them, Colton passes me the waffle. Looking at it, it seems fluffy. My stomachs grumbles. Maybe I could have him make me one. I could always order him to be my personal chef. I'd receive a good laugh from that.

After I finish plating, we step back and admire our Mother's Day gift.

"Jonas," Gwen picks up the glass of juice, "I have to say your idea worked. I think she'll love it."

The three of us carefully make our way out of the kitchen and to the stairs. I hold the tray with the food, while Gwen holds the orange juice. I don't ever let Colton off the hook though. The three of us made a card, so he gets to hold the pink construction paper.

The plate and silverware tingles and rings as I ascend the stairs.

"What if she's already up?" Colton asks.

Gwen throws a him an annoyed look. "The sun is only starting to rise. I'm sure she's fast asleep."

"And we're going to wake her up?"

"No." I roll my eyes. "You are. You're going to jump on the bed and wake Mother and Father up."

"But she'll be upset with me."

"Colton, do it or I'll punch you." Gwen holds up her fist. "Now shut up, or you'll ruin the surprise, stupid."

He huffs. "You're such a brat."

She grins at him, her eyes malicious. "I know."

When we reach their room, Gwen pulls out the key she stole from their drawers yesterday. She inserts it carefully and turns it to the side. The hinges of the door are oiled often enough that it does not creak in the slightest as she pushes it forward. I nod to Colton, and with a deep breath he enters, approaching her side of the bed slowly.

And then he jumps. "Happy Mother's Day, Mommy!"

Our mother screams, and our father jumps off the bed. She grasps her heart. "Oh Colton, darling." She laughs running her hand though his hair. "Thank you, my darling."

Gwen and I step into the room and bring the food to her. "Happy Mother's Day."

She cups my cheek in her hand. "Thank you, love." And with her other hand she cups Gwen's cheek as well. "Thank you, my sweet."

We beam at her and place the tray on her lap, opening up the wooden legs.

"This looks delicious. Thank you."

"Did you make any for me?" our father asks hopefully.

We shake our heads, and he feigns hurt. Colton holds out the card, and our mother smiles accepting it.

She places her fingers on her lips while reading and then makes eye contact with each of us. "I have the sweetest children in this world."

The sweetest children. But we really aren't. And we know it.

I mean, the whole United States of the Society hates us. Fears us. The things the future Preeminence and Beta need to have.

*******

Colton and Gwen both want to go swimming, so I agree to watch them. I pick a spot in the shade--my long sleeve shirt making it too hot to sit by the pool in the direct sun. Erik and his friend, Arrietty, are having a diving contest that they asked me to judge. So far they've dived twelve times and haven't asked me for my opinion once.

I sigh, resting my chin on my fist.

Colton and Gwen race from side to side, looking like they're having all the fun in the world--their marks freely exposed. All of their marks are. Except mine. I have to hide the date I'll die. Colton can't know that he'll become Preeminence soon after I do, because I have less than nine years to live. I swallow and glance at the sleeve hiding my bandaged Expiration Date.

A gun shot breaks the air. I stiffen and the pool water begins to grow still as they waves level out. My leadership instincts take over, and I jump to my feet. "Out of the pool."

It's only the five of us out here. No adults are to be soon, as apparently at eleven I count as adult supervision. As the four exit the pool I move a stone block and retrieve three of the guns tucked inside. I hand two of them to Colton and Erik, both of who are dripping with water.

Gwen already has the door open, and we follow her path quickly. Inside the mansion Society members are running in every direction in order to reach the safe rooms underneath us.

"You think it's rebels?" Erik asks, cocking the gun.

I nod. "Who else could it be?"

Colton grinds his teeth. "If they hurt any of my family, I swear I will hunt down each one of those low lifes and torture them until they're begging for death no matter who they are. No matter if they are man or woman, young or old."

"Master Jonas." One of the elderly servants motions over to a door in the wall, painted to blend in. It's positioned a foot above the ground and is in the shape of a square. "Hurry. Hurry now." Gwen climbs in and starts crawling, but when Arrietty places her hand inside the servant stops her. "Only Society members."

"Jonas," Erik pleads.

"Let her in." I turn at the sound of feet plodding on the marble floor and aim my gun. Colton and Erik copy me.

Three rebels round the corner and point their guns at us. From a young age the three of us boys have been taught to shoot. Now at eleven and ten we're not bad shots. I aim for the head but it misses by no more than an inch. Not surprising. Today is probably not their Expiration Date. Erik ducks as a bullet flies past where his head was and lodges into the wall just next to the escape tunnel. I aim for the shoulder of the rebel's right arm who shot at Erik, and it finds its mark, causing him to drop the gun. Erik and Colton manage to do the same on the other two.

"Into the tunnel now," I yell. Colton and Erik climb in. Some of our guards locate us and tie up the rebels we shot. I nod at the guards and they do the same. I set my gun down preparing to climb in the tunnel. The servant is no longer to be seen.

I pull myself into the entrance and begin to crawl. Inside it's dark and my heart pounds from the encounter with the rebels. I pull the door back into place and turn back around. The ground tilts slightly, taking me below the Society.

Rebels in the Estate. Rebels in my home, hurting the Society--my people.

I slide out of the tunnel and find the four of them waiting for me, each on separate steps. Standing to my feet, I take in Gwen's and Arrietty's wide eyes and trembling jaws.

Colton looks at me warily. "You all right, brother?"

I nod. "Let's start the descent."

The stairs spiral down tightly, only wide enough for a single file line. Gun shots continue to ring out from above us to the point that we no longer flinch.

"Jonas?" Arrietty suddenly asks.

"Yes?"

"Thank you for allowing me to come with you."

"Absolutely. Erik would never forgive me if I let one of his friends be taken."

"You're right. I wouldn't."

The stairs open up into a circular chamber made of stone where Society members are gathered. Some are on cots, others are holding their children. I spot my future Epsilon and Iota with their younger siblings.

"Mommy," Colton cries. He doesn't move however. I follow his gaze and I stiffen, my face surely paling. My mother lies on a cot, blood seeping out of her arm, her back propped up with a three pillows. If my face is pale her's is paler. Sweat sheens on her face and her hair is disheveled. Gwen and I run foward, but our father motions us back, not even looking up.

"Mother?" Gwen and I both ask at the same time.

She winces, and I want nothing more than to help her. Her eyes shut before she eventually makes eye contact with us. "I'll be all right. It's just my arm."

Gwen has tears in her eyes. I look at Colton who's still frozen in place, tears pouring down his cheeks.

My sister inhales shakily. "But--"

"Who did this?" Colton's voice trembles.

"Colton, my darling--"

"Who?"

"Rebels." Our father finally tears his gaze away from our mother-- his voice cold and face hardened.

Colton's hands are in fist at his sides. "I swear when I am Beta I will stop this insurrection. I will punish all rebels. I will not show mercy. You have my word."

My father dips his head. "Thank you, my son."

I stare at my mother's bleeding arm and the pain on her face that she's trying to hide for only us. I swallow back my own tears. "Rebels must either be taken out or severely punished."

Colton joins my side. "Future threats must be eliminated or kept locked away until they reach their Expiration."

I glance at him. "Or at least removed from those who indoctrinate them."

He nods, his mouth in a firm line.

My father looks at us with pride. "I'm proud of you, my sons."

I place my hand on my brother's shoulder. "I look forward to the day I can call you my Beta."

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So how do you feel about Colton now?
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Any other holidays you want me to do?
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I hope you liked it. Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there.

I couldn't fit it in, but I posted this as a separate book on my page. On there is a picture of Gwen if you want to know what she looks like, as well as Colton and Jonas.