As Luna brings out the first dish for Owen's breakfast, a plate of scrambled duck eggs topped with a generous scoop of caviar, Brian starts to toss the cubed mango, peach, dragonfruit, and a lemon-lime dressing with a little bit of sliced zucchini for added texture. Standing right beside him, I pull two grilled pork sausages out of the pan and place it on a separate plate. When Luna comes back for the salad and sausages, she gives me and Brian a small smile before grabbing a plate in each hand and walking them out to Owen.

As she heads into the dining room used specifically for breakfast, Brian leans back on the counter and says, "So, what do you think about the new law announcement? What do you think it will be?"

"That's what everyone at the Market was talking about today, too," I reply and pause before continuing, "But I heard from Isabella that it is possible that they are building a new school in each city for Lowers. They need more people to handle the technician and designer jobs up at Ophir."

Eyes widening, Brian asks, "For all Lowers?"

Rolling my eyes, I answer, "Isabella thinks it is. I doubt it. What is the chance that the government will actually build a school for Lowers, moreover 1s and 2s and 3s like us?"

"That's true. What do you think, Luna?" he says as Luna returns to the kitchen.
"Same as Raine. Doubt it. Why would they build a school for us? They need us to work these jobs and the Uppers to work those jobs. That's just how it's going to work. Anyway, I need to go make Owen a drink." she replies as she rolls her eyes.

Heading over to the blender, she drops some berries and yogurt in it and pulses it for a few seconds. Pouring the blender's content in a glass, she takes the glass and walks it out to Owen.

"You know, I kind of wish that I could go to school," Brian starts quietly once Luna leaves. "Not that I'm complaining about this. I want to help my family, and I love working with you guys. The Masters are nicer than the most other Masters as well. Just, I wish that I could be more than just a servant who cleans up messes and cooks."
My heart sinks at the sadness in his words, but I do my best to try and comfort him.

"Maybe you could. There's still a chance that they are building schools for us."

Closing his eyes briefly and sighing, he whispers, "I hope so."

Luna comes back a few moments later and suggests that we play Vix. Anything to distract us from the upcoming law announcement. Giving Luna a grateful smile before dragging Brian to find his deck of cards.

As Luna started dealing the cards, I ask, "Are you guys going home for the law announcement or are you staying here?"

Pausing for a short moment, Luna looks up and says, "I'm going home."

Then, she looks to Brian and asks, "What about you Brian?"

Blinking, he sits up and replies, "No, I'm staying here. My parents won't be home anyway. Too busy working, and their Masters are very strict about when they have to be there. I haven't seen them in about a week."

The atmosphere of the room darkens with his confession, and Luna's expression turns grim and pained.

With a very soft and gentle voice, she says, "I'm sorry, Brian. I hope everything will be all right."

"You can come home with me," I offer. "It's not much, but it's something."
"Really? I'll do that. Thank you, Raine," he accepts and swallows before starting to rant. "Sometimes I wish my mother became a Gate Guard. She's a 6, so she totally could have been one. I appreciate her giving up her position to be with my dad, so they can keep an eye on each other. Have each others' back. It calms me to know that my mom would sacrifice a better position just to be with my dad. I admire her for it. Just, I wish that we are together more as a family."

Giving me a worried look, Luna starts to deal the cards.

Luna comes back with a groan. We had just finished our third game of Vix, and she wanted to check on Owen to make sure he was doing all right.

Leaning on the counter, she says, visibly annoyed, "He said that he'll be out to pick up the Masters in about 30 minutes when they return. He wants us to prepare their lunch and do a quick sweep of the house to clean up any mess we find and clean up his table. Like, of course, he does."

Brian walks up behind her and, gently resting his hand on her back, rubs soothingly until she relaxes.

"It's all right, Luna. It's our job. I've got it. How about you start lunch, and I'll go and clean?" he whispers quietly, enough for only the three of us to hear it.

"I'll help, too," I add.

"All right," she sighs.

She pulls herself out of Brian's grasp before heading over to the fridge as Brian and I move to clean the table.

The clock in the kitchen reads 3:20. Luna has already left to her house, and Brian and I are getting ready to leave. Stepping out the door, Brian and I start our way back to my home. As we arrive at the entrance, Brian begins to shake.

Placing my hand on his shoulder, I say, "It'll be fine. You've been to my house before."

Breathing in deeply, he loosens his tense posture and follows me into my house. As soon as I step in, I am enveloped by the arms of my father and caressed by the soft hands of my mother.

"Oh, Raine. I've missed you so much," my mother whispers.

"I've missed you, too," I reply.

"Brian! It's great to see you!" my father says as soon as he lets me go. "How have you been?"
"Busy. Haven't seen my parents for a long time. Otherwise, I'm fine," he answers my father. "How have you been?"
"Busy as well. Good thing we have Raine. He helps a lot around here."
Groaning playfully, I say, "Dad!"

My mom rescues me and ushers the three of us over to the table where the projector is on. Soon after we've all settled, the president appears in a dark suit and red tie broadcasting his power over everyone.

"Welcome, citizens of Paysguo. We have decided to build schools for 6s in every city so that they can achieve better lifestyles and learn to handle more intellectually demanding jobs starting this coming school season."

Hearing this news, everyone perks up and listens more intently for what follows. With hopeful eyes, I watch the projector closely as the president continues.

"Because of this decision, we have come to the conclusion that, as citizens, you are responsible for providing this service for your fellow citizens. Therefore, the following is the new law that you have been notified about," he says, clearing his throat before opening a scroll. "All Uppers will pay 5 percent less than they were paying before while Lowers, being the main benefactor of this deal, will pay 15 percent more taxes than previously until all schools have been built. Then, all Uppers will return to their regular amount while all Lowers will continue to pay 5 percent more than currently for maintenance of the schools. Thank you for your attention."

Eyes widening in surprise, everyone is speechless for a second as his words sink in. Then, as reality hits, I get up and run, screaming, into my room.

"I hate it, I hate it, I hate it! How could they? This is totally unfair! I'm so sick of it! Does no one seem to consider what everyone feels!"
I feel myself losing control as panic settles in and my breathing quickens. Voices in my head start to emerge as I lose myself to panic. Your parents are going to have to start living at their Masters' mansion. Like Brian's parents. In the servants' quarter. Frustrated, I scream as I crumble in despair to the floor. The conditions are worse there than at home. Gasping for air, I choke when Brian bursts into the room.

"Hey Raine, it's all right. Look at me Raine, look at me."

Grabbing for my hand, he holds it tight and pulls it to his chest, his heart.

"Feel my heartbeat, Raine. Breathe with me. In. out. In. out. That's it, Raine, keep breathing. In. Out," he continues to breathe deeply as my breathing slows after what feels like an eternity.

"It's all right, Raine. I'm going to have to get back. Can't let Luna take the blame."

Gently lifting me up, he carries me over to my shabby bed and lays me down. Covering me with the shabby blanket, he turns and heads out the door.

"Take it easy, all right, Raine? I'll see you tomorrow," he says as he leaves my room.

Turning over on my side and with dried tears staining my face, the president's words ringing in my ear.

All Uppers will pay 5 percent less than they were paying before while Lowers, being the main benefactor of this deal, will pay 15 percent more taxes than previously until all schools have been built. Then, all Uppers will return to their regular amount while all Lowers will continue to pay 5 percent more than currently for maintenance of the schools.

Main benefactor. Not all Lowers are benefiting. Only 6s. And now my parents might have to start living at their Masters'. In the servants' quarter. Where the conditions are way worse.

Just then Brian walks back in my room, scratching his head sheepishly.

"Here," he says as he walks toward me, "a little note that your parents left you. Thought you would want it. You know, because they had to leave right away and couldn't come after you. They do care. They didn't come after you because they cared. They needed to get to work to keep your family alive. Do you understand?"

Nodding my head because I did understand, I say as I reach out to grab the note, "Thanks. I'll see you tomorrow."

Giving me a sad smile, he turns and leaves.

Laying down on the bed, I unfold the note, noticing that it was on the other side of the same paper that I used from the day before.

Hi Raine,

We hope you are doing better now. We are so sorry, but we had to go. Our Masters only gave us 3 minutes to get back. It's all right. We'll get through it. I know we will. No matter how much they take from us, they can't take our soul. Our heart. Our mind. Our love. We love you no matter what happens. Even if we have to stay at the servants' quarter, we will still love you. Rest well, and we will be back tonight to check on you. Everything will be fine. Trust us. We promise.

Smiling at their note, a little part of me believes that things will be fine. That they won't have to stay at the servants' quarter. Carefully tucking the note in my pocket, where I know that it will be safe, I close my eyes and fall into a slumber and dream about a place where the number you were born with doesn't matter. 

Author's Note

Hi guys! I hope you enjoyed your holiday! I have a new chapter for you today, and I am sorry about both the long wait and short chapter. But... It's finally here!
I'll be back to my regular updating schedule after mid-January, but I'll try to get a chapter out asap!