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Juniper
Setting the reusable grocery bags on the counter, June noticed the time was four fifteen, “When is this girls’ community night thing?” She turned to Brittanya coming in with the last bags.
“It starts at five thirty but we go whenever we are ready.”
Brittanya crumpled the last reusable bag after unpacking it and placed it into the superior bag. June held her pie container while she watched Brittanya put things away. “Do you need help?”
“No,” she wrinkled her browat June, “It’s like, five things.”
“Okay,” She stood awkwardly. “What is this community event girls thing? What do they do at these events?”
“Dinner and it’s an eighteen and older dance event thing at the community center. They play music, dance, socialize, we just like to go together.” Brittanya closed the fridge, “I think it’s their way of getting singles to meet and populate the island. They love dances, balls and social events.”
“Do you not have a boyfriend?” June was taken back, Brittanya was stunning.
“No, I am in no rush. I wasn’t born here but I grew up here and all the guys my age are like brothers. I tried dating when I was younger but-” She shrugged.
“How old are you?”
“I’m only nineteen. Who knows, maybe my soulmate will get recruited here.” She closed the pantry. “Are you looking?”
The humid island air was suddenly dry in Juniper’s throat. “I don’t- I don’t think so.” She stumbled on her words and sat at the table.
Brittanya bit into an apple and pointed towards June with her apple in hand, “I have a feeling you will be snatched up so fast.” Her eyes narrowed in suspicion joining her, “You’re really pretty.”
“Okay.” She doubted her, “When will Whitney and Shianne be here?”
“Whitney is with Fade, her boyfriend, so, soon probably.”
“If she has a boyfriend, why does she go to these single things?”
“Free food,” Brittanya looked down at her apple anticipating her next bite. “Fade will probably join us at some point and Shianne is at work until four thirty.”
“Where does she work?” June felt one of her nails snag on her pants and began picking at it.
“The Supply Store.”
“Oh, I guess there is a need for that.” She didn’t look up from her nail.
“They tried doing a self check out but then they noticed some people still needed that interaction.”
June wiped her hand dry after biting at her nail, “Where do you work?” She began to question Brittanya’s free schedule, “And where does Whitney work?” Her mind began thinking of these questions: 'how many people live here?’ ‘What’s a necessary job?’
She laughed standing up to throw her core away, “I’m an intern for cosmetology.” She turned away from the table and continued talking, “Whitney is a solar engineer.”
“What?” June was shocked and confused. Whitney came off as, not dumb, more careless about energy or even engineering.
“Yeah, she’s a smart cookie.” She leaned against the counter facing June.
“Why did you choose hair cutting?”
“I didn’t, it chose me.” Her face turned into disappointment.
“How does that work?” June rested her head on her hand that was supported by the table.
“Well, you came yesterday, and we call that Placement Day. We have several Placement Days a year. Including the graduating senior class. So, on those days they choose where you live and what you’ll do after a few tests. It’s not as messed up as it sounds.”
“So, everyone gets treated the same whether you were born here or not?”
