Choices

A slight jump in time—our protagonists are now ten years old when the following events take place.

Vala

After our homeroom teacher handed out the forms for extracurricular activities, which we were supposed to fill out at home and return tomorrow, the whole classroom buzzed with excitement. Our new classes were set to start next week, and everyone was busy discussing their choices. Friends debated whether they should join the same activities, and the air was thick with anticipation.

My dear friend Mirte came toward me, waving her form in the air, her eyes alight with excitement.

“Val, what are you choosing?" she asked when she was close enough for me to hear her over the noise.

“Um, I haven’t decided yet, but since my mom is a dancer, I’ll probably just go with that too. I like dancing anyway.”

“Then I'll do dance too!” she blurted out excitedly.

I grimaced at her and said, “You should pick music. You're amazing with the flute. It'd be a waste to join the dance group just for me."

Loise, who had appeared out of nowhere, crossed her arms. "What do you mean, ‘just for you’?”

Mirte turned to her. "Loise! What about you? What are you choosing?”

Loise tilted her head, considering her options with the kind of intensity usually reserved for war generals. Mirte, vibrating with curiosity, couldn't handle the suspense.

“Loiseeeeee! Tell me ALREADY!”

I turned toward Mirte and asked, hoping to give Loise a little more time to think, “By the way, Mirte, will you go with the flute after all?”

A flicker of doubt crossed her face. Then, suddenly, her beautiful green eyes filled with tears, so I quickly added, “We’ll still see each other every day, don’t worry. You can always come over to my place anytime you miss me.” I winked at her, then turned to Loise. "And you too, Loise.”

Loise smiled at me for a brief second before her expression darkened, turning into a stormy desert once more.

“Don’t think I’ll have time for girly tea parties and gossip sessions as a professional archer,” she declared, with her nose high up in the air.

Mirte gasped. "So you’re choosing archery! That's so cool! Will you teach me? Ah, I guess I’ll go with the flute then... now that we’re all splitting up anyway…” She sighed dramatically, then brightened in a second, and grinned at me. "But don't be surprised if you see me on the dance floor, baby!" She laughed and pulled out her math book just as the teacher walked in, signaling the start of class.

***

After class, Theo came up to me to return a manga I had lent him.

“Oh, Theo, did you like it?” I asked as he handed the book back to me.

“Ah, yeah, I liked it a lot. The fight scenes were amazing, man,” he replied, his eyes sparkling.

“You really are a fan of fight scenes, aren’t you?” I laughed.

Theo and I were still friendly, but he hadn’t set foot in my house since my birthday back in kindergarten. After Siv cut contact with me, we didn’t do much together for a while, but when school started, he randomly came up to me one day with a manga he was reading. He asked if I knew it and offered to lend it to me. Since that day, we’ve been “manga friends,” and we’ve never ever mentioned Siv. It felt a bit lonely knowing that the three of us were once inseparable, but at least not everything was lost.

“Look, Val, do you think your mom could get me some dance shoes from the theater?”

I blinked. "Dance shoes? Wait... are you choosing DANCE??!!"

Theo rubbed the back of his neck. "Haha, yeah, I know, it’s a bit out of character for me, but it seemed like the best choice. So, think you can help?”

“I’ll ask her. There are probably tons of unused shoes lying around in the theater’s storage room. What size?”

“44. Big thanks, Val!" And just like that, he took off, probably heading to the rooftop, where he and Siv usually ate their lunch.

***

Every child in the Village must choose an additional class at the age of ten. These classes are tied to the Rituals and are considered essential for the community and for the preservation of our traditions. There are many options, including folk dance, folk music, archery, cooking, sewing, embroidery, shoemaking, and more—though honestly, it’s hard to keep track of them all.

Dance is special, though. It's the only place where males and females from the opposite side get close to each other. The Village elders say that folk dance is the most important way to uphold traditions, which is why both sides must participate together, and it's a good enough reason for making small exceptions. Of course, we're not supposed to get too close to our dance partners, but still — it's the only time when we're not scolded for touching someone of the opposite sex from the other side. To me, it feels like a small rebellion hidden within tradition.

That's the first reason why I'm so keen on joining the group, besides trying to get closer to my mom. She works a lot and doesn’t have much time for me, but maybe if we share a passion for dancing and performing, I can feel more connected to her. Ever since Bale — my cute little monster of a brother — was born two years ago, she’s had even less time for me, balancing work at the theater and taking care of a baby. Grandpa helps a lot, but… he’s not Mom.

Siv

The moment the bell rang and maths ended, I grabbed my bag and headed for the rooftop. I liked going there most of the time because it was the only place in this miserable school where I didn’t have to deal with my stupid classmates and the other dirtbags who constantly picked on me.

I was the chief’s son, and on top of that, I was good at every freaking sport I've tried, so naturally, I was someone people needed to hate. I was hated when I was poor and miserable, and now I’m hated as a “prince.” How ironic. Well, I don’t care much. I have Theo, and that’s all I need. One true friend is better than a hundred fake ones.

When I got to our usual spot on the left side of the rooftop, I looked down at the schoolyard. Some kids were playing football, some were reading, and others were painting the huge oak tree in the middle of the yard.

From up here, the school looked peaceful, but let me assure you—it was just a place of endless performance and hypocrisy.

I pulled the extracurricular form from my pocket and stared at it blankly. I remembered that Father had told me it would be best to choose folk dance since it was the best way to preserve our cultural heritage.

Since I didn’t have much interest in music or archery, it wasn’t difficult to convince me. At least this new burden of mine would please Father. But it also meant less time for football, tennis, and basketball. Four dance classes a week, weekend training with Father, helping Mother with the babies—Zeryth was born a month ago, and Esme was already two. Plus, not to forget, that I had to study like crazy. The son of the chief couldn’t afford bad grades.

Guess that’s how busy I’ll be from now on. Hurray.

But at least Mother is happy, my older siblings are at peace, and my baby sisters are safe. So, I have nothing to complain about...

... Right?

I heard Theo’s footsteps and saw his shadow approaching. I guessed he’d also choose dance since he didn’t have many other interests outside of manga and anime—except maybe archery because he thought it made him look like a hero.

“Yo, lucky one,” Theo called, teasing me as usual.

Lucky one. That’s what they call me behind my back—our classmates, I mean—because of my so-called privileged position.

As you can see, not much has changed since kindergarten.

Except for one thing.

I haven’t spoken to Vala—or anyone from the Right Side—for four years.