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Author's Chapter Notes:

Someone's out there distributing a NEW brand of MAJOR/minor!....but I'm still here with my boring, dull, MAJOR/minor classic for your reading disatisfaction! I'm not going away! I mean I might go away. You never know in this world. 

This chapter is about bonding. It's kind of a doozy and more than a bit strange and hight concept. Let me know if it's too wierd for this story or if the tone is off. That is all! 

MAJOR/minor Chapter 7: minor/Bonding


Izzellah heard shouting coming from inside room m115. The “m” was lowercase which she assumed stood for “minor” but she wasn’t certain. She never understood that grammatical difference, “MAJOR” was universally spelled in all capital letters while “minor” was always spelled lowercase except at the beginning of a sentence. It seemed like such an arbitrary naming convention. Were MAJORS so arrogant that even their own terminology had to be superior? She pushed against the door and for once it opened with no resistance. It was a minor class so it made sense that a minor should be able to get in.

The little group of “friends” she’d somehow found herself in had shrunk by one. Mabel didn’t have a minor so she had to attend a regular class. Izzellah was thankful for that. Her exuberant mannerisms and lavish and persistent attention were quirks that quickly became grating. She wasn’t sure how Sabrina tolerated the overcharged ginger everyday but she was starting to understand why they fought so often.

“Did you sleep with him!” Izzellah heard. Three people were already in the room waiting. The teacher Christine who maybe didn’t have a last name, the halfsie girl…”Lisa” she could just barely recall, and Mr. Creamy Abs!?

“So what if I did?!” Lisa shouted up to the MAJOR boy she’d drooled over in the gym mere minutes before now.

“Did you BOND with him?” He interrogated and Izzellah did not miss the substantially grim undertone when he said “bond”

“What business is that of yours!?” Lisa pushed ineffectually into him. “Imma grown woman!”

“Braxton Winton. Of all the MAJORS in this school you chose Braxton Winton as your next bondmate!”

“Here we go again.” Riri said. Izzellah jumped at her presence. The girl was very quiet and often in the background of the group. She wasn’t the alpha, that was clearly Sabrina even if Mabel didn’t know it, yet she seemed to know more than the other two. She seemed more mature, and in the last two days Izzellah had been with them they barely talked. She was only starting to fathom the desire for her MAJORS possessed, but Riri seemed to be an exception. Was it because of the bond? She looked at Peter the tiny package she held to close. She put the thin and unassuming boy with the giant blue eyes down. Did he have that kind of pull over her or was it something more?

“Romeo’s pissed today.” Peter said to her. He jogged over to Lisa and Izzellah realized how short he was. It might have been because as a halfsie Lisa was pushing seven feet but he seemed like a child next to her. Is that how she looked? He was only a little shorter than her. She went to join them. They were the only two minors she had familiarity with in this class.

“Do you know what he said about you!?” Romeo half shouted.

“Who cares what he said! He’s an asshole! Everyone in school knows that.” Lisa replied with a greater intensity.

“Then why did you FUCK him?! BOND with him?!”

“Because he was cute!” Lisa revealed. “What I’m not allowed to be interested in guys now?! If I knew you were gonna be so weird about it I would’ve had mom or dad come with me today!”

Izzellah stepped in next to Lisa. She was instantly envious of her size. Up close she might not be quite seven feet but she was close and seemed more capable because of it. She looked at Peter who seemed content to just stand there as the siblings continued there bickering.

“It’s bad enough that you just throw a bond around to anyone who asks for it you have to go and give that overprivileged prick one too!”

“Hey, enough!” Izzellah spoke up.

Romeo flinched.

LIsa looked down at her. Even the teacher turned away from unfurling a large mat on the ground to stare at her.

“Uhhh..you shouldn’t judge your sister.” Izzellah said. “You’re lucky to even have one. It’s none of your business what she decides to do. She’s nineteen. That’s old enough to make her own decisions and live with the consequences.”

Lisa giggled and Izzellah found a lanky arm around her shoulder. “What she said.”

Romeo peered away from them both.

“Look, Roro. I made a mistake okay.” Lisa said far more jovial than perhaps the implication implied. “Is that what you wanna hear. I made a mistake. I knew the rumors about him but I went for it anyway. He didn’t hurt me. I wanted it okay. Do you really wanna know all the details of your big sister having sex?”

“No.” Romeo blushed. “I just-”

“I know. You worry.” Lisa finished. “Come here.” She reached for her larger sibling and he went to his knees and head fell into her chest. She started humming. “Easy now big guy.”

Romeo took a deep breath and closed his eyes. They stayed like that for a brief moment before he opened them again.

“Feel better?” Lisa asked.

“Yes.” he whined.

“Big sis is okay.” she comforted.

Romeo stood up and went to take a seat at the table in the back.

Lisa rubbed her hands together and sighed in the relief. “He’s a good kid.” She said turning to Izzellah. “You didn’t have to do that.”

“Yeah, it’s just...I’m starting to see how MAJORS treat most of us and it didn’t feel right to just let him berate you like that.”

“Cute, but Romeo’s not like that. I have him wrapped around my little finger.” Lisa stuck her tongue out and raised her little pinky. “He’s just possessive. My whole family is. I’m kind of a “miracle”, but I think you probably understand that.”

Izzellah wasn’t quite sure what Lisa was implying. “Did you really bond with Braxton Winton?”

“Snrrk. Yeah.” Lisa snorted. “My bad. I should’ve went for his brother. Much harder. But he has so many MAJORS after him and I don’t do threesomes.”

‘T-threesomes!?” Izzellah blushed. “What?!”
“Y’know.” Lisa tilted her head. “MAJORS all want in on the action. Even the girls. He was dating for awhile and I didn’t want to share a bed with a jealous soon to be ex. You understand right. MAJORS are so competitive about that stuff. It gets a little crazy with the bond. They start wanting to share you. Not always but it’s annoying.”

“What are you talking about?!” Izzellah was horrified.

“Wait….you’ve?” Lisa raised an eyebrow. “Bonding. You do know what I’m talking about? You’ve bonded.”

“No.” Izzellah said.

“Oh?” Lisa said. “Why not?”

“B-because it’s special right? Y-you’re supposed to find someone special.”

“Don’t let Christina’s preaching indoctrinate you girl.” Lisa dismissed. “Bondings fun! You should do it as much as you can. Take Sabrina.” Lisa pointed to the MAJOR who was sitting at the back table. The three had taken up a game of cards. “She’s young and cute. Bond her. Take her into a bathroom or empty hall and rock her world!”

“She’s thirteen?!” Izzellah gasped.

“Oh so you’re a prude too.”

“It’s illegal!” Izzellah said. “I”m not a pedo! I’m not making a pass at a minor!”

Lisa laughed out loud. “Do you live under a rock kid? MAJOR’s are more developed. “Superior” beings. Their age of consent is thirteen!”

Izzellah was surprised she was surprised. Sabrina was driving already too. It dawned on her how ignorant she truly was of MAJOR culture. She would have to research this when she got home, press her father on why he never told her these things. Everything she’d learned it grade school just seemed wrong. MAJORS were exceptions to all of it.

“Even so….I don’t like her.” Izzellah lied. “She’s loud and arrogant.”

“That describes every MAJOR everywhere.” LIsa laughed. “Oh! Then how about Roro!” she suggested. “He’s a sweetie and he’s pretty hot. Even I have to admit that. Give him a ride! Break two cherries at once!”

Izzellah was horrified at Lisa’s intuition. Was her virginity that transparent?!

“Ms. Watermiene!” Christine finally interrupted. “I think that’s quite enough for now. Try not to corrupt our newest student so quickly little miss.”

“Ooops.” Lisa chuckled. She dragged Izzellah to take a seat next to her on the mat Christine had spread out. “Stick with me kid. I’ll teach you how to work the system.” She winked.

Soon more students were trickling in, including Mei Masumoto. At her side was a young man, a young minor. Izzellah didn’t recognize him and wasn’t sure if he was in the class the last time. They spoke to each other briefly and she ruffled his hair against his protests. He then took a seat on the opposite side of the mat.

“Lee. Mei’s older brother.” Lisa informed. “He’s got an art scholarship. Quiet type. Unbonded. Like you.”

“And you now, right?” Izzellah added.

“I mean he’s a bond virgin.” Lisa clarified.

“How can you tell?” Izzellah was eager to press Lisa for information. She was a wizened sage compared to her own ignorance when it came to the bond.

“Oh wow.” Lisa exclaimed, “You’ve never even bonded with another minor have you?”

“No.” Izzellah admitted.

“Well then today should be fun for you!” Lisa winked again.

Izzellah was unsure and slightly frightened by what that meant, but it didn’t seem like Lisa would bother giving her details.

“Okay class.” Christine said as the last of the minors came in. It was the portly middle-eastern boy. “Clear your heads and get ready for bond practice.”

Lisa licked her lips and gave Izzellah a predatory smile. “Don’t worry Izzy, I’ll be gentle.”

 


 


“Interesting development.” Mei observed. “Izzellah seems to have garnered the attention of Lisa Watermiene. This will be noted.”

“Romeo was being an ass and she stepped in.”

“I wasn’t being an ass!” Romeo said as he put down a black card that said wild on it with four multicolored cards printed on it and the word “wild” at the top. “Now draw four. Blue.” he said.

“You kind of were.” Sabrina said as she took some cards.

“No, he’s right.” Riri said as she place down a blue number six card. “Lisa could stand to be more conservative with her bondmates. Uno.”

“You only say that because you’re bonded already.” Sabrina took all the cards back and started reshuffling the deck this time dealing Mei in as well. The parents that were sitting in bonded to their children sat at another table and talked amongst themselves.

“Your perspective may only serve your own self interest as well.” Mei said as she received her cards. “You’ve never been bonded correct? Sabrina Rodriguez.”

“I don’t see how that matters.”

“Lisa Watermiene is notoriously….generous with her bond.” Mei stated. “Her potentially gaining influence with Izzellah Ivory means that Izzellah may gain a similar….perspective. This might prove a boon for you.” Mei placed down a red card with a circle with a cross on it. “Skip.”

Romeo grimaced at his skipped turn and Mei’s specifically chosen words and the subtext they implied.

“That’s not what-.” Sabrina paused. “The same could be said for you Mei Masumoto.” Sabrina said imitating Mei’s even and deliberate speaking cander.”

“Correct.” Mei said. The corner of her mouth upturned just slightly.

“Please.” Riri spoke up. She placed down a yellow two card. “She won’t be bonding with either of you after today.”

“An interesting prognostication.” Mei noted. “But incorrect.”

“How so?” Riri asked.

“Surely you’ve have noticed the emotions Izzellah emits. She has a terrible loneliness. She seeks companionship, or have you been bonded with Mr. Silver so long you’ve become oblivious?”

Sabrina held back a gasp as she placed down a red two card.

“Hollow words from someone who’s never been bonded.” Riri shot. “I’ve hung out with her for more than a few minutes. I don’t have to violate her privacy to know that once she discovers how intimate a bond can be she’ll be even more weary.”

Romeo looked on as the conversation slowly escalated.

“I’ve been bonded.” Mei informed. Her eyes narrowed. She put down a red card with two cards printed on it. “Draw two.”

“Bonding with your brother doesn’t count. A real bond is different.”

Sabrina was taken aback. Riri was never this talkative, and what was that about Izzellah broadcasting emotions? She’d never felt anything like that, but then again she was a tier 1.

“Your insight and experience has been identified.” Mei said. “But perhaps your observation skills are lacking. Izzellah Ivory is not a timid girl.”

“But she is a bond virgin.” Riri noted.

“Can we talk about something else?” Sabrina proposed to trying and diffuse the rising tension. “We don’t always have to talk about minors.”

There was a pause.
“Weathers been nice.” Romeo said.

 


 


Izzellah kept her eyes closed and her mind open. She started to hum softly, imitating her teacher as instructed. She took a deep breath. “Hmmmmmmmm.” Was it working? Had she bonded?

“What are you doing?” She heard Lisa say. Her voice sounded different. There was a strange echoe to it. She opened her eyes to see Lisa sitting across from her in a cross legged position like she was.

“I’m doing what Christina said.” Izzellah informed. “Opening myself up to the universe. Being receptive. Searching for a connection of the spirit.”

“Don’t listen to her.” Izzellah heard Lisa again but the halfsie girl’s mouth hadn’t moved. She hadn’t moved. “I’m pretty sure she’s high right now. Now close your eyes are you won’t be able to see.”

“See what.” Izzellah asked to Lisa’s disembodied voice.

“You don’t have to talk to yourself.” Lisa’s voice said again. I’m already reading what you want to say.”

“What?!”

“Just close your eyes dammit!” Lisa snapped.

Izzellah obeyed.

“Now look.” Lisa’s voice said.

“I only see darkness.” Izzellah said in frustration.

“Focus girl, this isn’t that hard.” Lisa said.

“I haven’t done this in years!” Izzellah said. “And never once have I initiated it like this.”

“Will you stop talking!”

“What am I supposed to do you bitch!” Izzellah raged in her mind.

“Who are you calling a bitch!” Lisa fumed.

“You heard that?!” Izzellah jumped. She was sure she hadn’t said that out loud.

“Of course I heard it!” Lisa barked. “I’m standing right behind you.”

Izzellah tried to open her eyes and look but she felt a sharp pain as someone yanked at her ear.

“Don’t open those eyes!” Lisa ordered. “You just got here. You’re clearly not ready for multitasking.”

“Arrgh! What am I supposed to do?!” Izzellah shouted at Lisa. Why was this so difficult? She removed the hand from her ear and turned to face her “instructor” for this exercise. How had she gotten behind her anyway? The halfsie was obviously screwing with her for lols. She turned and what she saw left her stunned.

She wasn’t looking at Lisa, technically she wasn’t look at anything, or was she? She wasn’t sure what was in front of her but the closest she could describe it was a glowing pink amorphous blob floating in darkness.

“Welcome to the party.” the blob said.

“Lisa?”

“Who else would it be?” the blob sassed.

“Why do you look like that?”

“Like what? Describe what you’re seeing.”

“A floating, talking, pink blob in dark space.” Izzellah informed.

“Is that what you think of me?!” Lisa snapped. “I’m just a blob to you! Sheesh! You try to do a girl a favor!”

“That’s not what I think of you!” Izzellah defended. “I don’t know what to think of you!”

“Then you lack imagination.” Lisa said. “Well I don’t blame you. It’s been tough for you huh? Wait you have a car!? You’re seventeen that’s not fair!”

“How do you know about my car?!” Izzellah was starting to get a little frightened now.

“I’m reading it.” Lisa said. “I can’t help it. You’re thinking about it right now. You don’t even want to be here do you? You wanna drive your dad to the beach and eat grilled hot dogs...pfffft with Sabrina!”

“No I don’t.”

“You can lie to yourself,  girl, but you can’t lie to me.”

“I’m not lying!” Izzellah insisted.

“You like her! She’s annoying but you like that about her! You think she can protect you!”

“Stop it!”

“And now you’re embarrassed because I’m right! And now you want to cut me! Jesus girl you take it to eleven quick!”

“Stop!” Izzellah yelled.

“Okay!” Lisa snapped. “No need to get violent!”

“Violent! I haven’t even done anything!”

“You just punched me!” Lisa accused.

“I haven’t done anything but yell at a dumb pink blob in my head!”

“Oh yeah! You’re an idiot I forgot.” Lisa sighed. “Okay we can fix this. Grab my hands I’m gonna bridge us.”

“You don’t have hands!” Izzellah groaned.

“Then stick your hands in the blob! I don’t know! It’s your imagination!”

Izzellah thrust her hand forward. She gripped something soft and pliant underneath fabric.

“Trying to cop a feel Ivory!” Lisa laughed.

She jerked her hands back.

“Relax.” Lisa said. “Here feel my hands.” Izzellah felt her palms being taken in anothers.

“Now open your eyes.” Lisa commanded.

“But you said-”

“Just do it!”

Izzellah opened her eyes and she was no longer in the classroom. She was in a living room? Sitting on a large red sofa. In front of her Lisa, but not Lisa, not how she usually looked. This girl was just a tall but less lanky. She looked strong and firm. She had bright pink skin and black hair cut short on one side. She smiled toothy braces free grin and pulled Izzellah up off the couch.

“Welcome to me!” Lisa said.

 


 

“You? Where am I what’s happening?” Izzellah was close to panicking now. Had Lisa somehow….she didn’t know...had Lisa teleported them to somehow. Shapeshifted herself into new form?

“Well technically both of us.” Lisa continued. “You’re really stuck on the pink thing for me huh?”

Izzellah could feel herself getting dizzy. She started hyperventilating.

“Whoa calm down newbie!” She hugged Izzellah to her. “Take a deep breath. We’re still in the classroom. You’re eyes are still closed. I didn’t teleport you. We’re sharing a space. I bridged my imagination with your total lack of one.”

Izzellah felt a small sting to her forehead. “Ouch!”

“See.” Lisa informed. “I just flicked you in real life. I’d have you open yours eyes again but then you’d probably lose connection and I’d have to start this all over again.”

“I have no idea what’s going on.” Izzellah sighed in frustration.

“Clearly.” Lisa said. She scratched her chin. “How do I explain this to a total newbie? Hrrrmm.” She snapped her fingers and a television appeared. She took a seat on the sofa and ushered Izzellah to join her. She sat down next to the halfsie. A remote appeared in Lisa’s hand and she pointed it a the television. It flashed on and Lisa appeared inside. She was back in the classroom in front of a chalkboard.

“Hello Izzellah Ivory.” tv Lisa said. “And welcome to Bonding 101!”



“First things first.” Said the Lisa inside the tv. “Yes you have officially lost your bond virginity. This is a fact despite the fact you’ve been bonded when you were young by both your father and mother god rest her soul. All your worst fears are true. You are soiled now and will forever bear the stigma of a bond whore. I’ve forcefully pushed you against a wall and stolen your precious cherry against your will you naive fool. Not only that but now you’re my mind slave and soon enough will be my sex slave as well. I’ve manipulated you and you will now serve me for the rest of your life willingly as you become addicted to my emotions!”

“What?!” Izzellah shrieked.

“J.K.!” Both Lisa’s laughed. “Bonding rule #1: As with all things in life bonding is not that simple.” said tv Lisa. “Yes you have successfully bonded. Congratulations Izzellah Ivory!”

The real Lisa or at least the strange one sitting next to her with glowing pink skin clapped.

“But don’t worry. Your archaic sense of chastity is in tact. Your precious cherry is still fresh for the first horny MAJOR with enough game to claim it. Bonding is the sharing of thoughts and emotions but it is so much more. A true bond is a connection but a bond is also communication. That’s what we’re doing. And since it’s always best to show and not tell. This portion of the lecture is over. Izzellah Ivory. Welcome to your mind!” tv Lisa snapped her fingers and disappeared. The room shattered like glass breaking upon her perceived reality. The floor crumbled beneath her yet she still found herself sitting, floating next to Lisa in and endless void. She was no longer her, at least not the one from moments ago. She was now her tall lanky self glowing pink in a vaguely human form. Slowly it took on details. An eye’s, a mouth, hair, all formed in a human shaped pink mass of light.

“Are you getting a grip now?” This new lanky, all pink Lisa asked. She had no clothes but it  didn’t matter because the finer details of her anatomy were missing. “I guess this is better than being a glowing pink blob.”

“So this is my mind.” Izzellah stated. She was starting to understand. “This is what I’m imagining.”

“Yeah.” Lisa confirmed. “Which is nothing. You’re a realist aren’t you? So boring.”

“So this is what a bond is? Just your imagination made real.”

“I guess.” ethereal, pink, floating, Lisa shrugged. “I leave the technical stuff to the eggheads. Most times I don’t even bother with this whole creating a physical form thing. I just read it like a text message.”

“You can do that?”

“You could do whatever you want! It’s your imagination!”

“So we’ve bonded now. This is it? What’s the big deal?! Is this what all the hype was about?! Is this what every MAJOR i’ve met has been so thirsty for?! I mean it’s cool I guess but the real world is much better!”

“Slow your roll toots!” Lisa said with a hand wave. “We haven’t actually bonded. Sure we’re sharing a space and that’s part of it but I’m not broadcasting my emotions and am actively ignoring yours. Don’t start talking out your ass about stuff you have no experience with. Bonding’s awesome!”

“Broadcasting my emotions?”

“Like a radio station.”

“How long have I been doing that?!”

“At least since I’ve met you. You’re gonna have to real that in. It’s a miracle these MAJORS can control themselves.”

“H-how do I stop it.”

“You have to focus on control.” Lisa informed. “For awhile it will seem difficult. You’ll have to actively think about what you’re feeling and what you want people to think  you’re feeling, but with enough time you can flip in on and off like a light switch. That’s why we do these practices. It’s the only thing worth going to school for. Well one of the only things.”

“Gross.” Izzellah said somehow knowing Lisa was talking about sex.

“So what? You’re telling me for the last two days every MAJOR I’ve met has been able to tell what I’m thinking?”

“More or less. It’s more like they could guess what you wanted without you saying it. I doubt anyone of them could actually read your mind like I am right now. You have to let them...that is unless you’ve met a tier-.....YOU HAVE! Wow what a shitshow that was!”

“How did you?!” Izzellah paused. She tried focusing on anything other than the incident in the bathroom.

“Okay, okay.” Lisa said. “Sorry. At least you’re getting the hang of it now. That Brenda’s a huge crybaby by the way.”

“No she’s not.” Izzellah defended.

“Yeah she is.” Lisa reaffirmed. “She’s a tier 3 MAJOR. She should of had her shit together a while ago. Oh! But you wanna be her friend. That’s cute. You’re too good for her.”

“What’s a tier 3 anyway.”

“The fuck if I know.” Lisa shrugged phasing out part of her ethereal form. Izzellah focused on her image to bring her back to clarity. “All I know is she can do the same stuff we can. Broadcast emotions. Dominate the bond.”

“Dominate.”

“Yeah!” Lisa smiled and raised her eyebrows. “Most MAJORS can’t do that without a ton of practice. But not us! We’re stronger in here. So much for their highly developed brains huh?”

“Why is that?”

“Geez you have a lot of questions.” Lisa groaned. “It’s because we have to! You’ve never bonded with a MAJOR...or well not one outside your family. It’s crazy!”

The world changed. Suddenly Izzellah found herself in a two piece swimsuit, floating in an innertube. She was drifting next to Lisa. The stronger Lisa from before. Her glowing pink skin was gone.

“Imagine what we’re doing now as floating down the lazy river of your favorite water park. Slow, calm, easy, no one’s getting hurt. You can dip your hands in the waters of emotion as deep or as shallow as you want. We’re all friends here. We’re having a good time. Sit back, have a beer, easy. Bonding with a MAJOR is the exact opposite.”

The world changed again. The lazy river expanded beyond the horizon into a vast ocean. Clouds gathered overhead and turned the sky grey. The waves lapped against her innertube and tossed her about. They crashed against her flimsy lifesaver and she found herself underwater.

“Bonding with a major is a torrent of emotion. Your little tube will not save you from the tidal wave. The storm of passion inside them will consume you.” Lisa appeared in front of her or more accurately above her. She was her ethereal form, but giant. She towered miles above Izzellah. “Swallow you whole.” LIsa’s voice thundered. Izzellah felt herself  falling.  She closed her eyes.

“It’s actually quite the rush!” Lisa said. They were back in her living room sitting on the couch. “And that concludes Bonding 101!” The tv Lisa said and the television turned off.

“So that’s why it’s so dangerous.”

“If your a pussy I guess.” Lisa said. “It’s never seemed that way to me. But there are horror stories. The real danger is what MAJORS do in real life….The Mac Farlan-..” Lisa stopped herself.

“Why are they so desperate for it?”

“Who knows?” Lisa dismissed. “I don’t go reading the minds of every MAJOR I see. From what I’ve snuffed out in my...encounters. It calms them down. They like the release.”

“Release?”

“I’m sure it’s more than that.” Lisa clarified. “Everyone has their own shit to deal with, but the biggies are wound super tight. I know you’ve seen it. They’re hyper volatile, competitive, at any given moment they always want to kill each other. Over the stupidest shit too. Can you imagine living like that? It must be hell.”

“I think I’m starting to understand a little more.”

“Good.” Lisa said. “Because despite what I’ve said so far Christina is right about one thing. You HAVE to be careful. Get some control. Learn how to master your power! Then it won’t matter what the MAJORS do. Because if you don’t they will.”

“Swallow me whole. I get it.” Izzellah said.

“It’s a back and forth.” Lisa comforted. “If you find someone you really like it’s…..it’s special.” Lisa wiped a forming tear from her eye. “You’re first should be special.”

“Thank you Lisa.” Izzellah said. She hugged the pink hipster avatar of the girl she knew in real life. It was a lot to take in and she still had thousands of questions but she appreciated Lisa walking her  through it.

“Yeah okay.” Lisa said. “I love you too.”

“I never said-....fuck you Lisa.” Izzellah laughed. They both chuckled on Lisa’s imaginary couch in her imaginary living room. “So what now?”

“I don’t know.” Lisa yawned and stretched. “We could join the rest of the class unless you’ve decided to do something cool instead of floating in a black oblivion like a nitwit.”

“The rest of the class is here?” Izzellah said.

“You don’t have to bond with just one person.” Lisa said like it was common knowledge. “Especially other minors. We can link up. Christina’s been babbling on about her hippy nonsense this whole time. I’ve blocked it off. But if we leave this room you can sit in if you want.”

“Isn’t Christina a MAJOR?” Izzellah noted. “Isn’t that dangerous. What happened to my first time being special.”

“The first rule of bonding is?” Lisa raised an eyebrow.

“It’s not that simple.” Izzellah said.

“We’re not actually bonding with her.” Lisa said. “She’d lose her job. It’s that communication thing I was talking about. That’s all we’ve really been doing this whole time Izzy. Just talking in our heads. Everything you’ve seen so far has been a production orchestrated for your benefit because I’m such a good teacher.” She pointed toward the door. “We go outside and you can talk to the rest of the class too, or you could hang here with me and watch cartoons the way I remember them, or you could veg in your “lovely” black nothing, or you could do whatever I don’t care. I’m not the boss of you.”

Izzellah stood up and headed for the door.

“Of course.” Lisa whined.



When Izzellah opened the door she was amazed a what she saw. A beautiful and vibrant forest, stirring with life. There were tall, lush trees with thick  branches of full green leaves. There were strange birds with long rainbow colored feathers and  golden crests. They drank from glittering flowers of blue and red that shined in the light fading in through holes in the dense canopy.

“This is amazing!” Izzellah said. “Did you make this.”

“Bleh! No!” Lisa denied. This is all Christina or excuse me, “Chrissy’s” doing.”

“Christina is imagining this?!”

“Yeah. This is what you get when you hit too many joints in college.” Lisa said. She started walking down a path through the forest. “C’mon. She’ll want to see you now.”

“Our we bonded with her?” Izzellah asked as she walked in line with Lisa.

“Can you see her thoughts?” Lisa asked sarcastically.

“No.”

“Do you feel a sudden wave of giddy emotion and the need to love everyone and everything?”

“No.”

“Then stop worrying about it. When you’ve bonded with someone you’ll know. Honestly you already do don’t you?” Lisa ran her fingers through her hair and it turned long and dark red. It twisted into a long braid and a pair of glasses appeared on her face.

“That’s not funny.” Izzellah hissed.

“It’s kinda funny.” Lisa snickered as her illusion faded away.

“I still can’t believe I’m imagining all this.” Izzellah noted against her own typically grounded view of reality. “It all seems so real.”

“It’s because we’re gathered together.” Lisa said. “I don’t know the logistics of it but I know it seems more physical when a lot of us are in the same place.”

“Has it always been like this? Have minors always had this ability?”

“How the hell am I supposed to know that, Izzellah Ivory!?” Lisa threw her hands in the air. “I’m nineteen! I watch movies and shop all day! I am not a walking encyclopedia on bonding! I can barely read!”

“Sorry I just thought maybe your parents-”

“My parents who are both MAJORS, who barely know anything about bonding themselves, at least not until I came along, who have spoiled and will continue to spoil me for the rest of my life, who don’t trust me to figure things out for myself, to go out by myself! Who have Roro follow me around all day and judge me for trying to have some fun and take control the only way I know how?!”

Izzellah jumped back in astonishment at Lisa’s outburst.

“Sorry, Izzellah it’s just that-”

“You’re…….jealous of me.” Izzellah gasped unsure of how she knew that. “You think I’m better than you somehow.”

Lisa remained silent for a moment. “It’s just...you ask a lot of questions, Izzellah. Questions I don’t have the answer to because I never bothered to ask them myself. I don’t know why we can do this things. Why we live in a world dominated by people twice our size. Why we’re an endangered species. Because until now I didn’t care. I don’t know what’s happening to me anymore. Last week this stuff didn’t matter but after you showed up to that class wanting to go shopping for your dad it’s just been buzzing in my head.”

“It’s okay Lisa.” Izzellah assured with a bright smile. “We can find out the answers-”

“Don’t say it!”

“Together!”

“Eeeeew.” Lisa moaned. “Why are you a total loser Izzellah? My first actual girlfriend can’t be such a loser! I’m desperate. That’s what this is. This is my rock bottom. My first real friend looks and sounds like a character from an educational childrens show.”

“That’s not what I look like!” Izzellah denied.

“Right! You still haven’t seen yourself.”

“What?....Oh god! What do I look like?” She looked at her hands. The only thing off about them were that they were purple. Nothing crazy considering Lisa was bright pink right now.

“Snrrrk! Don’t worry Christina will show you. I can’t wait to see your face.”

“But-”

“We’re here!” Lisa announced as she jumped forward into a clearing. She spread her arms wide in a big show of presenting herself. Izzellah stepped out behind her quite a bit more reserved and shy from her unknown appearance. Before her she saw a group of odd individuals sitting around a strange girl was sitting on stump above them.

“Oh girls! It’s good to have you join us!” The strange girl jumped off the stump and skipped towards them. Izzellah noticed her long golden hair with those same red and blue flowers from before braided into them. She pranced up to Izzellah and wrapped her arms around her waist. The strange girl was young and shorter than Izzellah. She seemed like a grade schooler.

“I’m so excited to see you Izzellah!” The girl said. “I’m eager to hear and record your perspective as someone first experiencing this form of bonding with your minor peers.”

“I-..ummm sorry do I know you?” Izzellah asked the small girl.

“It’s me. Your teacher. Christina Edmond.” The girl giggled. “And welcome to my happy place.”

“Your happy place?” Izzellah questioned.

“Girl don’t encourage her to-”

“Everyone has a happy place!” Christina cheered. “It can be fond memory or an entire world in your head. There are no limits except what you feel. And this is mine! My lovely garden! A safe place for my precious flowers to gather so I might help them bloom!”

“We’re the flowers.” Lisa whispered.
“You created all this yourself?” Izzellah asked. “This is all just your imagination?” She was completely blown away by the intricate detail and elaborate design of every fiber of Christina’s world. Izzellah could see the clouds, smell the aroma of the flowers, feel the grass between her toes. “How?”

“I’ve travelled the world for over fifty years.” Christina said. “Studying the bond and recording my experiences and that of others. This is but a taste of the knowledge I’ve amassed over a half century.” Christina balanced on one foot and held her arms out to the side. “It’s only natural. I am a professor after all.”

“Professor Edmond.” Lisa teased.

“Ms. Waterimiene!” the professor chastised. “It’s Christina, or Chrissy if you like.”

“Chriss-” Izzellah couldn’t bring herself to say it. “Christina.”

“Yes!” Chrissy clapped. “And I must say it is refreshing to have another cutie around. Everyone chooses to represent themselves as these tough, idealized versions of themselves. Strong, heroic, or a pink neo goth stomping around my precious garden in her big steel toed boots.” Chrissy said staring daggers at Lisa. Izzellah looked to see that Lisa’s form had gained more definition and detail. She now had a black shirt on and a skirt with black stockings and boots. Her hair was still dark black and cut on one side. When had she changed? Was she always like that and Izzellah was only just seeing it now?

“I say there’s nothing wrong with showing the real you.” Chrissy continued. “No shame in being cute and vulnerable. Other MAJORS will never show you that.”

“The real me?” Izzellah was now very concerned with what she looked like. What embarrassing secret did her mental image of herself reveal. She had to see herself. “Do you have a mirror.?”

“Of course!” Chrissy said.  She waved a hand and  pool of water opened up from the ground before them.

Izzellah peered into the pools reflection…….Someday she would stop being surprised by these situations. Her mouth hung open as she viewed her mind’s persona. She was indeed purple, or more lavender in hue. Her eyes were bigger, she was younger than she remembered being. She recognized herself. The day on the swing with her mother. That alone wasn’t very surprising, what was were the pair of floppy purple rabbit ears that had sprouted from her forehead, and the whiskers painted on her cheeks. Her secret shame.

Suddenly Lisa’s reflection rose up next to her’s wearing the largest shit eating grin she’d ever seen.

“Izzellah Ivory is a furry.” She whispered.

“No I’m not!” Izzellah snapped. “I just really like rabbits okay! Why didn’t you tell me I looked like this?!”

Lisa broke down!

“How long have I looked like this?!”
“From the start bunny girl!” Lisa howled.

“Noo!” Izzellah’s ears drooped adding a melancholy that enhanced her cuteness. “I can’t be seen like this.”

“Too late.” Izzellah heard the voice of Peter Silver and looked back to see. Peter Silver. Of course he wasn’t the thin and timid Peter Silver from before. He was taller. Not as tall as Lisa but taller than her. He wasn’t muscular but firmer in the right places. He had the lean look of a teen model and who was that young mix of cute and handsome. He seemed ripped right out of a boyband. He still wore the Winton uniform of black pants with a white dress shirt rolled up at the sleeves and a navy vest. Was this how he thought he looked or how he wanted people to see him? “Cute.”

“I swear if you blab any of this to Riri or anyone I will smack the taste out of your mouth!” Izzellah threatened.

“Exquisite design.”

Izzellah noticed a new person had join the forming group. He was only an inch taller than her with pure white marble skin. He had jet black hair and matching eyes with red irises. His body was covered in an intricate tattoo of hard angled lines that flowed underneath his white robe and bottoms. .

“Subtle changes in anatomy around the forearms add to the cuteness and appeal yet remain understated.” He said. “Although there is potential for significant improvements.”

“Excuse me?” Izzellah lifted her left eyebrow and crinkled the side of her mouth.

“Just admiring a splendid design.” the strange boy bowed. “Lee Masumoto. I believe my sister is pursuing a relationship with you that is romantic in nature.”

“Hello.” Izzellah said meekly. She wasn’t aware Mei had a sibling let alone a minor one. Maybe that’s why she seemed so calm around her.

“It is really nice.” Said a round sphere like metallic object. It sounded robotic with a slight english accent. “My name’s Rhabbi!” the sphere spun in a circle before a squat set of metal limbs emerged from it and it formed a body. A monitor opened up from a slot in the middle and a pixel face appeared with a smile. “Rhabbi the robot!”

“Rhabbi?” Izzellah didn’t know a “Rhabbi” in class, but then again she only knew maybe three of the thirteen minors at this school now. Could he be that chubby middle eastern kid? Did he like robots or something?

“Okay class.” Chrissy addressed. “Enough introductions for now. I know you’re all excited to “see” Izzellah but we do have a lesson plan to get to.”

A lesson plan! For once Izzellah was actually excited to learn something in this minor class. She had so much more to learn about bonding. What was it like to bond with a MAJOR? What were the differences? What could she do in this mental plane?

“Gather around my flowers.” Chrissy said hopping back onto her stump. “For today we’ll be practicing your endurance through meditation-”

“Oh no!” Lisa grumbled.

“-and song!” Chrissy finished.

“AAAAAGHHH!” She screeched.

 


 


Izzellah opened her eyes and she was back in the classroom. “Back” seemed like a strange term seeing as technically she’d never left. She was still sitting across from Lisa who was distracting herself texting on her phone.

“You have a cell?” Izzellah heard in her head.

“Oh! Yes!” Izzellah said thinking hard about the numbers. She did have one her father provided her for emergencies but she’d never had a reason to use it until now.

“You don’t have to shout!” Lisa beratted. “I can hear you fine.”

“Sorry.” Izzellah said.

“It’s cool.” Lisa smiled. “I’ll call you sometime Izzellah.”

“Izzy.” Izzellah corrected. “You can call me Izzy.”

Lisa leaned in and gave her new girlfriend a hug and a peck on the cheek. “See you around Izzy.” She said before standing up to grab her brother. “Give some serious thought into Romeo! He’s got a cute butt! I’ve had the displeasure of seeing it along with most of the students here.” She winked and waved goodbye.

And with that class was over. The minors and MAJORS started trickling out much like how they’d trickled in leaving only Izzellah with Sabrina and Professor Edmond. Izzellah went up to “Chrissy” to get just a tidbit more information on the bond. Her new experience had only left her hungrier for knowledge. It was intimidating to walk up to this woman. Regardless of how she presented herself in her mind she was still a MAJOR in real life. Dwarfing Izzellah with her size. She had the same young face and blonde hair though and it all but confirmed she was indeed that happy go lucky girl in the forest, but with much thicker arms, Izzellah noticed. “Chrissy” clearly lifted in her freetime.

“Something I can help you with?” Christina asked down to her newest little flower.
“I just have so many questions!” Izzellah revealed. “I still feel like a don’t truly know what a bond is. What happened today was nothing like what I remember with my papa.”

“Adults have more self control for starters.” Christina said. “Not only that but people closely related to each other share similar mental connections, like a family plan on your phone. It makes is easier to bond with but also let potent. Also you were probably very young so you most likely didn’t have the mental capacity to realize what was really going on. Most likely you only remember your parent’s voice telling you not to touch the stove or play in the street right?”

Izzellah nodded.

“I know you are curious Izzellah.” Christina stroked the side of Izzellah’s cheek with her finger. “That’s a good thing. Curiosity is the seed that grows into knowledge, but like all things it take time and care to foster growth. It’s better to learn these things slowly and deliberately. It’s my job to guide and instruct and I’m very lucky to have it.”

“But if we bonded in your happy place then why is bonding with a MAJOR so dangerous?!” This was the question Izzellah really wanted clarity on. Lisa’s explanation was not nearly enough.

“Izzellah. I’ve had decades of experience bonding. It’s my expertise and also we didn’t bond.” Christina chuckled. “Lisa must have told you. I’m sure she knows at least that much. I swear I have to pound every inch of my lessons into her skull with a hammer.”

“Yes but she was really vague. She said it was like being in a storm but what we did didn’t feel like that and-”

“Don’t rush child.” Christina said hushing her. “If that’s the only thing you learn in this class then I’ve done my job. Don’t rush. When you decide your time is right choose someone you can trust with your life. Bonding with a MAJOR is dangerous! I swear it should be illegal until a MAJOR’s at least twenty-five.”

Izzellah couldn’t blink as she stared into her teacher’s eyes as her expression hardened. “Izzellah….MAJORS have trouble controlling themselves. You may have seen it yourself.”

“Darren the Winton in “Winton” heights, Winton got in a fight with his brother today.”

“Typical.” Christina nodded. “Men are a little more prone to violence but it rings true for all of us, especially in our teenage years. If someone tries to dare bond with you against your will resist. Resist with everything you can!”

Izzellah nodded at her teachers crucial lesson.

“It will hurt. It will feel unpleasant, disgusting, violating, you’ll just want it to stop but you can’t give in. A MAJOR cannot bond with a minor if they resist. It’s impossible….well unless...no.” Christina shook her head.

“Okay.” Izzellah said with strain under the heaviness of Christina’s words.

“Keep coming to class.” Christina cheesed. “It’s a rare treat to have a student with such a desire for education! I’m sure you’ll learn everything you need to know in time!”

“Thank you, professor.”

“Thank you, Izzellah.”

Izzellah stepped toward the door where Sabrina was waiting for her.

“Oh and Izzellah!” Christina spoke stopping the minor at the door. “The video has been approved.”

 


 


“Pretty deep stuff huh?” Sabrina said down to her minor companion she was escorting to the front of the school. Izzellah’s day was over and it was time for her to go home.

“You have no idea.” Izzellah agreed.

“So it the bond as great as everyone says it is?”

“Who knows.” Izzellah deadpanned. “I’m starting to understand why so many people say different things about it. It’s so...intangible. You literally can’t describe it.”

“I wouldn’t know either way.”

“Why’s that?” Izzellah pressed. “I know you’ve never bonded but you must at least pick up the waves on occasion right?”

“Waves? Like surfing?”

“The emotional waves I’ve been broadcasting. That I’m still probably broadcasting because I’m such a clueless moron.”

“Nope.” Sabrina informed. “I’m a Tier 1, but it might as well be Tier 0”

“Tier 1?”

“A dud.” Sabrina clarified. “I have to focus really hard to pick up your “waves” as you call it. I can’t bond without having my hand held by a minor such as yourself so no worries from me there.”

“Not gonna try to force yourself on my poor fragile mind?” Izzellah mocked in a baby tone.

“Sure!” Sabrina laughed. “If you don’t mind me making funny faces at you for ten minutes!”

“It’s overhyped. I still believe that. What happened today was cool but I still prefer reality. My car, my papa,.....you.”

“Me?” Sabrina blushed.

“You’re alright, Sabrina Rodriguez. If I ever decide a bond is actually something worth having maybe and JUST maybe….I might consider you.”

“Oh! Lucky me!” Sabrina stuck her tongue out. “Like I’d want to bond with your scrawny ass anyway.”

“Feelings mutual.” Both girls smiled at each other.


 

Chapter End Notes:

TL;DR is: Bonding is what you make it. Look out for that last MAJOR step! I don't give a shit who cares?! See you around for the next chapter............ I probably won't do another chapter this abstract.  

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