58 years ago, the country was at war. Traditionalists wanted women to stop having so much power, well Modernists wanted the opposite. A couple, Sally and David Hewitt, founded a society and called them selves Sensationalists. Everyone over the age of 18 was immediately asked to make a sexual decision that would change their lives. Dominant or Submissive? before choosing, members read a syllabus explaining each title. After choosing, members get a small tattoo of a "D" for Dominant or "s" for Submissive. Since the tattoos aren't always easily visible, and don't declare sexuality, all members are required to wear a band (kind of like a watch band) of a certain color on their wrists at all times. This band is called an ID Band. Red is Dominant Heterosexual, Pink is Submissive Heterosexual, Orange is Dominant Homosexual, and Yellow is Submissive Homosexual. A dark Tie-Dye band means that the person is Dominant Bisexual, and a light Tie-Dye band means the person is Submissive Bisexual. When a member enters a relationship with another member, they wear bands colored Purple, Blue, White, and Green. Green means the relationship is strictly sexual and is not monogamous. In which case, the person has to also wear their bracelet that declares their title and sexuality. Purple means the person is in a serious relationship with another. Blue means the person is married. Once you enter a relationship, unless you are not monogamous (green), you no longer have to wear your ID Band. White means that you are Claimed.

This means that your relationship is currently sexual but may be more and is monogamous. After only coming out of war less than 20 years before the country was eager when the Hewitts offered a solution. Most of the country had become members, just under 75% of the population.

Today's the day where I can finally put all that stuff I learned in History to use. I daydream about what might happen in my new life constantly. My mother walks in the room as I'm having yet another daydream. It takes her three tries before she finally gets my attention. Daphne Grace Phillips classified herself as a Dominant Heterosexual because her mother put a whole bunch of fears into her skull about being a Submissive, that she was too scared to admit who she was.

She was in no way a Dominant. Dominants are strong, capable, survivors no matter what happens. My mother, not so much.

I love my mom, I really do. And I love my little brother, Nate, but I HAVE to get out of this house. Ever since my dad left three years ago, my mom's been this shell of a person. I don't want to leave Nate, but my Aunt Cleo is here, she'll take care of him.

Right?

I can't think about that now. I go off to college in a few days. I've been waiting for this day since my dad left. Longer, even. Really, I've been counting down the days since my parents' fighting became a regular thing. They'd start a fight over random crap. Stuff that wasn't even a big deal, but then it would always circle back around to what they were really mad about. His drinking, her working, his behavior, her behavior, pretty much everything.

When my dad, Frank Alexander Phillips, walked out the door without so much as a goodbye to my brother and me, I put up walls. I would never trust someone so easily ever again. He was my dad, I was supposed to trust him. To love him. And I did. I was a daddy's girl through and through. We'd play games constantly and had a special bond that I cherished throughout my entire childhood.

The fact that he could walk out, just like that, not even bothering to try and fight for either one of his kids, that stung. Deep. That felt like an ice pick in my chest, twisting and turning, making the pain a thousand times worse.

"Tally," my mother says, this time snapping me out of the past rather than the future.

"Yeah, Mom?" I ask as I continue eating my waffles. Or, really it's more like poking at them. I'm so nervous and I don't even know why.

She sighs, clearly I missed something. "I asked if you wanted to go out later. Maybe have some you and me time, then, tomorrow you and your aunt could have some you and Cleo time, and you and Nathan can spend all day together on Friday. After Cleo and I get home, we can all go out together as a family. Like a last hurrah." She sighs again. "I just want to have some time with you, baby. I feel like you're leaving me."

I laugh, trying to lighten the mood. "Thats because I am leaving, Mom."

She slaps my arm playfully. "Stop it. You know what I mean. I feel like I'm losing you."

It's me who sighs this time. Walking around the island, I pull her into a hug. "You'll never lose me, Mom."

I hear her sniffiling and realize she's crying.

"Mom, please don't cry. If you cry, then I cry, then we have this huge big cry fest, and I just put make up on ten minutes ago."

She laughs, meaning my plan worked. She's always had a soft spot for makeup. "Okay, let's go to the Courthouse."

We're silent on the drive over, not really knowing what to say. The receptionist, a chubby, ginger-haired lady by the name of Clarice greets us. She hands me a form, which I quickly fill out. Pusing at the finally question, I take a deep breath before writing down the answer that will change my life forever. Handing it back to her, I wait as she looks over my form. Glancing at her wrist, I see a Yellow ID Band. Submissive Homosexual. Good. At least she won't blame me for my choice. She takes a tape measure and wraps it around my wrist to see my size. 6.3 inches. Pulling a bag from the drawer, she hands me my ID Band. I can't help but be a little bit giddy as I put the soft pink ID band on my slender wrist.

As I walk out of the Courthouse, I can feel many people's eyes on me. On the new Submissive Heterosexual.