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The leaves swayed in the breeze, making a sun-speckled pattern on the grass. When the wind changed direction, the sweet smell of a nearby lilac bush wafted to us. There was no playground at this park. Most adults were at work and it was still early for lunch hour. For a while, we ate in silence and listened to birds chirp above us and squirrels squabble over their findings.
“Why do you think our class was the only class that had to be examined?” Rally asked.
I shrugged. “How do we know other classes won't be examined?”
“I don't, but I do know that we’re the only class taking the new injections.” Her face was serious. She had an uncharacteristic air of maturity.
“What do you mean? How do you know?” I sounded more frantic than I wanted to, but I knew there was something to those injections. Something Ms. Dawning hadn't told us.
“I talked to a girl in another class. They hunt in October. I mentioned the injections on Fridays and she told me that they didn't take any. She thought I was lying. And then her friend came over and told her I was definitely lying because they hunt with us and they aren't taking them either.” She brushed the soft grass next to her with her fingers.
I placed my hand over hers. “Rally. This is important. Was your changing short this time? Shorter than expected?”
She pulled her hand away. “My mom said -”
I cut her off. “My mom said not to tell anyone, too. But I trust you. I finished my changing Sunday afternoon.” Rally studied my face, trying to determine if I was lying. I waited quietly. She would tell me if I gave her time to think.
“It was. Early Monday morning.” She looked around as if searching for someone who might have overheard her.
“It's those injections. I think they’re dangerous. I'm not going to take them any longer.” My own boldness surprised me.
“What? How? If you get caught!” Rally scrambled to her feet.
“I know how to make it look like I’m taking it without actually injecting it in my arm. I can't tell you not to take it, but I don't think you should. If you don't want to, I'll teach you how to waste it.” She was considering my offer so I continued, “Try it once. If something happens, you can start taking it again. But if the other classes aren't taking it, why do we need to?”
“Okay, tell me how.” She sat down facing me. “I think you're right, but I want to know how you're going to do it before I decide.”
I sighed. “I'll explain now and show you on Friday. Deal?”
Rally nodded.
     

 
    Chapter 5
    ~Sleepover~
     
Ms. Dawning held a thick stack of envelopes when she called us over after class on Friday. In addition to our injections, we would receive our results from the exam. Most girls plunged the syringes into their arms right at the waste receptacle and ran off with their letters. Rally and I stood away from Ms. Dawning.
“Ready?” I asked her as I uncapped a syringe. “I'll do yours first.”
She nodded and rolled up her sleeve. I turned my back to Ms. Dawning, blocking her view of Rally's arm. We glanced around. No one was near us. I shot the liquid onto the sweat soaked back of her shirt before poking the empty needle into her arm. A wince flicked over Rally's face. I pulled the needle out, careful to not hit the plunger.
“See? Nothing to it. Now my turn.” I rolled up my sleeve as we changed places. I watched Ms. Dawning carefully as Rally wasted the liquid into my shirt. She gingerly pricked my skin with the needle and began to pull away.
“No,” I whispered through gritted teeth, “Harder. It has to leave a mark.” Her nervous hands pushed the syringe back into my arm. I grimaced as Ms. Dawning looked in our direction.
Rally pulled the needle away. “Good?”
“Good.” We dropped our syringes into the waste bin, relieved.
“Girls,” Ms. Dawning called after us, “forgetting something?” Rally froze, and her face paled.
I turned to see her holding up our letters. “Oh! We were so excited about our