it only started happening a few years ago. these small scars that never seemed to heal properly that always stayed with you regardless of what you did to them. Nothing seemed to be able to cover them or hide them, you could try to use makeup to cover them but they would show through. Through some studying, and time, scientist concluded that the scars appeared after you told lies, the bigger the lie the bigger the scar. after time humans started to segregate from each other, those with the most scars, the darkest ones were called "Impure" and those with the thinnest, least amount of scars were called "Pure". It was simple, but regardless of small scars showing up after you lie; people still would. judging on whether or not the pain of the scars were worth the lies they were about to tell. Thankfully I've been blessed with the title as Pure, so i am allowed o go and do as I please. To those less fortunate than me, life is hell. Living in cramped projects, filled with other liars and thieves. Untrustworthy scum, yeah that's what I've been taught.

I prop myself up on one arm and look at the clock next to my bed, the time reads 9:30 which means its time for me to get ready to go to my graduation, my judgement day. I get up to get my uniform that my mom laid out the night before. i need to remember to thank her when i get downstairs. I get dressed into my uniform and pull my hair back into a tight bun so that no hair was in my face, or sticking out. i go into the bathroom and look into the mirror, the freckles that cover my face, the ash blonde hair that looks more stark gray with every growing day pains me the most to look at. I look down at my perfectly clean hands, free of scars, i was fearful enough to become like my father, a man who lied at every chance he could possibly get. I closed my eyes hard not wanting to think of him, his name, his very being leaves a mark of shame on my life.

"Come down before your breakfast gets cold, Sweetheart!" my mother voice brings me back to reality.

"Okay mum, Ill be down in a second don't worry." I reply back to her. I open my eyes and begin to walk downstairs when my little sister comes walking out of her room. she rubs her eyes tiredly and walks to me.

"Hi sissy,"

"Hi you little bug!" I say picking her up for a hug. "Hows my tiny terrorist today, hm?"

"I'm really tired" she says. I sigh, I'm going to miss her. her sweet tired voice always calming me down.

"well I can see that princess, why don't we eat some breakfast together before the ceremony hm?"

"I cant turn down an offer as good as that now can I!" she laughs.

I carry her downstairs and sit her at the table next to me. i look at the food my moms made for breakfast.

"Are you hungry dear?" she asks beaming like a bright star, i can tell shes proud of me, if she only knew.

"No I'm not too hungry I'm sorry" i say. Telling the truth is sometimes painful, but less painful than being bared with the scars of lies.

"Its no worries dear, Thank you for your honesty" she says still smiling at me. I wish life was a little easier. while everyone is forced to tell the truth the world is more quiet. when someone doesn't want to lie, or say the truth they can stay quiet. and thoughts don't turn into scars, so people are still free to think whatever they want, even lies. but they cant say what they want. taking that way of free-will. the new saying "Thank you for your honesty" only came about after the scars started showing up. Its stupid, we don't have a choice really. its either 'Tell the truth or be shamed to awful conditions.' there is no free will in this society. and people can still keep secrets, they can choose to not tell anyone, so there's no real reason behind all of this anyways.

I get up and look at my mother, and my sister. "We should get going. I don't want to be late for the ceremony." Although i already know the outcome of it.

"Okay!" they both say excitedly. I laugh a little, and barely crack a smile. We get into the government issued car all Pure-lived ones get. along with our monthly credits that we can use to buy food, and other things we may want or even need. Higher the rank higher the monthly credits. My mother is a low ranking government official, so her monthly credits are more than enough to sustain her lifestyle with two kids.

Soon enough we arrive at the stadium where the ceremony is held every year for Seniors. The process of how it works can be sometimes complicated, those with the highest grades, and least amount of scars are available for jobs at the top, because they're deemed better than the rest. even then, those with high grades that have a lot of scars cant qualify for anything, they will always be given the grunt work. Working at farms, and factories with a low amount of credits per month. Barely enough to sustain one, let alone a family.

"Hey, Ash we're here love." My mother says sweetly.

"Oh, Sorry i dozed off, thank you" I reply back moving to get out of the car. I walk around the car to my sisters side and help her out of the car.

"Thank you sissy!" She looks happy as she says it, i cant help but smile back at her.

"No problem buggy, Do you want to hold my hand?" I ask

"No!" she says followed by a loud ow. Everyone around us looks at my her, as she hold her hand close to her chest.

"Bug let me see your hand"

"No... I'm okay its okay." she winces as she says that.

"Grace linn show me your hand now." I say. she reluctantly gives me her hand and i check for scars, there two very faint white ones right next to each other on the palm of her hand. everyone is still looking, i have to scold her now or they'll think poorly of her and us.

"Bug you should know better by now to know that lying leaves scars. I know you're still very young, but these scars can never be covered or go away. You were taught this before you could even speak." Her head hangs low, she looks almost like shes about to cry. "Hey buggy don't cry, just don't do it again in the future."

"Okay sissy, I'm sorry." she says holding back tears. I hold out my hand to hers and she takes it as we catch up to my mother at the entrance. I hand her over to my mother and give her and my sister a hug. in my mothers ear i whisper very softly "Goodbye, Mother." She looks at me confused. I turn around and walk to my seat at the very front, I sit down as the stadium slowly fills and the seats next to me also slowly fill up. the loud chattering of everyone excited to get called so that they can begin their new lives under Čisto Government.

Name after name gets called, slowly the chairs around me empty until its just me.

"Our last graduate of this senior class is Ash Linwalker, She has the highest GPA out of her class, and no scars." The crowd gasps as he continues. "As being an exceptional human being, the Čisto Government would like to offer one of our top positions, Effective immediately." I get out of my chair and walk onto the stage to accept the offer, which means I will not be able to see my family again, while being as pure as they are, I will be joining people with absolutely no scars on their bodies, and running the country. I shake the senators hand, and instantly I'm whisked away by body guards into a car headed to the capital. I cant tell exactly when i passed out, but when i awaken i am in a pure white room with a note, and clothing next to it. The note reads

'Please put these on and greet us in the meeting room, there is an escort outside to guide you when you are ready.'