I open my mouth and say,"I have no favorite anything, Mistress."

"Please, Sapphire, elaborate."

The tension in the room was thick and oozing with anticipation. I look at Mistress wide eyed. Thoughts rushed through my head. How am I supposed to answer this? I keep picturing Aimee. What would she do?

The door to the room busts open revealing a navy blue uniformed soldier. He fills the doorway. A feeling of urgency enters the room. By the insignia on his lapel, I could tell he is high up in the ranks. As he moves closer with urgency, I can smell the light scent of cologne. His lapel contains a single star signifying that he is a brigadier general. His hand snaps to his chestnut brown hair in a salute. Mistress salutes him back and says,"At ease."

"Mistress the president called. He wants to speak with you personally." The soldier says with a tone of respect, and something else I can't recognize.

Rolling her eyes, Mistress says,"Alright, stay with this oaf. I will be back." Mistress leaves the area and the tension leaves along with her.

This soldier looks strangely familiar. I have probably seen him many times. I read his last name that is stitched into his chest pocket. Aukland. He looks at me with sympathy in his eyes. "Why doesn't she like you?" he asks with a kind smile on his face. My eyes pleaded for permission to speak. "Yes, you may speak."

"I have no clue why she doesn't like me, sir. I have always been kind to her. Never have I once been rude." I clamp my mouth shut before anymore could be said.

He slowly nodded in understanding. "Are you a high performing Programmed?"

I look down in disappointment shaking my head. "No sir. I am not."

"Why are you in here? Are you that one your Mistress screams about all the time? If so, I am so sorry."

"I am her. Why does it matter?"

"You can't be all that bad. Besides, I know about you."

Mistress walks in and slumps down in a chair. "You are dismissed Aukland."

As he leaves, he winks at me. I almost smile. At least someone besides Aimee likes me.

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A/N: OOOOOH SNAP!!! Do we have some new friends, perhaps romance? Just hope I don't pull a Cassandra Clare and make him her brother. Maybe I will kill him... HAHA HAHA!!!! You never know!!!!