Alex lay on his bed, looking up at the ceiling. It was early morning. He'd know what would be coming with the post today.
The letters were sent out in bulk, generally- if people in your neighbourhood were getting them, you may well be next. Rumours always went around from the Regeneration Centre, and it was widely expected that today would be the day that many of the local youths would get the letter.
And Alex had a feeling it would be him. Just his luck, too. He had just asked his long-term crush, Danielle, out, and she'd accepted. He had spent all night celebrating, but he recieved a cell phone message from a friend who's dad worked at the Centre. It wasn't great news.
There was a clatter downstairs.
The post.
Alex jumped out of bed and raced downstairs. It was there, in all it's red glory. Alex swallowed the lump in his throat and reached down to get it, reading the contents.
He got another cell phone message; it was from Danielle. "I gt one 2 :(", it read.
Alex didn't know whether to be distraught or delighted. But know matter how he felt, they were going to be animals.
***
One week later, he and Danielle had an appointment at the Centre. They had been close since they got together, and the news had made them closer. They held hands as they sat and waited, and were both checked out for species assignment.
***
Alex lay on his bed, looking up at the ceiling. A clatter at the front door. He repeated his steps several weeks ago, and picked up the letter.
He read the information on the page.
"I'm going to be..."