Jordan found himself sitting on the giant passenger seat of Sara’s car after she had dropped Chloe off. He hadn’t been on the seat in this way before. He had been in the cup holder, he had been in the seat with someone, he had sat in laps and on shoulders. However, sitting here in the passenger seat of the car really drove home how small he was. It was daunting how expansive the seat was. As he looked up he struggled to even see out the window This left him with the majestic views of the glovebox, Sara, a seatbelt buckle, and random things inside the car.
As Sara drove back to her house she sang along to several songs as Jordan sat in the seat just running through the day’s events. He felt this expensive collar around his neck he couldn’t help but feel like he belonged to Sara now. This space-age collar Chloe had bought him while comfortable was very much little proof. Getting the collar off for someone of his size would be next to impossible.
As much as Jordan hated to admit it the design was ingenious. The electronics woven into the leather collar were powered by a mixture of Solar Power and Kinetic Energy. So all the features and electronics built in were available almost limitlessly with the reduced size equating to a lower power draw being factored in. He wondered if while more uncomfortable and would have made him feel like even more of a pet. If a traditional collar wouldn’t have been better. It could have been removed and it wouldn’t have had so many fancy features.
Now as Jordan ran his hands over it. This wasn’t coming off and as Anna explained at the store. It had features to deter littles like him from removing it. He knew Chloe was trying to help. In hindsight, this was much less helpful than the cheaper more embarrassing counterparts.
“I’m sure you will get used to the collar. At least the one you have is more comfortable than most. I still can’t believe Chloe spent all that money. Do you think she really likes me? I mean she’s from practically a different world. She spent that money on you like it was nothing.” Sara said glancing down briefly to check on Jordan before returning her eyes to the road.
“She seems to. This collar is worth more than most people’s homes. You think someone spends that kind of money on someone they don’t care about?” Jordan said trying to be positive for her.
“I guess you’re right. I just feel so broken sometimes. Like I don’t deserve to be happy. Between the pills and having you around though it has been easier lately. I hate that my stupid therapist was right on the whole emotional support companion being helpful.
“I’m glad that I can help you. It’s just-”
“you don’t want to be my little man. I get it. I don’t even blame you. You were a person and are used to being able to do your own things. Now you’re relegated to being carted around by me. I mean if that’s how you honestly feel. Would you like me to turn you over to the government? I’m sure they could assign you to a different home in 2 or 3 years when they figure out how to catalog you all effectively and figure out how to ship you out to a different person somewhere in the country who could afford you.”
Jordan was caught off guard by the frankness of her statement. He wasn’t expecting this to be dropped on him this suddenly. The idea of not being a pet to Sara was enticing on some level. He also understood though where she was coming from. As a pet is merely a domesticated species kept for companionship which he in essence is. It just was difficult to take in and accept it.
Jordan also wasn’t sure how he could trust the government to put his best interests before their own. As it was clear they thought of people like him as a product more than a citizen or person. He could be locked away in some dingy corner for years as they sift through bureaucratic red tape and policies to make whatever system they are making a reality. Sara while she has her faults like anyone else. She seems to atleast put thought into her choices and does seem to care. Even if he didn’t always agree with her choices.
“I’m sure Chloe’s family is building adequate facilities to house Littles. Supposedly from what Chloe has told me these buildings are just wall after wall made up of these shoebox-sized rooms that plug into the wall via USB. I would offer you to Allison but she spent all the money she had on your parents and your friends couldn’t even afford the licensing let alone the recurring licensing fees, the filing fees, the form fees, registration costs, plus guardianship training. Then all of them would be subject to paying the transfer costs as well.”
Jordan never thought about the transfer fees. They were fees that went to the original family to reimburse the expense and time they spent. He knew this was turning bad for him. He didn’t want to be put back into the system. He didn’t see eye to eye with Sara on some of the choices shes made. But, overall, she has treated him all right. She hadn’t harmed him or made him do anything degrading. He had his gripes but he could think of many situations that would be worse than Sara. He would surely never see his friends again if he was given to the government. He wasn’t even sure if he would be allowed to if he were in the custody of a different guardian. He would rather live with the devil he knows.
“I don’t mind being your little man. I mean if I had a choice I’d rather be cured. However, we know that’s not possible. I was just feeling confused about everything. I wasn’t thinking and I was scared. I’m especially scared of Dayton.” Jordan said sheepishly.
“Then why did you run away? I had asked you if you wanted to go with Dayton or stay with me. You chose to go with her. Dayton can be a brat sometimes. However, she had nothing real to hold over you. Did you honestly think I wouldn’t believe you?”
“Well, you didn’t believe me with Maisy.”
“I never didn’t believe you with Maisy. I told you Maisy is a unique situation. She is the most popular girl in school. We need to show well around her as she is interested in us. We could be friendship material Body Hottie. If we could get in with Maisy’s group that would be huge for us. She could sit with anyone in science class and she chose to sit with us. That means something. I understand you had no frame of reference and I should have told you before class how important she was.”
“I get it. I went to high school not that long ago.”
“Good, but that doesn’t mean I won’t protect you. Even Maisy I wouldn’t let actually hurt you and no one should be picking you up outside of special situations unless it’s me, Ellie, or Chloe. If anyone else tries you go to one of us right away. Just so we’re clear. You’re choosing to be my wittle man.”
“Yes, I am. For real this time unlike back in your bedroom on Sunday morning. I will be your little man. The only condition I have is my name.” Jordan said. He knew this was tying his fate to Sara. However, he didn’t want to risk this situation to go to an unknown life and an unknown situation. Even before Smallera, he wasn’t a risk-taker. So the safest choice was the one in front of him. What if he was assigned to Dayton or someone worse like that Sadie girl he saw at lunch? No, he was sure life with Sara would be much better. Even a one percent chance of being assigned to Dayton is much too high. He knew there were potentially better situations out there but it wasn’t worth the gamble.
“Good, I accept your terms. No takebacks.”
“No takebacks,” Jordan said.
“Great, then look at your collar.” Sara said with a suspicious grin as Jordan grabbed the tag and looked down at it which had the name Jordy etched into the collar.”
“Wh-what? I-I saw this. It said Body Hottie back with Anna. Only the back had the address as it has that digital ink you can adjust.” Jordan said as he flipped it over to look at it.
“Responsibility master,” Sara said quite pleased with herself as she leaned back a bit in the car seat. “Oh my god, you should have seen your face. It was all super serious. I almost broke character. Oh my god, you’re too much fun. This is gonna be great me and you. How long were you going to let me call you Body Hottie? I thought for sure at the doctor’s office when I had them call you as Body Hottie in the waiting room you would have ended it. But, no just let it keep coming. Then I thought for sure when I asked you in front of Chloe if it was okay for her to call you Jordan and not Body Hottie. I was fightin’ for my life to keep a straight face and you just took it all in stride.” Sara said with a laugh
“I hated that name you know. How did you swap the tag on the collar?”
“A woman never tells, as they say, Jordy. Now that you want to be my little man. We can chalk this up to an error in judgment. If Dayton scares you need to tell me though. If she or anyone is threatening you. The only way this gets fixed is if you tell me okay? I’m your guardian. I won’t let anyone hurt you. I know we are still feeling each other out but I can’t help you if you don’t say anything. I may razz you a little, prank you a little, and tease you but no one else gets to do that to my wittle man” Sara said as she pulled into the driveway and patted Jordan on the head with a smile.
Enjoy the full-sized version of any picture in the Smallara gallery.
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I was really disappointed in this scene, Jordan held more power here than he did at any other point in the story and chose to waste it on just one thing, that we quickly after realised he could have asked for at any time which I know he didn’t know, but it did still make it seem worse.
(and still not convinced it was all just a prank btw)
It can not be a prank in your eyes. That is okay everyone is entitled to there own beliefs and opinions of events. Sara could be lying it’s left a little ambiguous for that very reason. As the reader can make there own opinions of what they think.