Picking and Choosing

Mingling around the hall, Tim stuck close to his mates.

Like him, most of them were eighteen years old, meaning that this was their first 'Choosing', but two were slightly older and had been through it before, so they had been offering advice on what was going to happen.

"Be aware," one scrawny lad warned, "that Girls on their first Choosing get to pick first, then the Lads on their first, and then it's a bit more of a free for all between lads and lasses. So you've got to try and chat up a fit bird first, otherwise no doubt she'll pick one of the older lads, as they'll always pick looks over personality."

Although he'd noticed the hypocrisy, the others in his group didn't appear to, nodding away. Luckily, someone else spoke up.

"Speak for yourself," James laughed, "some of us aren't too bad looking, unlike you ugly fucks, so I'll be alright."

Tim smiled at his best friends comment, too nervous to laugh. In all honesty, James wasn't bad looking, taller and more muscular than most their age, but Tim was what he'd call average.

Five foot ten and Ten stone, apart from his long, brown hair he didn't really stand out. At least he wore contacts now, not his fat old glasses that made him look like an old man.

"Go on then," the scrawny lad laughed at James, "why don't you and your limpet go and chat to some lasses then? Show us how it's done."

"Alright," James stretched theatrically, "come on Tim, let's go show Weasel here how a man does it."

Walking away, Tim could see the scrawny lad, Weasel, looking furious. It was alright for James, but when James no doubt got picked by a fit bird no doubt Weasel would take out his anger on Tim. Weasel, like his namesake, was a scrawny but tenacious bastard, but he only ever made sure to attack those weaker than him, so often gave James a wide berth.

Walking out of the safety of where the boys had sequestered themselves at one side of the hall, Tim looked at the awaiting ladies and really wished he wasn't there.

It had been part of society for generations that romantic and sexual partners were 'Chosen' rather than randomly through what the oldest generations had called 'dating'.

It had been designed as an attempt to reduce unwanted attention, perversion and assaults, mainly on women by men. There were still some who couldn't control themselves, both men and women who attacked or controlled their partners, but they were quickly ostracised, removed from any further Choosing's and left to live alone forever.

You got one warning, and then you'd be alone. Forever.

Tim eyed up the room, which had been built purely for these occasions, but rather than offering any opulence or comfort, it was stark and plain. Not quite the place you wanted to Choose your first, and possibly life, partner.

He knew that you could be part of the Choosing up until your mid-forties, sometimes earlier for men with low sperm counts and women who hit the menopause. The hope was that, in one or two Choosing's, you would find your life partner, but it didn't work like that for everyone.

So, fresh-faced and barely old enough to be there, as Tim eyed up the female side of the room, both genders having formed into their own packs, he thought that some of the women were, to put it politely, old.

Oh, there were some absolute stunners, both younger and slightly older, and part of the attraction was helped by the clothes everyone was wearing. Or not wearing in fact.

It was a white bra and pants for the women and white boxers for the men. This allowed everyone to ogle beautiful and sensual women, and while Tim had met attractive women before, it had never been sexually.

Standing here and now, he had never seen breasts or asses as large, as pert or as bouncy as he did at this particular moment.

He found it interesting that those with the biggest or perkiest assets weren't necessarily the ones he was attracted to, despite society still pushing the idea youhadto look a certain way, and have specific sizes of, you know, breasts or penises.

He found himself staring at an array of sizes. There were a lot of pretty things with curves, but also the incredibly sexy women with smaller tits and arses.

There was one or two women whose gaze he found himself returning to, although it was quite apparent one was somewhat older than himself, yet he found her curves and little tummy attractive. The other was closer to his age, slim, tall, yet clearly fully developed, with long, brunette hair and sensual dark lips. The question was, would either of them give him a chance? Unless you went and talked to someone, you only had physical attraction to go on, and, as he'd admitted, he wasn't the greatest specimen.

"So," James asked, full of outward bravado, although Tim could see the underlying nerves, "who do you want to go say hi to?"

Like the men, the women were mostly stuck to one side, with groups of more adventurous girls slightly further out.

Nervous that James would think it weird he found an older woman attractive, he delayed, waving roughly in the direction of both her and the younger, darker woman.

"I suppose, over there?"

As there were several groups in that direction, James and Tim started walking over, first full of confidence, but as they were mere metres away, Tim could see the colour fading from James' face. Christ, was he going to have to be the brave one?

"Good morning," he said politely to a small gang, only four, to whom his attraction varied, "we just came over to say hi. I'm James, I mean," he coughed, "this is James, I'm Tim."

"Hi Tim," replied a larger girl, whose bra wasn't really fit for the job, greeting him politely, though her eyes were fixed more on James, as were all the others. "Is this your first time?"

"It is," he admitted, "I was eighteen two months ago. Poor James here was eighteen two days after the last Choosing, so he just missed out."

"I was in the last one, six months ago," another girl sighed sadly, pretty but looking stressed, "and I couldn't wait to get out of that relationship. I thought, hey, he's attractive, and he's eighteen, same as me, we'll be on the same level. Except that he was so immature. Played games, expected a fuck whenever but he never grasped the concept of foreplay. After the first couple of goes, I gave up trying for a kid, and I'm absolutely going for an older lad this time."

"Don't expect too much," a lady in her early twenties interrupted, inviting herself into the conversation, "when I were your age, I chose a bloke in his thirties thinking maturity would be beneficial. He didn't want a wife or a mother; he wanted a slave. After one kid, I slipped my leash and came back."

"Oooh," gasped all the first timers.

"You've had a kid?" James asked, astonished. "But you're still here?"

A small group of older women, including the one with the tummy, although she wasn't the only one, and it certainly wasn't the biggest, had joined the conversation, and they laughed at the young 'uns naivety.

"Oh, don't mistake children for love or stability," the original one intoned, "anyone can cum in a woman, but it takes more than that to be a father or husband. The six-month blocks before the next Choosing give you time to iron out initial issues, and any kids all go to nurseries when they're six months old to let the grannies and grandpas take care of them, but it's more of an incentive to let us get on with having more of the things.

If you were an advanced and civilised society, who would you want to raise your kids? Do you want someone still green, practically alone, or have them raised by a group of those experienced? Well, I'm only mid-twenties, so I've still got a few kids in me yet, I just need to find the right guy."

As Tim considered her words, the now increased group had fallen into discussions over specific preferences and hopes. Some of the younger ones were having their hopes dashed by the older women, but they were mostly being encouraged. It didn't hurt that a woman was standing close by, and he was amazed to see that it was the older one with the little tummy he'd ogled earlier. Standing so close, he realised she was more attractive than he'd thought.

"Is this your first time?" He asked politely, eliciting a coy smile which made his heart race.

"I've been once or twice before," she admitted with a chuckle, "I've had a few children, but never with the right bloke. I'm Elise, by the way. I assume you're eighteen and this is your first time?"

"I am eighteen," he admitted, "but the Grannies always said I had an old head on my shoulders, that when the other kids were brawling, I always sat to the side, just watching. In all honesty," he said softly, "I kinda just want to get on with life. I'm training to be a doctor, so everything else is a bit of a distraction."

He flushed at her smile. God, she might be older, but she was really attractive.

"That could be a compliment," she gently teased him, "but don't forget to be young as well as an old man. You'll have plenty of time to be serious later, so, for now, have some fun," she winked at him, "now, let's see... Cara, have you met Tim?"

To his astonishment, Elise essentially pushed him into the brunette he'd also been admiring. She was almost as tall as him, but her dark cheeks still blushed when he said hi.

"Hi," she replied, "it's nice to meet some other first timers. Elise was telling me about hers and, well," she blushed a deeper shade of red, "it doesn't sound as fun as I'd hoped."

"I'll be honest," Tim admitted, "I'd be happy with someone who makes me happy, but understands that I've got my studies to focus on."

"Oh?" She asked curiously. "What are you studying?"

"Medicine."

"Oh!" She squealed excitedly. "I'm doing my nursing!"

So began an intense five-minute conversation about their respective fields before Elise butted in, having been listening.

"Ooh," she teased, "a doctor and a nurse. Sounds like a match made in heaven."

Cara gently elbowed the older woman.

"If only he were lucky to get two nurses at once, eh, Elise?" She turned to Tim to explain while Elise looked coy. "Elise is studying nursing, too. A bit late, but better late than never, eh?"

Before he could ask any questions, they were interrupted by a loud horn. This was their cue. Saying goodbye, Tim noticed that Cara appeared to look back at him longingly as they headed back into their separate male and female groups.

Monitors walked into the gap between them. These were the officials who would organise everyone, their lists on the visors they wore, scrolling with their eyes.

To the thrill of some and anguish for the rest, they began reading out the names of every first-time Chosen, women first.

The voices of the monitors reading out the names and the Chosen responding boomed around the hall. The size of the hall meant multiple names were read out in quick succession.

When it was their turn, the Chooser either said a name or walked up to a person, and that was it. Further monitors would confirm their Choice before leaving the hall, but otherwise it was as simple as that.

It allowed free choice and reduced the risk of undue influence. Those publicly not heterosexual were given their own Choosing's, so there was no risk of people with different sexualities being paired. The main issue was, with the number of people present, how bloody long it took.

Knowing Cara was on the list, but annoyed he hadn't found out her surname, Tim waited nervously for her name to be read out. They seemed to have so much in common, so he was hopeful she would choose him, especially as she was incredibly attractive. Except, while he kept thinking about her brown skin and plump lips, sometimes his mind would shift to pale skin, and a little tummy...

Name after name was read out, and the groups of both men and women began to dwindle. Yet Cara stood there, radiant, until...

"Cara Porizi."

He stood to attention, as he had been when talking to her. He could see her beautiful dark skin standing out against the white of the underwear. He hoped beyond hope...

She didn't say a name; she just walked over, putting her hand out, and that was it. Chosen.

Except it wasn't Tim.

As she walked off, hand in hand with her new beau, he took one look and understood. This guy was older, and he was, to put it politely, very easy on the eye. Much taller than Tim and Cara, he was also quite muscular. Maybe she knew him beforehand, or maybe she'd just taken one look at him and gone, 'Hell Yeah!' Either way, Tim stood there deflated.

He wasn't angry. He understood. This was the only time you were guaranteed to Choose someone you were attracted to, so he couldn't be angry at her doing what he'd hoped to do. But disappointed? Damn right he was disappointed.

Eventually, all the first-time women had Chosen.

Unsurprisingly to Tim, none of his friend group had been Chosen. Not even James. To be fair and honest, they were the freaks and weirdo's when they'd grown up in the nursery together, so he understood why they weren't picked. But with all of these things he understood piling up, it still seemed unfair. He understood, but he didn't have to like it.

Now, however, it was the turn of the male first-timers to Choose.

By right of surname, James was one of the first, and he walked straight up to an attractive Blonde, maybe a year or two their elder. She looked caught between pleased and not, but still, they walked off hand in hand. Seeing as she was back here only one or two years later, Tim assumed there'd been an issue with her first Chosen, so hopefully she'd be a bit happier this time.

Either way, Tim looked forward to finding out more about her when he and James inevitably met up in a week or so.

The list went down, and down, and eventually, it was Tim's choice.

He looked across at all of the women, all of the beautiful stunners, of which anyone would admit there still remained quite a few. The ladies with the curves, those with huge tits. He could pick anyone of them.

However, there was only one choice in his mind, even as he walked over, closer and closer, seeing more to like about some of them, but his mind never changed.

Gently, he placed his hand on her shoulder, and she looked at him in disbelief. As tradition, she didn't argue, she just placed her hand in his and walked off while another name was called out.

Getting to the Monitors, they registered their relationship by saying their names.

"Timothy Marsden," he spoke calmly.

"Elise Turner," his new partner spoke.

Walking off together to get their clothes and dress, still hand in hand, Elise looked up at him in disbelief.

"Are you sure about this, Tim?" She asked uncertainly. "You could have had anyone? I mean, I'm thirty-one. I'm thirteen years older than you, and I've had four kids. You've got your life ahead of you."

"I know," he said softly, "and for at least the next six months, I'd like you to teach me everything you know."

"Oh," she chuckled sadly, "so, I'm your sex guru?"

"No! Sorry, that's not what I meant." He apologised quickly, his face flushing. Oh God, first proper conversation and she thought... "Look, I admit I probably would have picked Cara," he admitted, "but even before we talked, I'd noticed you. You've got a beautiful face, and I like your little tummy, but actually, I need someone to teach me how to be a man. It's not just sex, it's about maturity. I'm training to be a doctor, and I can't get distracted with childish stuff."

In a way, although she felt relieved, Elise felt somewhat sadder after hearing that.

"Look," she told him firmly, "I'm happy to help you grow, but sometimes growing up means being childish too. So, don't be disappointed when you find I'm not always serious."

"Okay," he replied with a smile, happy she wasn't going to go easy on him.

They separated briefly to grab their clothes, but joined back up to get dressed. This was their first time to see each other naked, and it was common knowledge that many couples hooked up in these white, drab changing rooms. As they stripped, Tim couldn't help but admire her while she looked at him, and his cock twitched.

"Oh," she laughed, looking at his waist, "you were hiding that."

He went red, knowing she was looking at his erect penis, but as he was staring at her breasts, mid-sized with a small droop and large areolas, he couldn't complain. She also had a small, blonde bush. And her tummy... He didn't know why, but he liked looking at it, although as she put her hand across it, it was clear she'd noticed and didn't agree with his assessment.

Slowly, he moved closer to her.

"In case you were wondering, I don't want to have sex right now," he stated, "but I would like to hold you, if that's okay?"

Smiling, she agreed, and they pressed their naked bodies together.

She was a bit shorter than he was, at five feet one, and he found it a little awkward initially, especially with his hard dick pressed up against her stomach, but he found it comforting. Her body felt soft, and she was holding him tightly too. Unbidden, he kissed her on the cheek.

As her head turned to face his, he kissed her again, but on the lips. Gently, she returned the kiss.

"You feel nice," he admitted as they finally broke apart, and she blushed.

"So do you," she agreed, and gently brushed his cock as she turned, "and so does that."

Going bright red, Tim couldn't believe how nice even just a gentle touch felt. Oh God, how was he going to manage when they finally started doing... You know, stuff? Could she even respect a man who couldn't even think about... stuff, without getting embarrassed?

----

Dressing in their normal clothes, Tim in the fashionable tight jeans and shirt, and Elise, who wore a more comfortable jumper with her tight jeans. Tim admired how they framed her ass.

"If you weren't my new partner," she joked when she caught him looking, "I'd call you a perv."

Catching the regular and clean public transport, they headed towards their new home, provided to every new couple, with basics like food already provided. Walking in, their belongings had already been transported in.

"So," Elise asked casually, "lunch first, or do we want to start unpacking?" It didn't go unnoticed that she didn't suggest anything sexual.

"Lunch," Tim agreed, "but what room should we unpack first?"

"Bedroom," Elise determined, "everything else can wait, but I imagine you want to sleep tonight?" Looking up at him, she winked. "Amongst other things?"

He couldn't believe it. If he kept blushing when she mentioned anything vaguely sexual, she was going to think he was such a virgin. Which, of course, he was. But he didn't want her to think it.

Making lunch together, the afternoon went well as they discussed and arranged their new bedroom. A lot of the items were Elise's, as Tim was more used to single beds, but he had enough of his own stuff in there to make it feel homely. Making the bed, he was sure their hands kept touching more than they should, but he kept looking at his new partner. Closer to, he could see one or two wrinkles, but she was still stunning, and he liked seeing her bra when she bent forward, her shirt opening wider.

He hoped beyond hope she wasn't disappointed in him.

She was probably used to real men, older than him, maybe older than herself. Was he stupid to think that, while he was attracted to her, she would feel the same about him?

They worked well together and, by eight, most of the house was done.

"Okay," Elise puffed, "that's enough for me. I'm going to have a bath, and then I'm going to bed."

"Okay," Tim smiled, "I'll have a shower after your bath and join you."

"Are you sure?" She asked uncertainly. "You can stay up and play games with your mates if you want? This is probably an early night for a young 'un like you."