"Good morning, David," said the computer as it did every day. But this was no ordinary day; this was the first day of transition. David and his classmates had all turned eighteen and completed their General Certificate of Education. However, they would remain in Sector 7G State School for another month as they completed their transition to adult society.
He woke in the same 2m by 3m compartment he'd lived in for the last 13 years since he left the creche. Bunk, desk, toilet and shower all squeezed together, the large screen across from the bunk his constant companion. David had never been outside - the school and much of society as a whole was underground - but everyone said the screen was just the same as a window.
"Please perform your ablutions and callisthenics and then shower as usual," said the computer from the screen, displaying a sunrise over rolling fields. It was a view from before the Collapse and the radical changes it had wrought on society. "You will then be joined by Florence for the start of your transition lessons."
David opened his eyes wide. Joined by Flo? Florence was his class partner and had shared a desk with him for those 13 years. She was also very, very cute. She had wavy blonde hair and a wide, smiling mouth, big, blue eyes and dimpled cheeks. David often found himself daydreaming about her. The unisex school uniform revealed little of the body underneath but Flo's bulged out tantalisingly at the chest and rear. Sometimes, as he drifted off to sleep, David felt his daydreams deepening into something else. And perhaps this was the start of that something else. Speculation about the exact nature of transition was rife in the class and some of the speculation tended towards the lurid...
"David, your ablutions," interrupted the computer.
He shrugged off that thought, got out of bed, folded his nightshirt and placed it under his pillow. He went to the toilet and then followed the exercises on the screen. Callisthenics complete, he quickly showered and brushed his teeth. As he started to dress as usual, the computer interrupted him again.
"There is no need to put your uniform on yet, David."
David stopped in confusion and looked down at the towel wrapped around his waist. "But why?"
"Florence will be here shortly and I will explain then."
Florence was indeed there shortly; her compartment was just across the corridor from David's and she knocked on the door only minutes after the computer's strange announcement.
"Hi," said David. He felt very uncomfortable standing there in just a towel. Flo was dressed as normal in her coveralls.
"Hi," she echoed, sounding equally uncomfortable. She was holding a pack of some sort in her hand. "Can I come in?"
"Oh, right. Yeah, sure. Um, come in."
There was nowhere for them to sit apart from the bed so they sat side-by-side facing the screen. A few awkward moments of silence stretched between them until the computer filled the void.
"Welcome, David and Florence, to the start of transition. You will shortly proceed to Miss Colchester's classroom as normal. However, before that, you must complete an initial assignment."
Flo blushed and fiddled with the pack in her lap. It seemed like she had more idea what was going on than David.
"Florence, did you bring the pack?" She nodded. "And you have been briefed on how to measure David's penis?" She nodded again as David felt his jaw literally drop. "Good, I will now place myself into privacy mode for 10 minutes to allow you to complete the assignment."
Flo unzipped her pack and pulled out a pad, a pen, a ruler and what looked like a blank name badge. She did all of this without saying a word or making eye contact. She took her time but there was only so long she could string out the task for. She swallowed and finally spoke.
"So like the computer said, I'm going to measure you. Then I need to write it on the badge and you need to wear it to class."
David was gobsmacked. The idea of having his penis measured by Flo was overwhelming enough but he'd assumed that would be entirely between them. He'd started to think this might be the prelude to further assignment between the two of them that might develop into, well, he wasn't quite sure.
But actually he was going to have to wear his penis size on his chest? Why!?
He realised Flo was now looking expectantly at him. "Um, okay," he said.
Flo rolled her eyes slightly. It was the same sort of quick, affectionate gesture of despair as when he hadn't been paying attention in lessons.
"So you need to get undressed. Or, like, completely undressed," she corrected herself as she looked at his half naked body.
Swallowing, David undid his towel and stood naked in front of someone else for the first time since he'd been in the creche as a child. He stood there for a moment, unsure what to do next, and then sat down.
"Is that it then?" Flo asked, pointing toward his crotch. "Your, you know?"
"Yes," said David, looking down. His penis seemed so small and defenceless as it lay there in his pubic hair.
"It needs to be..." Flo paused and blushed harder, staring at the strange third thumb between his legs. "I need to measure your penis in its erect state."
"Oh," was all that David could think to say.
"Can you do that? Make it go hard?" Flo sounded confused but curious.