Annalise Springster's a High School Dropout

Chapter 10

January 4, 2203

Cassie's POV

Annalise Springster is asleep in class.

Ms. Marrow finishes writing the word "Neuron" on the board.

Dusting her hands off she says, "Neurotechnology is all about neurons. We know that, no surprise there." A quick clap of the hands awakes Annalise from her slumber. "What matters is what we don't know." She scans that classroom. "Can anyone tell me what the practice of linking artificial neurons and artificially made neurons is called?"

Easy.

I shoot my hand up.

"Cassie."

"Neuromeshing--or just meshing for short."

"Exactly." She returns to the board and begins to elongate the word "Neuron" to "Neuromeshing." "And can anyone tell me something they know about this practice?"

I shoot my hand up again.

"John."

"Isn't it super dangerous? Like it causes serious brain deterioration."

"Always the pessimist, John. Yes, that's true, but what can it do?"

I raise my hand.

"Cassie."

"It's been used to treat people with chronic neurological diseases to some success...and failure, but it's an elitist kind of thing."

"Right, an elitist thing indeed. Millions of dollars have gone into creating a neuromesh for just one person, and even then they aren't made perfect. So much of the human brain is still a mystery. This haunted scientists a thousand years ago and still does today--"

Ring.

Papers rustle.

"So tonight class, I just want you all to think about the ethics of neuromeshing and how it can change our future. Come prepared to discuss tomorrow."

By the time she finished, half the class had already left.

I catch Annalise waiting for me outside the classroom. She greets me with a smile.

"Hey, mind if I come over and pull an all-nighter? I have to add the finishing touches to my mural."

"You know you don't have to even ask right?"

We walk down a flooded hallway. Students brush past us from all directions.

"Awesome." She lowers her voice. "I feel like Mayor Proctor is looking forward to me failing. I can't wait to wipe that pearly white smug smile off his face."

I laugh. "Pearly white, yes. Smug? I'm not sure about that."

"Oh trust me. It's smug."

"Whatever. Tonight's the perfect night to stay over. I'm literally drowning in schoolwork. I feel that senior year stress setting in."

"Really? 'Cause I've been feeling that senior year laziness coming on. I don't even know how I fell asleep last class. I sleep like 10 hours a night."

"Except when you're painting."

"Except when I'm painting."

...........

Annalise shows up at my front step with Lolo perched on her shoulder and a log of wood in her hand. I look at her strangely. She holds up the log.

"For Lolo to perch on."

"Isn't she supposed to be with your dad?"

"He's out right now, and she hates being alone." She rubs Lolo's head.