Race For The Crown

Chapter 1

Charlotte, North Carolina September 24, 2035

***

I stand as the bell rings from 4th to 5th period, my lunch period. Just a completely normal Monday in a completely normal week.

I bolt out to the hallway, which is already full of kids who are talking about what they are having for lunch. I scan the crowd for my best friend, Harriet.

When I spot the back of her head of short, blond hair, I run up to her.

"Heyyyy girlyyy." I say, tapping her on the shoulder. She turns and replies, "Heyyyyy."

"What do you have for lunch?" I ask, trying to peek into the bag she's holding.

She turns to block me, "Not yetttt," She says, teasing me. "You'll find out soon."

I sigh and nod, pretending to be disappointed.

"So how were-" I start to get cut off by the intercom. The whole hallway goes silent. A few years ago, everyone would've just kept talking but there was this incident, and now...

"Violet Thatcher, please report to the main office. Violet Thatcher, please report to the main office."

I stand in complete shock as everyone turns to look at me. The hallway, still silent, feels like it's closing in on me. I turn to Harriet. "See you later?" I ask hopefully, and she nods.

I turn to face forward and walk toward the principal's office.

***

"Violet," The secretary says as I walk in. "You'll be going that way." She points to a door that isn't in the direction of the principal's office. I sigh in relief and walk toward the door.

As I get closer to the door, I realize how unique it is. It's a plain brown, like a tree trunk, but there are small little green vines twisting up it in specific patterns. The gold door handle is engraved with vines crawling up to the point where the handle reaches the door, and a flower is engraved on the corner of the handle.

I reach the door and grab the handle, gently turning it downward. The door swings open and I walk into the room.

There's a man that looks to be around his 40's. He's sitting on the chair behind the desk, his feet up on the desk.

"Sit," He commands, waving his hand toward the chair across from him. I follow his instructions and sit down in the seat across from him.

He leans forward. "You're a smart girl Violet." He pauses, as if waiting for an answer.

"Thanks?" I guess, hoping it was satisfactory.

He nods, leaning back. "Do you know why you're here?"

"Because I'm smart?"

He smiles. "Mostly, yes. You passed the test we sent out to all the schools in the world to take."

I remember that test. It was random, unannounced, but honestly not that hard if you thought about it. Everyone complained about it afterwards, but it was quite easy.

"I am Tristan. I work at NASA. I'm an engineer."

I feel my heart leap to my throat. A real NASA engineer came to our school. Our small little school. To talk to me. "Cool," I reply. That's all I can manage to get out. I'm too amazed.

"NASA wants you, Violet. We have a mission for you. You and 11 others."

I can feel my eyes light up as I look at him. "Really?"

He nods. "Really."

I lean back in my chair, amazed by it all.

"You will be racing." He finishes.

"To what?"

He shakes his head. "That I am not allowed to say. But it will be rewarding."

My memories flash to my grandmother in the hospital. With not enough money to help her, I feel powerless.This prize, this reward, it could help me. Get me enough money to save my grandmother.

"I'm in."