A Holographic Existence

Chapter 2

                                                         ~One month earlier~
       I wake up as always, to the sounds of nature. My Mom is a genius, I'll give her that, but she's also a very over protective parent who is constantly perceived by "scientific studies." Her latest thing, is that god awful, pandering, frog noises help to ease the mind out of sleep more effectively, making you feel more rested. When croaking does any of that I'll dig a grave and burry myself alive.
      I get dressed for school. I have to wear this awful uniform, a plaid navy skirt, white blouse, and navy cardigan. I'd rather be dead then caught wearing a skirt in public, but the world doesn't seem to care about my opinion in anything. They trick you into thinking your thoughts matter, that you matter. But you don't and that's the truth of it. I leave my hair matted by sleep, plastered at odd angles. Saying I don't have the patience to deal with it would be an understatement.
     I mope down the stairs marveling at the wood work on the banister, as I do everyday. The leaves engraved in the spokes holding the banister up look so real, I always reach up and rub my eyes, trying to wake up the sleep ridden irises, making sure I'm seeing clearly. As I descend the stairs the living room comes into view. The walls are an odd, off grey as everything in the house and everyone else's house is. Color must be a wonderful thing. It's considered a luxury. Only the people with lots of money or high ranking government jobs can get their hands on it. Every time you see high ranking personal walking in the city you have to just stop and stare. It's almost like being blinded for a second, by the beautiful bright colors of their perfectly tailored suits.
My mom starts yelling at me to hurry up and quit sulking around. I briskly walk thought the living room and front hall, which is like an obstacle coarse due to the amount of coats and shoes scattered haphazardly on the floor. I finally emerge from the grey depths of our coats and shoes and fall down into my chair seated at the table. My mom walks over and places a bowl of cereal infront of my seemingly lifeless figure that slumps sleepily in the seat.
      My mother has perfect blonde hair and a perfect face(emphasis on the perfect). I always wonder why she isn't a model off somewhere married to a rich tycoon, spending her day draped in lavish cloths and all manner of luxuries we can't afford. I'd I have to ask her, but knowing I'll get some sappy speech about love, I burry the curiosity. "Ohh I loved your father and love is so much more to me then money will ever be." Its all personally a bunch of sheep crap.
As I eat my cereal I'm drawn from my stupor by the ruthless tugging of my mother trying to run brush through my hair. She finally gets through all the knots and proceeds to put my hair into its usual french braid. I quickly brush my teeth and pack my bag before Wren arrives. Sometimes if I'm in a really good mood and moving quickly i have time to play the harp for a bit, though the occasions are far and few between.
Wren arrives sharply at 6 am, as always, to walk me to school. Wren goes to the same school as I do, which is surprising because his parents, like mine, are some of the leading scientists in geological exploration. It seems that the "smartness" gene skips over the first in each family. We usually talk about how unfair life is, the topic of most teenage conversation, and politics. You see Wren wants to be a politician and I could care less, but because I am a caring friend(not at all because i really like this guy and am desperately trying to please him) I keep up with it. Theres one problem with his desire though, that I probably shouldn't encourage, only kids who finish their training from an advanced or superior school can go on to law school, or whatever school you have to waste your money on next, and after graduating from one of those schools only he best are selected. As I said before Wren goes to an academically challenged school. Unlike me Wren has always had a problem with being stupid. He hates being looked down upon for his intellectual status. I try in school believe me, but I have just about given up. I have excepted my situation and take the best I can get.
Today our walk started in awkward silence, we had a test today, not just any test, a monstrous test that could change everything. The government decided that because the academically challenged kids are all "stupid" there would be a test for anyone over 14 to weed out the worst kids so the country wouldn't waste money on them. If you ask me its bull, but maybe getting out of school would be a good thing.
There was also something else bugging me that I'm not even sure Wren, my peace, could understand. Eventually i cracked and vented anyway. All I wanted was some sympathy or reassuring words, I should have known better.
I asked Wren,"Does it bother you that people disappear?" Wren gave me look like I had just told a horrible racist joke. Though the warning signs were evident I continued my speech,"Have you noticed Wren that people disappear only after they have done something brilliant," I said. I think Wren was trying to ignore me so I raised my voice and continued. "Wren, I'm scared. I'm scared that my Dad is going to disappear." I said in the bravest voice I could muster, though I knew I was not fooling anyone, even I could hear the wavering in my voice. Wren stopped, he had a reassuring look on his face. That's what I wanted to see from the beginning. All I wanted was for Wren to tell me it's okay, that im being silly. Wren spoke in that voice that makes even the most stoic girls shiver,"I don't know what will happen." My heart fell, but I won't let Wren see. I'm quite good at burying my emotions and saving them for when I get home. Wren understands me,but the only person who is like me is my Dad.