Downhill

Chapter 2

The next day was a Thursday. We were having a big test today in Chemistry, and I felt totally prepared. I had done all my studying and I knew the material. But no matter how prepared for a test you are, there's always that feeling of anxiety, worrying that you won't pass even though I knew I probably would. Still, my heart sped up a bit when the teacher handed out the test packets. I read over the questions and realized there wasn't so much to worry about. I knew most of these answers, and the others I could probably figure out with lots of thought.

I finished the test and handed it in, and the class was excused for lunch once everyone was finished. At lunch, I sat with Brooke and two other friends, Katie and Willow. Katie was the clown of the group, always coming up with funny jokes and making everyone laugh at her. Willow was quiet and didn't talk much, but she was really nice and her paintings were amazing.

"So," said Katie laughing, "I can guarantee you all that I failed that Chemistry test."

"Oh, come on, Katie, I'm sure you were great. You love science, don't you?" Brooke asked.

"I love astronomy, not chemistry. There's a difference, you know."

"Well, you probably did fine anyways. I don't know how I did, though. I'm better with algebra," I contributed.

"Please, Amelia. You're good at, like, everything," said Katie.

"There's a reason I'm not going into the art business like Willow." It was true. Art was not my strong suit.

"True, it's not for everyone," Willow said.

That night was the night everything changed. If I had the choice to go back to my normal life, I definitely would. But I don't have that choice.

I was eating dinner at the table with Mom and Dad and Rosanna. The TV was on the news channel in the background. Rosanna was talking about what had happened at her middle school that day, and I was only partially listening. I was also partially listening to the news. Nothing particularly interesting was going on. A football star broke his ankle, a small storm was moving into a town that was a couple cities away from us. The usual not very exciting news things. But then I heard something.

The news reporter said, "Breaking news! This is one big piece of news, folks!" I asked my parents if I could be excused. They not only said yes, but they also joined me in front of the TV. Rosanna came over to see what the fuss was about.

The reporter on the TV said, "It seems that the US Bureau of Engraving and Printing has had a malfunction in the machines, and an enormous excess of money has been created! Thousands of US citizens have broken in and stolen the money for distribution! Tune in after this for more information!"

I was shocked at his cheery tone. It seemed as though he didn't understand the weight of what he'd just announced...then again, at that moment, no one did. He most likely didn't think it was anything big, or was trying to reassure us.

Either way, we all exchanged silent glances, not knowing exactly what was going on. My parents had a good understanding of how the economy works, and I guess so did I. Rosanna, on the other hand, was only twelve and for the most part just interested in swords, games, and pranks. But she did know what the US Bureau of Engraving and Printing was, and what it did.

She was the first to speak after an awkward moment's silence. "That sounds...awesome!" Everyone looked at her, surprised. Awesome? That wasn't the word to describe it. Clearly she didn't know what this would do to the economy. "Well? Doesn't it mean we'll all be richer? Isn't that a good thing?"

Mom whispered something in Dad's ear, and Dad nodded. "Rosie, honey," Mom said to Rosanna, "I think we need to have a talk." So she took her into the kitchen and sat her down. I knew it was probably more of a private conversation, but I was too overcome with curiosity, so I lurked just outside the doorway and listened in.

"Sweetie, I know you think this will make us richer. But I need to explain something to you. It will help you understand how the economy works. You see, if we have too much money circulating around the country, things will go wrong. Prices will skyrocket since everyone has enough money to pay them, but since everyone's salaries and the minimum wage will most likely stay the same, that means we'll start to lose money. The more money we lose, the less we'll be able to pay for because those prices will get ever higher, and salaries won't have any correlation with inflation anymore."

I know this sounds like kind of big talk for a twelve year old, but Rosie was pretty smart. I didn't see how she reacted, because Dad came by and told me to get ready for bed. (Which was kind of strange because I'm seventeen and my parents normally just let me go to bed whenever I get tired--but I guess today was different, in many aspects.)

I knew getting ready for bed didn't necessarily mean going to sleep, but I turned out the lights anyway. It's not like it helped, though. I still couldn't sleep, worrying about the future of our family. I didn't even know if I would be able to sleep in this bed a few months from now.