Numbered

Chapter 2

CHAPTER 2

"Now," continued Mr. Hensworth, "I know that Citizen Numbers may be old hat for you, but I thought that because this is the last Science class of the year, and in a few days is your Job Ceremony, it would be fun just to do a review."

Andrew leaned over. "Guess what I brought for lunch." He waggled his eyebrows at me.

"What?" Citizen Numbers were only so interesting after you've had 5 units on them.

"I brought chocolate. For you, if you want it." He smiled broadly at me.

"Andrew!" I punched him playfully. "You're rations are only so big. Don't go around spending it all on me! Damn it. Your so damn thoughtful." For everything in the world, I could never find out why Andrew would spend all his rations on buying me chocolate. But, no matter how much crap I gave him for it, I simply loved Andrew for his chocolate. He had found my weak spot.

"So you want it then?"

Before I had time to reply the classroom door opened, and just like that the smile was wiped off my face. A brunette and her two friends entered the room, with no regard to how late they were. They were the same girls I had seen earlier, just outside the Math room. Laughing at me.

A scowl found its way onto my face and settled there, content.

Mr. Hensworth stopped mid-sentence and looked up from the whiteboard.

"Oh." he seemed disappointed that the girls had ended up in his classroom "Shamrock Jewel. Well," he continued when the girls didn't move. "Please, find your seat." He gestured half-heartedly to the tables in front of him.

Shamrock didn't even glace at him. Her vibrant brown eyes swept the classroom like a radar before finding me and locking. She strutted over, heels clipping on the polished floor. Then her two friends followed obediently, one a tall blonde and the second a petite Asian with delicate hands. They all sat in unison in the chairs across the table.

"Have trouble finding the classroom?" Tami hissed at them as they settled. Shamrock glanced at her and scrunched her brow in a look at read 'really?' but her brown eyes flashed challenge.

"Have trouble closing your mouth?" Shamrock snapped back like a whip. Even though they were wearing the same uniform as all the other girls, Shamrock and her two cronies, Sonya Scaffold and Sadie Wain, couldn't have stood out any more.

Their skirts, which finished mid-thigh on the average girl, was hiked up to their bottoms. Shirts loosely tucked in and unbuttoned halfway down their chests. High heels that were worth a month's rations boosted them four inches, though Sonya hardly needed the extra inch and Sadie was still looking up at everyone else.

"Ms. Jewel, please get settled. Today we are talking about Citizen Numbers." Mr. Hensworth said nervously, as if worried Shamrock might not approve of what he was teaching. But she just settled in her chair quietly, aside from rolling her eyes at Sonya and sighing dramatically.

"As I was saying," Mr. Hensworth cleared his throat. "Every citizen of Mytopia is given a number at the age of 14 as a way of deciding their future job. The numbers range form 00-99, no larger and no less. Every job is important and every number worthy of pride. The ten's digit is whatever trait is more prevent in the subject, and the units digit is less immediate but still able option. Every number 0-9 stands for a possible job in Mytopia.

"Well, I think we should just go through them as a little activity. There's still plenty of time," Mr. Hensworth said genially. He was back in a good mood. "So 0's, our future government leaders, please raise your hands and show us who you are!"

Ralph Lockyard raised his hand along with the prideful Shamrock Jewel. Her hand stretched firmly to the sky and she looked around, making sure all eyes were on her. She couldn't have been more proud of her Citizen Number, a lofty 40. How she got the 0 in her Number I could never know.

"Alright, Alright, hands down. Now, any 1's? 1's, those lovely teachers!" Mr. Hensworth chuckled and looked at the future educators. A few more kids raised their hands, including Berry Clain, who looked to me and smiled sheepishly. I ignored him and prepared to raise me hand.

"2's? Those that provide Mytopia with entertainment, and whom if I'm not mistaken are also going to give a concert tonight at the school. Which all of you should come to, because I'm certainty going," said Mr. Hensworth. I raised my hand and looked around, meeting the eyes of curious students wondering about concert roles. Berry Clain raised his hand again, and this time I met his eye in order to prevent the uncomfortable experience of looking at Austin Holen, who also had his hand in the air.

We lowered our hands and the process continued. At 4 Tami presided to raise her hand, one of the few students who had a double digit, 44, meaning that she would no doubt go into the field of modeling and birthgiving. I looked over at her large dark eyes and perfect skin and it made sense. She was probably the prettiest girl in the class.

"As you know," added Mr. Hensworth as a side note, "only people that have the number 4 are able to give birth. Most of you underwent a surgery after getting your numbers so you are now sterile. This is in order to keep population under control and make sure only the best genes, like beauty and intelligence, are passed on to future generations."

About half the class raised their hands at the numbers 6 and 7, people who would either farm of serve the city and its citizens, as being cashers, bus drivers, store clerks, and other jobs that were directly involving the public. Andrew raised his hand for 8 and 6, meaning he was most likely going to be a doctor but was also a potential farmer.

Soon we had gotten all the way through 9, the protectors, and everyone had raised their hand at least once. "Alright, as I see that we are almost done with class, I would just like to thank all of you for giving me the pleasure of teaching you this year. This is the last Science class, but I'm sure all of you will show up for the school concert in order to see your fellow classmates sing and dance in what I am sure will be a spectacular performance. Until then, goodbye."

Mr. Hensworth waved to us just as the bell rang and students pushed their stools back, chatting rapturously about the end of the year. Andrew turned to me.

"Are you nervous?" He asked as we headed out the door, Tami by my side.

"About what?"

"The concert. If you're not aware, you have the lead role."

"I am aware," I assured him, "and anyways, It'll be fun."

"Yeh. If you're not aware, Andrew, Kaytlin is the most beautiful singer in all of Mytopia and is sure to do fine in the concert." Tami said.

I smile spread across my lips. Tami was right. The concert was going to be wonderful.