Conquering

chapter one ;

Flyers rained from the dark night sky. One landed by my feet. I bent down and picked it up, squinting in the darkness. I was walking through the park near my house for some fresh air. It was a hot day in May, and I was not ready for the heat.

I stood next to a streetlamp and read the flyer out loud. "Tired of rules? Be tired no more, since now you're free to do what you want at school!"

I furrowed my eyebrows, and reread the information. This wasn't legal, was it? I quickly walked home, digging my phone out of my pocket. I stopped, watching the cars stop and people chattering, holding the same piece of paper that was crumpled in my hand.

I turned on my phone, its screen casting a dim glow on my face. I messaged my friends, asking if they saw the flyers fluttering down from the sky. I shut my phone off and ran the rest of the way home, which was not far.

"Mom, Dad, look at this!" I opened the door and went inside, slamming the notice on the dining table and flattening it out. They put their chopsticks down and I waited in anticipation as they read the flyer, sweat dribbling down my face. My dad leaned back in his chair as my mom reread the text, as I did.

"It might be dangerous," my mom finally stated and put the paper back onto the table. My younger sister, Emi, bounded over to the table, giggling happily.

"Do you still want to go to school? We're not letting Emi go," my dad said firmly and put a hand on her shoulder. Emi was only eight, and wasn't too bright with social cues.

"I guess I should. I'm sure other people will be there to get an education too." I wiped my forehead with my arm and I gathered up my homework. I shoved them gently in my schoolbag. I hate messy schoolbags with crinkled papers and notebooks.

I went upstairs. I got ready for bed, and I'd rather not spare you the details. I turned the fan on and shut the lights, flopping onto my bed. I laid there with my eyes open, staring at my ceiling with glow-in-the-dark stars and planets. I heard my phone vibrate. I glanced at the message.

Meet up in front of the park at school tmrw. 7:50am.