Switched Up

Introduction

In the year 2050, many things throughout the world changed compared to 30 years earlier. Technology hadn't advanced as much as predicted; devices got a little thinner and smarter, but there wasn't anything like teleportation or floating cars. What did change, however, was the climate.

Nothing was more threatening to the environment than the event known as the 2020 Escalated Drought. Earth was already undergoing global warming at the time, but, in addition to that was the sudden decrease in water that lasted from 2020 to 2035. The water levels stopped rising and instead, started decreasing. Rain was scarce due to chemicals from pollution and increase in atmospheric temperature. Water was a sacred element. Because of the drought, massive areas of land were exposed from the decreasing water levels in the oceans. Eventually, some of the land was large enough to build new communities.

According to scientists, it should have taken much longer than fifteen years for the massive amount of Earth's ocean water to evaporate as fast as it did. It was theorized that due to the mixture of chemicals, heat, and lack of rain, the water evaporated at a quicker pace than predicted. Even in 2050, scientists were still trying to figure out the exact cause of the phenomenon, but continued to have no luck.

By the year 2035, water evaporation slowed to a stop as a result of the improved environment. Everything was made from materials that were eco-friendly and reduced pollution. Cars were completely fueled by sunlight during the day and sun-charged batteries at night; it was a way to cycle a car's energy without plugging into an outlet. Everyday items were made from recycled materials, and in time, the recycled materials were 100% recycled—creating a waste preventative system.

As the environment stabilized, the islands that were exposed around California's coast were further investigated. The government decided to construct buildings and communities on the most suitable areas. One of the islands, Blue Isle, was the largest land mass that resulted from the drought. California dedicated a huge amount of time to build a domain that was comfortable enough for people to live there. A large, prosperous town was assembled along with a flourishing high school, known as Blue Isle High.

The high school was created for students who wanted to challenge themselves while preparing for their futures. It was a three-year school that offered everything a four-year high school did. Instead of being classified as freshmen, sophomore, junior, and senior, Blue Isle High categorized their students by 1st year, 2nd year, and 3rd year.

Blue Isle High did not have a freshmen year. The students who committed to the school were required to take a series of tests throughout what was supposed to be their first year in high school. There were four tests: one in the fall, winter, spring, and summer. If any of the four tests were failed, the student wouldn't be allowed to attend Blue Isle High. The reason the students had to take these advanced tests was to make sure they were keeping up with their studies, not procrastinating, and to prove they were ready to enter the school.

Blue Isle High was similar to a boarding school. Students lived in the dorms on campus until classes ended in the summer. The campus provided the students everything they needed to live comfortably on the high school grounds. They had a top rated cafeteria with a large selection of meals. If students got sick or injured, they could go to the hospital in town.

For athletics, there was a field used for soccer and two others used for track and baseball. There were tennis courts as well. They had two gyms used for volleyball and basketball. There was a pool for the swim team that was often used for cross training by the other sports teams. Lastly, there was an indoor weight room used for strength training that also employed a personal trainer to help with injury rehabilitation.

Since the school was on an island about an hour and a half from California, the students had to adapt to being on their own. They were expected to learn how to become individuals by getting used to not having their parents to guide them. The goal of the school was to help the students figure out what they aspired to do. It was a place meant to influence them to take a journey and follow their dreams.