Incommensurable

Chapter One

2090

"Elise, turn it off." My mother snaps at me, motioning towards my handheld screen.
"Whyyyy?" I question.
"Because this is a very formal event. You need to show better manners. Plus, the cameras are watching. We don't want our daughter to be placed into a group like Washing, just because she can't turn her screen off." She says the last part in a whisper, looking at my father. I roll my eyes and reluctantly shut my screen off. I only do this because I really don't want to be a Washer. That's the worst group out there, by far.

The Government says that all groups are created equal, but everyone knows they're not. I mean, come on, The Government group controls the entire city. The other groups have no say in it whatsoever.

The Washers are basically the lowest of the low in the group hierarchy. No one wants to be one, even the actual Washers.

We walk into the big building known as the Willows Tower. It is the largest and most prestigious building in all of New New York. It is named after the highest esteemed video game designers in the entire city. My parents.

A woman with slick, jet black hair walks up to my parents. Cheyenne. She is my mother's best work friend. But mom says it won't ever go any farther than work. It's just for her job.

Dad tells me to walk into the auditorium, and I'm already leaving before he says it.

I'm on my way to the auditorium when I hear a familiar voice yell out my name. I turn around reluctantly. I know-and despise-this voice.

"Oh my god, Elise? Is that you?" The voice says to me.
"Justin Sigh? We meet again, I see." I return. Justin's parents and mine are rivals in the technology industry. We've never really gotten along, either. Probably because he's and absolute bully.
"Well, today's the big day." Justin says, smirking at me.
"Mhmm."
"Ready to finally become a Foodie?" He says, recognizing the second lowest group.
"Not as ready as you are to become a Washer." I retort. He simply snorts in response. I walk away, proud of myself for finally getting in the last word, because I never do, in any argument.

I take my seat alongside Opal, my best friend since second grade. We talk and catch up until the lights in dim. A Government figure walks up on stage. He begins his speech.

"As you all know, you are here to discover what you will do for the rest of your life. To some of you, it may not be as important to you as it is to others. But, no matter the significance of this situation to you, the Government prioritizes it at its highest level of utmost importance. Up until this point in your lives, you have easily glided along. Not anymore. You are thirteen now, and you will begin your jobs at the age of seventeen. Your training will be extremely important in shaping you into your place in this society. Now, without further ado, let the Factoring begin." He ends his speech with a dramatic pause, and leaves the stage.

Another figure parades onto the stage, this one a petite, blond-haired woman.

"Hello. My name is Lynn April. I will be documenting your new positions in our society. With best regards, the entire Government Sector." The woman says. The first name of many is called. "Annika Aaron."

Names are called left and right, and the ceremony seems to be whizzing along. Until Opal is called.

"Opal Gray."

She snaps back to reality, and slowly stands up. Heads turn.
"Good luck." I whisper to her. She squeezes my hand. I hadn't realized we'd been holding them.

She gets up to the stage and looks cool, calm, and collected. I think I'm more nervous than she is.

Lynn welcomes her up to the stage, and motions her towards the large "X" on the center of the stage. She stands on it, looking significantly more nervous, now. She finds my face in the sea of so many, and I smile at her. She smiles back.