Maturing

Chapter 1

As much as I love my home, I've always wanted to see the outside world. If I knew what was outside of my home, my decision would be a lot easier. I have just over two weeks left before I decide whether I stay comfortable in my home, or explore the outside world. I've only ever known this apartment. Until you turn six, you are raised in a nursery among other children, yet you weren't allowed to interact with them. The people who cared for us were quite distant, only talking to us to make sure we were okay before disappearing. I've always been alone. I'm almost seventeen, the age you make the decision of staying or leaving. If I stay I can get a job where I stay in my apartment and go out once a week for 6 months to try and find a partner. If I'm unable to find one I get paired up. If I go outside I have no clue what will happen. It's a lot to consider but sometime soon my class will start learning about the outside world and looking at our options.

The clock in the corner of my light green room reads 8:15 pm. I still have homework to do for class tomorrow. I move from where I collapsed onto my bed earlier and make my way to my desk. Quickly logging into my computer I pull up my school website, navigating to my account. It loads and I scan my class list. Programming, Calculus, Physics, English, Art, Music, Business, and Programming again. I have an art project due in a week, and homework in every class. Most likely I'll be up until midnight doing homework.

Beginning with English, I start typing a draft for my paper due tomorrow. I email the finished draft to my teacher, and begin making changes. We have to email her the draft to prove we made changes. My paper is finished in about an hour and a half. Onto business. I read through an article that was uploaded to my page and answer questions, done in five minutes. Thankfully that was easy. A majority of my Calculus is done because I had extra time earlier. Three problems later, my math is complete.

My favorite subject is programming. I tested into an advanced programming class after I aced an assessment quiz the first day of eighth grade. Looking back, I wish I had taken programming classes a few years earlier than I did. Now I've taken all of the offered programming classes and retake them for fun. Today my assignment is to create a game in C++. Simple. I always shock people with the complications of my programs. Turning my phone on, I start playing some classical music, my favorite type for programming. It centers me and clears my mind, opening it to the various languages of programming.

Leaning back in my chair, I begin to brainstorm. Excitedly, I bolt forward, my brain threatening to explode from how awesome my idea is. The same teacher is in charge of both my programming classes. He encourages me to stray from the assignments since I'm so advanced. Even though it is late, I email Mr. Trecastle with my idea. I can create a new and advanced partnering system. We learned in health last year that 78% of couples in our society were unhappy with their match. Refreshing my page, I'm surprised to find I already have an email from Mr. Trecastle.

"That is a great idea! I'll adjust your grade so you can work on this for a while. If it's good enough, we can try to get it implemented into society. Let me know if you need any help and I'll do what I can. I'm excited to see how this turns out. – Mr. Trecastle" comes the reply. Smiling to myself I get to work. Not only did I avoid the project due tomorrow and get extra time, I have the chance to improve my future greatly. Closing my eyes I begin to type. The words fly out of me. My eyes have been closed but now when I open them I see that my screen is filled with text.

For the first time in a long time, I look at the clock. It's two in the morning. I hadn't even noticed how much time passed while I worked. Saving my work, I shut down my laptop. I know I should eat and get ready for bed, but all of sudden exhaustion hits. My eyes water, yawns escape, and I begin to shake. Stumbling to my bed, I collapse onto it, barely pulling off my glasses before I fall asleep.