Futurists

P A R T 1 : C H A P T E R 1

Chapter 1

I don't care what they said. Really, I don't. I have heard their voices too many times to complain, too many times to sink in, too many times to care. Of course, Lillian cared- but then again, Lillian was a sensitive girl. She had yet to learn the ways of selfish people who couldn't control their own tongue.

I watch them strut away as if they won. No, they didn't win. I just don't care at the moment. In the end, no matter what I say, I know they could hurt me. Tears fill my eyes. I felt them burn their way down my cheek.

It's not their fault, I think. They don't know that they hurt people.

Maybe I am lying. I didn't know. Everything is a lie these days.

I wipe under my eyes with my spare fingers. I realize I am still holding the flower in my left hand.

"It's time to go home," the voice says.

"I know," I whisper.

Pause.

"Well...aren't you going to go?" it nudges me.

"I don't want to go. I feel tired."

It brushes my hair in comfort.

I sigh and walk away. I walk back to the car, where my mom is waiting for me. Even at night, I can see her through the windows. The red paint from the car stood out conveniently. I still think it is silly that she comes, the law says that I'm allowed to go alone in a self driving car with my parents' permission. Still, she comes bringing with her a cloud of stubbornness. I hear her voice : she is on the phone with Dad.

I open the door.

"I know, I know," she hisses into the phone. "It's only three dollars. We can pay it off."

I roll my eyes. We can't afford more debt.

"Don't you dare yell at me!" Mom's voice rises. "I think I know what to buy! We needed peanut butter!"

And from the look in her eyes, she hasn't had her meds recently. Great. This is really going to be a fun night. She reluctantly hangs up and tries to smile.

"How was it?" she asks.

"Good," I reply quickly.

Pause.

She starts the car. Obviously, I am not enough to keep her entertained. The lights flicker in the city and I feel a sudden strike of fear.

No, I think. Not the lights again.

For the past five months the lights in our city have been unreliable. They either flicker and fail temporarily, or they burn out and we're forced to live in darkness until the electricians come. Five months ago, I never understood how walking in the darkness is such a luxury, and five months ago, I never realized how much I'd miss the old Mom. Just to see her face eased from the pain - that would be enough.

I watch the ads pop up in the sky : "Levi's Jeans are the best jeans!" , "Spend $75 at Winnifred and get 15% OFF your next purchase!" , "Unusual health issues? Talk to your doctor at Kingsley Hospital! We'd love to have you!"

I sigh in disinterest. At least I can see better now, given that I had an expensive surgery on my eyes. Mom and Dad didn't have to pay for it (which I don't understand. We have plenty of money.) rather, the government stepped in for once and took care of the surgery for me. I don't know why, though. My mind wanders to the conversation I heard from Mom and Dad at the kitchen table. They didn't know I was there, of course. How could they? I'm "as sneaky as a mouse", Ali says. That makes me laugh, and Mom looks over at me concerned.