The Social Experiment

Kay

I just saw my reflection blink. It's been a while since they've allowed me to look at myself. Once a month, they say. It's not good for someone like me to stare at myself for a long period of time. I wonder what they mean.

I lift my hand up slowly to my smooth cheek and rest it there. My mirror sister does the same. I stare into her eyes and wonder if she can think for herself. Probably not.

The cover slides over the mirror and I watch her vanish again. I glide back to my large, uncomfortable chair. It's lumpy and a revolting shade of pink. I've asked for it to be changed multiple times but it seems they never hear me.

It sits in the corner of my spacious room; the mirror a few feet away. There's a sliding door on the opposite side and no windows. No lights but somehow it automatically brightens like day and darkens like night. My bed is ginormous yet it still doesn't take up half the area. The sheets and blankets are also very unappealing, like the chair. I have a desk that I move around constantly, just for something to do. It overflows with textbooks, things that I'm having to go over before attending 'school'.

I've never been to school. Not that I can remember anyway.

They say it's for a social experiment. Doesn't bother me.

I hear a barely audible click and turn to the door. It's her. The one who said I have to attend school. I don't mind really. It's better than being cooped up in here for days on end.

"How long have I been here Shan?" I ask softly, like I always do.

"Another 8 days so that adds up to . . . 1095 days. 3 years exact. You have the day off meds and are allowed outside for 3 hours but still under tight surveillance," she announces briskly.

Yay! Another day outside of these walls. My heart rises as I imagine how many more types of leaves I can collect or how many bird breeds I can identify in those 3 precious hours.

World, I'm ready.