Every Day in May (grand prize winner) ✔

May 23rd

I don't know. I guess I was worried you'd see me as an enemy if I outright said "Hey, there's this rebel group that aims to kill your father in order to take over and, oh by the way, I'm a member!"

Besides, Theo, I've never really seen myself as a full-fledged Dissenter. Sure, I sympathize with their cause—the Land and everyone in it will be better off when the Leader's eating dirt in the Lower Realm.

That being said, I've never felt completely aligned with the Dissent's tactics. Graden has softened their approach during the time he's held the reins, but he doesn't make all of the decisions. The Dissent is a democracy—even Graden has to go along with whatever the vote dictates on certain matters.

My brother has always assumed that because I'm his sister, I'd be part of the Dissent.  I've never corrected him; I do sit in on meetings; I vote and participate. Despite this, I have my own mind.  I hope you know that, Theo.  I make my own decisions.

Your mother once told me you were having some difficulty with your teacher. You were twelve, maybe thirteen at the time.  It was an age at which you needed to find your own way, something she encouraged. This was not permissible in the eyes of your teacher, however.

You had grown increasingly defiant during your daily sessions, wanting only to focus on the subjects that most interested you. You never did see the point in wasting hours learning what you thought you'd never find useful—though how you could possibly predict everything you'd need to know for the rest of your life is beyond me. 

Up until this point, you'd been a fairly pliant student. You were obedient, polite, and your teacher had grown used to his diligent student. He didn't like the new rebellious Theo.

That word of your behavior would get back to your father must have occurred to you. Your teacher was very close to the Leader. They dined together regularly. I'm sure you imagined that their conversations always revolved around you, discussing every minute thing you might be doing wrong—an incorrectly solved equation, misspelled words on a research paper, or improperly identifying a rare species on your botany exam.

The truth, according to Francesca, was that they rarely discussed you. When your teacher did speak of you, it was usually with glowing acclaim.

"Theo's eye for color is impeccable." 

"Your son has memorized the periodic table in half the time of an average student." 

"What a wonderful gift for writing he has—so succinct, yet with just enough description!"

Your father was none the wiser when you made your pledge of scholarly insolence. Francesca knew what was going on, but said nothing to your father. She remained silent for your sake. Your teacher did so for his own.  he Leader had told him long ago that if there were issues with his student, the blame would fall upon him; it was the teacher's job, after all, to mold you. You were determined to break out of that mold, though, whatever the cost. 

Perhaps you've never openly defied your father, but you've acted against him in more subtle ways, even if it was just refusing to complete a math assignment because you believed such behavior might get back to him. 

You are still willing to clash with authoritative figures. We are alike, Theo. I will defy even my own brother if I think he's making the wrong decision. 

I will always seek my own path and it will always be the one that leads to you.