Attachment (Freshman15s Entry)

Dear Freshmen Fifteens,

I’m writing to enter my short story, called Attachment to your Common Room Teen Mentoring Contest. My short story is about two teenagers struggling to find their way in a futuristic society. It is 2,998 words. Thank you for your consideration!

1. Pitch (>200 words):

 The Reformers said that the Reformed States of America were reformed for a reason. They told the students that this was the only way to live, that the only way to survive was to become completely independent. So they invented a system to Shuffle the students into entirely new schools every year. But that wasn’t enough.

All of the students would need to be rid of all emotional attachments prior to being Shuffled. The needle that took faces from memory was the invention that the Reformers said saved the country. At the beginning of each year, the students would forget everyone with whom they had had “dangerous attachments.” They would never know each other’s names. Instead, they would pick a card. No names. No attachments.

            Violet is just getting used to the system: get the shot, forget her friends, pick a card to be her new name. But when she wakes up after being Shuffled with a mystery person’s name written on her wrist, she starts questioning everything the Shuffle system insinuates, even the ideals of the law.

            In a cutthroat society, Violet struggles to find out what was taken from her. Can she afford to bend the rules?

2. First 100 Words:

It was a blisteringly cold December evening when Violet rushed to the forbidden rooftop. The wind stung like a warning on the tip of her tongue. She was afraid of many things, but the idea that she wouldn't even remember her best friend tomorrow was unbearable. Her heart fell in dismay when she realized that this was their last night to break the rules together.

         “We should do something no one’s ever dared to do before. I don't want to forget you,” she said as she ran to him. River turned to face her, a defeated expression shadowing his angular face.

3. Bio:

My name is Julia and I am fifteen years old, about to start my sophomore year at my high school in Connecticut. I have always loved reading but I didn’t fall in love with writing until middle school. At the age of thirteen, I was published in Teen Ink Magazine. I am far along in the process of writing my first novel and I hope to someday be a published author! When I’m not writing, I am in a dance company outside of school. My talents include reading too many books, pulling all-nighters and eating my weight in ice cream. (100 words)

4. I don't have a specific mentor in mind, but anyone who likes romance (which seems to be most of the judges!) would be great. Even though Attachment takes place in a science fiction setting, the romance is a huge part of the story. 

Thank you for hosting this contest. It's an amazing opportunity for all of us teen writers out there!