Equality

            I opened my eyes, staring up at the bright white tiles of the hospitals ceiling. I felt sore, and I looked down at myself. I was wearing a hospital gown, and when I moved my legs, I could feel power inside.

"It will take you about a day to get the hang of your new muscles, but your new lungs are ready to handle the air needed to run long distances Emily," Dr. McMillan's voice came from my right, and I moved my head to see her.

"Thank you," I smiled at her and she returned it, handing me a glass of water.

"No problem. Just pick up your slip at the desk on your way out. Your mother is waiting in the hall," she told me, and left. I made certain I wasn't attached to any tubes, then grabbed the clothes from the chair next to the bed.

My mother came in as I had just finished changing into jeans and a tank top. I brushed my hair quickly and followed her downstairs to the lobby. There were a few sixteen year olds in the lobby, waiting for their surgery times. I saw one that was overweight, and another that was coloring a book, outside the lines.

"Here is your slip that shows proof that you had the surgery, Ms. Thorne," the woman at the desk smiled, handing me a piece of paper. I smiled back at her, and followed mother to the parking lot.

"You will have to file that with Richelle so she knows you have become equal," my mother said as she started the car. I nodded, and we were silent on the way home, watching the other perfect people walking, jogging or driving.

"Mother, will you please help me with my history homework?" I asked her as we entered the house.

"Of course, what are you learning today?" I went and grabbed my binder and textbook, bringing it to the table where she had gone to sit.

"The war of 2121, and everything before that," I told her, opening up my notebook and getting a pen ready.

"That was a terrible time. Do you need to write an essay?" Mother asked, a haunted look on her face.

"No, I need to write up a script for an oral report tomorrow," I nodded. She sighed, running her hands through her hair.

"Before 2121, no one was equal. Everyone was different; there were many different IQ levels, body shapes, and not everyone had perfect skin and health. In 2121, Richelle discovered how to manipulate our genetics to stop any diseases and to have perfect skin. After that, she discovered how to change our body shapes and make us athletic, and to enhance our IQ's to be the same. Because of this, many people followed her and overthrew our unequal government. Richelle has been our leader ever since, and we're all equal now," my mother concluded.

"Thanks mother. I'm glad I didn't live back then. Are there still any survivors?" I asked her, writing down what she told me.

"Yes, I imagine so. Except they will be equal now, so we may not recognize them from the pictures," she nodded.

"What about Richelle? Is she equal?"

"I don't know Emily. No one ever sees her, except a chosen few," my mother sighed, touching my shoulder.

"Oh. Okay, thank you for the help. I will go and assist Andre, Mike and Vanessa with their studies until dinner mother," I told her, packing up my things. I went upstairs to find the boys playing video games, and Vanessa having a tea party with her dolls.

"Vanessa let's start your homework," I told her, coming in and taking one of her dolls off a chair and sitting down.

"You look good Em. You had your surgery today, didn't you?" Vanessa asked, going over to grab her spelling book.

"Yes. I'm completely equal to everyone now."

"Even grandmother and grandfather?"

"Not quite. I'm equal to everyone younger than sixty."

"Are you equal to me?"

"No. I will be when you turn sixteen."

"I want to be equal today."

"You will be soon."

"Oh. Okay. How do you spell Mississippi?" Vanessa asked me, her pen poised to start writing. I smiled and helped her with her homework. Soon Andre and Mike came and started on their homework with us.

The next day I rode my bike to the high school, wearing my black skirt and white blouse. I was ready to speak to my class about the war of 2121. I was so relieved to live in 2191, and to be entirely equal. I couldn't think of what I would be like or look like without equality.