Ingenious

Chapter One

Part 1

The government versus us. That's how it always has been and always will be. It's been that way for generations, and it will continue to be that way for generations to come. Unless we can change it. My whole life, I've secretly been working on theories of how to hack the system. How to beat the government. The main way to do that would be from the inside. That's why it's worth it. By it, I'm referring to the hours and hours of work I put into school for the past 14 years, and extra-curriculars I've done to seal my future. There is no way for me not to get assigned that level. In 3 days I will be evaluated. It's not as simple as you would think. You go into this huge building with every other person born on the same day as you. The government scans your chip, and then manipulates it to test your brain knowledge, and brain creativity. No one knows how they do it, and no one remembers it afterwards. It's all part of this one big mystery of our life. Anyways, who cares about my theories. The testing will determine what pre-course you go into, and by extension what your job will be, and what area you will marry into. My goal for now is to score high enough to be put into a pre-government program. That means getting one of the top scores in both aspects of testing. The only problem is it isn't something you can study for. So I have to rely on what I already know, and how my brain is set to operate. Not that they can't change that. That's another one of my theories. The little chip in our brain. It must do something other than be used to keep track of us for testing and your assigned area. The chip only really starts working after you're 16, but I think they use it to read your mind or something. Or maybe they can reprogram you to think something without you knowing. The only problem is, the only way to know how the chips work is to not only make it to the government, but to reach the higher levels. I can do this. I have worked my whole life to do this, and I will do it. Many of my friends have already been placed, since my birthday is kind of late for my class. I'm born on July 22, and the year resets on September 1st. Most of my friends were placed in either the pre-teaching category, or the pre-engineering. A few are in pre-med, but so far none in government. I'm the second to last to be placed. Next to Bailey that is.

"Raegen Fanning!" Speak of the devil... Bailey marches into my room, no doubt letting herself into my house. She's had a key since we were 12, and she tends to let herself in whenever she feels like it.

"Hey Bay," I say as she sits down on my bed. I have a bunch of study papers in front of me for the testing. Bailey thinks it's useless to study for it, but I need to be placed at government level. "What's up?"

"Well..." she gives me the look. The look meaning it's about boys. I sigh and move my binder off my lap desk, and let Bay lie in my lap as she explains her newest drama. "So basically Noah asked me out!" I squeal with Bay for a moment before she continues. "But it's for Saturday night..." I bite my lip, as my best friend looks up at me with puppy dog eyes.

"Tell him yeah," I say, giving in.

"Are you sure?" she asks me, "I know it's our last night before your birthday when you get placed, but I can come over right after." I nod. I love Bay and she's so pretty she could literally have any guy. But she's been in love with Noah forever, so this is a big deal. Bay smiles and gives me a hug, "thanks Rae, love you." Her blonde hair brushes against my arms as she hugs me. I'm jealous of Bay sometimes. With her blue eyes and blonde hair she makes me look ugly with my plain brown hair and hazel eyes.

Bailey and I spend the next few hours hanging out, before she goes home to babysit her brother. On the other hand, tonight is, and I quote 'a girls' night'. My mom, sister and I are ordering pizza and watching chick flicks. While technically I can still talk to my parents after placement, during your pre years, there is only one family weekend plus your birthday per year. Otherwise it's just phone calls. So of course, my sister and mom want to have one last girls night.