America Divided Chapter One

America Divided Chapter One - Gabrielle Park (Oxford Academy, 7th Grade)

The sky is the perfect shade of blue today. It looks like a huge sapphire that has spread over the whole world. The clouds look like amazingly soft cotton candy. A gentle breeze is blowing, softly shaking the trees in my neighborhood. It’s the ideal weather to be outside, hanging out with friends or just walking around the park.

Sighing, I stare out my window as I pull on my sweater on top of my pajamas and hastily brush my tangled hair.

“Olivia, school,” my mom shouts from the other room.

I quickly sit down at my desk and open up my computer. Logging into my online class, I close my eyes and listen to my teacher drone on about geometry.

Boredom soon chases me away from learning about angles and degrees. I tune out the lecture and just focus on the playground next to my window. It’s a little rusty from being unused for fifty years-- not that anyone cares. No one ever visits the park anymore-- it's part of the law. Sadly, the swings, which are always empty, seem even lonelier today.

As soon as school’s over, I get ready for my ‘playdate.’ I charge into the kitchen and retrieve a smoothie. It’s strawberry, my favorite flavor. Rushing back into my room, I quickly turn on my phone. Soon, I get a FaceTime call from my best friend. “Hi, Olivia,” she says.

“Hey, Emma,” I reply.

There we sit for hours, both sipping on a smoothie and chatting-- the equivalent of a ‘playdate’ for us. 

Our region went into what they call the ‘No Contacts’ plan nearly fifty years ago. A pandemic had swept everyone into a widespread panic, and nothing was functioning correctly. Everyone was getting sick of the terrible, horrible disease. Eventually, our government leaders set the plan into action, and everyone was isolated for their own good. 

Rule One was to stop people from seeing each other. Immediate family only.

After some time passed, many Republican Party leaders declared it “safe” to return to normal life. Democrats disagreed. According to my grandparents, there was much arguing about this decision. To prevent further fighting, there was a mutual agreement: each side could go on with their plans, not minding the other’s choices. This split our country into two. The Democratic party-run states became the “Safe States of America '' (nicknamed blue states or Fauci-land), and the Republican-majority states were named “The Free States of America '' (red states or Trumpland).

Everyone was given a period of sixty days to decide for themselves where to live. My grandmother had just given birth to an adorable infant. Afraid that her child would catch the feared disease, she moved her whole family into the Safe States. After the sixty days had passed, the Safe States closed their borders. 

Soon after this Great Partition, Rule Two was issued for us. It was noticed that the big families started putting each other at risk. The Safe Leaders decided that even that was too much contact. The government started reducing the amount of children one could have, eventually to one child per couple.

Rule Three was to ensure that, even though everyone was isolated, education and work still continued. Each person who cooperated with the safety plan had state of the art communication devices.

“Olivia, could you get the mail for me? I’m starting a meeting in two minutes and I don’t want to be late!”

“Sure!” When I reach the kitchen, I see a poster. It’s a bright yellow emoji with a mask on it. He’s holding up his hand, and saying, “Stop! Wash your hands with soap for 40 seconds before entering.”

Every single room in every single house has that sign on it. Obedience isn’t an actual written law, but we’ve all heard the horror stories of what happens to those who don’t comply with this rule. They can be deported (to disease-ridden Trumpland)! 

Thinking about this, I open the door and enter. The kitchen is simple, and the only particular thing about it is the huge window at the bottom of the wall. That is for the mail and shipments. Drones deliver the packages after spraying them with disinfectant, and I usually bring them in the house. Today is light mail, only a few magazines. On days when there are huge packages, I have to ask my dad to handle them.

As soon as I’m finished, I wash my hands again. I lather up the soap and scrub for 40 seconds. Then I rinse, just as I’ve been taught to do.

“Olivia, there you are. I’ve just finished work for today. My meeting ended earlier than expected. I’m going to start making dinner.”

“Good, I’m starving. But Mom, I’m bored.”

Mom rolls her eyes. “Do you want to watch the news?”

“But it’s a rerun from yesterday, and the day before, and the day before that. Have you noticed that the reporter doesn't have any white hair and doesn’t even look older? Emma said that her dad watched the same reporter when he was young.”

“Maybe the reporter has some good hair dye. Or they might edit the videos to make the reporter more attractive. I don’t know, honey. Maybe something good will come up today.”

“And hedgehogs will fly.”

Mom turns on the news anyway. A really young reporter comes up, in the never-changing gray suit and the cheesy smile plastered on her face. “Hello everyone at home, thank you for tuning in today. Fortunately, there is no bad news! Everything is perfect in our world. I couldn’t say the same about the red states.” The reporter let out a sad sigh. “The death rates have never been higher. Those poor souls… If only their leaders had chosen the safe path like we have. Look at us now! There haven’t been any problems in fifty years! Anyways, today is the perfect day to celebrate this good news with your family and friends. But keep in mind, there should not be any contacts. Thank you for tuning in today. See you next time!”

“Wait mom…” I say, “What happened to the red states? Is everyone really that sick there?”

My mom lets out a huge sigh. “I’m guessing so. They suffered so much for making one wrong choice… We really are living in a different country-- we even might be whole worlds away.”

“You know mom… I’ve been thinking…”

I hear a laugh. “Well that’s new!”

“I’m serious mom. What was it like before all this? Did people walk around outside? Did we actually get to see our friends…in person, not a video screen?”

My mom goes quiet. She finally says, “Those aren’t things that you should think about, Olivia. We’re living the ideal life. Why would you ever want to imagine going into a world full of sickness and danger?”

“But mom-- what if I want more than just a screen? Can’t you try to understand me? I feel like I’m constantly muted and seeing the world through a distorted glass.”

“Olivia… no. Just no. This is the safer choice- the better one.”

“But Moooom-” I start.

“Am I interrupting something?” Dad walks in.

Mom shakes her head. “How was work today?”

“Fine. I need to finish working on a presentation today. I just came in here for a snack. Do we have any cookies? I’m hungry for cookies.”

“You’re in luck, then. Cookies are for dessert.”

“Ohh, can I have some?”

“Don’t touch them! After dinner.”

I wander away from my parents and sneak upstairs. It’s usually off-limits when dad is working, but I want to go to the attic and just think.

Tip-toeing, I quietly walk upstairs. I take a stop in dad’s office, which has my tablet in it. Entering, I dash in and grab it, accidentally upsetting a stack of paperwork. Bam! Oops. Poor dad. All the more reason to escape to the attic.

The attic is small and dark, though thankfully not dusty. Mom makes me clean twice every week, so it’s sanitary. It’s mostly made of wood, and the roof is pointed. There’s a small round window on the ceiling, like a skylight. A little light from the setting sun streams in.

I glide to a corner, my “special spot.” I always go there to think. It’s covered by a bunch of boxes that past generations have left behind. So far I have searched through what seems like my grandmother’s box, full of crocheted blankets and cookie recipes. I have also looked through Great-Uncle Tom’s box, filled with balls and workbooks scrawled with messages saying i’m bored.

Today I’m in the mood for another box-searching. I reach out my hand for a box with an island painted on it, which I’m sure belonged to my aunt, who was famed for her ocean drawings, when another catches my eye. It’s simply white with the words “Photos, Movies, and Journals” scrawled on it. 

“Ooh! Let’s see here,” I murmur to myself as I open the box. “Time to unravel your mysteries.”

I take out a bunch of old photos and smile at them. I can’t recognize any of the people, and it seems like a really long time ago. The pictures are all grainy and slightly blurry. Movies next. They seem to be really old, because I can’t recognize any of the titles. The last is the journal. It’s the color of apricot orange, and has the words “Note to Self” on the cover. Cute. I open the book and start reading.

August 20

Today was such a fun day. Ella wanted to go to the park, so we did. I rode on the swings, and it was so fun. Ella and I had a contest to see who could fly higher. I’m pretty sure it was me, but Ella insists it was her.

We met this guy at the park, and he was walking two dogs. They were so tiny and cute! But Ella was scared when they started yipping at us. The man smiled and just introduced us to the cutest puppies in the world! One was named Molly Mae, and the other, Pluto.

It’s getting late, and I need to sleep. At school tomorrow, we’re going on a field trip. Then, mom says that I can have a playdate with Meg.

See you tomorrow,

Mia

Impossible. No. There couldn’t have been a world before all of this, right? And yet, this journal says otherwise. Who was Mia anyway? Was she in our family? Why is her journal in our attic? And why was she writing about a world without so much health advice? I’m never allowed to go to the park, or pet random dogs. (Pet dogs were outlawed decades ago. Now we can only see dogs, virtually, in zoos.)

“Olivia, it’s time for dinner,” Mom shouts. “Come eat it while it’s still hot!”

I slowly walk downstairs, feeling confused and dumbfounded.

“Where were you, Olivia?” Dad asks, “I was looking for you.”

“Just upstairs.”

Mom looks at me sharply. “You know you’re not supposed to be upstairs while your dad’s still working.”

“I was quiet,” I say in defense.

“Eh, it’s fine,” Dad says, “I was downstairs, anyway. What I’m wondering is what you were doing upstairs.”

“I was in the attic,” I say.

“What for?”

“Just looking in the old boxes.” I carefully glance at my parents, then say, “You know, we have a pretty interesting family.”

Mom smiles. “I’m glad you think so.”

“I found someone with a really pretty name today,” I start. “Do you by any chance know who Mia is?”

“Mia?”

“Yup.”

Dad says thoughtfully, “Your great aunt was named Maya. That’s the closest I can think of.”

“I can’t place a name to Mia, either. But I agree, it is a pretty name…” Mom says. “Anyways, how was work today? I heard that Mrs. Hart was falling behind with the paperwork.”

I let the voices fade in my head. If Mom or Dad don’t remember Mia, then she’s from long ago. She talks about meeting her friends, so it must have been Before. But was there even a Before?

“Olivia, you can watch movies now if you’re done with all your homework!” Mom yells from the kitchen.

It’s Friday, so I’m free to do what I want. I race upstairs and turn on my tablet. 

I start to watch Distancing: Life With a Screen, for the millionth time.

It’s boring. The basic storyline is about a girl who is having a hard time with screen-life, but she eventually adjusts and is grateful for her healthy life. No wars, no germs, and no sickness.

I groan and turn my tablet off. These movies are so boring. My other choices are the same: No Germs! and Stay Safe With Us! I’m just about to give up and go to sleep when I remember the Box. It said that there were some movies in the box. Although I need to ask my mom before I watch anything new, I think that the movies in the attic would be okay. Our ancestor watched and decided it was worth saving for goodness sake!

I quietly pass Dad’s office, where he’s reading a bunch of Emails. I grab a random disk and dash to my room. …Wait. What is this disk for? I quickly run to the attic and bring back a clunky machine. I slip the CD in and watch.

The movie had a simple storyline, and it had a lot of cheesy special effects. However, that wasn’t the point. People actually met each other! Friends met friends. Teachers hugged students. Parents cooperated to solve problems at work! It was old-fashioned, but it was also touching. 

The next day, I call Emma.

“What is it,” Emma groans after the fifth ring.

“Emma! You will never guess what happened!” I exclaim excitedly.

“Yeah, and I bet it is cool, but did you have to call me at four in the morning?” Emma sounds annoyed from being interrupted.

“I know, but I needed to tell you this in secret. Mom and Dad wake up at six in the morning to vacuum and start what they call ‘weekend cleaning.’ We have a good solid two hours to talk.”

Silence. “Emma? EMMA!” I whisper-shout.

“Wha? Sorry, go on.”

I tell her everything that’s happened over the past few days. “And after I watched that movie, I was so amazed. Can you believe that people actually touched each other? Hugs? Holding hands? Playdates?”

“Wait, wait, wait.” Emma sounds alert. “Is this one of those censored movies?”

“What do you mean, censored?” I ask.

“Like, you know. Illegal.”

“What? No. Wait. I don’t know. It’s not like the movie had a ‘Warning: This is Illegal’ sticker on it.

Emma gulps “So you don’t know?”

“Yeah. I’ll search it up.” I quickly type in the title of the movie, and a bunch of government websites pop up. I click one. 

“Bad news, Emma,” I say. “The movie is extremely illegal.”

“That is bad news.”

“But, I discovered that there’s this group that talks about these videos, and what life was like Before. Seems cool. ”

“Would you want to join it?” Emma asks suspiciously.

“No. Maybe. Yes? Oh, I don’t know.”

“Hmm. Okay, I wouldn’t tell this to anyone else, but since you’re my best friend… Promise to keep this secret.”

“Of course, of course,” I reassure my best friend.

Emma goes on. “So, not too long ago, I received a text message from a distant cousin. He asked me if I wanted to join the club. Of course, I said no. Why would I ever get involved in politics? Ugh. However, I can give you the password if you want me to.”

I hesitate, then say slowly, “Alright.”

“It’s easy to remember-- only six letters. It’s Olivia.”

“What did you say? I think the connection went wrong.”

“Okay, it’s Olivia.”

“Wait. It’s my name?”

“Yeah. My cousin didn’t want me to forget it, so he used your name. Even back then, he knew that you were my best friend.”

“So I can just go in?”

“Yup. Type the password in, and then it will ask to write your name. Don’t write the real one, though. No one ever does. For your own safety, just stick to something simple but not genuine. Like… say your name is Amy.”

“Okay. Thanks Emma.”

“Anytime,” Emma says. She adds, “Can I sleep now?”

I laugh. “Yes, you may.”

“So Olivia, how come you’re awake already?” Mom’s head pops in my room as the vacuum cleaner starts.

“I was just… um, I don’t know. I just had a lot to think about.”

“Oh,” Mom comes in and sits at the foot of my bed. “Is school okay?”

“Yeah.”

“Olivia, I need to go to a meeting soon- there’s about five minutes left. Dad’s sleeping in, so just be quiet. I’ll leave you to enjoy the quiet of your room. Breakfast is downstairs.”

“Okay, Mom.”

Mom blows me a kiss. “I’ll see you in about an hour and half.”

As soon as mom leaves, I quickly turn on my laptop. I log into the virtual meeting. I whisper under my breath, “Password is… Olivia. Name: Amy.” “Congrats!” the site replies. “The meeting will start in five minutes.”

I stare at my computer screen. How could five minutes be so long? Maybe I shouldn’t enter. It’s risky, and talking about BEFORE isn’t allowed. I should just forget about everything. I start to leave when beeeep. I’m in.

“Okay everyone! Welcome to today’s meeting! Ahhh… today’s a cloudy day! Chills are coming in as the Safe States prepare for autumn.” A young woman, whose name tag says SORA, seems to be the leader.

Sora smiles and goes on. “Today we have a few new members, so they will share a few bits of information along with some volunteers. Our group is too big to have everyone participate. However, you will get to know each other better as time goes on.”

“So… first up is Will, a brave participant who has volunteered to go first.”

Will turns on his mike and goes. “Hello everyone. You may call me Will. I’ve been with this group for five years, so you can trust me.” Everyone chuckles at that. “And my favorite ice cream flavor is mint chocolate.”

Sora goes on reading the list of names, and a volunteer goes. Finally, she reaches a newcomer’s name. Mine.

I gulp, then unmute myself. “Hi. My name is Oli-Amy. This is my first time here, but you can still trust me. Um… and I like plum ice cream.”

Sora smiles. “Wonderful. Now that we are finished, let’s begin. So, this is a very… difficult topic. Feel free to discuss your opinions or ask questions. I’ll start first. Uh, so, I deeply believe that this world that we live in was first made as a good intention. Democratic leaders wanted a place that made people feel safe from sicknesses-- and what better way to do it than complete isolation? However, like all plans, there were flaws. All around these Safe States, not everything is as perfect as they say. People are suffering from depression because they want-- no, they have a need for some type of social. We were not meant to live like this…”

Will jumps in and continues. “I agree. The news is covering some parts of the truth. I think we have the right to this truth, and have the option to make our own decisions based on this knowledge. We aren’t children who have to be spoonfed only good news.”

The discussion goes on and on, and before I know it, it’s over.

“See you tomorrow everyone!” Sora says. 

At dinner that night, I’m busy daydreaming. Sora and all the other participants are so confident. Will speaks his mind without being self-conscious, even though those statements are highly illegal.

“So Olivia,” Dad says. “According to your mother, you were up early this morning? I heard you talking with some people. Who were they?”

I hesitate, wondering for a split second if I should tell my parents the truth. But I think about how important they think the law is. They wouldn’t understand. “Yeah. I’m doing a group project for school.”

“Cool. What subject?”

“Science. We’re studying bunnies.” I feel slightly guilty about deceiving my parents, but what I’m doing is right. I need to know more about Before. My parents are always talking about history- they would approve if they knew (I think).

I get a call from Emma as I prepare to sleep.

“How was it?” Emma asks. “The first session was today, wasn’t it?”

“Yup. I met so many people. They are all so brave.”

Emma tilts her head in confusion. “What do you mean? They are all just a bunch of people talking about politics.”

“It’s more than politics. It’s about Before. I feel like it would take a lot of courage to talk about that.”

“I guess. Are you going to keep attending?”

“I want to. Being there, with all those people who actually understand the craving for actual contact is amazing. Besides you, I don’t know who would support me. But there, I know that everyone would in a second.”

“That’s cool.”

“Yeah, it’s like I’m finally finding out the real me.”

“Sweet.”

“So what’s your cousin’s name,” I finally ask. “The one who attends the meetings?”

“Oh, him. His name is William or something, but I don’t know his alias. It could be anything, so…”

“Okay.”

“My mom just walked in. I gotta go. Later.”

Emma signs off. I’m about to go to sleep when my phone rings with an alert. It comes from an unknown person. Curious, I press the message.

Hi Olivia, it’s me. Can we talk?

Who is that? It can’t be Emma, she would never try and pull a prank on me. But I don't have many other friends.

Who are you? I type back. 

Oh right. I’m William.

??? I message back question marks. I don’t know anyone named William.

You know me as Will.

Ohhh… It’s the boy from the meetings. Come to think of it, William is the name of Emma’s cousin.

I receive a call from him and I answer. “Hi,” he says.

“Hi. So, why did you call me?”

“So you’ve decided to attend the meetings, right? Regularly or just once in a while?” William ignores my question.

“Not sure.”

“Do you like it?” William asks, cautiously.

“Well…Yeah.”

“You wouldn’t tell anyone about it, right? You do know that this club is supposed to be a secret?”

“Yes.”

“Are you sure?”

I am finally exasperated by William’s annoying questions. “YES! I’m totally, one hundred percent sure. Do you always interrogate new members?”

William smiles guiltily. “Yeah. Sora makes me do it. Sorry.”

“It’s fine,” I say, because I believe in forgiveness.

It’s quiet for a while, but William breaks the silence. “So… you like plum ice cream, huh?”

“What? Oh, yeah. I know, I know, it sounds a little weird-”

“No, not at all. I honestly love them myself. They’re my favorite.”

I’m confused. “I thought it was mint chocolate?”

William looks a little guilty as he confesses. “Mint chocolate is my second favorite. Plum ice cream is my first. I just say mint choco because people think it’s less weird. Honestly, I haven’t seen anyone else like plum ice cream besides you.”

“Me too. I guess that’s why it’s so hard to get,” I say.

“Yeah. It rarely comes up.”

William and I talk, and the hours quickly pass. It’s past midnight when he says, “Well, nice talking with you. Sorry if I annoyed you at first.”

“It’s fine,” I say, genuinely this time. “I know that secrecy is important.”

“Well, see you tomorrow at the meetings.”

“Okay, bye!”

When I finally wake up in the morning, it’s late. I arrive just in time for the meetings. “Is everyone here?” Sora asks. I can hear her quietly counting under her breath. “Good. I want to show you some videos today. It’s illegal, but it’s not harmful or inappropriate. Just some clips of Before and what it was like.”

The videos aren’t anything someone would expect. It’s not a highly rated video, and it doesn’t have any scary effects, like Sora said. It’s about some kid and her best friend creating a video about their daily life.

As I watch, my mind drifts off. I really want to make a change, I really do. And I would love it if I could see Before again. Even one day would be fine. There has to be more to my life than screens.

It’s been weeks since my first meeting with the group that talks about Before, but I’m still charmed by everyone and everything I learn. Sora is always leading the group- talking about new, interesting topics every single day. 

Everyone else seems so dedicated. They’re always coming up with quick, cool answers every time Sora asks something.

As for William… I feel like he is as much of a leader as Sora. He’s more reserved. William doesn’t say much- but when he needs to, he doesn’t hesitate. He’s always talking while using hard computer words. William is funny- but serious when he needs to be. 

I think I like everyone. It feels so good to be around people who are equally interested in Before as me.

“Olivia,” Mom says, “Come, I’ll kiss you goodnight.”

I rush to my room and go under the covers. Mom comes in. “Goodnight Olivia,” she says.

Mom starts to leave when I say, “Wait.”

“Yes?”

I take a deep breath, then say. “Mom, have you ever heard of the movie…” I tell her everything that’s been going on the past few weeks. 

Mom takes a sharp breath then closes the door to my room. “Olivia, what you’re doing right now is very dangerous.”

“But Mom,” I say, my heart starting to beat faster, “You can’t just- I mean- Before is everything to me! Haven’t you wondered what it would be like to actually meet people? Do you realize that I’ve never met anyone else in person before? It’s always behind the screen- every time!’

“Olivia!” Mom sharply whispers, “I know what it feels like to want to know more- but do you realize that you're in danger! If the government knows what you’re doing- I can’t even put this into words. You shouldn’t be doing this!”

“But mom-”

“No!” Mom interrupts. She takes a deep breath then goes on more calmly, “Honey, you think you know a lot about Before, but I know even more. Before was a dangerous time. People were dying because of so many diseases. Because of that sickness, five percent of the population died. We couldn’t let that continue to happen. That’s why we have a life behind the screen.

“My great-great grandfather saved his mother Mia’s box, even though the government clearly stated that all the items from Before should be removed. Everyone else from the family of Smith decided that they should preserve that box. I should have thrown it away, but at your age I was similarly interested in Before. But that is not the right path for us. We need to move on. To adapt.”

I nod. I can’t do anything else. Mom is getting all emotional, spilling her tears on my bed. I don’t know what I want to do. I don’t know what the right thing is. All I know is that I need some time to think.

Mom smiles at me. “That’s my little Olivia,” she says. She quietly leaves the room.

I’m still up late, wondering what I should do. Suddenly, a drringgg startles me. It’s William. That’s it! William can help me. 

“Hi Olivia,” He says. He’s really happy- I can hear it in his voice. “Guess what? I have a great idea.”

“What is it?” I ask, curiosity getting the better of myself.

“Our life depends on technology- it basically is technology.”

I nod along. “Yeah.”

“So what if there was a computer virus that disturbed everything- every bit of technology. Computers, phones, drones- they all wouldn't work. We would have to meet each other- that would be the only way to survive!”

“William..” I say, “Is this really reasonable? Don’t you think that it would be dangerous?”

William sighs. “Yeah but… truth is, I really want to meet you. Don’t you think it would be amazing to actually see each other?”

I don’t say anything. I’m afraid that if I agree, William would do something unreasonable- and get in a lot of trouble. The truth is, I’m not so sure about anything- so how does William expect me to answer?

“Think about it, okay?” William says.

“Alright,” I say.

A few minutes after I disconnect, I get a call from Emma. “Hi!” She says. “I thought you might need someone to talk to. I got a call from my cousin the other night, and he was going on and on about making a computer virus to meet you… something like that. I honestly think that you must have a hard time. I mean, you’re always busy with politics and whatnot.”

“Trust me,” I say. “I have no problems with politics. Well, now I do, anyway.” I tell Emma everything about what happened with my mom. 

“Ooh, that’s tough. I mean, it’s always hard to choose between two things you love,” Emma says sympathetically. “I guess the only thing you can do now is to really think. What is it that you value most? What is it that you think you need to have, no matter what happens?”

“Both,” I say. “I can’t live without my mom, but I can’t live without finding out what it was like Before.”

“What do you mean?”

“Sometimes- well, life with a screen is basically looking through a piece of plastic. The world is blurry and unreal- nothing’s really the truth. I just want one moment, just one, where I can be myself. Where I can actually see people for real.

Emma lightly laughs. “You know, sometimes it’s hard being friends with an outlaw.”

“Excuse me?!” I say.

We end our conversation with a lot of laughs. Sometimes it's good being friends with someone who isn’t an outlaw.

I woke up to hear my mom’s panicked voice. “Dear,” She’s saying to Dad, “My computer’s not working!”

Dad lets out a small chuckle. “What do you mean, it’s not working? This is brand-new!”

“I’m telling you, it’s not working!!” 

When mom gets panicked, her voice starts to get higher, and higher pitched.

Dad’s furiously doing something to the computer. “Honey,” he says, his voice getting quieter and quieter, “What happened to your computer?”

“THAT’S EXACTLY WHAT I’M SAYING!!!!” Mom is freaking out.

Meanwhile, Dad’s voice has gone so quiet, I can barely make out the words. “What are we going to do? We have jobs! Our weekly drone delivery is today!”

No. No, no, no. William has something to do with this.

Bzzzzz… Oh, that’s the sound of drones. They must be coming with a big delivery if they’re buzzing this loudly. “I’ll get the mail!” I say. I hurry to the kitchen when, instead of seeing a huge box, I’m staring at a person. William.

“William?” I whisper-shout. “What are you doing here?”

“Sorry, Olivia,” William says. “I couldn’t help it. It’s just, I had a perfect plan… I had to try it. And guess what? It worked!”

“William, you’ll get in trouble. Just go back home.”

William pauses, like he’s trying to determine whether I’m serious or not. “Don’t you even want to try riding on this drone? It’s programmed so that it obeys me. Come on, Olivia. I know you’ve always wanted to see the outside world. And I can’t describe anything- you have to see it for yourself.”

I hesitate, then leap on. It’s just a few minutes- Mom and Dad won’t notice. Plus… William is right. This is something I need to do. 

The drone starts flying and… “It’s amazing!!!” I cry as the wind whips around and I look down. The earth is amazing- pictures don’t do it justice. Endless greens coat the bottom, and the sky is beautiful. The clouds are really like cotton candy- just like I imagined it.

“Isn’t this great?” William asks me.

I’m too delighted to answer, but I know he sees me nodding my head. As we look below, we see people creeping out of their houses- and staring at everything. Like me, they’re amazed by the world. It was more beautiful than we ever imagined. 

As I watch everyone, I remember how my life has changed since the day I was bored with the news. To be honest, things were scary- illegal meetings, late night talks, a whole new world of perspectives. However, I can’t say that they weren’t worth it. This is the new Before. This is the After.

This is chapter one of Olivia and Will’s story. They have just embarked on a journey of self-discovery and exploration, where the two will find that no country–Safe or Free–is what they imagine. Please wait for the second chapter!