Life was bearable in Sector 9.
Sure, the constant smog-filled sky dishes out plenty of depression, but food was plenty, and most households had adequate amenities. So many a night, Noah had counted his blessings, just like his teachers and parents taught him.
That morning, he was jerked out of his equally blessed sleep by the loud banging on his door.
"Michael! Noah!"
A quivering mound of blankets moaned next to Noah in response.
"Get up. You're going to be late."
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To first-time visitors, finding one's way around the city can be difficult. The roads are layered with shiny new asphalt, and the signal lights are always pristine, but there are no street signs. Which perhaps only makes sense to the natives of Sec. 9.
The road infrastructure was more for the dignity of their community rather than actual function. The people of Sector rarely drove vehicles, but having worse road infrastructure would undoubtedly give other sectors a reason to look down upon them. And if one day someone from the Upper City decided to visit, whether out of curiosity or official business, they would need a road to get from place to place. To force a citizen of the Upper City into the hyperloop like the rest of them would be ridiculous, or so Noah's teacher told him.
Noah and his brother trudged up the malfunctioning escalator of the hyperloop station and crossed the street. While speed-walking, Noah could hear Michael huffing and puffing behind, his stubby legs pounding against the concrete to keep pace. Then the rhythm suddenly hitched...
"Ah!"
Noah heard a tumble and then the sound of flesh scraping on concrete. Spinning around, he found Michael flat on the concrete.
"I'm sorry..." Michael looked up at him, eyes wide and watering. Half from pain and guilt, Michael sniffled and did his best to ignore the blood slowly dyeing his khakis. "I didn't mean to." Noah would have to bear the consequences of his injury, as older siblings often do.
"It's fine, it's fine. Are you alright?"
"Yeah..."
"Let's just get to school first, ok?"
Michael nodded. There would be ways to patch Michael up at school, maybe even clean up the khakis so mom wouldn't notice. At a slower pace, with Michael hobbling behind him, Noah continued down the sidewalk and quickly arrived at the derelict metal gates of their school. After dropping off his brother at the school nurse's office, managed by a skinny old lady named Ms. Greene, Noah hurried to first period.
School was monotonous, with all but one period. Literature was undoubtedly everyone's favorite subject, not inherently due to the riveting content but more so due to the teacher: Ms. Penny. While most teachers have the same lifeless gaze and lackluster voice, Ms. Penny was always bright and smiling. Even her clothing stood in contrast with the world around her. While most citizens of Sector 9 wore grey overalls and did little to style their hair, Ms. Penny always wore brightly colored dresses and had her brown hair cascading like a waterfall. So it was no surprise that every student was sitting at the edge of their seats when Ms. Penny began her lecture.
"Good afternoon, guys!"
"Good afternoon Ms. Penny," the students replied in unison, a rare occasion for any other class.
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"Today, we'll continue with The Declaration of Independence. Can anyone tell me what's wrong with this text?" Her eyes flitted across the room. "Noah!"
"The Declaration of Independence lies on three stupid principles." The class snickered in response while Ms. Penny nodded encouragingly. "For starters, no one is entitled to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,"
"And why is that?"
"Because not all men are created equal, and the law should be different for each group," Noah said. "Also, no one should be entitled to anything; if everyone pursued what they want, the world would be a mess."
"Exactly, Noah, great job," Ms. Penny directed a beaming smile at Noah. "Now, do you know why happiness is an invalid concept?" Noah paused. That was a question he didn't prepare for.
"Uh..." Noah noticed a hand shoot up in his peripherals and couldn't help but moan internally. As if the incident this morning wasn't enough to grate on his nerves.
"Meera, go ahead." The girl in question shot him a smug look.
"Well, my dad told me happiness is a badly defined idea. He said that since happiness has such a selfish and individualistic framework behind it, it ob...ob..."
"Obfuscate?" Ms. Penny interjected.
"Yeah, obfuscates the true meaning of happiness: self-sacrifice for the state," Meera involuntarily blushed.
"Very nice, Meera, but next time I'd like to hear less from your dad and more from you, please." Despite her statement, Ms. Penny's light admonishment would do little to dissuade further attempts from Meera to show off her father, but Meera's pride was not without reason. Her father was one of the few people that got to personally serve an Upper City officer in Sector 9. Moreover, rumors at the school also say that her father is in very good standing with the officer. Hence, teachers tend to give Meera deferential treatment, but Ms. Penny is an exception.
The lesson continued without a hitch, and five minutes before dismissal, the speakers crackled to life.
"Good afternoon, students. I have an important message for all of you," the Principal's hoarse voice croaked out. "Governor Wallace will arrive in Sector 9 tomorrow at 11:00 am sharp. School will be cancelled, but all students are expected to welcome Governor Wallace in full formal attire." The students started mumbling amongst themselves, excited and bustling with energy. This was something that none of their parents had experienced, much less them. "Make sure to arrive on Main Street 1 at least 30 minutes in advance. That is all. Class dismissed." The students excitedly packed their bags and filed out of the classroom.
"Noah," Just as Noah was about to step out the classroom door, Ms. Penny called him back.
"Yes, Ms. Penny?"
"I have a surprise for you tomorrow."
"Really?"
"Make sure to stick close to me tomorrow, ok?"
"Alright! Have a nice day Ms. Penny!" Noah waved and left the room. If he had turned around at that moment, perhaps he would have noticed that unfamiliar gleam in Annabelle Penny's eyes. A somewhat sinister, wholly unusual look.