What happens when something you have been used to your whole life becomes changed forever? Like, for instance, something lodged inside your flesh, hiding amongst blood vessels and nerves for so long it's become a part of you. It's so strange looking at my wrist and not seeing smooth skin, but the bandage I had to place over it.

The white gauze not only protects my exposed, raw flesh, but has my Chip hidden in it. It's used to track you, according to Ash. It's supposed to make sure you're healthy, to give all your stats when scanned. Every hospital visit, or even trip to the store, it's scanned. It's an I.D, but instead of the plastic cards they used in the old days, it's a part of you. Physically.

Taking a deep breath, I exit my room. Today at school, no one at school will notice anything is different. You know why? Because, they barely notice me in the first place. I'm not someone that has stares constantly following my each and every move, or someone suspected or convicted of wrongdoing. I'm just- Autumn. I'm just a girl with am aching heart and now an aching wrist.

I'm slightly terrified, to be honest. If someone, somehow, did find out, I would probably be in a lot of trouble. Teachers never go into specific deals about these types of situations because they never happen. They were never supposed to happen, and I don't want to get in trouble, or be killed, or be even more isolated from others because something else is different about me. As if glasses and asthma weren't enough. Or, even loosing Ash, who became such a taboo topic in school.

I jump off the last step, my fading sneakers landing on the hardwood with a small thud. My parents must have gone to the salon early today. They're such hard workers that they're always early, always tidying up, and always doing a lot more than the bare minimum.

Instead of scarfing down breakfast, I grab my bag, swing it over my shoulder, and head off to school. I don't mind the exercise. At least, I don't mind exercise that isn't forced upon me. A steady walk always helps me clear my thoughts while aided by music. So, I plop my wireless earbuds into my ears and sync them to my watch. Next, I bring up my playlist and hit play.

Smiling as a familiar tune greets my ears, I stroll out of the house and down the block. The sun is peeking over the horizon while shadows dance where light is absent. The synthetic grass and few trees sway in the gentle breeze. Oh, how I love mornings like these. My lips twitch into a smile as I quicken my pace. If I'm late one more time, I'll get in trouble, and that's the last thing I need right now.

Mrs. Jenny, a sweet, elderly lady, waves to me from her front porch. I smile and wave back, my gaze lingering as she starts swiping through her watch before I look away. She's very nice, and so is her husband. However, he's barely home. I'm not sure what his job is, but I'll bet it's for the government.

You see, people with government jobs aren't allowed to tell anyone but their families. Besides, if people knew, they probably wouldn't trust them with their secrets. Yes, most people praise the government. Most people walk to town meetings smiling and gossiping about what 'wonderful' thing the government will come up with next. However, everyone has secrets. Everyone knows that government officials can and will report you.

I shudder at the thought. What must it be like to live with someone who will willingly rat you out at any moment? If I lived with anyone who worked for the government and they were to find out about my Chip, I'm not sure how that would go down.

The school building looms ahead of me. There are three main buildings. The one in the middle, which is the shortest, is the main office. That is where the principle, vice principle, secretaries, and visitor's center are located. The building on the left is for the lower grades while the one on the right is for the higher grades. Being fifteen and in tenth grade, my classes are in the building to the left, the second tallest building.

The grounds are neatly kept. The grass is perfectly cut and the vibrant flowerbeds are free of weeds. It's supposed to scream 'safety' and 'a nice place to learn'. However, no matter what they do, they can't make school fun. It's rather not the learning that irks people, but a plethora of things. Some people hate having to wake up so early, some fear that bullies will humiliate them, along with a variety of other personal issues.

For me, it's a mixture of things. The very obvious one is the people. Or, maybe it's the lack of people paying attention to me. Either way, school leaves an unpleasant feeling in my stomach, and maybe that's why I enjoy walking to school, since it calms my nerves.

Adjusting the strap of my bag, I start walking over to the left building. It seems almost ominous, taunting me with its malicious memories. Shaking my head and plastering a smile on my face, I proceed to the entrance. I have to play it cool, to pretend that everything is just fine and that my Chip hasn't been removed, or that I'm not falling apart inside.

Of course, Kaylee and the popular crowd have to be blocking the exit. They must have gotten here early and beaten the bus, I realize. Kaylee's wavy orange hair seems golden in the sunlight as she smiles and throws her head back in laughter. She used to laugh with me, and now I wonder if she's laughing at me.

I wish I could say the populars are a bunch of brainless jerks. Actually, it's quite the opposite. They give the illusion that they are sweet as candy. They're also extremely smart along with having amazing external looks. It's not fair if you ask me. But no one does.

As I approach, their heads snap in my direction. The girls are not the only popular students in the whole school, but rather one of the groups who have become friends. They're all sporty chicks who are on the soccer team, so that's why they became friends. That's when I started to lose Kaylee as my friend: when she joined the soccer team.

I know a few of their names. A girl with chocolate eyes and mousse colored hair is Eva. Claire is a blonde with curly hair and sea blue eyes. Harper, however, is probably the girl I know of best besides Kaylee. With her fair skin, hair dark as night and olive eyes, she can easily be classified as pretty. Her rude attitude can also condemn her to the title of mean. It's not like Kaylee or anyone else in our grade can see it. Just me. It seems to world hates just me.

"Hey, Autumn!" Kaylee smiles, her foggy eyes bright as she waves to me.

I offer her a weak smile of my own before walking over to them. Of course, Kaylee would offer me no more than a mere greeting before resuming her conversation with the dark-haired devil, Harper. Pretending to be unfazed, I amble into the school and sigh in relief as the cool air greets my skin. Sure is toasty out there.

*****

*****

By lunch, I can hear the rain pounding against the roof. Oddly, the sound soothes my ragged nerves. So, when it is time for me to once again sit by myself in the overly noisy cafeteria, I am pretty upset. Not only are my eardrums attacked, but the sound of rain is no longer there to soothe me.

After scarfing down my pathetic excuse of a sandwich, I simply stare into space. Then, my eyes inadvertently slide down to my wrist, which is hidden by the sleeve of my sweater. Good thing it's cool in here, or I'd be roasting like a marshmallow.

My eyes scan the cafeteria. There's the 'popular' table where Kaylee and her new friends sit. There are the kids who like to code, the girls into makeup science, etcetera. The only thing all of those tables have in common is that all of the people are grouped by interests. I get it, it's human to sort and separate. Still, that doesn't mean it doesn't sting to be alone.

My eyes land on Cody Simon, a boy in my grade. He seems to be nice, but it's probably just an act. Everyone seems to like him, yet he's not glued to one group of interests. He's kind of different, like me. However, unlike me, he's popular. People like him. People like Kaylee. People even like Harper, whose secretly just a jerk. People used to adore Ash. What's wrong with me?

I try to be nice to everyone. The teachers all praise my intelligence. I wear makeup like the rest of the girls. I'm not a mutant or a freak of nature. I'm just Autumn, the girl no one can seem to like.

With a sigh, I drop my head into my hands. What am I going to do? I can't pretend like everything's fine forever. What about my Chip? Someone's bound to find out. The thing that really irks me is that if the government takes me away, no one will care. No one will miss me.

The bell rings, yanking me out of my thoughts. I gather my few belongings scattered on the table and throw away my trash. All the other students are chatting amiably with their friends and taking their time exiting the building. They all seem content with their lives, they all act like our society is a perfect utopia.

It's not. Stop living in a fantasy world. Reality slapped me in the face a long time ago, and I hope it does the same for them.

_____

Thoughts?

-Sarah