Out There3

Back in the apartment she shared with her grandmother, Amelia dropped her book bag on the couch and shook off her mood. Focusing on not fitting in wasn't important and didn't bother her most days. Lately she had felt plateaued with her training and though each student only had to show understanding of the skills, she wished for more. 

Mr. Green and her other physical teachers were experts in their art, they couldn't teach individually, and the rest of the class wasn't as motivated.

Two months, just two more and I will complete training. After training I can spar and learn from anyone. Be patient just a bit longer.

The clock showed she had a half hour left of free time then lunch started in the cafeteria. Small snacks were allowed in apartments for between meals but all main meal consumption was required in the cafeteria. Since she completed her assignments between classes or after school before dinner, she had nothing that needed her attention. So she grabbed one of the now rare novels brought from earth. There was a library near the cafeteria that housed all surviving books; everyone was encouraged to read in there spare time but she knew she was one of the few in her age group. Survivors had been asked to donate all books when they first arrived at the station. And the underground scientists had stockpiled books on all subjects. One career she could choose in two months would involve copying the books to protect the knowledge they hold.

Almost finished with the book, Amelia decided to head down to the library so she could get a new one and then grab lunch next door.

Walking down the long corridor to the stairs all she saw was the dull gray walls and floor. 

Gray, gray, gray! Walls, floor, clothes. So stark and the same! Everyday is the same!

"Amelia, amelia, so glad to see ya!- hmm that sounded better in my head." A tall boy with brown spiky hair, ran up and drapped his arm around her shoulders.

"Hey Jace, how's things?" She asked shrugging off his arm. Jace, a nickname for his initials J.C., was her best friend. They were the same age, 19, and had grown up a few doors down from each other. The only problem was that Jace had developed at crush on her over the last few years, that she didn't reciprocate. 

"Wonderful, now that I've found you!" He said grinning widely.

She smiled, "I'm headed to the library, want to come?"

"Then lunch?" He asked hopefully, always hungry. She nodded and they continued on.

Forty minutes later Amelia had finished the book, an earth history on prominent treaties and gotten another, a novel about a boy who gets stranded and must survive alone in the wild. 

"The book can wait, eat while its hot," Jace said nudging her to her plate in front of her. Her fingers twitched to start reading but grabbed her fork instead. 

Lunch consisted of salad with a big focus on beans for protein. Meat was extremely rare since few cows or chickens had been rescued and breeding took time. 

Amelia actually preferred the fruits and vegetables than the occasional pieces of meat they got on special occasions.

"What lectures do you have this afternoon?" Jace said through a mouthful of lettuce.

"Math, history and english, today. You?"

He grinned, "Me too!"

Of course. Trying to smile instead of grimace. He's my best friend but I wish he would back off. I have told him my feelings, that he's like a brother. No romance at all. But he only tries harder. It makes it hard to be friends. I have to watch everything I say in fear or encouraging him.

In math, Jace sat beside her, and she reviewed her finished assignment to discourage talking. The hour and a half went quickly and then she was in history.

She liked history, all about earth and how to prevent things from happening again. When they were younger lectures had focus on better conserving a planet, not using resources in excess and recycling as much as possible. Lectures now focused on wars and other major problems, what led to these disasters and ways to prevent it in the future. The leaders hoped that if we found a hospitable planet, we would not make the same mistakes.

English was her favorite lecture, most of the time they read books. Today the teacher had them reading outloud from a novel about slavery, a concept that Amelia found disturbing. But it helped her to see how people had lived in America during the time of slavery, which is was nice because some subjects had little information or unclear pictures. She enjoyed it when the was a novel to add to the history lessons.

The lecture was coming to an end, Amelia saw that they'd probably wouldn't be able to finish the chapter and read ahead. Tuning out the student currently reading, a girl named Naomi.

"Amelia!" 

She jumped, Jace was standing next to her, saying her name in a way that said it wasn't the first time. Realizing everyone else was streaming out the door, Amelia shoved her books into her bag and followed Jace.

"The book's not that good," Jace said as they followed the crowd down the stairs to dinner.

Not that good, ugh! It's a book! They are all wonderful in their own way. Why couldn't he understand?

She gave him a hurt look to show her opinion on the matter and he looked away sheepishly.

He should know how I feel by now. Does he really expect me to change my feelings when he scoffs at what I love?

"Sorry" he muttered and they walked the rest of the way in silence.