Another Reality

~

Alina Freeze walked into the high school building sluggishly. Another day in hell was about to begin and she could hardly wait. Who was she kidding? In all honesty, she just wanted to flee and never look back. She had better things to do than to slave over work that probably wouldn't solve any of her life issues. However, much to her discontent, the law chained her to this hellhole.

Alina carried herself through the building as she headed for her locker. Opening it, she started pulling out the required notebooks and binders for her first period class. Stuffing her backpack in, the locker door was shut with a slam. She gave a little jump at the sudden appearance of her friend, Rebel Jewel, standing behind the door.

"For the sake of my freaking sanity," she breathed out in frustration.

"Good morning to you too, blondie." Her friend chuckled in greeting.

"You need to stop sneaking up on me like that," Alina huffed.

"Or you'll drop dead because your heart can't handle the fright of seeing me."

"Very funny, haha," Alina said sarcastically. Rebel gave her a side glance as they started down the hallway.

"What side of the bed did you wake up on?" she asked.

"The right side."

"Really? You're a little sour this morning."

Alina sighed heavily. "Homework was a pain in the ass last night. Sleep deprivation came for another visit."

"Ahhhhh. Chemistry?" Rebel guessed.

"It's always chemistry," Alina looked at her pointedly.

"You could save yourself the pain and just get some tutoring after school. Mr. Walker is more than happy to help." Rebel advised.

"In your dreams," Alina scoffed, rolling her blue eyes heavily.

"Come on!" Rebel gave Alina a little playful shove in annoyance. "You never get the help you need. It's not going to kill you to ask for some help. We all need it, no matter how stubborn we get to act like we don't."

"Stubbornness is a natural speciality of mine. My apologies if I can't help that," Alina said, shrugging nonchalantly.

"Your stubbornness is going to get you killed one day."

"I'll be looking forward to that day."

"You definitely woke up on the wrong side of the bed." Rebel said.

"Hey, this is the sleep deprivation talking," Alina responded in defense.

"Whatever you say, chick."

The two friends worked their way down to the cafeteria to grab some breakfast. After paying for their food with their student cards, they sat down at a small table in the far back of the cafeteria.

"So," Rebel said as she started to munch on her chocolate muffin. "Are you excited for today's survey?"

"Totally forgot about that." Alina looked up from her package of grapes, sighing. Rebel smirked.

"Of course you did," she said. Alina rolled her eyes.

"Give me a break, love. I was up half the night trying to figure out unit conversations." Alina popped a grape in her mouth, chewing on it slowly.

"What if you forgot there was a test one day because of your late night studies and struggles?" Rebel asked.

"I wouldn't. I'd be studying my ass off for that test. My late night studies would be because of that test."

"Sure." Rebel said doubtfully

Alina threw a grape at Rebel. "Stop it! Leave me and my studying tactics alone. What did they do to you?"

"Nothing." Rebel dodged the grape.

"Exactly! Now, shush. Also, pick up that grape. I'm no litterbug."

"You threw it!"

"You're closer to it." Alina countered.

Rebel bent down to pick up the stray grape. As she came up, she said, "What do you think of this survey? The whole school won't shut up about it."

"This survey is a fat baloney sandwich. And I hate baloney sandwiches." Alina replied.

For the past few weeks, the walls within Greenfield High had been buzzing with students in anticipation for this survey. Before winter break, the school had been chosen to participate in a world-wide survey that would change the life of one lucky child. It was issued by the world famous medical organization and health center Blue Health. When Greenfield High was picked to take part in the survey, the school went wild. To be part of something associated with Blue Health was a high privilege. Only a handful of other schools were chosen, which made them raise in public recognition and praise. Whatever school got the lucky child would go down in medical history, earning them lifelong honor.

Now, for the lucky child that got picked from the survey, no one knew what would happen to them. The only thing the world did know was that the child would have their life changed drastically and would be taken into the walls of Blue Health. The child would also get public recognition and respect for their bravery and contribution to medical health. That was all the world knew about the purposes behind the survey, but it was enough to get everyone excited into thinking they would get picked. They wanted their name to go down in history and this was their chance.

"We don't have much of a choice," Rebel said, sitting back up. "Stupid, I know. The school wants the honor more than our consent."

"It's wrong. Also, the lack of information that Blue Health sent out doesn't sit well with me. If I'm going to do something, I need to know everything I'm signing up for." Alina shook her head sadly.

"This survey just leaves us in the dark." Rebel agreed.

"I don't like the dark."

"Same, sister." Rebel held her hand up for a high five. Alina returned the gesture.

"Whoever is chosen, I'll be praying for them. Who knows what'll happen to them. Especially in a hospital." Alina snapped her orange juice open, taking a sip. "I hate hospitals, so if it's me, I'm soooo falling into my grave early."

"I'll join you."

"You'll have to hand out my funeral information."

"I don't think so." Rebel chuckled.

Alina and Rebel spent the remaining time before first period talking about other things that didn't have to do with the survey. It was a uncomfortable topic they didn't like. Other students around them were buzzing with excitement. They couldn't wait for the bell to ring and take the survey. They cheered, sang, and clapped in anticipation. It was a festive setting but an annoyance to the two tight friends trying to enjoy their morning meal. It was a relief when the bell finally rang.

Alina and Rebel left the cafeteria, throwing away their trash, before heading for their first class of the day. Students hurried around them in a rush to get to their own classes. Rebel had to hang onto Alina's arm to prevent herself from getting pushed aside.

"Funny how a survey can make even the students that usually skip class get to their classes on time," Rebel commented, staying close to Alina.

"Pathetic," Alina said.

"Yep."

The girls managed to get to their first period class on time without falling apart. They both had chemistry together, and their teacher, Mr. Walker was happily greeting students as they came in.

"Aw, good morning," he greeted the two as they walked in. "Ready for the day to start?"

"God help us," Rebel said. Mr. Walker laughed at the response.

"Be happy you're not taking a test today. Just a survey." He directed them to their seats, and a few moments later, the bell rang.

As Mr. Walker took attendance, Alina pulled out her homework she had fought with the night before. It was slightly crumpled, for she had put it in her folder carelessly. Mr. Walker, done with attendance, started walking around the room to collect the student's homework. Alina frowned at her homework, hating how it had ruined her night of precious sleep.

"You look like you're wanting to put burning holes into your paper," Mr. Walker said as he came to Alina. Rebel giggled.

"She had a hard time with the work. Made her sleep deprived." she said.

"Rebel!" Alina growled. "I'll put burning holes in you!"

"Let's not kill anyone today, girls." Mr. Walker picked up their work before moving onto the next student.

"Screw you," Alina said under her breath to Rebel.

"Love you too, dear." Rebel replied sweetly.

Mr. Walker shuffled the homework papers, clipping them together to grade later. The class was hushed as they waited patiently for him to start the class. After putting the papers away in his desk, he clapped his hands together to signal the start of their session.

"Good morning, sleepyheads," he said. "Must I say that not a single student in here is missing. That's a first I haven't had in awhile."

"We wouldn't miss today for the world!" A student called out from the back.

"I dropped skipping today and running off to do drugs for today's event. That's saying something." Another kid said, smiling like a drunk fool. Mr. Walker sent him a stern look.

"Let's not start the day off with an office visit," he warned.

"I'm just joking. I'm so pumped and ready for this survey."

"Aren't we all." Alina said quietly, her voice laced with deep sarcasm.

Mr. Walker continued with his talk, walking over to a cabinet. "Today's a special day, I won't deny that. After weeks of waiting, the time has finally come upon us to take a very special survey."

He opened the cabinet and pulled out a large container. He placed it on his desk where it could be on full display for all to see clearly. Patting it, he said, "This box you see here is holding our surveys. A representative from Blue Health dropped them off this morning. The only thing left to do is take it."

The class let out wild cheers. A kid in the back threw a wadded up piece of paper that hit Alina in the back of the head. She glared back at the boy who threw it. "Watch it, paperboy," she hissed.

Mr. Walker let the students express their excitement a few moments more before he called their attention back. "Now, before I hand out the surveys, I need to do a little recap, an overview of what this survey is. I know you all just want to take it already, but I promise you won't go rocketing out the window as I explain everything. Patience is a virtue."

"Blue Health," he began. "It's the world's leading health center and facility. It's ranked as the top hospital and research center in the world. They've created multiple life-changing medicines and vaccines that have changed our world's knowledge on health. They've done surgeries and operations that no other hospitals have ever done before. They've discovered new things, created new things, that have made and transformed the world of medicine. They have benefited human life. Now, they are the world's most admired hospital. Nothing's made impossible for them."

"Back in late 2019, Blue Health announced new medical research that they would start to work on and study. They said that it would impact our lives more than we've ever known. In order to conduct their research, however, a child is necessary. Why, I don't know. However, to find this child, Blue Health released to the public that students in select schools would be participating in a survey. This survey would help them find the child they deemed perfect as a worthy candidate. We, Greenfield High, were selected to be part of this survey."

Mr. Walker opened the container on his desk, pulling out a white envelope. "This is the survey that will make one child, one lucky student, go down in history. How I pray it's one of you sitting here today." he said, scanning the room.

"When I called your name, please come and get your survey. Once you have it, you may start. Best of luck to all of you. Make this school proud." Mr. Walker went to stand behind his desk and started calling out names.

"If it's one of us, we're so screwed," Rebel whispered to Alina as they waited for their names to called.

"I pray not," Alina responded.

Alina was the last person to be called up to get the survey. As she collected her envelope, Mr. Walker wished her luck.

"Best of wishes," he said. Alina nodded her thanks and sat back down in her seat. Looking to her right, she saw Rebel already busy, eyes glued to her paper.

Here goes nothing, she thought to herself as she opened the survey. A letter dropped out, falling to the floor. She snatched it up, and unfolding it, read:

Dear Alina Freeze,

Thank you for your cooperation as one of the honored students to participate in this once-in-a-lifetime experience. We appreciate it greatly.

Blue Health is the world's #1 leading hospital and medical research center. We have made many advances in medicine, science, and technology to better benefit today's health. We plan to make even greater advances in the near future to come.

In late November of 2019, it was announced that new research would be conducted starting in the early months of 2020. However, for this research to be successfully conducted, a young person between the age of 13 and 18 is required. Anyone younger or older than required will not be acceptable.

The survey that you are about to take will help us find the perfect person for this position. As you work, please answer all questions to the best of your ability. Be as honest as you can. Some questions may be seen as hard to answer but try to complete ALL questions. All information will be background checked.

Thank you again for being part of this extraordinary moment in history. Your time and effort does not go unnoticed. You will carry the new generation to come.

Best of luck,

Dr. Thomas William and Dr. Timothy Carlton

Blue Health

Alina placed the letter to the side. The letter should've felt reassuring, a boost of confidence to push her to be motived to complete the survey. However, it just made her feel like she was about to send a letter off to her doom.

Looking around, she saw that everyone was focused on working. Mr. Walker was up front, grading work. Would he notice if she slipped out of class? Probably.

Alina looked back down at the survey paper, a knot twisting in her stomach. Why did she have to do this? Without her consent? It felt like she had gotten pinned up with string and a puppet master was about to take over her life. She scanned the survey, the first question staring up at her like hot coals.

When was your date of birth?

Seeing no way out, she did the only thing she could do and started writing. Little did she know that once she was done and the survey was shipped back to Blue Health, her reality would never be the same again.

*