1
Hope
There was always a chance that I would grow up and run. That I would leave the home I thought I knew. Except, I thought I would change my mind and live like society wanted me to. I thought it was something I could grow out of… too late to realize that my desire to leave only became more and more as I became older.
Center Isles people were supposed to live preppy lives, or as the kids say “Upper World.” Our world isn’t like the history books show. We don’t have continents. We have two “worlds,” I guess you could call it. There’s my world, Center Isles, and the “Lower World,” otherwise known as Mirror Earth. It’s a mirror of what preppy people supposedly used to be. History says that a group of people traveled to the Center Isles and stayed. They changed their ways of living for the best of mankind. I don’t believe them though… personally I think the leaders grew tired of the old ways and rebelled making the preppy lifestyle an option. Only, no one wanted to be preppy so they forced some people to move and they kept that generation out of our text books.
I can understand… it’s hard being preppy.
My parents assume that I will marry our neighbor’s son. He’s a nice guy, preppy like he’s supposed to be. We’re nice, rich, higher class, and fancy. That’s how we’re supposed to live, act, and be. It’s not bad but it feels so faked. It’s like we know that we weren’t meant to be this way. We want to be like the Mirror Earth people, except it would be a scandal to do so… so no one has dared to try and change sides.
I walk to the balcony that surrounds Center Isles. The bridge is silver lined with sparkling squares and an elegant railing. It overlooks the economy. It shows our prep and pride. It’s supposed to lift our spirits to keep us up high and living preppy. The balcony is a symbol of our traditions. It’s supposed to help us not feel like we’re on an island. The point is to make us feel more preppy. For me, it’s never worked.
I walk along the balcony looking over the edge until I reach the bridge. The bridge is huge with ropes on both sides. The preppy side looks like our balcony. The other side is simpler and a plain gray. You’re allowed to cross it from time to time but only for a short time can you stay on your foreign side. The side you weren’t born on. It’s a mile long but I can always smell the dampness and the bakery from my side.
I take a deep breath and smile. The bakery smells wonderful. I let my smile fall. It wouldn’t look preppy if someone saw me like this.
I’ve always wondered what it would be like to switch sides.
To be able to just be friendly, kind, good-hearted, and not have to impress everyone.
That would be the life.
