“Obviously,” I muttered. A person had been in my room—or a projected person. Hologram. Whatever she was.
The use of holograms wasn’t novel. My education had been solely conducted by holograms. No one dared waste human breath on the Defects’ education. Except when Nestor, the Academy headmaster, spoke to us. I didn’t know if you could call him human. He was always so still, almost lifeless. Perhaps being surrounded by holograms and offspring had sapped the life from him.
Even my work now was hologram based. I had never actually seen any of the art I cataloged, just realistic projections of the pieces. This hologram was different, though. She seemed more solid than the others, more lifelike. It was unsettling.
“High cortisol levels are counterproductive to your fertility. I shall play some relaxing sounds to bring your levels down before beginning our lesson. Your food shall arrive shortly. Please relax and enjoy.”
The hologram stood with her arms folded behind her back as the sound of running water filled my living quarters. Did all Elites have personal HIs and need to deal with them every day?
I padded across my living quarters and pulled on my daily gray attire. A ding filled the dark room, indicating my meal was ready. I made my way over to the first of three black boxes built into the wall of my living quarters, one each for food delivery, trash, and laundry. They functioned like an elevator, bringing food up to me and dropping away my garbage, too small for me to fit in but big enough to take away my soiled sheets and trays of food.
I glanced over my shoulder to find the HI staring at me.
The usual plastic containers sat waiting inside the food delivery box, but my everyday indistinguishable mush had been replaced by a vibrant pink nutrient shake and a food that smelled sweet. The only familiar thing was the container of supplements, but even they looked different. Lastly, next to the containers was a steaming cup of hot tea.
“What is this?” I asked, withdrawing the tray.
“Your morning meal,” my HI answered. I gripped the tray tightly as I turned toward her. “You will find all of your approved supplements.” The hologram began describing my food, but I became lost in all the words I didn’t know, such as grains, dragon fruit, banana, and chia seeds. Whatever those were. “Your tea is a green tea.”
“Thank you,” I said.
“There is no need to thank me, Emeline. I have been programmed to serve you. It has been noted that you enjoy chocolate. Please enjoy your nutrients.” The hologram stood there with her hands crossed behind her back once again.
My stomach gave an annoyed grumble. I slowly took a sip of tea, and she watched me, unmoving. I waved my hand before her, and I swore she nodded at me.
I turned away, unnerved, glancing around my room, bare except for a bed, the counter with a sink, a door to my small bathroom, and a wardrobe, which I had left open, the shimmering dresses the only color in the room. I stood at the counter with a sink, next to the three black boxes. There were no comforts to be found.
I wished I had a table and chair. Usually, the mush wasn’t enjoyable enough to warrant a seated meal, but this—it deserved a table, real plates, and cutlery, like in the clouds. I wanted a delicate teacup and pot. I wished . . .
I wished I wasn’t in gray.
It was one thing to be afflicted by the unknown. Daydreams and fantasy only held so much power. Now, knowing, even just a glimpse of the luxuries in the sky—it was addictive. That was the issue. I had wants. Wants and desires I had buried deep within. Things I had been suffocating from my earliest memories.
I knew these wants were just the beginning. I was terrified. Terrified that if I continued to want—if I released what I had repressed—I would be the one who suffocated under the deluge of unmet desires.
What about the injustice of it—that those in the sky had access to such things while the rest of us didn’t? Why were they permitted luxuries while the rest of us were denied basic human needs? Did they withhold it until we became desperate and compliant?
I shook away the thoughts vigorously. I wore gray. I was a Defect, contract or not. Today my food looked appetizing. I should be thankful.
Hovering over the counter, I began to eat, not bothering to swallow my moan. I had never had a breakfast like this. It was a symphony of flavors and textures. I almost missed when the hologram began.
“In Elite society, it is impolite to make noises while eating. Please watch this video on etiquette while you eat,” the HI said before disappearing. A video projected onto my white walls.
As the sun rose, the greenish hue giving way to pastels, I listened to the rules of basic etiquette, from who sits first to correct seating arrangements, to which utensil to use, to curtsies and bows, and so on. I learned I should have been curtsying to Collin this entire time. I might have worried about my lack of etiquette, but the lesson kept putting my teeth on edge.
Your actions preserve the Elite way of life.
To be the example that all Defects can admire from afar.
Elite manners are the great distinguishing factor between a civilized mind and a defective one.
Anger welled deep within me at the demeaning reminder that the Illum and the Elite saw us as less than. I tried not to let the video ruin the taste of my meal.
After I finished, the HI returned. “I hope your morning meal was satisfactory. For your Courting Phase: You have completed your initial meeting and first tea with your Elite Mate. Your Mate has submitted his observations regarding your ability to maintain composure among the Elite and your desirability for procreation. You are to await your Mate’s next needs.”
My stomach bottomed out. Collin had claimed he hadn’t been testing me, yet hehadbeen observing me. My skin crawled at the thought.Why?Why did the Illum make everything a game?
“Do you have any questions regarding your first lesson?”
