imperfect by Tina Chan

search of Jaiden. What she hadn’t thought
through with her plan was that she didn’t have her electro-slate
anymore. Without the electro-slate, she didn’t have her electronic
ID card. The actual, physical ID card was locked inside her
bedroom.
    “ Can’t I just give you my
name and have you can look up my ID?” Kristi asked the
receptionist.
    “ Nope,” she said. The
receptionist’s long, sleek hair was pulled into a flawless French
twist. Diamond studs glittered in her ear and an expensive ring
adorned each of her fingers. She was Glenn’s girlfriend and was
taking great pleasure in aggravating Kristi.
    “ I really need entry into
the learning center. Is there any way I could get in? Please, this
is very urgent.”
    “ Can’t do. Go buy a new
slate I’m sure the retailer could give a discount to someone
like you .”
    “ I don’t have time to do
that.”
    The girl giggled, like Kristi had just said
something hilarious. “No time? Why would you have no time? It’s not
like—Glenn!” She abruptly broke off.
    “ Veronica, I got you the
rest of the day off. Let’s go have lunch somewhere more pleasant
than this dump.” Glenn strolled over to the two of them. “I got
Michel to take your shift.”
    “ What’d you do, Glenn?
Bribe him?” Kristi said.
    “ No, more like blackmailed
him,” Glenn shot back, knowing she couldn’t do anything about
it.
    Kristi restrained herself
from slapping his oh-so-perfect face. He’ll look better with a bruise on his cheek, she thought. One that I
am more than happy to give.
    Glenn turned his attention
back to Veronica. “Let’s go. I’m going to have my father promote
you to somewhere where you don’t have to encounter it .” He threw Kristi a
pointed look. Veronica tittered and Glenn sauntered off with
Veronica sashaying next to him.
    Chelsa poked her head into the reception
room shortly after the couple left. “Is Jaiden here?”
    “ I don’t know. Veronica
wouldn’t let me in since I don’t have my ID.”
    “ Excuse me, could you move
out of the way,” said Michel.
    Chelsa stepped to the right, allowing a
tall, curly haired boy to pass through. He took his place behind
the desk and peered at the two girls.
    “ Are you entering the
learning center?” he asked.
    “ Yes,” said Kristi. “The
problem is, I don’t have my electro-slate or my ID card with
me.”
    “ I’m afraid you’ll have to
present some form of ID in order for you to pass through. It’s not
your fault that you forgot your electro-slate or ID card
though.”
    Kristi sighed. Michel was starting one of
his endless conversations.
    “ The fact is the human
brain will sometimes forget things, such as bringing an
electro-slate with oneself when visiting a public place. Of course,
with science, the brain’s memory skills can be boosted with a few
DNA tweaks. But since you don’t have any changes done to your
heredities, your memory is naturally going to be more forgetful.
There are so many things for the brain to remember it has to
prioritize information. From the looks of it, tutoring at the
learning center isn’t very important to you as you didn’t bring
your ID.”
    Kristi turned around to
Chelsa and mouthed, “Help.”
    “ Ah-hem. Are you listening
to me?” An annoyed expression crossed Michel’s face.
    Chelsa causally strolled
up to Michel. “I would love it if you would tell me more about the
wonders of genetic science. I find the topic extremely
interesting and you seem to be very
intelligent. ”
    She offered him a coy smile and fluttered
her lashes for a good measure. Then she whispered something into
Michel’s ear, provoking a self-satisfied smile onto his face.
    “ Why, of course I would be
more than happy to inform such a smart person like you,” Michel
said. “ Some people appreciate an innovative chat.”
    Kristi had to give credit to Chelsa for
being a good actress; she truly looked interested in Michel’s
conversation. In fact, she even got Michel to show