Verita by Tracy Rozzlynn Page B

questioned putting her in special education because she wasn’t able to complete her work. They never realized that she had mastered the material years before, and would rather read new material than drone on doing boring, pointless worksheets. When she was tested and it became apparent that she was gifted, her parents were given the option of letting her skip ahead a few grades. They decided against it. They didn’t want their daughter to be more of a freak than she already was. So she spent most of her school career bored. In the end, it was up to Andi to negotiate with her teachers. Every year she had to convince the teacher to allow her to teach herself. In return, she promised she would not disrupt the class, and she would complete any tests necessary. If she didn’t get 90% or better on the tests, the teacher could put her back to studying class material, and she wouldn’t complain. Eventually the teachers would give in; it was easier for them that way.
    Her only fear was that her parents wouldn’t let her go to college, regardless of if she got a scholarship. They claimed they needed her on the farm, and she couldn’t leave them shorthanded. Her fears came true – but worse than she had imagined. Not only were her parents not going to let her attend college – they weren’t even going to let her finish high school. They wanted her to quit school and help with the farm more. If she didn’t, she would be kicked out of the house.
    So Andi chopped her hair off to make recognition harder, and ran away. Her plan was to get several states away and get into foster care. Best-case scenario, with a new alias, she would complete high school and then work her way through college, maybe even get a scholarship.
    She did manage to get into foster care, but then she was approached about the Verita project. The way she saw it, even if the project didn’t work out for her, at least she got away from the farm permanently.
    Despite her upbringing, Andi is bubbly and optimistic – a sharp contrast to me, but we help balance each other that way. Besides, she is quick to pick up on the irony of things and is skilled in the use of sarcasm. It’s an unusual balance in a personality, but once I got to know her, I decided I liked it.
    “So how come this is the first we’ve seen of you? Have you been hiding all day?” Andi jokes, breaking into my thoughts.
    “No; I just found a quiet spot to read through the handbook.” I shrug.
    “Always the bookworm.” Andi smiles, knowing she’s just as guilty as me when it comes to books.
    “Well, not today. The handbook is pretty dry reading; rules on top of more rules. I actually fell asleep,” I admit sheepishly.
    “Well at least you’re here now. You haven’t missed much. Most everyone is hanging out in the recreation halls. There’s not much to do until tomorrow, when the recently awakened start their jobs.” Andi’s face shows her frustration. She doesn’t like waiting any more than I do.
    “We were planning to go over to recreation hall B and go swimming after lunch. Do you want to join us?” Jeremy asks. I’m touched by his effort to include me, but I suspect it has more to do with pleasing Andi than me.
    “Sure, but I need a bathing suit first.”
    “Same for us. We’re going to stop by the laundry center on our way over.” Andi smiles, knowing I couldn’t refuse a chance to swim.
    The rest of the afternoon goes by quickly and easily. Andi’s friends immediately adopt me as one of their own. They show me the supply store, laundry center, and all the different recreation halls. Entertainment won’t be an issue here; it’s just a matter of deciding what you feel like doing. I’m surprised at how easily I fit in with everyone, but at the same time, I’m hesitant to let myself get too comfortable. I know it’s because I’m afraid of getting hurt again.
     
    After dinner, there’s a social mixer in rec hall A. Back in high school no one would have gone, but it