Program Error

Chapter One

"History?"Saira asks, her fingers hovering over the icon.

I nod and watch her bring up the assignment. "You know me so well."

We breeze through the work, mainly because Saira is the master of Society History. I don't think she's had less than an "A" in any of  the history courses we've taken. She says it's natural for her, to know information that founded our way of life. I never understood what she meant by natural, but I never questioned it. Instead, I questioned the content covered in history.

Society history isn't my best subject. It's not like I'm failing, but I'm not passing with flying colors either. Maybe I'd try harder if I felt the need for it.

Every year they teach us the same lesson. The lesson that they have engraved in our minds since we were young. The story of how our "great Society" was formed. Supposedly, Society History gets more in depth as we advance in levels. To be honest, I haven't learned anything new about the Society since Level 6.

The bus comes to a stop as Saira and I finish the assignment. We all turn to the windows, as if every student on the bus is one.We're in the middle of the roadway, blocking the line of traffic behind us. I notice the vehicles in front of us have also stopped. It's as if all the vehicles have just turned off. I wonder what is going on. Could it have something to do with the errors I noticed earlier? I'm in no rush to get to school, but I can't have another offense.

The TeleScreen at the front of the bus flashes white, drawing my attention. The screen reads,"Slight Glitch, Do Not Be Alarmed."

Saira's eyes grow wide. "Glitch?"she whispers. Turning to me, she says, "What do you think that means?" 

I shrug. "My guess is as good as anyone else's."

The roar of voices on the bus has died down to confused whispers. Eveyone seems just as puzzled as we are. 

The bus suddenly surges forward, jolting back to life. I lose my grip on my BioTab, sending it hurling under the seat in front of us.

"It looks like we're moving again," Saira says, looking out the window.

"Seems so,"I say. It was like the whole line of traffic just froze then started up again. Strange. I reach down to pick up my BioTab, only to watch another hand grab it. Confused, I sit up straight.

There are two kids sitting in front of me, but I can't tell who they are. I tap the dark-haired one on the shoulder. "Excuse me?" No response. Either they didn't hear me, or they ignored me. I clear my throat and speak louder, leaning over the front seat.  "Hello?"

Both boys turn around. The blonde looks slightly annoyed, as if I interrupted a conversation. The other boy stares me straight in the eyes, a look of challenge in them. I know him.

Derrick Fenders.

"What do you want, Aza?"he spits. Right now he's using my BioTab. I point to it.

"That's mine,"I state. He glances down and smirks.

"This?" He holds it up.

"Yes,"I say, grabbing it. Darren doesn't let go.

"I found it," he says, "so it's mine."

"Not necessarily," I say as I smack his hand. He lets go of the BioTab and I pull it closer to me. Saira giggles behind me.

Darren looks at her. "You think that's funny, Luero?" She shrinks down in the seat, blushing. She and Darren don't have the best past.

"Leave her alone, Darren,"I warn.