Awaken (The Awaken Series Book 1) Read Free Page B

study.
    “So how are your classes going, Luna?”  
    I had just stuffed my mouth with a bite of salad. After some furious chewing and swallowing I could finally talk without flashing my parents with half-chewed greens. “Fine. I’m not so excited about my science research project, though. I have to go to the Science Museum tomorrow.” I cleverly avoided referring to Jasper. I did not know how my parents would react to me having to spend time with someone like him. They were more closed-minded than others in our society.
    “Sounds like fun. So do you think you might like to do something with science later in life?” Mother hinted not so subtly.  
    Just thinking about being some sort of scientist for the rest of my life made me cringe. So wasn’t happening. “No, not really. I don’t think science is my…calling.” That was the most courteous way I knew how to say it.  
    Father’s eyes narrowed. “And what is it you are leaning toward?”
    I stared down at my plate and fiddled with the tassels on my placemat. “I like writing,” I blurted. Mother and Father traded glances. Father opened his mouth as if to say something, shook his head, and then closed it.
    “Writing what, exactly?” Mother finally asked.
    “I don’t know. Whenever we have to write an essay for class, I always get the highest grade. I really enjoy writing down my thoughts and opinions on things.” I winced at my choice of words.  
    Writing for fun was forbidden, especially opinion writing—unless for academic purposes, of course. Being a writer was one of the least prestigious occupations. Any creative occupation was. Working for the Council, writers notified the public of any special announcements or information through the Oportet Journal, wrote textbooks, composed rulebooks with special explanations for the younger grades, and a select few privileged writers had the permission to write historical novels or Meaningful Novels. The Meaningful Novel’s purpose was to remind the people of Oportet why we have it right —the way we live our life, the condemning of the Outside, and the reason we were here to live our lives.
    These novels also included powerful testimonies of Outsiders entering Oportet who had finally realized the meaning of life or biographies of councilmen and other past or present influential members of Oportet.
    “Being any sort of writer ,” Father all but spit the word at me, “would be settling beneath you. You have worked too hard in school to earn less than a grocery store clerk.” Father had a way with saying things bluntly. I knew what kind of job my parents truly longed for me to have—they dreamed of me following in their footsteps and working within the government.
    “But…what if I wrote Meaningful Novels?” My words were struggling to latch on to something. The hole was already too deep. I looked over at Mother for some help, but she looked away.
    “It’s a bit too late to be making that kind of decision. You would have had to be going to all kinds of workshops and classes in the Council’s building to be something like that. Don’t tell me that being a writer is the only occupation you have considered.” He crossed his arms and drew his eyebrows together.  
    I swallowed under his scrutiny. “No, of course not. I just don’t know what I want to be yet. You caught me by surprise.” Mother gave me a tentative smile, and Father’s facial muscles relaxed.
    “Once you have given it some thought, I would love to hear some of your ideas. Don’t forget how well you do in your government classes,” Father hinted. And with that he exited the room, leaving Mother and me sitting at the table.
    “I’m sorry if you feel we’re pressuring you, but your future is important to us, and we want to give you the best guidance we can to help you succeed.” She reached out to rest her hand on my shoulder. “Go wash the dishes, and maybe later we can play some of those board games Megan got for her