Book: “Uglies”Henry, Bekah, Charity, LibbyShort Story by: Libby LeFebre

Destruct-o-Topia Short Story

Today is United Day, the day where we celebrate our freedom. The whole town celebrates it with a parade. The whole city gets off work. Today all of us have to be especially careful of the rules of our city. Mainly rules three and five. Rule number one: Use your special capabilities for your work. Rule number two: you can choose what you want to be when you turn eighteen. Rule number three: No use of weaponry towards people. Rule number four: you may leave the city if necessary. Rule number five: Do not use your special abilities to hurt anyone.

My name is Lily and I am fourteen years old. I’m an artist, I paint and draw. I’m really hoping to become a professional artist when Choosing Day comes around. The day where every fifteen year old gets to decide what they want to do with their lives. What you do when you grow up is based on what your talents are. I have a best friend who is amazing at singing. I would be really surprised if she didn’t become a professional singer. My other friend can construct almost anything out of wood. He’s probably going to become a woodworker. Choosing

Day is on June first, I’m excited but also nervous. I try not to focus on it but it’s hard not to. Who doesn’t think about the future? Especially their own. Since I know today is United Day I walk towards the park where my friends are waiting for me. “Hi Claire. Hi Josh.” “Hi Lily,” they both say in unison. “Ready to join the parade?” Josh asks.“You know it!”

We make our way towards the streets which are flooded with people. I like seeing everyone together in the clean streets of our city. I see some people walking out of pristine buildings while some people are bungee jumping from the buildings. Bungee jumping is something we like to do in our free time. As well as riding in a bubble up in the sky. Once, the bubble pops then you fall until the crash bracelets catch you. As we walk through the streets, even more people start to join the parade and there isn’t even one open spot next to me. We finally come to an opening where our leaders say their speech. All of the citizens come to a stop to hear the speech. Our leaders are chosen by the citizens and the leaders use their talents to do their job well. Everyone falls silent as the leaders start to talk.“Good morning and welcome to United Day. A day where we remember our history.”“A day where we celebrate each other.” “A day where we celebrate our individual gifts.”“And a day where we celebrate our freedom.”  That is always how the leaders start the speech every year, therefore everyone has it embedded into their minds. The leaders continue, “Today we celebrate with family and friends, today we remember with family and friends.” “The only reason why we have all this,” the leader says using his hands to gesture out towards the city, “is because of our ancestors and because of all of you.” “Our ancestors lives were filled with hardships. Because they overcame those hardships, we get to enjoy the life we have today.”“But we shall not take this life for granted!” “This is a privilege and we have not earned this life.”“Yet it is freely given to everyone because of our ancestors!”“We do not deserve this life, yet we have it.” “Thus, remember to always honor our ancestors. But also, always remember to be thankful!”“Enjoy United Day!”“You are now dismissed, thank you!”

Everyone claps and goes their separate ways. Claire, Josh, and I all make our way back to Claire’s house. All three of our family’s are meeting there to have a celebration. This is a tradition we’ve been doing this since before we could remember. We walk through the parks and through the streets until we walk into Claire’s neighborhood. Her house is on the left side of the cul de sac. “Race ya,” I shout out behind me already zooming past Claire and Josh.“Come on, that’s not fair you’re already there,” Josh whines.“Yeah you got like a ten yard head start” Claire whimpers. “Whatever!”I laugh under my breath.“Is that Lily I hear?”“Yep that’s me, Mrs. Smith.”“Well come over here and give me a hug, I’m always at work whenever you come over. Claire must not like it when you come over and I’m here at the same time.” I giggle and give her a hug. That’s when Claire and Josh finally make their way into the driveway.

“Took you guys long enough!” “Oh hush,” Claire snaps.Josh starts to laugh and then the rest of us join in. We all make our way to the backyard and greet our parents. “How’d you guys get here so fast, you didn’t skip the speech right? Come on guys you know that’s not allowed,” Josh says scolding the parents.“No, we would never skip the speech. Besides, we would already be taken into custody if we had skipped,” his mother says. “Then h…” Josh says getting cut off.“We have our ways,” my father says.Claire, Josh, and I roll our eyes and laugh. “Blah, blah-blah, blah! Stop talking I’m starvin’ here,” my mom yells over our chuckles.

That makes us laugh even more but we all line up for food anyways. We all talk and laugh while we eat our food. All of our families haven’t seen eachother in such a long time so there’s so much to catch up on. Us kids only have time to hang out with our friends and the adults almost never have enough free time to hang out with their friends. The adults are busy with their work. That’s one thing that I am not looking forward to when I officially become an adult. I like having free time and I like hanging out with my friends.

Soon, we go around and say one thing that we’re thankful for. This is how we honor our ancestors, however many families do it differently. Once, we are done with that we play games and tell stories until it’s time to go home and call it a night. This is one of my favorite nights of the year because we get to stay up later and we get to hang out with our family and friends. “Thanks so much for having us,” I yell to Claire’s family.“Have a good night,” I hear the Smiths yell in reply. My family and Josh’s family walks out together and soon go our separate ways too. “Good night everyone, have a good day tomorrow,” Mrs. Wilson calls out.“Good night,” my mom and dad yell in response. When I get home I curl up in my bed under the covers. Today was a good day.