The Genetic Code

Chapter 3

I've never seen the cafeteria from this point of view before. I'd always been on the other side of the Line, only able to catch a glimpse of the glimmering paradise I now stand at the entrance of, which looks more like a high-end cafe than a school cafeteria.

I'd never stepped anywhere close to the Line, because I would be trespassing into enemy territory. However, now, the only way I can move is forward, from the halls of the East Wing right into the center of the compound, the melding pot of Perfects and Regulars. This is where royalty comes down from the castle to mingle with the commoners — though separated by an intangible border that cuts right through the middle of room.

It suddenly hits me again that I'm now considered one of those 'royalty'. I definitely don't feel like it. I feel more like an infamous outlaw back from my period of hiding. And I haven't paid the cost to even eat here. It's something close to $500 a month for daily dining in the Perfect cafeteria. It's not exclusive to Perfects — as long as you fork out the cash, you'll be granted access — that's why Borders who are loaded enough get the privilege to dine in luxury with the Perfects. The school is generous enough to give Borders this opportunity, showing that gene status isn't everything in life... You need to be rich too! What's the point of being a Perfect if you don't have the money to boot? You'd just be a joke like me, standing at the East entrance of the cafeteria with one foot hovering in the air, wondering whether or not you're permitted to take the step.

Eventually I do. I take one step, after another, after another, looking only forward and not at the tables of students gawking at me as I walk right through the cafeteria... towards the Line.

The students on the other side notice as well, and turn to watch. I pause at the Line, looking up at the broad masonry archway, the portal to a whole other universe. I decide, I'm on the wrong side.

As I take a trembling step forward, people all around gasp, proceeding to whisper lowly among themselves. A Perfect crossing the Line... Yet, not a Perfect. Someone walking in from the East entrance of the cafeteria, who studies in the East Wing, but does not adorn the trademark blue blazer worn by every Perfect within those halls. Someone who looks so boringly plain, yet has a face that strikes recognition in the mind of every student who sees her.

I try to ignore all the piercing glares, push down the blood rising in my cheeks and continue walking forward as if I'm unaware of the whole cafeteria stopping to watch what I'm about to do.

I pick up a red tray and go to the food collecting station. Even the lunch lady gives me a cold once-over, shoveling the food onto my plate, then does a mock bow.

"Enjoy your food, Miss. I hope it's up to your upmost standards." This is probably one of the first times I've heard her speak, but her words are so laced with bitterness that I can already taste it in my mouth before eating the food.

I blink a few times, giving her an awkward nod of the head, and walk away looking down at my feet. Every step I take feels like a bomb dropped in the silence, booming in my ears. All I can hear is my footsteps across the cafeteria, being watched by every student in the room, and my pounding heartbeat.

I look up, and find myself locking eyes with a set of bright blue. Alex sits at a table with the other swimmers, glaring at me with a threat — don't come any closer. I painfully look away. As I scan across the cafeteria, I spot Athena and Colette at our usual table by the pillar. They catch eyes with me, but both quickly look away, turning back, and eat their food as if they hadn't seen me.

I purse my lips together, breathing a deep sigh. After standing in awkward silence for a while, I choose an empty table by the window, and sit down. Picking up my fork, I quietly poke a piece of chicken and pop it into my mouth, chewing slowly. Some still stare, but others have gone back to their food, and the chatter in the cafeteria soon resumes, filling up the air.