The space scholarship

I

Judah looked up from his holo and saw his sister Caroline glaring at him 

"What?" I said. 

"Did you check the mail?" she inquired. 

"It's your turn..."I groaned

"I did it yesterday so it's your turn." 

"fine!" 

           I powered down my holo and put on my mask and my shoes. then stepped outside holding my breath instinctively till I remembered I had my mask on, it filtered the smog outside. Our small apartment had an air filter built in so we didn't have to wear our masks all the time. As I jogged down the stairs I tried to wonder what it would have been like before the air had to be filtered. I imagined it would be nice, you could just walk outside instead of strapping a huge piece of heavy machinery to your face. I grabbed the mail from the box and jogged back upstairs

           I tossed the mail on the dining room table and went back to the lecture for school that I had paused. Caroline got up walked over to the table and began to sift through the mail

"Judah, there's a letter for you."

"What?"

"A-letter-for-you."

I got up and saw what she was holding.

"Read it out loud."She says enthusiastically.

I roll my eyes but then start reading aloud.   "Dear Judah Stewart,

I must inform you that you have been selected to receive an all expenses paid scholarship to an elite school located in our atmosphere." 

My jaw dropped, me selected? Caroline had the idea to even apply to the school how could I have been selected? I saw Caroline's eyes fill up in tears  and I felt even worse, but I kept reading any way, 

"You shall depart on April 27, 3004 at 5:30 in the morning." I pause and check the holo, today is April 23, I only have four days to pack and say goodbye.  "listed below are all the items you are allowed to bring, everything else will be provided;

Two sleeping items (pillow, sleeping mask etc.)

One piece of literature (there will be a library)

One picture album

A clock w/ alarm

One hobby item (knitting needles and yarn, a coloring book w/ markers, etc.)

One personal item with personal value (must be smaller than a pillow) 

All of the following must fit in one suitcase. You may bring a small backpack.

Extremely important: Attendance is mandatory if you don't want to come, well too bad because you signed up for it."

Judah stopped there and realized what the letter had just said and he started to sob.