City Center, The Read Online Free PDF Page A

vegetables.
    “But your side has the latest in technologies. All that glittering light.”
    “Artificial.”
    “True, but isn’t everything?” Delilah looked toward the solar panels high above, protecting the residents against the natural sunlight.
    Whenever the topic of sunlight came up, Ava thought about the people living on the Outside. With the constant reports about the deadly air quality and the harmful sun, she questioned how they could survive in the toxic environment outside the City Center walls.
    “Do you find it strange they can survive out there?”
    “I think they’ve adapted,” Delilah said.
    “Do you ever wonder what it’s like?” Ava asked.
    “Not this again. For the hundredth time, no, I don’t wonder. You’ve seen the reports. If it were better out there, why do they try to break into the City Center year after year?”
    “They seem to be more hostile during our times of ceremony.” Ava had been observing their patterns for years.
    “Maybe it’s something in the air. Do we have to talk about this?”
    “Do you think something will happen before Graduation Day?”
    “Not with Morray keeping security at Level-5.”
    “Do you ever wonder about the reports?”
    “What’s going on, Ava? Is this pre-grad anxiety? Do you need some relaxa-mist?”
    “I’ve been thinking about a lot of things lately. The reports have been erratic, especially the closer we get to the big day, and if the main objective is to keep the City Center in peaceful harmony, whatever is the point in inundating us with an endless stream of distressing information?”
    “But, Miss Rhodes, the reports are vital and necessary for our survival. As a precaution, all City Center dwellers must remain abundantly informed,” Delilah mimicked an Info-tainer.
    “You do that a bit too well. Interested in a new position after Graduation Day?”
    “The last position I want is Info-tainer.”
    “But think of the prestige,” Ava teased.
    “I’m erasing the last three minutes of our conversation. Come on, let’s get some fresh strawberry-melons.” Delilah took Ava’s hand and they skipped toward the entrance of the greenhouse.
    Inside the 50-story greenhouse, Ava breathed in the misty and refreshing air. She slipped off her sandals and let the damp grass spread between her toes. If she had a choice, she’d spend the rest of the afternoon in the greenhouse. They stepped off the main path and walked through a thicket of trees stretching hundreds of feet above ground. Workers in green tracksuits moved about walkways and bridges, collecting colorful fruits from the branches. They approached their friend Daisy, a greenhouse worker.
    “Hi Daisy, how about some imperfects?” Delilah gave her a hug.
    “Hello, my dears.” Daisy held out two pieces of fruit. “Excited for Graduation Day?”
    “Not really.” Ava took the strawberry-melon, inhaling the sweet citrus scent.
    “But everyone’s talking about your potential to succeed the throne, dear Ava. That’s exciting. I could be standing in the presence of our very next Queen,” Daisy said.
    “I still have the final competition. Speaking of which, I better get back to the Studio or Helena will send out the guards, or worse, Morray’s Officers.”
    “I’m going to miss you, Ava. But I’ll be watching you from Ret-Hav.” Daisy held Ava’s hand.
    “That’s right. Are you looking forward to a life of leisure?”
    “Fresh air and no more work!”
    “Where you can dip your toes in crystal waters,” Ava quoted the commercial for Ret-Hav. Ava was happy for Daisy. She had worked hard for retirement. Just like all working-class residents.
    Ava and Delilah left the greenhouse and headed toward the nearest transporter.
    “Eight minutes until Helena sends out the guards,” Ava said. She wasn’t looking forward to an afternoon of combat training. She was about to say goodbye to Delilah when a warning alarm began screeching throughout the South Sector. Monitors began