Elizebeth gave off a naturally sweet energy, but having been sheltered from traditional schooling, excitement consumed her as the first day approached. She viewed this new chapter as the ultimate opportunity to open her world, meet new people, and finally fill her life with friends.

On her very first day, Elizebeth was struck by a wave of pure disbelief, standing as still as a deer trapped in high beams. Everyone. Looked. Identical. She remained glued to the floorboards, completely stuck in this surreal nightmare. Miss Charlie's voice cut through the silence, commanding her to take a seat. Elizebeth didn't listen; her eyes had just locked onto a mysterious shape flying silently over her head.

Elizebeth was aware of her differences, but she resolved to make the best of it, reaching out to the girl standing nearest to her. Unfortunately, her uniqueness was a big barrier. Her peers operated with a hive-mind, acting less like individuals and more like identical clones who collectively shut her out. Meanwhile, a BUZZZ droned in her ear, drowning out everything else.

Hello!

Hi?

The drone consumed Elizebeth’s every thought. A barrage of unanswerable questions raced through her mind: Why was it here? Who was behind it? Why did no one else have one, and where had it come from? The drone's camera blinked open, acting as a watchful eye in the sky. A cold wave of discomfort washed over her.

A heavy exhaustion settled over Elizebeth after the long day, matching her expectations. Sitting quietly, she waited patiently for her ride home, her mind spinning with disbelief. Having never known traditional schooling, she hadn't known what to expect but she was entirely certain it wasn't supposed to look like this.

When Cindy finally pulled up to the curb, Elizebeth climbed into the passenger seat, carrying the heavy weight of the day’s mysteries. Breaking the silence, her mother used the universal greeting, "How was your day?" The words had barely left Cindy's mouth before Elizebeth bursted out anxiously about her day. She described the drone hovering above her head and the students body stripped of all individuality. To Elizebeth, the entire school felt like a puzzle forced together with mismatched pieces. Cindy’s heart sank, her mind racing with so much concern that fed off her daughter’s panic.