"The process of photosynthesis, although complicated and often called unproductive by biologists, has been successfully demonstrated in plantae cells for millions of years." He pauses, making eye contact with me for the first time this period.

"Mr. Riverton," he speaks bitterly, tapping his fingers against the desk before him. "Kindly explain the role of the ribosomes in regard to photosynthesis."

The class watches me, waiting for my response. He expects I will not be able to answer this question, because I have missed the lesson. What an imbecile.

"Certainly Mr. Wilson," I reply politely. "The ribosomes are responsible for protein synthesis in the plant cell; the creation of mRNA and tRNA proteins that further assist in the process of photosynthesis by creating the template for a strand of amino acids."

His expression darkens. I am correct and he cannot deny it.

"Well done, Mr. Riverton."

"I am no fool," I add quietly.

"Another question for you, Mr. Riverton," he continues. "In Cellular Respiration, what is the role of the cell wall?"

"To..." I pause. I believe this to be a trick question. "To add structure to the cell, of course."

"Incorrect." He smirks. The class collectively begins murmuring among themselves. "Mr. Kensington, would you correct Metro in his answer?"

"But of course, Mr. Wilson," Julian's voice is loud, deafening. "It is quite simple, really. Cellular respiration occurs in animal cells, which do not have cell walls."

What a dick. Jagger's description of Julian echoes within my imagination.

"Correct, Mr. Kensington."

The bell indicating lunch hour rings. I am filled with relief. I collect my belongings and file, along with the other students, into the cafeteria.

"Metro...Yes--that is most definitely him."

"He should not be allowed here. He no longer belongs to this society..."

"...traitor."

"Surely that could not be true. Mrs. Riverton would simply die!"

"Mutt lover..."

"...and to think, all for a foolish competition..."

"...revoked. Of course, I am not surprised, considering Metro's actions."

My peers find it amusing to pretend as though I am nonexistent and oblivious to their whispers of torment as I pass them. I wish for Jagger's presence to intimidate them.

I long for the company of all my companions; I did not realize how emotionally close I had grown to them until being taken from their presence. A dull ache expands within my chest cavity. Purposefully choosing an empty table, I take a seat, not bothering with any food. I would not eat it anyway.

The entire cafeteria is spotlessly, nearly blinding white; not a fork out of place. The room that was once ordinary to me now seems abstract and obscure--the opposite of comforting. I place my forehead in the palms of my hands.

"You need this?"

I straighten my posture, turning to face the speaker. I follow a masculine arm up to its owner, shocked at the appearence of Jagger, gesturing at a single serviette lying on the table. I stare at him, dumbfounded.

"Can I throw this away?" His face is relaxed. I wish I could feel the same composure as he appears to feel.

"Em--Yes," I respond.

I expect he is angry with me. His piercing twitches. Alarmingly I glance around the room, not wanting to cause a scene.

"I know why you did it," he speaks softly, looking me straight in the eyes. "And I couldn't respect anyone more." He touches my shoulder lightly before walking away, as if we had never known each other.

The numbing ache further intensifies.

***

A knocking on my dormitory door. Hoping with all my heart for it to be one of my companions, I rush to open it. I am disappointed.

"Celeste?" She looks up at me shyly.

"May I please come in?" She brushes a strand of her wirey hair from her face, tucking it behind her ear.

"I do not wish to be further antagonized. I have been shamed enough." I look across the hall for Julian.

"I am alone," she says, her eyes to the floor. I allow her to enter, taking a seat on my bed.

"Metro," She sits beside me, exhaling nervously. "I find it unforgivable the way people are acting against you. They are speaking in spite of their lack of empathy," she speaks slowly, as though she has rehearsed. "If you wish to lower yourself to the Class C community, I do not believe that to be wrong. You should be accepted in all societies as the highest class, because you are Metro Riverton, a highly intelligent individual."

I stare at her blankly, wishing to slap my forehead in my palm. The oblivious nature I am now noticing in these supposedly "smart" individuals of the upper class is nauseating. To think, I once was one of them.

"Celeste," I do my best to speak in a polite manner. "You misunderstand. Quite frankly, I do not believe you, or any other people of this community for that matter, will ever understand."

She is astonished. Her rehearsed responses did not prepare her for this.

"I have witnessed events, had great experiences, that could put the entire setup of our society at risk if they were to seep into the knowledge of the general public. If the general public would accept the knowledge presented to them, that is. Our entire governing system is completely flawed. The only way to solve it would be to commence an epic revolution."

I take note of the words I have just spoken. Never had I though of this before. A revolution, a term only heard in history lessons, when the population demands a change and takes it upon themselves to create one.

"Metro, you cannot seriously be inquiring..." Celeste appears to be in a state of shock.

I realize I cannot tell her any more; I may have already told her too much. Celeste is one of them, brainwashed into the traditional way of thinking. I cannot trust her. I cannot confide in her, no matter how innocent and well-meaning she appears to be.

"Celeste, it is best you do not worry yourself with my difficulties." I rise.

"Metro," She stands clumsily. "I..." Her face flushes. "I am no fool."

She straightens her lips into a line and firmly plants her arms to her sides. She squints her large eyes at me.

"If you are attempting to imply that I am not capable of understanding, you are very wrong," she speaks. "I am a highly intelligent and educated individual, and I refuse to be made a fool of. You have caused a great stir in this community and I have a right to speak up if I wish to do so."

I am taken aback by her reaction.

"Celeste I did not mean to imply--"

"I am being highly sympathetic, and you completely disregard me as though I am the foolish one. Where has your common sense gone?" she spits the words across her tongue. I stare at her for a moment. She looks to the floor in embarassment.

"Celeste," I speak after a moment. "I did not mean to imply that you are incapable. You are a highly educated student, such is Julian, and all of the other students at this institution."

She glances up slightly, her stare behind me.

"I am simply stating that you, and countless others, lack knowledge and personal experience--true interaction. You simply take for granted the information presented to you, and you do not question it. You do not bother to learn for yourself, you simply accept what is told to you."

She adjusts her stance, continuing to refuse eye contact.

"I am aware of your sympathy, but it is entirely on false grounds. You believe I have gone on a psychotic rampage, when I have followed through with my research, and investigated an issue I am curious about." I walk to the door. "I understand your perspective entirely. Before this experience, I believed the same myself. I would like to confide in you, or anyone, for that matter, and educate you on my newly discovered perspective, but I simply cannot bring myself to trust the people of this society. Not after what I have experienced."

I open the door. Gesturing for her to exit. Head down, silently, she walks into the corridor.

I watch until she disappears around the corner.