Life Designed (Life Plan Series Book 1), Eliza Taye [great novels .TXT] 📗

the stairs and walked across the stage to stand in the center like so many students had done before her since time immemorial.

Gazing down at the clipboard which digitally updated with each new student’s appearance, Mrs. Steinworth read with the biggest smile she’d ever made, “Opal Carneth’s Life Plan has been approved! She will become a lawyer and attend the Academy of Higher Learning School of Law. She plans to marry, have two children, and in her retirement, she will do charity work for the Undecided.”

At that moment, Opal’s eyes caught onto a group of familiar faces way back in a row so far away it was hard to see, but she clearly recognized Mrs. Shaffer, Leena, Annie, Minnie, and Danny. Although they were too distant to see their expressions, she could imagine the pride beaming from Mrs. Shaffer’s eyes. Seeing Danny, Annie, and Minnie there reminded her that in her old age she’d be fighting for people like them. People she loved and cared for after spending her whole life doing the same.

The applause reminded her that her segment and moment of glory was over and she needed to disembark from the stage. Following the edge of the stage, she sat in the frontmost rows with all the other newly Decideds waiting for their friends to be presented.

Crystal came next, her smile beaming brighter than all the stars in the sky as her Plan was approved and Mrs. Steinworth highlighted where she would attend college and that she would become a heart surgeon.

Many other students followed Crystal until finally, it was Garrett’s turn.

“Garrett Gibbons!”

Opal’s heart leaped when she heard her friend's name. She hadn’t had time to ask him about what he put into his Life Plan. She kicked herself for not asking sooner. Instead, she’d have to wait with everyone else to see what he’d chosen to be.

Garrett stepped onto the stage, eyes scanning the crowd for his family and Opal. He found his parents first, each of them giving him a nod. Opal beamed brightly at him and gave a tiny wave.

When Garrett stopped at the center of the stage, his gaze fell upon someone he hadn’t expected to see in the crowd—April. She must have noticed him looking at her because she smiled wide and gave a definitive nod and thumbs up to him from her place near the back with the other Undecideds.

Proudly, Mrs. Steinworth announced, “Garrett Gibbons’ Life Plan has been approved.”

She grinned into the crowd as a series of hops and hollers came from some of his classmates. Garrett smiled at them. His parent’s wide, shocked eyes made him realize they really hadn’t believed he’d written his Life Plan.

Mrs. Steinworth took a moment to nod proudly at him before returning to her digital clipboard to read the specifics. As she started reading, she froze, the only movement coming from her shaking hands. A huge silence fell over the crowd as she struggled to find the words to voice what Garrett’s Life Plan had been.

“Ga…ga…Garrett,” Mrs. Steinworth cleared her throat and addressed the crowd. “Excuse my unprofessional stuttering.”

Garrett glanced at Mrs. Steinworth to see her entire face had turned white. Feeling too ashamed to look at her, he locked gazes with April tens of rows from the front line where Opal was glancing back and forth between Mrs. Steinworth and him.

Breathing in deep and letting her words out upon her exhalation, Mrs. Steinworth read, “Garrett Gibbons will become one of the Undecided as specified in his Life Plan.”

Chapter 19

The audience froze in their seats. A pin clattering against a metal floor would have sounded like a thunderstorm in the silence that ensued.

Mrs. Steinworth’s shaking continued as she stared at Garrett with both concern and pity fighting for control of her face. Opal’s wide eyes began burning with unshed tears. Mrs. Gibbons fainted into her husband’s arms as his father gawked at him in disbelief. April just kept shaking her head back and forth in disbelief.

Everyone stayed in place, not daring to move. Mrs. Steinworth didn’t ask for the next student to come onto the stage, neither did the audience clap or boo to prompt Garrett off it.

Never in the history of their world had anyone chosen to become one of the Undecided. It was unfathomable. And yet, someone now had. Even worse, The Council had approved his request to become part of the Undecided.

“Garrett,” urgently voiced someone.

Garrett turned to his right to see Mr. Gargen standing beside him. “What did you write in your Life Plan? This must be a mistake.”

Mrs. Steinworth clutched her clipboard to her chest and hurried over to join Mr. Gargen. “Yes, Garrett, there must be some kind of mistake. The Council would never approve something like this.”

Garrett’s gaze fluttered between each of them before he answered. “I wrote one line in my Life Plan: I wish to become one of the Undecided.”

Mrs. Steinworth stumbled back in horror, forcing Mr. Gargen to grab her before she tumbled backward off the stage.

“Garrett, what kind of trick is this? This must be a joke.”

Gathering confidence into his voice, Garrett responded, “No, sir, it’s no trick. That is what I wrote on my Life Plan.”

“And…and…and it was approved?” wondered Mrs. Steinworth appallingly, looking from Mr. Gargen’s stoic face to Garrett’s abashed one.

“No, no, no, this must be some type of nonsense.” Mrs. Steinworth checked her clipboard again, re-reading the notice from The Council regarding Garrett Gibbons of Galaxcion.

Mr. Gargen peered out over the crowd of people who’d unfrozen and began muttering amongst themselves. “Perhaps we should continue the ceremony, Mrs. Steinworth.”

Snapping out of it, she replied, “Yes, I’m sure you’re quite right, Mr. Gargen.”

Returning to her post, Mrs. Steinworth called the next student up while Mr. Gargen escorted Garrett off the stage.

“I don’t know what you’re playing at, Mr. Gibbons,