Shattered Girls by Tyrolin Puxty

Author:Tyrolin Puxty
Language: eng
Format: mobi
ISBN: 9781620076873
Publisher: Curiosity Quills Press
Published: 2016-06-13T06:00:00+00:00

“You’re late, Gabrielle,” Mr. Hathaway says.

“Surprise, surprise.” Gabby slinks through the desks until we reach ours. We’re seated next to Dev, who mouths something inaudible. Gabby doesn’t take much notice; she’s too distracted by the copious dolls in the classroom.

There are, at least, six empty seats, but about seven or eight classmates have a live doll either perched on their shoulders or sitting on their pencil cases.

“Are you seeing this?” I whisper as Mr. Hathaway marks the roll.

“This is insane,” Gabby says, not bothering to wipe the disgust off her face. “And they don’t even know what they are!”

Uncertainly, she raises her hand.

“What?” Mr. Hathaway sighs, like he’s lost the will to live.

“Mr. Hathaway? Considering this is a science class, I thought we could discuss the… robots everyone has. It’s science at its finest, right? Where did you all get yours?”

“Yeah! I want to show off mine!” Amy beams, cuddling her peppy cheerleader.

“Me too!” Ryan pipes in. “I thought it was uber gay to bring a doll to school, but man, this thing helps with homework and everything! It’s like my personal slave!”

Mr. Hathaway tents his fingers, his smile crooked. “I suppose we can take five minutes. Gabby, we’ll start with you since you’ve been carrying that thing around for years. A bit of a trendsetter, aren’t you?”

Gabby shakes her head. “I’m not. My dad and grandfather are scientists, they gave Ella to me when I was sick. You know, the epidemic. I’m just curious where the others got theirs.”

“Duh!” Amy plaits her doll’s hair. “They’re special pre-order. Each costs a bucket-load, and they’re all custom designed. Mom ordered mine online when I said I wanted a cheerleader, and she just arrived this morning! Didn’t you, Bianca?” Amy coos at her like at a pet.

“That’s right!” Bianca shouts. “A is for Amazing! M is for Mighty! Y is for Yummy! Goooooooo AMY!” She jumps in the air and shakes her pom-poms and kicks the air. Amy huffs when Bianca’s plait falls out before she can finish, but applauds her cheer nonetheless.

“Bianca?” I repeat. “Wasn’t… wasn’t that the name of the head cheerleader?”

Amy shrugs. “It’s a common name.”

“Not really!” I protest, but Gabby hushes me.

“Brett arrived today, too! He’s a pharmacist.” Ryan grabs Brett and waves him above his head. Brett places his hands on his hips and poses like a superhero.

“G’day,” Brett greets, his accent thick. “That’s right. Any drug you need, I’m ya bloke! Nah, not really, mate! I’m pullin’ ya leg! Only in the pretend world! I’m gonna pretend-ace this class, ay! Haha!”

“He’s no pharmacist…” I run up Gabby’s arm and kneel on her shoulder so I can whisper. “I bet he is a meth-head! Or a dealer! Ugh!”

“Mine’s a farmer.” Penny points to her doll who sits glumly on the edge of the table. “He doesn’t talk much, though. I might ask for a refund.”

I study the sullen doll. “Look at him. He was bad. You can tell.” I speak so quietly I can barely hear myself. “He can’t remember why he’s guilty… but he can’t shake the feeling.

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