YEAR: 2218
Location: Borgata, New California

"How is my bun mother? Diane silk pressed my hair. Should I slick my edges again? Is the blue still vibrant? I told Diane to make it really vib-"
"It looks fine Lovely," my mother said, using the nickname my dance studio had coined for me. They had only ever seen me as sweet and kind, and as they said the true incarnation of love itself. They had never seen me angry or fight, never seen me cry, never seen me at my lowest point in my short lived life of an elite. It's a good thing too, they may have changed my name to viper. "You look beautiful and you are going to do beautiful Lux." She held my face in her palms. My fellow dance mates scurried frantically around backstage. Some looking for shoes, others looking for the right colored rhinestones; a girl unwrapped her ankle for a medic to scan it with a radar. Her eyes begged for it not to blink red so she could be in her numbers for the night.
I gave my mother a single nod and turned away to touch up my makeup in the mirror.

She cocked her head to the side slightly and gave me a small smile in the mirror. I cleaned up the slit in my eyebrow with concealer, both of them arched to perfection. My lashes, filled to be bold and wispy, framed my large brown eyes as they always did. The chiseled contour on my high cheek bones of my medium-dark sepia skin and soft contour on my nose emphasized my Afrocentric features.

Elites always looked immaculate. However, anyone could become an elite. You just needed to cross the wealth threshold that increased every few years, so it wasn't a very obtainable thing to do. Anyone could be elite, but not every one could be pure. Elites and commoners mingled in public and private, there was no law against it, but often times each stuck to their own. Commoner to commoner. Elite to elite.

I stared into my reflection, questioning how I struggled with myself image before. How could I have let someone make me so insecure? How could my self-absorbed parents allow someone to crush me? But I was here now. shoulders back, chin up and head held high; it was Autumn Recital and I was ready to grace the stage with my dance company, the group I found solace in for so long, one last time. But I'd always be apart of them, they said.

I waved my hand over my phone, the motion unlocking it to project a hologram text message from my best friend.

Banannie: Lovely, my darling sister, where are yoooouuuu? Come out come out where ever you areeee answer quick pleeease I need to get away from my mother and coach😒

I could here her voice singing in my head and smiled to myself. She wasn't my blood sister, I was an only child, but she had been my friend since I was eleven. Annora Brooklynn Valentine. Her family are elites from Original Brooklyn, Neo New York, who moved to Borgata to expand their business in the auto industry. Unlike my family, hers hadn't always been elites, but when her great grandparents founded the Valentino, one of the nicest luxury levitating cars on the market, the future of her family changed. See, many of the luxury car companies either evolved into something new or became replaced the further technological advances in the levitating vehicle industry went. Lamborghini and Ferrari merged and evolved into Lüm. Tesla survived but rebranded as the Tezlôn. Rolls Royce survived and bought out Bentley. Mercedes bought out Lexus. And then two new ones were created; the Aurora and the Valentino. The Valentines bought the Porsche company and Valentino has become the Porche of the 23rd century. Only a few economy brands survived; not too many people drive anymore with the advancement in public transportation and the cost of the levitating car— but the Elites kept the luxury brands alive, so the Valentines profited well.

Though the both of us did four types of dance together, of the two of us, she was the more technical dancer; lyrical and ballet were her niche. I, on the other hand, felt at home in jazz and hip hop. Much like our friendship, we elevated each other in where we lacked behind.

Lux: Dressing Room 7 duh. Brooke, our names are on the door lol
Banannie: What the hell I LITERALLY just passed it!
Lux: You're literally a dumb ass 😂
Banannie: Shut up. I'm on my way back 🙄

Moments later, the fiesty, eccentric girl rushed into the room through the sliding doors, dashing her bags to the polished, mahogany wooden floor. She pecked my mother on the cheek before sitting at her vanity. This had been us for the last 6 years: Brooke always late, and me helping her hurry.

"You're late Banannie." I pointed crossing my arms.

"First off, I said to never call me Banannie in public. Do it again and I'll spray that pretty silk press of yours with my water bottle. Annie or Brooke. Do better," she fluffed her coily textured hair and brushed it over her shiny copper shoulders before jabbing me with her pointer finger. I let out a small laugh, "And yeah yeah, as always, what's new huh? It wasn't my fault this time because I was actually ready. My mother was yelling at coach for giving me a duet instead of a solo, even though she knew that's what I asked for. I had to tell her it was with you before she let it go! I'm eighteen, you'd think she'd stop doing this by now! Speaking of her, she's sitting with my poppa in the centre of the 4th row if you wanna join them mama Kass" She said to my mother as I began to bun her soft hair, her accent seeping into her words slightly.

"Perfect, Lux I'm going to go grab a seat with them." My mother said.

"Just one seat?" I asked quietly. I looked into the mirror at her reflection. Saddened eyes looked back at me. She looked away. "He's not coming is he?" The question dry of emotion. She shook her head no. I rolled my tongue and felt Annora's gaze on me. I let out a bitter chuckle. "Right. When is he ever here? I know you two are divorced now, but he can't even make the effort show up on the last day? It's one of the biggest events of the year. Now if I said I hated him..." My mother caressed my back and kissed my head. I sniffed back the tears that threatened to spill.

"I'm sorry love." She whispered.

"Don't you think I've heard that from you, the both of you, enough times now?" I returned in the same whisper. She nodded.

"Yes, I do. But what else can I say? Because it's not okay and I'm going to talk to him tonight. You ladies are going to do great, see you on the stage my loves." She kissed us both once more and left the room.

Annora grabbed one of my hands from her coils and turned to face me.
"Be easier on her Lovely, I know you're upset still, for many reasons as you have every right to be, but give her a little slack, yeah? The divorce is still fresh." I nodded. "That's my baby sis." She grinned and pinched my cheek.

"Oh quiet, only by like three months." I laughed.
"Still oldeeerrr," her voice rang, "Anyhooooo, have you seen the love of my life?"
"You mean my best friend?" I pointed.
"Okaaay Cupid, so you hooked up your two best friends," she rolled her eyes, "Have you seen my man or not?"
"Yeah girl I have, I'll call him and while I do that change and change fast because your slow, before he gets here and so I can finish your hair."
"Whatever, and it's not like he hasn't seen me naked anyways."
"Annora. Edsel is like my brother, I've known him since I was four. I don't want to even potentially picture him naked or the two of you naked together. Kay?" She scrunched her face and laughed.

Within minutes the six foot, something inches, umber skinned toned guy strolled into the dressing room. He was shirtless and slightly oiled to glow under the spotlights. Compared to our small, curved frames, he towered at least a foot over us.
"Hello sister," he squeezed me and kissed my head, "and wife," he said, lifting Annora into the air and showering her face with kisses softly, avoiding smudging her make up. Edsel Buchanan was a new elite, but not by his family. He came from humble Commoner beginnings, his mother an English teacher and father an Artist and Art tutor to children of Elites, both whom were always sweet, warm, and welcoming to me. The fresh nineteen year old was a successful entrepreneur as one of the most prestigious masters of ceremonies, with a contagious pearly white smile and charming attitude. He was also one of the best dancers in the states, and my dance partner, as he had been for practically my whole life. After striking gold, he changed his family's lives for them all to live comfortably, though his parents passionate about their callings, continued to work.

"Honey how do I look? Lovely did my hair!" She twirled for him. He cheesed and showered her with compliments. I smiled at their love.

"Okay love birds lets go, curtains up in 3 minutes. It's gonna be a long, wild night." I said.
"That's what she said." Edsel snickered, earning him a smacked behind the head on his freshly cut fade from Annora. "Sorry." He mumbled.

I smiled and shook my head as he wrapped an arm around Annora and through the other over my shoulder as we headed to join the other dancers.

****

After the curtain call, and hugs and farewells from my friends and instructors, the three of us returned to our dressing rooms to collect our belongings. Edsel returned to our room in no time. The three of us stood in silence for a moment.

"I'm gonna to miss you two." I said quietly, finally breaking the silence. Tears began to spill and the two of them pulled me into a group hug.
"We'll visit and you'll come dance every once in a while. This isn't goodbye, stop." Annora wiped her face and squeezed me harder.
"Shut that I miss you shit up, you're not dying; you're only moving three hours away." I punched Edsel in the chest lightly and he laughed.
"Wow you're an idiot. How'd you finesse becoming an elite again?" I teased.
"Okay Pedigree. Not everyone has the privilege of being a pureblood elite; I didn't get fed off a platinum diamond encrusted platter." He retorted. I rolled my eyes.
"Ha ha ha" I sassed.
"He's kinda right Lovely" Annora shrugged.
"Annie, shut up you're a second generation elite." He said.
"Wow and that's the thanks I get for siding with you. This is why my loyalty lies with Lux. The blood of the covenant-
"-is thicker than the water of the womb. Shakespeare said that. We know, we know. So dramatic." Edsel and I said in unison before laughing at the stale look on Annora's face.
"And I am consistently in your womb so you gotta cut out all of that shit." Edsel said.
"OKAYYY FOR THE SECOND TIME TONIGHT- I don't want to picture the two of you naked or doing anything thank you very much!" I exasperated and pinched the bridge of my nose.
"Wait what was the first?" He asked.
"I told her you've seen me naked many times already." Annora shrugged.
"Oh. Ha ha, true." He replied.
"Y'ALL!" I clasped my hands together.
"Sorry." They said in unison dryly. We laughed again. They squeezed me one last time before we headed in different directions of the venue to the levipad lots we parked in.

I met my mother at her Rolls Royce Phantom. She smiled wide and handed me a bouquet of blue and white roses.
"Outstanding as always my love."
"Thanks mama," my voice muffled into her dress as she held me. We got into the Phantom as its doors butterflied up and within seconds the jets lifted the vehicle six feet into the air. The seat belts and posture of the seats automatically adjusted to our bodies.
"Phantom." She spoke.
"Yes Madame Kallista." The accented, mechanical male voice spoke.
"Take us to the old house. One last time."
"Of course Madame Kallista. Shall I play soft music? Jazz per haps?"
"You know me so well Phantom."
"Well, you are my madame. And as always, if at anytime you'd like to manually steer, just let me know."
"Thank you Phantom. You're my favorite man."
"If I could blush I would. You're welcome Madame  Kallista. It is my pleasure to serve you."
After a few minutes of silence between my mother and I, my mothers soft voice filled the air. She hummed along to the Jazz tones.

"You're all packed right?" She asked.
"Yes mama. Are we leaving tonight?"
"Are you tired?"
"A little, but I can sleep in Phantom on the way. Right Phantom?"
"Of course Mistress Lux. My back seats are comfortable and warm." I smiled. "My facial recognition senses a smile Mistress Lux, I am just a car, but I must say I have missed that. I am happy to have made you smile."
"Thank you Phantom."
"Mistress Lux, It is my pleasure to serve you as well." My mother looked at me and returned the smile.
"Well love, if that is fine with you, then yes. We will grab our bags and head to Cosa Nostra tonight after I speak to your father. Alright?"
"Yes mama." I snuggled into my seat, Phantom adjusted my seat so I could be more comfortable as I stared out of the window.

****

"Would you like me to power off Madame Kallista?"
"Yes Phantom. Charge and rest. It's a long ride tonight."
"Thank you Madame Kallista, see you shortly. As always, it is my pleasure to serve you."

Phantom lowered onto the levipad. We exited and headed for the steps to the front doors of what had been my childhood home. My mother waved her hand across the sensor to wake it. A blue light scanned us.
"Open." She spoke. The doors cascaded open and my tiny black dog, Beauty, greeted me.

Across from us paced my father back and forth on his phone. He hung up once he saw us enter. I stared at him silently before brushing past his shoulder and heading for the winding staircase of the house.
"I'm going to shower first mother, I'll be down in thirty." I said, pacing up the stairs. Suddenly, my father gently grasped my wrist and pulled me to his level.
"Lux, what did I do now?"
"Think father. Think real hard. Look at me and how I'm dressed and think real hard." I stared him down. Realization dawned on him. I yanked out of his arms and ran the rest of the way to my old room.

After my shower, I wrapped my hair to preserve the silk press and grabbed the last of my bags before heading out my room, saying goodbye to all I had known up until this very moment. Before I could bend the corner and begin my last journey down the staircase I had played on a thousand times, the voices of my parents shouting bounced off the walls.
"Jethro this was her LAST recital here! You should have seen the look of disappointment on her face! The one you have caused for years! You knew exactly when this was! How could you do this to her?! We've put her through enough!" My mother's usual soft voice was full of anger.
"It wasn't intentional Kallista!"
"Of course not, it's never intentional with you is it? That's your favorite damn excuse! Own up to your bullshit for once!"
"I'm the CEO of one of the largest tech companies Kallista, I got lost in my work, it slipped my mind!"
"Bull shit Jethro! I'm a head cardiac surgeon and I still was able to get my shit together and my priorities in order! Say it for what it is, You were with your pregnant whore and forgot about our daughter!" My father inhaled deeply.
"I was not with Dasha, Kallista. I swear, I was at work." He pleaded.
"Look, I don't want to here it! I'm not your wife anymore! Whether you're engaged to your job or your whore now doesn't matter to me. You've already done me wrong. It's not me you have to answer or explain yourself to anymore, it's Lux. Do right by her, put her first, for once." She said, lowering her voice back down.

I took a deep breathe before heading down the stairs. They turned and watched me quietly.
"I'm ready mama." I said, not looking at my father. I started to head for the door before I was stopped in my tracks.
"Going to leave without saying goodbye to your pop?" My father said, lighthearted.
"Well no shit." I snapped. My mother flicked the side of my head causing me flinch.
"Watch your mouth. He's still father." She glared at me.
"Love, I know I've been messing up and stumbling for a long time now. But I'm really sorry. I hurt you tonight and I should have been there and I'm sorry. So sorry. I know I keep saying sorry, but I mean it." For a split second I saw the man my father once was. My heart wanted to soften for him, but logic reminded me that this was the norm. Just say okay and you can leave, I thought to myself.
"Okay dad."
"I love you. You'll always be my little girl you know?" He said. His body language showed he wanted to hug me. I would not initiate that.
"Right. Love you too. Can we go now?" I asked, turning to my mother. She sighed and nodded.
"Take care of the Aurora love, like you it's a one of a kind." My father said with a small smile. The Aurora, was my car. But it wasn't just any Aurora though, it was designed by the maker just for me, at the request of my father. An apology gift. I haven't piloted her yet. I'm still angry.
"I will. Goodbye dad." I scooped up my dog and headed out the doors.

I gripped the handle of Phantom and waited for him to recognize me and open. I sat my dog in the back seat.
"Hello Mistress Lux."
"Hi Phantom, open the back please."
"Yes Mistress Lux."
I grabbed a pillow and blanket and placed my bags in the back before shutting it and getting in the back seat.
"How is your comfort Mistress Lux? Would you like me to warm the seats?"
"Yes Phantom. Thank you."
"Of course Mistress Lux. It is my pleasure to serve you." Beauty snuggled under my arms. Moments later, my mother entered the driver seat.
"Phantom."
"Yes Madame Kallista?"
"Take us to Cosa Nostra. Take us home." She said quietly and sniffed. I rubbed her shoulder.
"As you wish Madame Kallista. Here, have a tissue." the centre divider of Phantom opened and a robotic hand handed her a tissue. She laughed and dabbed her eyes.
"Have I told you you're my favorite man Phantom?"
"Yes Madame Kallista, but it never gets old. Let me take us home. Rest. As always, it is my pleasure to serve you."

And with that, we lifted into the air and sped off to our new home.