The Cost Of Words (Pt 2)

Author's Note:

This chapter is part of a rough draft of my novel The Cost of Words. I'm sharing it for feedback while I write and revise, with the intention of traditionally or independently publishing the final version. Comments and suggestions are welcome.

P.S. Characters, group names, and the title might be changed in the final published version.

Chapter 2

Macy

I try to shake off what I saw as I walk home but something about it just keeps nagging at me. It just feels so wrong and unfair for that cop to take that many words just because the guy grabbed my leg.

I mean the cop didn't even so much as glance at the Soc’s causing trouble so maybe that is just the way the world is. And that’s ok.

There are people in this world that believe this system is wrong, but I don't think so. I mean it's like the old US “money” system where you got paid in pieces of paper. It's just more advanced and makes sure people choose their words wisely. Which makes bullying happen less since that would be a waste of words.

The next morning is Saturday and I decide to hang out with Tom. As I drive to his house - the greasers and socs live far apart - I notice the numbers of beggars on the side of the road increasing as I get closer and closer. And the dilapidated houses of the greasers are such a stark difference from the beautiful mansions I'm used to living in and being surrounded with. It makes me think about how lucky I have it, I could’ve been like Tom.

The counters above people's heads as I drive by also catch me by surprise, I guess I'm just being more observant lately, but it's such a big difference. Little kids in my neighborhood have millions of words, and some of these little kids only have 100k or less… I can’t believe I never noticed this before, I was too sucked up in my own life and how great I have it and blah blah blah.

I knock on Tom's door and greet his mom, Stacy, when she opens the door, which she just waves in response and beckons me inside with a wave of her hand.

“Hey there Tom!” I exclaim as I run to give him a hug. He embraces me tighter than usual and I instantly become worried “What's wrong?”

“I was on the street and I saw a beggar getting beat for talking to a little girl. They thought he was a pedophile, I don't think he was though. And it was so cruel and unusual and I think it’s wrong” Tom rambles on. I don't think I've ever heard him say so many words and it frightens me. He has never been this worked up before, he usually keeps his cool so well.

“Hey it's ok Tom” I say trying to calm him down, "that's just the way things are” even though this has me panicking because how can someone get beat in the street for talking to a girl. That's just wrong

“I mean it's not like there's anything we can do” I tell him hoping to ease his concerns; but he looks even more panicked than before I said that. How am I supposed to ease his concerns without sounding like a spoiled rich kid? Ugh.

“B-b-b-but” he starts to stammer out.

“It's fine” I interrupt him, but I know deep inside that it isn't fine. But like I said, we are just teenagers, we can't change how the poor get treated. I don't think the socs could even change it now.

I wonder what my life would be like if I was a beggar on the streets… would I be able to get along without being punished? Or would I lose all my words and be permanently mute? Would people ever help me or would they just ignore the basic white girl begging for words on the side of the road, like I ignore every other beggar I see?

I come back to the moment, to try and comfort Tom again. I glance up at his words and realize just what kind of situation he's in, he needs to stop talking, and quickly. He only has 500k left, which isn’t very many for our age.