The first three chapters, held in full.

Chapters One to Three are free to read. The site remembers where you stopped in each one.

  1. Cam’s square glasses, the timetable reflected in both lenses.

    Chapter One

    3 minute read

    ‘In ten years, you’ll be laughing at this.’

  2. A canteen tray holding a carrot and a steak under a single lamp.

    Chapter Two

    10 minute read

    Cam squeezed through rows of yellow plastic tables and benches in the school canteen, bumping into his peers to reach the back of the line in front of the steaming silver canisters. The thick and bland smell of boiled vegetable water hung in the air. There was always something synthetic about it, and it reminded him of the scent of a new stress ball. The first whiff always bothered him, but hunger always won, and he would wolf down whatever was in front of him without complaint.

  3. A long school corridor lined with portraits, a red light at the far end.

    Chapter Three

    6 minute read

    Many girls wanted to be Gael. She was ranked at twenty-seven in her level, Student Council vice president for her year and lead singer of the school a capella group. She was beautiful too, with neat brown hair, no eye bags and a straight posture. She could follow schedules without burning out, wash her clothes and shower within the limited break times, and never look shabby. No one could imagine her failing at anything.