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It was a beautiful day at the Massachusetts o Institute of Technology. The smog was lighter than usual. The sun barely shines through the heavy clouds. The air quality was at a nice even 300. A perfect day to welcome in the brilliant minds of the future.
Samantha Cooper makes her way to her ‘very expensive dorm’. Breathing heavy as air stills through her mask. This is the reason she’s here. To find a solution. To make a difference. MIT is just the start.
Stopping in front of her door, she notices that it’s slightly ajar. Must be her new roommate. As she pushes the door open, there stands a beautiful long haired blonde woman. Unpacking her things, unbothered.
Standing in the doorway, Samantha clears her throat.
“Ahem- Hello. Sorry to interrupt.” She musters. Slightly surprised, her roommate turns and smiles.
“Why, hello!” A foreign voice, Australian. Strong and confident. Putting a pause on unpacking, she makes her way towards Samantha. Hand reaching out. “I’m Zoe.”
“Nice to properly meet you Zoe. I’m Samantha.” Dropping her bag down, finally putting some ease on her shoulders. Samantha takes off her mask. “Sorry about my heavy breathing- had to bring my bags on my own. You know how it is.”
Zoe nervously chuckles.
“You and I both know the heavy breathing isn’t because of some heavy bags. I’m sure you’re here for the same reason we all are.” Zoe claims. “Let me give you a hand with those.” Reaching for Samantha’s bags. Taken aback by the kind gesture, Samantha hands one of her bags over.
“Thank you.” Samantha tucks her flyways behind her ears.
“I hope you don’t mind that I took first dibs. I arrived early and I hate sitting around.” Zoe says while looking around the room. “ You’d think a fancy American school would have more funds to modernize the place.”
“Tell me about it. You should’ve seen the schools I’ve been to growing up.” Samantha snorts. Taking a look outside their window at the smoggy infested courtyard. “I’ll change that. If I can make it in Office, that is.” A loud thud. Taken aback by the sound, Samantha whips around at Zoe. Surprised by the look on Zoe’s face. Disgust. Samantha’s smile fades.
“Wait a minute. Are you telling me, you’re just here to study politics?” Zoe presses. It takes a second to process what she just said.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to step on your toes. But I don’t see what’s so wrong with my career choice.” Crossing her arms, she understood that her new roommate was going to be trouble.
“I’m saying, what a lazy way to support the cause. Another politician promising false hope. Do you really think another brilliant mind in government will change anything?” Zoe claims. Taking steps toward Samantha.
“What a deluded ideology you seem to have. The problems start with the people. If I can offer the proper solutions to the general populous, things will change!” Samantha defends. Getting up in Zoe’s face. She scoffs.
“Oh, I’m deluded? Listen to yourself. You should know by now that these problems were caused by the same politicians you’re going to make your colleagues.” Zoe presses. Poking Samantha’s chest. “You’ll live a cushy life making choices for others, huh?” Samantha pushes her back. Anger rushing to her face.
“How does that even concern you? Why does it bother you so much, huh? Obviously it meant enough that you’d pick a fight with a woman you just met.” Samantha stammers.
“That’s because it does concern me. All of us here came to MIT to make a difference. Can’t blame me for calling out people who are just wasting time, air and resources.” She claims, looking smug. Taking a beat before speaking again.
“All of the choices we make here will impact the world. But Earth simply can’t get by only doing baby steps. We need to make strides.”
Samantha stood there wide eyed. Despite this woman’s boar headed, standoffish nature. That was a brilliant observation. It made her contemplate her own contribution.
“So if what I’m doing is baby steps, what do you suggest we, as a whole, should do?” Samantha asks.
“I’m going to find us a new home.” Zoe professed. Eyes lighting up. “This galaxy is enormous and infinite. The odds of another place is higher than most people think. Somewhere out there is our new home.”
“AeroAstro Program?” Samantha asks.
“That’s it.” Zoe chuckles out. Doesn’t take a genius to piece that together. “I’m going to be the person to set foot on our new home. And I’m not even kidding.”
“Mighty arrogant, don’t you think? Surely not everyone will realistically make it to another planet. And even more so, the problem follows. . The people. They need leaders who care.” Samantha retorts.
“You’re not wrong about that. But think about it, we would be better off starting with a smaller population. By the time they’ve ruined the planet, I would be long gone. But I’d be free of this dump.” Horrified be her answer, Samantha struggles on what to say next.
“That’s incredibly short sighted and selfish. You’re telling me, you want change, but only for yourself?” Samantha questioned, expecting a back tracked response. Zoe looks at her. Eyes cold, but a smile on her face. Hauntingly beautiful.
“Exactly. Not everyone here deserves rescuing.” Zoe makes her way to Samantha and reaches for her face. Flinching back, still horrified at what she heard. Samantha pulls away. “It’s such a shame. What a waste.”
“Don’t do that.” Samantha defends, pulling farther back, heart racing.
“I won’t. Sorry about that.” Zoe apologized. If she didn’t overstep already, that surely was and she understood that.
“You and I are unlikely to be friends. But I’ll stay civil and out of your way. Not like I’ll see you in any of my classes.” Zoe teases. She heads for the door and pauses. Wanting to say one more apology.
“I’m going for a walk.” And she’s gone.
“What the hell was she on about? That girl is insane.” She takes a look at her bags. Haphazardly dropped on the floor. She mulls over going to her counselor and asking to switch rooms. But Zoe is right. They can be civil and it’s not like they need to be friends. Once the year is over, they can find new roommates anyway.
Zoe’s words about her place in this world echo through her head. She wasn’t wrong and she herself was aware of the flaws in the system. It’s not too late to make a difference on earth. It’s home, albeit a dirty, overpopulated, polluted home. But the clock is ticking and it’s already In overtime and final minute. Would a solution even be possible within that time? She realizes her roommate got in her head.
“I can’t believe I’m even contemplating this! How can I let her get to me!” Realizing she’s now at MIT having doubts about her career, a wave of uncertainty crashes over Samantha.
‘What will be my purpose?’