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“Look at all this,” said Gregory. He held up a sheaf of papers. “We have no rights. We’re the Colonists, people. And our teachers are Kings.”“And Queens,” Ana added.“I want to write poetry today,” Gregory said. “And I want to read a book for myself.”“And I want to fly to Hollywood and meet Darth Vader. What’s your point?” Alex asked, neatening his piles.“My point is that it doesn’t have to be like this,” Gregory said.“It largely does,” Benny replied quietly.“No. I mean, seriously, we’ve all given up stuff because of this. Lots of stuff we liked, even if you pretend it’s just cuz you’re busy with other things, Alex. And people keep telling us we don’t have a choice. We don’t have power, right? But that’s what they said to the Colonists and to all sorts of other people all through history. It’s just not true,” Gregory said, standing up and waving his pile of papers. “We do have power. We just have to grab it.”“And how do we do that, GK?” Ana asked.“Fail all our classes so we can bother our teachers until they give up?” Alex grinned.“This is pointless, Gregory K. You’re fighting the school. And parents,” Benny said kindly. “We can discuss it over the weekend, but it’s eating into our time now. Let’s start our homework.”Benny, Alex, and Ana pulled out their science books, but Gregory didn’t move.“No. No more homework.”Gregory tossed his handful of papers into the air. While he hoped they’d spread out dramatically, they simply fell with a thump on the dining room table. Still, it was a solid thump.“Dude, what do you mean?” Alex asked. “You quitting school?”“Nope. I’m on strike.” Gregory sat down triumphantly. “I am on a total, complete homework strike.”
