Upside Down

By Michaela Zeno

About the Book
In the future, the world is split in two. Two different societies, two different classes. The wealthiest living in Rose City, dwelling above the clouds, the ideal society. The poor live on Earth’s surface, covered in ash and smoke. After Lana, a young girl among the wealthy, starts to question the split world, she discovers secrets that were not meant to be uncovered. Lana learns that everyone has a story to tell, and these stories must be listened to.

About the Author
Michaela Zeno is involved in her church doing various tasks. She likes to go out with friends, play volleyball, traveling, and doing YouTube videos. Zeno is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, the first African-American sorority. She graduated from Bennett College with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Media Studies. She is currently getting her Master’s in Interactive Media from Elon University.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dorrance Publishing Company
• Release date: Mar 31, 2023
• ISBN: 9798886044799

Book preview

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Free falling in the air, the wind in your face...the uncertainty of not knowing what’s going to happen to you. So many thoughts running through your head. The possibilities are endless when you are left in the dark with no answers.

Do you ever wonder what the world would be like if it was divided based on wealth? Based on whether you were rich or poor? Do you ever wonder just what it would be like if those two factors determined where you lived, how you dressed, and who you surround yourself with? Just two factors that play a major role in determining your entire life. Something that you can’t control and something you’re going to have to live with forever.

That’s how life is for me. I’m Lana, and I’ve been a part of the Wealthy my whole life. Something I wasn’t able to control, and I wish I could.

The Wealthy live in Rose City, a civilization that dwells thousands of feet above the ground and through the clouds. The Grounders call us Angels— because our homes are made of gold and because we sit on the clouds. They don’t get such a luxury, working day and night on the Earth’s surface. Gold and luxury are not in their vocabulary. They are surrounded by dirt, smoke, and whatever is thrown from Rose City. Another thing that was out of their control but something they will forever have to live with.

Something that’s not fair for everyone, but there are those who wouldn’t change a thing. Those who would die before someone changed their pretty little lifestyle.

The world was separated in 2131 after a catastrophic exchange. I was very young when it happened, so I don’t recall what really happened. The story is unknown because it keeps getting retold by many different people, claiming many different things. Only a few know the actual story, the inner circle, but they won’t say anything. They feel it’s better that way, and maybe it is, but we won’t ever know.

You don’t get to choose your lifestyle, you’re born into your future, whether you like it or not. Times weren’t always like this, but things have changed, and it wasn’t for the better...well at least not for everyone. Sad that this is what the world has come to, but nothing is going to change, is it? It will be that same shit every single day...or will it?

My story is one I never thought I would have to tell, but you never know what’s going to happen in life and what’s going to be thrown at you.

Here’s the story of me, Lana De Lacore.

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My life changed forever on March 14th, 2143.

I’m Lana and I was born into a wealthy lifestyle. Now there are people who are wealthy and then there are those who are truly Wealthy, which my family is. Being simply wealthy means you have money obviously. But your wealth is absolutely nothing when it comes to the true wealthy. The True Wealthy is an inner circle that few are allowed the honor to be in. They call themselves the inner circle, I know how ironic that is.

wealth·y

adjective

1.: Having a great deal of money, resources, or assets; rich: The wealthy live in Rose City.

All of the Wealthies live above the clouds, so we can separate ourselves from the Grounders.

Honestly I don’t see why we have to do that, but it’s not like I really have a voice in those matters.

It’s my mom, dad, and me.

My dad, Lawrence, stands tall with a strong build. He’s who I get my completion from. Our caramel-brown skin and our black hair complement well. I also get my hair from my dad. He has short curly black hair.

My mom, Natasha, is of average height. I didn’t get my height from her, I’ll tell you that. She has beautiful brown skin that glows and long wavy brown hair.

That’s all for our little family.

They say all of the wealthy are your family, but that’s only for show. They aren’t there for you when you need help, they view you as competition, and believe me, the Wealthies do not like competition. They truly and honestly just hate you, but they smile in your face when it’s convenient for them. That’s how it always is when someone wants something from you. First they plan to get in your good graces and then plan to get what they want. When the shoe is on the other foot, nobody seems to be there when you need something. Everything comes with a catch, at least that’s how it is up here with the Wealthies, not sure how the Grounders handle things, and I’ll more than never know how they handle things.

To be honest, Rose City is a shit show. I blame the stuck-up people running the show. The inner circle is also known as the True Wealthy. Sadly my family is a part of the inner circle, but we aren’t stuck up...well at least my father and I aren’t. My mother, on the other hand, is a whole different story.

Being in the inner circle means people will gravel at your feet even more than usual, so they can get things they want. Things that will benefit them and cause harm to others.

In other words...they’re all full of shit and they’re two-faced.

That’s a reason why I don’t have many friends here in Rose City, I tend to keep to myself, and I like it that way.

I only have one friend up here, and his name is Sean, Sean Bestmen. His family has been close with mine for a while, so we’ve grown up together. Sean is basically the only person I talk to other than my dad. Yes, I am a daddy’s girl. My relationship with my mother isn’t the best, but that is only because we don’t always see eye to eye...like ever. It’s like I’m not even her real daughter sometimes. We argue all the time, leaving my father to be the peacemaker in every situation. All in all, our relationship is just terrible.

Today is our annual masquerade gala. This is also one of the only times Grounders get inside Rose City. The inner-circle picks those to come to service for the gala, and when the night is done, it’s back to Earth’s surface for the Grounders. The Wealthies sure as well don’t clean up after themselves in situations like these, so they hire people poorer than them to get the job done. It’s a test for them to come up into Rose City, but none of the Grounders ever try anything. I believe they are too scared of the consequences.

The gala is just another way for people of Rose City to flaunt their wealth and to talk shit about one another. Everyone tries to have the most expensive dress, so people will talk about them...how cliché. It’s one of those my horse is bigger than your horse things.

I don’t really like going to these things because I hate wearing big dresses and heels that only succeed in hurting my feet. I only have a good time because Sean and I usually take some food and run away from our parents to our secret place.

I like it better when we just hang out. Being surrounded by the Wealthy for your whole life isn’t as cracked up as it seems to be. Everyone is fake, and they all wanna take your place, but they smile in your face to get into your good grace.

Lana, it’s time to start getting ready for tonight, and don’t think about going away with Sean either.

She wasn’t looking at me, but I could tell from the tone of her voice she had a look of disgust on her face.

I wouldn’t dream of it, Mother.

I stare at myself in the mirror. My caramel-brown skin looks flawless. I’m not one for talking about myself, but I’ll give myself compliments when they’re due. I finished getting my curly black hair together. It took forever trying to get my curls exactly how I wanted them. This is a very tedious task if I’ve ever had to do one. And I have to do it quite a bit.

I may not care what people think, but I still try to look presentable for my dad’s sake. The dress I’m wearing, unfortunately, shows my feet, so I have to wear heels. It’s not like I’ll be in them for a long time anyway.

Lana, it’s time to go. The gala will be starting soon, I hear my father say.

I grab my mask and head towards my family. We all match together with our different shades of blue and our similar masks. Every year for the masquerade gala, families get assigned colors to wear, but the True Wealthy can pick their colors. A perk of being a part of the inner circle I guess.

I learned it’s best not to ask questions, just smile and nod...smile and nod.

We get in the elevator and go up to the top floor where the masquerade gala is being held. Every family gets announced before entering the gala. It’s something that’s always been done. It gives some people the time to get much-wanted attention to feeding their egos and others time to scowl with jealousy.

My family and I are currently waiting for them to announce us before entering the gala.

This is something I wish they didn’t do because this is when the whispers start. All eyes are on you when your name is announced and then the stares of jealousy and unwanted commentary begin. For my father’s sake, I have learned not to lash out at people, but it’s still a task every year. Over time I’ve learned to get used to it, but it’s still very unwelcomed by me.

Now pronouncing the De Lacore’s wearing shades of blue for this year’s masquerade gala, I hear the announcer say.

We start to descend the stairs as all eyes are on us. My father doesn’t read too much into things like this because that’s not who he is as a person. He would always tell me when I was younger that we just got lucky being born into wealth and we shouldn’t use it as an excuse to be entitled...and he’s not wrong. My mother, on the other hand, has a whole other opinion on things. She feels as though I should feel very lucky to be a part of the Wealthies, better yet the True Wealthies. She loves all the attention she gets and enjoys people being envious of her and talking behind her back, but she does the exact same thing, so I guess that’s why she fits in so well with them. I, on the other hand, just want to get to the bottom of the stairs and find Sean, so we can leave the pathetic thing they call a gala.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m very fortunate, but sometimes it is all too much and I would rather have a simpler lifestyle.

I can finally release the breath I was holding as we reach the bottom of the stairs and I immediately start to look for Sean.

Sean Beastmen, I’ve known him forever. He stands very tall at about 6’2" and is well built. Don’t worry, I don’t look at him like that. We’re just friends, and it’s going to stay that way. He’s brown skin with short black hair. The ladies love him. It definitely boosts his ego.

I spot him talking to Warren, another guy training to be a soldier.

Warren Adcermean is one of the nicer people up here. Stands tall with a muscular build. His shaggy brown hair bounced off his white completion. His dad’s an asshole, but he’s not.

I hurry and walk over to the two because I’m not one for a conversation with anyone else. As soon as I approach, they stop talking...boys.

Don’t stop on my account, boys. They laugh.

Lana, you know we can’t talk about anything related to soldier business with someone who isn’t training to be one or who is already one, says Sean.

Maybe when you’re older, we’ll tell you, Warren says, trying to be funny.

They begin to laugh…so hysterical. I find nothing funny.

Warren Adcermean. His family is a part of the True Wealthy, but he isn’t as materialistic as them. He’s like me and Sean, just born into these unfortunate circumstances. Johnsmith Adcermean is his father, and he’s a pain in my ass, probably everyone’s if we’re being honest. Warren wants nothing more than to be the opposite of him, get away from him, and