[Diana]
The halls were filled with the ring of the school bell, signaling the end of another school day. The teacher rushed to write down the final formula on the screen, while my classmates began to prepare their bags.
"Alright, that's all for today, class," the teacher pushed a button and the screen shut off, "Don't forget about your homework and to study for next week's quiz, I'll see you tomorrow. Class dismissed."
With that, everyone began getting up and quickly left the classroom with their friends. The teacher, too, took his things and left as soon as he finished. I was just getting up to leave, when I felt a buzzing sensation on my wrist; I looked down to check and saw my holo-band vibrating.
"Weird..." I thought to myself.
I pressed a button and Alexei's holographic face appeared.
"Yo, what's up?" I asked.
"Hey, I might pick you up late this afternoon, something... something came up at work and I need to resolve it as soon as possible."
"That's alright, I can just relax and do my homework in the Academy's library," I replied.
"Alright, I won't be too long, hopefully," His face covered in worry.
"I'll be fine, don't worry about me," I said, "Just do what you have to do, it's not like the ground's gonna give way or anything."
"It might," He joked.
"Alright, alright, get back to work."
"Okay, see you later," He waved.
I waved back and the projection dissipated.
I got up from my seat and took my bag. I looked around and nobody was there anymore, it was just me in this empty classroom with the golden rays of sunset pouring in from the window behind me. I headed for the door and made my way out into the corridor filled with students and teachers, all of them excited to go home. I joined in this flood of people and just followed the flow towards the escalators. Al and Amanda had already left since their classes ended earlier than mine did, so staying in the library was commonplace for me to do in situations like this. It was lonely though, but I could always talk to the librarian...
~o0o~
I entered the library and was greeted by a subtle scent of flowers and fruits.
"It must be Ms. Aberdeen who's in-charge today," I thought to myself.
I walked over to the desk in front of me and greeted the librarian.
"Good afternoon, Ms. Aberdeen."
"Oh, Diana, what a pleasant surprise!" She looked up from her work and continued, "Is Alexei going to be late again?"
"Yeah, he is, would it be alright if I sat at my usual spot while waiting for him?" I asked.
"Of course it would!" She smiled, "Let me just give you the library slip..."
She foraged through the drawers and gave me a small blue paper.
"There, now off you go, and don't forget to give that to me once you're done."
"Yes, ma'am. Thank you." I thanked her and headed for the seat I specified.
The library of the Academy was big and so there's lots of hidden nooks and crannies for me to study in peace. One of those nooks was in a small corner at the far end, it had a table and chair, as well as a window that offered a great view of the Federal District of Cragholven. I'd been going to this little spot ever since I joined in the Academy's ranks and it's been my usual waiting spot for when Alexei's late to pick me up.
Once I got there, I put down my bag on the table and peered out of the window. The sun was barely visible now and, in the distance, the lights of numerous skyscrapers and streets were beginning to illuminate the city-world.
I reclined onto the soft chair behind me and took out my holo-pad from my bag, and thus began my next few hours. Just me, finishing my homework in the solitude of the library.
Okay, when I said a few hours I never expected to still be here in the Academy four hours later?! The library closed at 7 and it's now 9 in the evening with still no signs of Alexei. I tried calling him multiple times but no one was picking up, I tried calling home as well but no one was answering my calls. What is going on?! Did they forget about me or something?
Just as I was about to give up hope, my holo-band started vibrating. I pressed a button and Alexei's projection showed up.
"Where are you, Alexei?" I asked.
"I'm sorry Diana but it seems things were more complicated than I thought. I already called Dad and asked him to pick you up but he won't be there until nine-thirty. Just... hang on, okay?"
I nodded and closed the projection dissipated.
"What problem is Alexei handling that's this hard?" I wondered to myself.
I know Alexei, he's one of, if not, the smartest person I know. He's someone that can solve the most complex math problems in less than an hour and he even developed multiple formulas, many of which are being taught to students like me today. So, for a problem to stump him... it must be really difficult.
As thoughts swam across my head, my holo-band vibrated once more and I answered the call.
"Diana, where are you right now?"
"Samina? Why are you calling at this hour?"
"Don't mind that, where are you right now?" she pressed.
"I'm still at the Academy... Why?" I answered.
She looked around, panic and worry following her every movement.
"I need you to listen to me, okay?"
I nodded.
"Alright, once you get home press this button on your holo-band, it should be on the left side of your bracelet," She held up her own holo-band and pointed to a small flower with a ruby encrusted in its center.
"Okay... does it like do anything?" I looked around the band and found a similar looking flower, the only difference was the gem in its center.
"Yes, it does. Before you press it make sure to call me first."
"W-Why?" I asked, confusing slowly creeping in.
"Just trust me alright? It's something I need to see as well..."
"A-Alright, just make sure it's not a prank or the factory reset button, okay?!"
"I promise."
Sam's face was serious so I knew it wasn't some kind of joke... but her seriousness was seriously unsettling.
"I have to go... but make sure to call me alright?"
"Yeah, got it." I replied before the projection dissipated.
"What was that all about?" I thought to myself.
Just then, my dad's cruiser docked onto the pad I was standing on. The driver's side door opened and my dad ran to me.
"I'm so sorry I couldn't pick you up sooner, sweetie." My dad brought me into a tight embrace.
"It's alright, at least I got to do my homework here than at home." I replied.
He chuckled then looked at me, "Have you eaten yet?"
I shook my head in response.
"Alright, let's go to your favorite place and order some take-out. Your mother and I haven't eaten as well."
"Oh, Mom's in the cruiser?"
He nodded, "She's getting a little bit irritated so we have to hurry up a little."
"Okay, okay." I hurried to the cruiser and got in the back.
"Hey sweetie, sorry for picking you up so late..." Mom said.
"It's fine, just a little scary." I replied.
"Alright," Dad said as he got in, "Who wants some Yol's?"
"I do!" I answered enthusiastically.
"Finally..." Mom sighed in relief.
"Okay, off we go!" Dad undocked from the pad and joined the remnant vehicles of Cragholven's rush hour traffic.