—IA...IA, wake up.—
IA has fallen asleep on her desk as she usually does. I gently caress her soft, long white hair with affection, and she slowly begins to awaken.
—Mmmh?..my name isn't IA...my name is..Thuy Thanh Nguyen.— IA says, lifting her sleepy face from the desk.
—How am I supposed to pronounce that?, haha.— I ask with a slight laugh.
—It's not that hard, "Thuy, Thuy!".— IA replies, rubbing her sleepy eyes.
—I'll stick with "IA", it's easier. But don't you think we should go?.— I smile and ask her.
—Mmmh..you're right..but would you like to have a nickname, Razar?.—
I step back a bit, giving her room to pick up her dark blue school bag from floor so she can put her supplies away.
Looking around the rest of the classroom, some of my classmates have left pencils and papers on their desks.
—Actually, no, my name is easy to pronounce.— I reply, putting my hands in the pockets of my black pants.
IA finishes packing everything and closes her bag, adjusting the straps over her shoulder.
—Now you understand how I feel. You know very well that to understand someone's feelings, you have to put yourself in their place, in their life. You told me that.— IA says, getting up.
—But "IA" is a cute nickname, it sounds good.— I insist, even though I've been calling her that for years, so it's obvious that we're both just kidding.
—I won't deny that it sounds cute.— IA gives me a fleeting glance, pushing her chair back to her desk.
—Could it be that deep down you like it but don't want to admit it?.— I subtly smile, sitting down at the desk behind me.
—.....— IA stops without saying anything.
—...Is there something wrong?.— I ask when I see IA become pensive, silent, staring at her desk without responding to me, as if waiting for something, as if something seemed familiar and yet unfamiliar to her.
—...…— IA continues without responding but lifts her face to mine, staring at me.
—No, nothing, just a dream I had, it was strange, although I don't remember it very well.— IA says, completely calm, as always, even though she has never behaved like this because of a dream.
—Was it a nightmare?.— I ask. Maybe she saw something bad, and talking about it would help her forget it or feel better.
—I wouldn't say it was a nightmare because I wasn't scared...although I was sad...forget it, it was just a dream.—
After speaking, IA gives me a genuine smile and starts walking toward the classroom door. She almost looks like a princess, with a completely pink dress and her hair so long it reaches her feet.
—Ahh!, what time is it?, it's almost sunset, why didn't you wake me up?.— IA exclaims, looking outside from our classroom and then at her watch, a small analog watch on the inside of her wrist that matches her dress.
The light streaming through the window, still resisting turning orange and reddish, warmly pierces through, highlighting her white hair, strands playing with dust particles floating in the air, intensifying the light, creating a beautiful scene. A beautiful scene for the end of another school day, like any other.
—You looked very cute sleeping, so deeply. You probably stayed up all night reading books and doing calculations again. You know what I think about people who read books, IA.—
—Hey, people who read books accomplish great things. Besides, I'm not a genius like you, I need to study.— IA turns to me, and then continues walking slowly without stopping. When she reaches the door, she jumps and touches the hallway floor with both feet, holding the straps of her bag hanging from her shoulder with her hands.
—IA, you skipped ahead 3 years, isn't that being a genius?.—
I get off the desk I'm sitting on, following her.
She's 3 years younger than me, 15, but we're both in our last year of high school.
—Yes, but you have something I don't.— She says, looking into my eyes.
IA is as tall as me, and I'm almost 180cm tall, which is convenient because I don't have to bend down to make eye contact.
—What do I have?.— I ask, as we look at each other, walking side by side.
—Imagination.— IA replies, closing one of her eyes, blushing softly. Yes, like a princess.
—"Imagination".— I repeat the word.
—Classes ended hours ago, the bus has already left...— IA thinks out loud, this time looking out the hallway windows.
—It's all your fault, Razar, not even as an alarm clock would anyone hire you.— IA says, closing her eyes as if disappointed.
—Hahaha.— I don't say anything, just laugh at her joke, and she smiles at hearing my laughter.
—Right, before I forget...again.— IA stops and leans her bag against a wooden bench in the hallway, opening it to look for something.
—Yes?.— I ask her.
—Look, it's a shame, I wanted to buy another one for Judy and myself, but the owner of the shop that sells very old items, a very elegant and refined lady, told me there was only one left. There was another one, but it was sold 10 years ago.— IA takes out an envelope with a flower design, and from inside it, a necklace, it's like a somewhat strange gray cross and a chain of the same color.
—It matches your hair and your eyes.— She tells me, holding the chain in the air so that it's close to her face, looking at it carefully and then looking at me.
—It's a gift, for the years we've been together as classmates.— She takes my hand and places the necklace in my palm.
I look at it closely, it has an uncommon shape, an antique air, almost hypnotic.
—Thank you, it's very nice.—
She's caught me by surprise, I won't deny it, I don't know when was the last time I received a gift.
I separate the chain and lay it along my neck, fastening it again.
—Yes, your white shirt makes it look good.— IA smiles, pleased with the result.
There's no dress code at our school, we don't have a uniform, everyone wears what they like. IA always chooses dresses, I can assure you she has many, I always wear the same outfit, black pants and shoes with a white long-sleeved shirt.
—The shop owner told me there were 3 and one always had an owner, but this was the last one left.— IA points to my necklace as we continue walking.
—Your eyes.— I say suddenly to IA, listening to the conversation that had taken place in the store.
—What's the story behind my eyes?.— She asks calmly.
Before responding, my gaze shifts to the figure of a girl standing at the window in the hallway...with her face pressed against the glass, staring intensely...
—Judy.— I say her name aloud.
—Oh..— IA says, turning in her direction and seeing her.
—I'm a bird..— Judy says from outside..
—You're not a bird, you just spoke, hahah.— I say, laughing at her attitude.
—I was just talking to myself..— She continues, trying to disguise it, why does she need to pretend to be a bird?..
Judy opens the window from outside, sliding it carefully, and jumps into the hallway. She's wearing cute white shoes with black socks, a red sweater that reaches her legs, above her knees, and a yellow bag.
—Razar!, where were you, pervert?!.— Judy points at me with her index finger.
—IA fell asleep so I wandered around the school, did you come through the forest again?.— I explain and ask.
—Razar, at least deny the "pervert" part...— IA says..
—I know, I know, you were thinking about me, you can't help it.— As if she didn't hear me, Judy closes her eyes and hugs me...even though she's significantly shorter than me.
Her hair is very short, doesn't reach her neck, dark brown in color, with her forehead exposed, her white skin, and green eyes. She's a super gifted elementary school girl who often skips school and spends time with us because we share the same interests in physics theories.
If she appeared through that window, it means she came from the other side of the hill.
—I was playing in the forest, after all the forest was my place, I was a tree and then not anymore but again yes, hahah. Then I went to your house and since you weren't there, I came back to come here. But tell the truth, you're crazy about me, you don't have to deny it, my feminine charm brings you dead.— She continues with her monologue, without letting go of her hug.
IA puts a hand over her own mouth to contain her laughter.
—Judy, you're 10 years old.— I caress her head slowly, she always does the same thing, she tends to see herself as a grown-up lady, at some point she's right, she often talks with us about very complex topics that she shouldn't understand for her age, so that's where her motivation comes from.
She likes the forest a lot but obviously she has never lived in it.
—Age is just a number, as a mustachioed man said "time is relative".—
—A mustachioed man?, hahaha.— I ask.
—Yes, the mustachioed man of relativity, what makes you think this happened today and not yesterday, Razar?, what makes you think you really hear my voice and not that you believe you hear me?, what makes you think the school is empty?.— Judy says, rubbing her face against my abdomen, she loves to joke about the perception of reality.
—Hahah, the police aren't interested in relativity, Judy. And even though it's true that reality hangs by a thread, probability is its greatest ally, therefore, it's more likely that you're really here, and I hear your voice in an empty school, than it being the other way around.— After my laughter, I respond seriously, she's a girl who isn't easily satisfied.
—Right!.— Judy says, letting go of my body but holding my hands, inviting me to follow her down the hallway.
—Good job, Razar.— IA says, smiling.
—Was that a mockery, IA?, hahah.— I laugh subtly, to be honest, it's a simple response that the three of us already knew, we've been discussing about the absolute for years.
—Hahah.— IA laughs softly with me.
—But we should keep talking outside, at this hour only the principal must be left.— I say, while Judy leads me by the hands walking backwards.
—That bag of bones?.— Judy asks.
—Hahah, yes, that's the one, confusing day and night, let's get out quickly, or he'll tell us a never-ending story that may never have happened.— IA says, quickening her pace.
—Hahah, true.— I agree with IA.
—Why don't we walk side by side, Judy?.— I ask, if she continues not to look where she's going, she might trip.
—As I said, I knew you were crazy about me, Razar.— Judy closes her eyes smiling, letting go of me, and offering me her hand like a lady, I take it gently.
—Good girl.— I say, and we reach the school foyer.
Nothing complicated, some wooden boards, lockers, and potted plants. It's a small school, one floor, a library, a cafeteria, a multipurpose room for sports or events, and few students, according to the town we live in.
—But what about that necklace?, aren't you atheist, Razar?, it's similar to a cross with some changes, but it's a religious symbol.— I noticed she'd seen it before and wanted to ask, Judy looks at my necklace curiously, touching it to examine it.
—I think...yes, there's one just like it at my house, it was my parents.— Judy adds.
—A gift from IA, it's true that I'm atheist in theory and agnostic in practice, but, what better irony than to wear such a symbol, despite thinking the opposite, hahah.— I respond.
—True, true, hahah.— Judy laughs softly.
—I wanted to buy one for you, Judy, but that was the last one, so I bought you chocolate.— IA takes out a chocolate bar, saying "90% cocoa".
—Mmmh, it looks delicious..— I say.
—Me?, sure, of course.— Judy says.
—I mean the chocolate...— I say..
—Well, I won't give you any..— Judy says, closing her eyes and taking the chocolate bar.
—Ehhh...what happened to your love?.— I ask.
—Thanks, IA.— Judy smiles, letting go of my hand and hugging her, IA responds, hugging her back.
—If you marry me again, I'll give you chocolate..— Judy lets go of IA, opening the wrapper and taking my hand again.
—Ehhh, what kind of deal is that?.— I ask.
—I knew you couldn't resist my charms.— Judy says, taking a piece of chocolate and stretching to put it in my mouth, I think she preferred not to hear me again.
—Thank you.— We say together with IA, she also receives some chocolate.
—By the way, IA, I need you to pass me the homework for tomorrow— I say as we exit the building. The ground is dirt, the school is on a hill, a few wooden benches, a drinking fountain, a simple parking lot, 2 vending machines. And, the name of the institution... very unique... written on a sign above the main door, chosen by our principal...
All surrounded by a forest...
The temperature feels good at this time, it's neither hot nor cold, and the sun is close to the horizon. In an hour at the latest it will be dark, the sky looks almost completely clear, some clouds in the distance.
—You didn't do it again?, it wasn't much..— She says, looking around.
—...…— I remain silent.
—Hey, it's true that you're very intelligent, but you should do it. I don't think Kokoro or Yuno will take it well, both of them were part of the mafia in the past, you know how aggressive they are. And Kokoro still carries a weapon all the time.— IA says, talking about two of our teachers...
—I could say that laziness cursed me.— I joke.
—The gentleman discovered the origin of the universe, if he wanted, he could shake the foundations of our understanding of life, but of course, he repeats "how lazy".— IA says, as if scolding me.
—But knowing Razar... if he were a scientist, he would probably destroy humanity.— Judy adds with a serious tone, IA looks at her carefully without saying anything.
—That's why the three of us will be scientists and work in the same lab, so you and I will control this crazy guy.— She replies to Judy, stroking her head.
IA quickly walks away from our side, heading towards the forest, a big smile forming on her face as she sees an orange butterfly flying nearby. IA loves nature a lot, and this time of year there are many insects and wild animals, like grasshoppers and squirrels.
She looks beautiful. IA spins around, closing her eyes and extending her arms, her pink dress swaying with her.
—Who was the architect who made all this?.— Judy asks, looking into the distance of the forest.
—Everything is so beautiful in this world, oxygen, trees, water, the sound of birds.— IA says, lost in her appreciation for the vegetation, and she continues.
—I should sing.— She stops and looks at me.
—Sing?.— I ask her.
—Yes, sing. My voice could create life, dreams, hope.— IA smiles, looking at both of us. I know she usually sings, but I thought it was just a hobby.
—I really like your voice. It would be interesting since average scientists usually have a serious face, one wouldn't imagine them singing, hahah.— I laugh softly.
—And they're all old.— Judy adds, hugging my left arm.
—Hahah... I know, it would be somewhat unusual, but I would only do it after finishing some big projects we've talked about, like making androids smarter than humans and teleporting matter... I would feel at ease after making history and would dedicate time to sing.— IA ventures a few steps into the forest, surrounded by bushes and trees as green as they are beautiful, extending her hand and touching their leaves.
—Do you know what is the difference between hell and a forest?, that in one, demons aren't allowed, in the other, they are.— I say, one of my poetic and spontaneous comparisons as always..
—Razar!, you didn't have to break the mood.— IA scolds me, turning towards me.
—Hahah, sorry, I just got inspired.—
—Razar is a poet, IA sings, and I play the violin. I think we chose the wrong careers.— Judy says as IA returns to us, delicately shaking her dress, even though it hasn't really gotten dirty.
Our plan is to finish high school and get a Ph.D in theoretical physics. Judy, on the other hand, is also interested in computer science.
—Mmmh, just as hobbies, curiosity consumes us so much that we won't rest. Now come on, let's go, there's much to study..— IA says, smiling... but she stops when she hears, like us, the sirens of something, I think it's the police.
—Razar, they're coming for you.— IA says with a serious expression, though clearly joking.
—Oh….we'll end up like Romeo and Juliet.— Judy says exaggeratedly, leaning on me, and I just smile and laugh a little.
The schoolyard doesn't have a door or walls that exactly mark where the institution's territory begins. However, there is a point where the dirt road is paved, indicating that it is a public street, so one can assume where the school ends and begins.
Less than 10 meters from this imaginary line starts the residential area, with several houses, all two-story, but not visible from our position due to the forest.
—I don't think they're coming for me.— I say when we reach the source of the sirens. It's a police car, but that's the least of it... they've fenced off the streets on the east side, with significantly tall metal mesh fences, I'd say about 4 meters high.
—They're evacuating the area.— IA says, walking to the other side to hold Judy's free hand.
They have basically blocked all access to the eastern residential area.