Many schools are the same, with minor differences. A light rain was falling. The wind pierced to the bones, but in March the hope for quick warmth and greenery did not fade. Eternal summer is not bad at all. But remember the sunny countries of Africa would you like to live like this in endless stuffiness, where there is no escape from mosquitoes and numerous diseases? Spring is twice beautiful after prolonged frosts and snows. And the light rain, even though it contained snow that melted before reaching the asphalt, did not spoil the mood. Spring! Her scent is in every first blade of grass, it is dispersed in the air. The children are smiling and waving their briefcases. Remembering the tests, they begin to frown. But then they agree on an evening walk, and the sadness disappears!
The school yard has been swept. Hardworking janitor bees have no time for sleep early in the morning: they are preparing for the arrival of the younger generation. The cleaning robots didnt get into the Temple of Science: let them clean the corridors of the Centrum. Children need to be led by example, and isnt a clean schoolyard worth a thousand words about cleaning and cleanliness? A flag flutters above the entrance, and next to it is an electronic board with the name of the school. Around the corner, high school students are eating the first forbidden fruits of the gray serpent. Some time ago, young people dabbled with electronic devices, but doctors proved that vaping is more dangerous than a regular cigarette. Although, what should we tell them about the danger: who among us did not break the rules during our school years? But this is the main right of youth to make mistakes for which you are not ashamed later.
The cloakroom attendant smiles welcomingly. The high school students on duty have been on their feet since early morning. They meticulously check everyones shoes and demand that they put their jackets in the cloakroom. Children are running along the corridors, laughing. A couple of boys are playing table tennis. The dining room smells like cutlets. Its morning, but theres already a line at the window for rolls and pizza. Teenagers are constantly hungry. They grow and change beyond recognition every month. These very similar schools have completely different students. Each of them is a whole world, a universe, with its own experiences and problems. Hobbies. This short, smiling guy has been going to judo for seven years and earns medals. And this one seems to be a future cybersportsman. Here is a flock of guys huddled at the windowsill. Under the proud gaze of the excellent student, they copy something from her notebook.
«Im thinking about leaving,» said Violetta Stepanovna. I was offered a place at the Ideal school, and every day I want to agree to go there more and more.
Vasya and Seryozha looked at each other. There were various rumors about these very Ideal Ones. They said that the Government, through cloning, bred people who never got sick and could work at least twice as hard as any mortal. But the main thing: they were not bound by bonds of emotions. Even children are always cultured and courteous, and have never committed any offenses. The ideal couple now studied at this school. Too sweet, according to their classmates, but most of the teachers attention belonged to them. Their peers hated them.
Please dont leave! Vaska burst into tears more than ever. We wont do this again. True true! It was the last time. Dont change us or them!
But this story is not about ideal people. Of course, we all strive for the ideal, but a monotonous life is gray and boring. Violetta Stepanovna will work at the Ideal School for some time, but then return to the regular school: once you set foot on its threshold, it is difficult to imagine yourself in another field. Fifth-graders who are taking their first steps into adulthood will also remain without our attention for now. But these two guys, who already look like adults, are head and shoulders above the teachers, or even more. But they are adults only in appearance, but at heart they are still the same tomboys. The games just got more serious, older
Dimka squinted one eye so that the cigarette smoke would not corrode the mucous membrane of the eye. Ask any smoker why he started smoking, and he is unlikely to tell the truth: «I just wanted to be like everyone else, I dont have my own opinion.» A white cap hid a chip reader on the back of his head. Behind his back is a bottomless briefcase with many «treasures»: screwdrivers, knives, wires. Mitya is two heads taller than Dima.
What did she tell you? asked Mitya, a boy with a piercing in his left ear and a tattoo of a skeleton on his right hand.
Yes, thats what she said. Like, lets just be friends. Is this why I carried her briefcase five years ago? And wrote essays on Shakespeare to stay in the «friend zone»? I drew flowers for March 8th. My mother is raising me alone: where can I get money for real flowers? Nowadays, plants are rare, almost a curiosity. They are worth a lot of money! Vasilko, he gets money from his father, he is a Guardian. Do I have to spend a thousand years looking for a girl? Or neither eat nor drink save up for a flower?
A bone-chilling wind was blowing. The sun was hidden behind fluffy gray clouds. A fine nasty rain fell. But spring is even in the smells. And there was no question of hiding from nature under an umbrella: it was about to get warm. Its anticipation in every second. There are no trees in megacities for a long time, but the first birds, obeying age-old reflexes, have already begun to return home to the roofs of skyscrapers.
Lets beat up Vaska? Mitka suggested. I will skin anyone for my brother!
Thank you brother. I didnt have a good relationship with my siblings, although I found a kindred spirit in you. But I tried yesterday. Do you see the bruise on his face? Dimka turned around. There was a black bruise all over my cheek.
Yeah!
Same thing. He rarely walks alone, hanging out with his buddies. I told him: «Come on one on one, be a man!», and he set a mob on me. In the evening, my mother also told me that I wanted to fight. World is not fair!
So lets call our friends. I have many good friends. They wont refuse me.
And you, Mitka, are my only friend. I guess Ive known you for ten years. We even went to the same kindergarten. You cant have many friends: one, maximum two, and only if youre lucky. The rest are like acquaintances, fellow travelers in the gravity car of life. Like a sieve, she will weed them out, leaving the most devoted ones. I dont want to make such «temporary friends»
So who are we going to call?
«No need,» Dima said confidently. Ill figure it out myself.
Exactly?
Yeah!
You speak up if anything happens! Mitka winked conspiratorially, and Dimka, sad until that moment, smiled for the first time during the break.
The bell rang. The children gravitated to the old school the only stain of the past, pre-skyscraper era.
Lets go to? Mitya stood up and hung his backpack over his shoulders. Backpacks have not gone out of fashion every young man has one on his back. And what is convenient and practical. Theres no need to be late. Otherwise Violetta Stepanovna will swear again.
«I wont go to mathematics,» said Dima. Why did she give in to me?
But the test. And exams are just around the corner.
Dont care about exams! Why do I need a diploma? Should I get in line for mating? Not with anyone. Marinka made it clear that she would not be with me. Id rather go to the Guardians.
The time for open relationships is long gone. The state took control of family planning. And now, in order to have a child, you need to stand in line for mating. After all, even the construction of skyscrapers did not solve the problem of overpopulation. But not everyone got this right: only the smartest, or the strongest, or in other ways superior to other people. An ordinary «C» student does not need to prolong the family line, according to the state.
Mitya, you go to mathematics yourself.
And you?
And Im going to rob Centrum Bank! Look, I can get Marinka this way too! Dimka laughed hysterically. But Mitya knew his best friend too well: he rarely joked. And in general he had no sense of humor.
«Ill go with you,» said the boy with a piercing in his ear, lowering his backpack onto the asphalt.
But I was joking!
I know your jokes.
Dont be stupid, Mitya. Okay, Im going: I have nothing to lose. And why do you need it?
Why should I catch on the «tower» without you? Its just boring, numbers, and thats all!
The reasons for teenagers actions are to oppose themselves to the whole world, to show their uniqueness and difference. And for some, on the contrary, for company. For the sake of a friend, through fire and water. Mitya often followed Dimkas lead and others. He made the piercing like the lead singer of the Rocker Stars. The tattoo is very similar to the symbolism of the Blackened group. And Mitka, of course, contracted the teenage addiction to nicotine from Dimka.
Listen, Dim. Why are you friends with me?
Youre cool, funny. But not only that. How do you like Kolka, new guy?
Which one is Ideal? asked Mitya.
Yeah, hes the one.
Boring, like all clones.
«Thats the same,» said Dima. They look alike. And you are wrong. You often infuriate me with your jokes and antics. Sometimes when you blurt out something, I want to kill you. But as soon as we part for an hour or two, it immediately becomes empty. If you were Ideal, I wouldnt be friends with you. Okay, enough talk. Insert the chip into the back of your head and lets go!
An electric discharge passed through the body. The world was filled with new colors and changed. It became lighter. Before your eyes is a navigation panel. Dima increased the subjective temperature and removed the wind.
And I recommend it to you otherwise youll be chilled to the bones!
Mitya smiled and repeated the procedure. The boys looked at the lifeless bodies of their avatars, who were sitting on the asphalt.
I hope that while we are in the virtual world, no one will find us in real life? asked Mitya.
«We wont stay long,» Dima answered. Taking out the «Gargoyle Wings» will not open a teleport to the Bank.
Behind the backs of the teenagers there are wings that look like bats. By the way, the appearance of the guys has changed considerably: both are muscular, tall, and 10 years older. Augmented reality made it possible to change the appearance to taste. They soared up and flew over the tops of skyscrapers, and sometimes flying through steel walls. And in every room there is a fragment of someones secret life. But the new era cannot keep secrets. Only the richest can afford to buy virtuality broadcast suppressors. Well, its the same in government facilities. And so, go into any apartment in virtual form and look into someone elses, once private, life. A world without borders, a world without castles.
Do you know where to fly? asked Mitya.
Lets go down to this roof. The security system here is weaker.
Listen, what if we get caught?
Dont whine like a woman! Dimka grinned somehow ominously. I suggested to you right away: go to mathematics. He himself wanted to go with me.
Im a boy, Im not a woman!
Dont drift! You havent forgotten who youre dealing with, have you? I took second place at the Young Programmer Olympiad
As soon as he landed on the roof, two huge stone troll statues came to life.
This is what I understand a security system! Nobody promised that it would be easy!
The troll hit the roof, sending a shock wave in all directions.
Mitya, dont step on these blue symbols. These are beacons: you cant wash them off. And then the Guardians will quickly figure you out.
Dima issued some combination of commands, and a scarlet whip shone in his hand, sparkling with energy. The blow and the troll shattered into fragments, turning into a pile of stones.
Will you teach me to do this too? Delight was visible in Mitkas eyes.
No need to skip computer science lessons, thats the whole secret!
Dima entered another combination of commands, and a gap appeared in the wall (of course, only in virtuality, but this was enough to get inside)
Along the walls there were shelves with various information. But the most interesting thing is in the center of the hall, which ended the long corridor. A sphere glowing in various shades of blue, flowing with energy.
What is this? Mitka whispered spellbound.
Looks like this is the Server Key! Mit, we are rich! Now, to get any information we are interested in, we dont even need to wander around Technopolis! You need to grab it and make legs!
Dima extended his hands to the sphere, but then something grabbed his hand. He tried to pull his hand away, but tenacious black paws held him. Then their owner appeared, a huge black ghost, reaching to the ceiling. Dima tried to create a whip in his hand, but the program code crumbled from his fingers.
Did you really think it was so easy to get into the Centrum? Statues are just decorations; any programmer can pass through them. But we will not give the sphere to anyone.
«Mitka, hit him from behind with something!» Ill distract him, and youll hit him! I cant press the exit button from virtuality. They blocked me!»
The beauty of virtuality is that you can send messages that no one except the recipient will see. The ghost had no idea yet that there was someone else in the building besides Dima. But Mitya shook his head. A tear ran down his cheek.
«Forgive me, Dim. I cant»
«Why?»
«If I get caught now and my parents find out. Im finished!
«Well, you and #%$#*, Dima! I didnt expect it from you! Youre scum!
Mityas image flashed and disappeared into virtuality. He returned to the real world.
The ghost twisted Dimas limbs, but he did not feel pain. Feelings were obscured by another pain that had no equal: the first betrayal, like the first love, remains forever in the heart. Tears flowed down my cheeks, which even in virtuality made my face wet. Probably, in the real world his avatar is crying.
Do you know what I will do to you, sucker? the ghost laughed creakingly.
Yes to me #$%#$%, do what you want!
Everyone said that before meeting people like me. But I will do something good with you. I will reeducate you. They say that you can educate for up to ten years. But we have found a way to educate at any age. Juvenile criminals like you are no longer sent to prison. There is little space under the sun, and every year there is less and less. Why spend money on places of detention when you can re-educate them forever and make people Ideal?
A white sphere shone between the ghosts fingers, shimmering with rows of zeros and ones.
What is this? Dima asked scared, although deep down he already knew the answer to this question. He made another attempt to get out, but to no avail. He shouted several obscene phrases, but the ghost did not pay attention to them. He placed a white sphere between Dimas eyebrows, and it shone blindingly. This light passed through the whole guy. At first it hurt. And then he, looking around. I could appreciate the perfectly even outlines of the hall.
And then there was a flash and Dima opened his eyes on the wet cold asphalt. He hung his backpack on his back and trudged home.
The thirty-eighth floor, but for some reason the elevator was not working again. This happened often. It smelled like dog urine: many defenders let poor animals in to bask in the entrance, and laid out the bones on a piece of newspaper on the ground floor. The light was blinking while waiting for the wiring to be repaired. Swear words are written on the steel wall with a marker. Usually Dima ran out of breath on the fifth floor, but today he reached his floor without shortness of breath. The young mans room was in «creative» chaos. The bed is not made. Dima corrected this misunderstanding. Swept and washed the floors. I washed the dishes. I replaced the outlet that I promised to fix more than a month ago. And he sat down to study. Isnt this logical? Every teenager, when he comes home, should do nothing but study and help his mother around the house. This is the only way to please everyone.