To Perceive an Image

Thirty-Two: Images of an Undesired Second Encounter

Maryanland, September 24, 2040, 3:45 PM

Back-to-school shopping has an almost haunting aura when you realize where you'll use said supplies. And that's precisely why I am not bringing any materials to the tutoring session I'm heading to. Although education holds itself at a grand value, that doesn't mean that school doesn't scare the shit out of me.

I had a geometry teacher who told us about a student who never wrote notes. All he would do when the teacher asked him about his lack of writing notes was to point at his head. To his unfortunate underestimation, he did not pass a single test.

I'm hoping I won't resemble that student because I have to pay attention to whatever Vega Flynn says.

That still sounds so fucking unfamiliar.

Talk about a motivation to get over and done with this as soon as possible.

I might as well pass out the next time I address Sirius Flynn as Vega Flynn.

V. Flynn is what I will call him today. Easy for the mouth, that's what she said, and I don't have to remind myself that he's brainwashed into this identity. Anyway, I found the courage to message V. Flynn to meet today. He impressed me with his fast reply and immediate compliance.

Not to be that person, but was he perhaps waiting for my message?

You sound delusional.

Stop talking, please.

Thoughts about my predicament made me quicken my pace to reach my destination quicker. The faster I get there, the shorter the time I will have to think.

But, maybe I am like that student who failed every test by underestimating my mind. Bitch is quick to overthink.

Jokes about how I'm in a fake love triangle make me laugh out loud. Glad it's rush hour, and no one gives a fuck about whatever's around them. That'd be peculiar to explain.

I find it funny that V. Flynn flirts with me while Sirius Flynn and I are what we are. Can't believe I'm saying this, but I better not get Flynn's hopes up.

Hopes for what, I don't know. But I'll tone down my automatic responses to flirting. The worst scenario is I get the fake version of Flynn to like me. Being brainwashed doesn't sound like my type of quality in a person, no, thank you.

True to my words, my little legs take me to my destination in half the time. All it takes is motivation, and your body is on it. I'm now standing in front of the oh-so-familiar Vega home of the Jamils. True to their last name, they sure are beautiful people. Last names that mean something other than a name are always a cute touch.

I perform my routine of knocking on the door with a hesitant hand. Except my nerves feel heavier on my shoulders today because tree Flynn isn't here. I told him he didn't have to come with me, and he agreed after a few minutes of convincing. He had work anyway, and we both knew he can't miss that.

I experienced an eye-opening event while visiting the Image World for Malak's birthday the other day. The image of a guard beating someone on the street for getting to work late has engraved itself into my worst nightmares. I can't forget how the poor man writhed on the floor. It hasn't left my mind, no matter how hard I try to erase it. To not look suspicious or have someone point out that they did not recognize me, I ran into their home while shouting about what happened to the man. Flynn and khalto took care of him while I stayed inside with Malak. I cannot imagine or handle seeing Flynn get treated like that. So I pushed him to go to work as if my life depended on it.

So yeah, he's not here, and I'm suffering the consequences of my actions.

Deep breath in, deep breath out, you'll be fine.