Hacker Academy

Python Gala (2)

"Yes. Wait, how do you know?"

"How could you do this? You know full well that Perl has a crush on you. If you brought her here tonight, you'll just be leading her on!"

"Ada, what's gotten into you?"

"You've been leading so many on. You like to play games with people, and once you have no use for them you just dump them from your life. Is that how you play, Cyber? 'Cause I'm pretty sure that's what you did to me."

"Ada, I would never do such a thing to you. You know I wouldn't." He speaks in such a soothing tone. I want to listen, but I can't afford to break my heart again.

My senses come back to me. "Sorry, it's none of my business. I'll get going."

"Wait," he holds my wrist securely in his grasp. "The music is playing. It'd be a shame if you left without a dance."

"I came here uninvited."

"The invitation is extended right now."

It seems as if all air has left my body. My breath becomes shallow. As I glance up at Cyber, all I can see are his blue eyes, his soft lips that are tilted upwards,

the boy I love.

It's taken all this time for me to realize how hard I've fallen for hacker number one. First, he appeared in my dreams, and I had a strong urge to stay away from him. But fate would deem otherwise, and I couldn't help but see him in unexpected places. He saved me a few times too. Then, at the Competing Dome, I saw his kindness and playfulness. We went to the HackCity Commercial Mall countless times, but it is only looking back that I realize all of those times together were precious moments. Now, seeing him slowly being pulled into the aura of Perl, I can't help but feel jealous. I've come to realize how much I need Cyber.

I look up at Cyber. "Where's Perl?"

"She's getting refreshments. She'll come back later," he murmurs.

"A-and, where do you think I can get a dress?" My cheeks turn red. "Not that I would ever wear a dress."

Cyber only smiles. "We'll make do with what we have. Take your jacket off."

Somewhat suspicious, I take my school uniform off which leaves me in my tank top. Cyber slips off his tuxedo suit and wraps it around my shoulders. When he does this, I realize just how small my frame is compared to Cyber's. It's almost as if we were perfectly coded for one another.

"W-what is this?"

"We'll just change the dress code to party casual."

I give him a look before laughing in the arms of Cyber. He leads me slightly closer to the music of the band playing. The grass is soft, and the glowing lanterns placed on the bunters make the entire gala seem magical. I never believed in fairy tales, but if there was ever a time, this would be the moment when I did.

Cyber puts a gentle hand on my waist and the other holding my hand.

"Cyber, I never learned to waltz."

"Great, me neither," he grins.

I laugh, but it's mostly a sigh of relief. I wrap my arms around his neck. "For a moment I thought you were expecting me to bust out some ballroom moves."

"Seriously, in HackCity? We're hackers, Ada."

I nod in agreement, but as I see the other people dancing in sharp suits and flowing dresses, I wonder if I would ever fit with these upper society hackers. From their appearances, they didn't look in the slightest like hackers. I looked down at Cyber's suit and my jeans. Suddenly, I felt very silly.

"Cyber, I don't think I should be doing this. You invited me here, and I rejected that offer, so I have no right to me here," I mumbled.

I hear Cyber sigh in frustration. "Ada, didn't I say the invitation was extended? You're welcome to be with me, I know it's hard to resist," he winks. I roll my eyes. There's the Cyber I know.

Suddenly, something in the air shifts, and Cyber peers at me closely.

"Cyber, what's wrong?"

His eyes have become hazy. "Nothing," he mumbles as he brings a hand to my chin. I can't help but let him turn my chin upwards. W-what is he doing? His eyes have become half-lidded. Slowly, I close my eyes too.

"Cyber!? Ada?" I hear a distraught voice from afar.

I quickly open my eyes and distance myself away from Cyber. Perl is standing by the refreshments table and looking straight at us. She has two punches in hand. My blood turns cold and I look to Cyber.

"Stay," he pleads.

"I-I can't."

Miss Tag's message to me resurfaces in my mind. Shit, I'm supposed to meet her at 10 pm. What time is it now? I've trespassed in the arms of Cyber for long enough.

With one last glance of those ocean eyes, I turn and run away from the Python gala and into reality.