Chapter 3

Daily Life II

Mr. Lee’s office was a small room, filled with cabinets and a number of motivational pictures scattered about its walls. The kinds that had flying birds and wise uplifting words inside a thick black bezel. Sun Tzu and the like. Motivational words with little meaning to Jude.

The man himself had a casual look about him. Fresh faced and slick hair with a pair of thick rimmed black glasses. And on top of the left cabinet he could see a picture of him with a girl holding a teddy bear and a woman. The little girl had the man’s eyebrow.

His family, no doubt.

Soon, he heard the door shutting behind him. Jude’s eyes followed the slim counselor where he then sat on the rim of the desk with his hand holding a mug of arabica. They stopped at Lee’s grimy collar.

“Coffee, tea? I only have these bad instant coffee though. And I don’t recommend using sugar, though. I once saw a dead rat in there.”

“No, thanks. Did I do something wrong, sir?” Jude asked quietly while pushing the chair away from him, uncomfortable with his attempt of friendly distance. He did not seem to notice.

“Well, no. You just haven’t sent in your future occupation form.”

“I didn’t get it, Mr. Lee. I was at home, sick for two days.”

His eyes scanned him over as he took a piece of paper from the middle of a pile by a cabinet and wrote his name on it with a luxurious pen, which he clipped onto his breast pocket. “I thought I gave it to one of your friends in class.”

“He must have misplaced it,” he said firmly, his right fingers moving as if hitting an invincible keyboard. Yes, misplaced in some rubbish bin, I’d bet. Jude said to himself.

“Hmm...is there something you are concerned about, Jude? School life treating you right?”

“I’m getting on fine, Mr. Lee.”

“You know, you are a handsome young man. If you try cutting that long bangs of yours and show more face, I bet you’ll score lots of girls your age.”

“I like my hair just fine,” He answered briskly, letting his eyes wander about the man’s fingers. White circle around ring finger where a wedding ring should be.

Looking slightly disappointed, the school counselor tried to get him to speak more.

“What about your future? I heard your father is a marine. A decorated one at that. Do you want to pursue a career in the military?”

“Was, sir,” Jude’s earlier cheery mood quickly went down at the mention of his dad, replaced by anger. “The duty took him from us. Leaving mom and me alone. And all we got was a medal of distinguished service. And a stipend that doesn’t cover the bills. That doesn’t replace our loss. I will not watch my mother fall apart again.”

Lee shirked, half surprised by such a blunt answer. “That’s a heavy responsibility. Being a man of the house,” he continued, his face getting serious. “But that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t think about the future.”

“I think about my future plenty enough, sir.”

“...Then what do you want to be? The future is a blank canvas. But you still have to make an effort to take up the pencil,” the young counsellor sipped his coffee.

“I have a part time job helping out my dad’s friend in his repair shop. He wants to take me under him after I finish school. It makes decent money.”

Lee put down his mug, chapping his lips with look of displeasure. Most probably because of the disagreeable black mud in his throat. He decided to cut to the chase. “Jude...I know that being the only man in the house is hard. But I can help you, if only you will let me. I know that you are being bullied. We have a program to help you.”

“Bullying is a part of life. I can deal with it. I’ve been dealing with it for most of my life.”

There was silence between them. Thick awkward silence that made Lee feel rejected. His lips moved, then he exhaled slowly with a look of disappointment. “What is it that makes you so closed off, Jude?”

“If I know I wouldn’t be sent to shrinks, would I?” the young man said defiantly.

Seeing how he would have no more to gain from the increasingly closed off boy, Mr. Lee handed him a form. “Give it back to me in two days,” Lee frowned as he patted his pocket. “Say, did you see where I put my pen?”

“It’s here,” Jude said, handing him the shiny black pen that miraculously appeared in his hand.

“Funny,” he thanked the boy with a look of bewilderment. “I could have sworn I clipped it on my pocket.”

“Then if you don’t mind, I got a concert ticket.”

“Sure. Have fun,” he said as Jude rose from his seat. “Oh, and Jude? You are welcome to visit anytime. Even if just for a cup of this godawful government coffee.”

Jude made a smile that felt weird even to him and nodded. “Will do, Mr. Lee. By the way, is your family well?”

The counselor kind smile turned into a frown, his expression frozen. His eyes looked at Jude with puzzlement. Finally he answered. “They are…well.”

“I see.”

Jude closed the door and scrunched the paper, shoving it into his bag without a single look. He felt terrible about pushing the man onto the edge. At least he showed him some genuine concern, unwelcome though it was. “I’ll just say sorry next time.”

But still, help me? What can he do? Nothing. I tried to change once, and the result was everything crumbled around me.

Jude clenched his fist.

That is why I keep myself down.

Keep your mother safe. That was the last words Jude’s father left for him the last morning he saw him before he was swallowed by the sea. And he would keep that promise. Even if it meant he had to suffer through all of his life. Because that’s what a Flynn does. That’s what my dad would do.

“Are you finished? Come on!”

The half-Japanese girl waved her hand at him. He waved back, running a bit to catch up to them.

He was about to reach them when out of the blue, the “attack” began. His body groaned as if he was running through a pool of cement, the sounds of flapping wings of albatross overhead became louder. His mind raced, two attacks in one day. This isn’t good, gain control. Gain control!

“Are you okay?”

A voice traveled into his ear. Like summer breeze, it melted the monochrome world he was in. And instantly, color returned into his vision. He stumbled forward, but managed to steady himself in time.

“I said, are you alright?”

“T- thank...” Jude turned to express gratitude to the source of the voice, but no sound came out, only a little squeak.

“Good,” the owner of the voice smiled briefly and left, accompanied with a gathering of boys and girls. Each of them acting as if they did not see him. Like he was air.

Jude’s eyes followed the group of jocks and plastic girls, but more specifically, the girl who was walking in the lead. She was extraordinarily beautiful, almost otherworldly. Long chestnut hair that reached to her waist, a perfect body, and a stunning face models would kill for.

She was Aleksandra Petrova. Student Council President and daughter of the CEO of Nox Aquila Industries. Which meant she was the daughter of the man who owned the whole island. Rumors of her being asked for her hand in marriage were far and wide, like a princess in fairy tales.

He met her only once when she addressed the school with her views and policy for the year. No one spoke. That was how awe inspiring her existence is. And now after seeing her up close, he understood why.

When he finally regained his composure, Makoto and Sam were already at his side. “Jude. You were spacing out there. Is it that thing again?” she asked.

“Yeah,” his answer was short.

“You should exercise more. And sleep earlier,” she said as she pointed out the deep black rings under his eyes.

“Uh, you know…the usual,” he replied hazily.

Sam followed the direction his eyes were gazing at and smiled knowingly. “Oh, are you looking at her? You’ve got a discerning taste, my friend.”

Makoto scoffed. “Give it up. She is way beyond your level. And personally, something about her doesn’t sit right with me.”

“Don’t tell me the resident Casanova has no interest in a beautiful girl?” Jude glibly said. Trying to change the topic.

“I like mine a bit older. They have more experience,” he laughed. “And they got moves you wouldn’t believe. OW! My ear!”

“Don’t talk about things like that in front of a girl!” Makoto pulled his left ear until it turned red. “She is very stuck up,” Makoto supported Sam with a bit more spiciness than usual. “Now come on. Let’s get to the Harrington Square and get some fries.”

“If there is a perfect food in the world, it would be Jackdaw’s Triple Quarter Pounder with double cheese, and extra large garlic fries.”

Jude said as he finished the last bite of his burger before washing it down with apple juice. The three of them were sitting outside Jackdaw’s Burger. A place of calories, artery clogging food, and reasonable prices near the center of Harrington Square.

“I still don’t get how you can eat that much food and still be hungry,” Makoto said, staring at him with wonder in her eyes. “That’s more calorie intake than what I’m comfortable with. And yet you are still so skinny.”

“Hey, I work out,” Jude said defensively. After a good hamburger, he felt much better. Everything felt much better after gorging yourself with fast food.

After grabbing a quick lunch, the three of them left satisfied, with Makoto idly sucking a cola lollipop.

“Still two hours until the show. Wanna go for a round at the arcade?” Sam nudged him lightly.

“You want revenge for last time? I won’t go easy on you, you know?”

“Bring it!”

The redhead girl shook her head tiredly. “You boys and your games. Grow up.”

“Growing up is not fun,” Sam answered briskly.

As they went past a turn, a group of people in black garments holding placates on the line of “Repent!” and “The End is Coming!” were gathered. People gathered around them, listening to the voice of an elderly man in black priestly clothes who was preaching on a small makeshift podium as if hypnotized.

“Hear ye, hear ye. O Shepherd-less sheep, hearken to the Lord’s voice. The judgment day is fast approaching. Repent! Hear my voice!”

One of the well-meaning missionaries saw them stopping and approached with considerable speed.

“Bless you, sir. Are you interested in joining our humble mission?” he said with a smile as he offered them pamphlets with business-like speed. None of them had a chance of refusing.

Jude fixed his gaze at the cheaply colored pamphlet with fonts that are slightly out of focus.

“It’s another end of the world campaign. Is this stuff becoming a fad?” Makoto ventured while flipping the cheap paper to read the back. “I think I’ve seen that old man before on TV. I think it’s a scandal or something?”

“Please, miss! Those were just the church being afraid of the truth that Father Ezekiel Connors saw in his prophetic dream!”

His sudden burst of anger surprised all of them. Even more, his eyes were filled with disgust that did not match his perpetual smile. Then he began preaching about the Glory of God and End of Days as they desperately try to find a chance to escape.

Fortunately, their salvation came in the form of more prospective followers who looked as dim as a penny. Without waiting, the three of them quickly flee the scene towards the arcade.

“That guy really scared me,” Makoto said. Then she put a finger under her chin. “Now that I think about it, didn’t we also have someone like him in the Student Council? You know, that greasy guy who kept talking about falling morals?”

“Oh, that guy. What’s his name? I forget.”

“It’s Jeremiah. The name of the prophet who was under a lot of persecutions but later freed by Nebuchadnezzar.”

Jude and Makoto stopped and stared at him strangely.

“What? I know my bible.”

A number of people gathered around a tree where bouquets of flowers and pictures of children were arranged in a circle. The women were weeping and the men was gazing at nothing, trying to hold back tears.

“That”s...” Makoto gripped the edge of Jude’s sleeves.

“...victims of the accident a few weeks ago.”

“Nothing we can do about it now,” Jude said.

“That’s so sad,” Makoto said. Sam closed his eyes and mouthed a silent prayer. Jude looked at the gathering of mourners solemnly. Will anybody cry like that when I’m gone?

“This city is really going to the dumps. Last time was that protest about making the Quantum Computer, and then these deaths,” Sam complained. “That really killed off my hype.”

“I’ll head over and pray a little,” Makoto said.

“No, don’t!” Sam yelled, his well-trained arm gripping Makoto’s shoulder firmly.

“S-Sam?”

“We don’t need to pray. If you want to pray, just say a word of praise later. Way later.”

The two of them know how religious the jock is. He wore a wooden cross on his neck everyday. So, this action was really strange.

“You are being weird, man. Something bugging you?”

“Just…okay? These things don’t have anything to do with us. How about this instead? A round of joust, my good man?” Sam asked, nodding at the arcade by cafe. Clearly wanting to leave the place as fast as he could.

“Prepare for ass kicking, sir,” the black haired young man said.

“Okay, you guys go on ahead. I’m gonna top up my card.”

Makoto raised her brows. “I never understand why you just don’t get the chip implant. It’s easier than topping up a card.”

“I like my body this way, as God intended,” Sam answered while kissing his fingers and directed it to the sky. “That’s for you, big guy.”

After he returned with fully loaded card, the three of them took turns playing Freeman. A game about a freed man trying to save his family that was captured by Demons. It was a rather dark game. But it was popular for its many and varying combos that could rack up to the hundreds.

While thrashing Sam into submission, Makoto ordered Jude to buy a Strawberry Mint ice cream from the store outside the building. He did so, while buying a vanilla and chocolate chip ice cream for himself. As he was making his way back, he looked up at the giant monitor on an office building’s facade.

“The Genesis Collective recently announced the launching of their new project called Project Eden. We’ll talk about it further with the Head Researcher, Professor Vorsheim. Good afternoon, Professor.”

“Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Today is truly a wonderful day, as it will mark the beginning of a new era. An era of prosperity hitherto unseen by humans. Thanks to Project Eden.”

A typical white coat with a balding head and crooked nose nodded as he began to speak. There was a certain gleam in his eyes, like a child talking about his new toy. The professor looked to be used to interviews. He talked like he was reading from a script.

“Can you tell us more about this?”

“Of course. Our goal is the creation of the Conceptual Quantum Computer that is both sustainable and failure resistant. And it has now been realized! Today, we will see the fruit cultivated by science ripened! And this is all thanks to Sir Simeon Abramovich.”

“And what inspired you to name this Quantum Computer as the Apple of Eden?”

“As you all know, the Apple of Eden is the fruit of knowledge. With this marvel of human ingenuity, we will encroach into the realm of science no human could even dream of. Calculations that will take hundreds of years to compute will take no more than a minute!”

“Oh, how impressive,” the interviewer said, clearly not understanding what was impressive about it, but was desperate to control the excitable Professor.

“I’m sure many of us have the same question, Professor. What is it going to be used for, exactly?”

“First and foremost, for the betterment of the populace of course. As for the detail, I’m afraid it’s classified. But I assure you it will be world-changing.”

As soon as it segued to advertisement, Jude lost interest and continued to walk along the square when he heard a loud cry. He turned around and his eyes fell on a familiar figure crouched in front of a bawling kid. It was Aleksandra. She was trying to comfort the crying boy and failing spectacularly.

Jude approached them and crouched in front of him.

“Hey, what’s wrong?”

“My ice cream! Bwaa…!!”

The boy was holding an ice cream cone whose content was currently melting on the pavement. A glance at Aleksandra revealed a patch of milky white stain on her perfect leg. It was not hard to deduce the situation.

“A boy shouldn’t cry because of something like this,” he said sternly.

“B-but!”

He glanced at the Anchorman picture on his backpack and said. “You like Anchorman?”

He nodded.

“Would Anchorman cry when he got beat up by Blackbeard?”

“N-no!”

“That’s right. He’s strong so he’ll take it like a man. Are you a man, kid?”

The boy sniffed and nod his head fiercely.

“Cool. And here is a present for a strong boy,” he handed the double scoop vanilla and chocolate with sprinkles cone to him. The boy hesitated, yet he insisted. Thirst for icy sweet delight finally triumphed and he almost snatched it right out of his hand.

“Thanks, mister!”

As they watched the boy ran to his friends, Jude wondered if it was not his own fault that he dropped the ice. Aleksandra interrupted his thought with her voice.

“Thank you. I’m bad with children. Err...”

“Flynn. Jude Flynn. We met this morning.”

“Oh. Sorry, I don’t...remember. I’m Aleksandra Petrova.”

With a defeated shrug Jude handed her the tissues that came with the ice cream. “Haha. I’m not exactly memorable. Here, to wipe your leg.”

She gratefully received the rough white paper and began wiping the melted liquid from her leg. “That was my fault. I wasn’t paying attention to the street. But really, thank you for your help.”

As he was standing there in front of her, his eyes began to wander. She was wearing a black turtleneck with a green blouse which looked well made or at least branded. A matching blue miniskirt and laced knee high boots complemented the long legs that seemed to go on forever. On her neck was a thick blue knitted scarf that reached to her waist. Strangely enough, unlike the many branded items on her, it was the only one that was ill fitting and badly made.

“No worries. Look, I’m sorry but I’ve gotta go. My friends are waiting.”

“Alright,” She looked up at him to say goodbye, but then her voice trailed off . Her expression turned sullen. He followed her eyes to a smiling gentleman in his fifties on TV, he was accompanied by a fuzzy-haired man in an ill-fitting suit. The subtitle said “Simeon Abramovich and Professor Adolf Vorsheim”.

“Your father is a busy man.”

“Yes...yes he is...”

The charismatic girl suddenly looked so beaten and sad that Jude felt bad about leaving her. So he asked carefully.

“Did something...happen?”

She loosened her scarf and buried half her face inside, her voice came out muffled. “Yes...no. Sorry. I’m not used to...this.”

“...do you...want to talk about it?” he said while offering the last ice cream in his possession. It had started to melt. “Sweets are good when you’re down.”

Aleksandra smiled weakly. “You don’t mind?”

“Not me,” he replied. But Makoto will.

“Thank you.”

With a shrug, the dark haired teenager took a seat beside the girl. Not too close and not too far. As if something invisible was sitting between them. They were silent, quietly watching people walking in front of them as occasional bursts of water from the fountain filled the gaps in their silence.

On the screen, the professor talked about the possibilities of connecting the chip implants with the Apple of Eden for “enhanced capabilities”. Jude didn’t pay attention as he was stealing glances at the beautiful girl who was absentmindedly licking her soft ice cream.

“Have you ever hoped sometimes,” she suddenly started. Her eyes staring at the melted ice. “That the earth would just swallow you?”

Jude stared at her.

“Sorry. It’s a strange question.”

He shook his head. “It’s normal. It’s something we all think about sometime. So, you want to be six feet under because of...?”

“Why do you want to know? You don’t even know me.”

“Hey, you started it,” Jude said. An awkward silence followed after that. Jude’s left fingers started to drum on his thigh when he finally broke the stalemate. “I…saw you during the assembly last year. Great speech by the way.”

“It was my father who made me the student council president. I was just doing what he wanted me to do.”

“Nothing wrong with that. It’s how the world works. The important thing is, are you good at it? And from where I’m standing, you are doing pretty good job. Take it from a guy who spends most of his days doing nothing.”

“You…are an odd person.” She laughed bitterly. “But somehow you remind me of my brother.”

“So, there’s nothing wrong with talking about it, right? If…that’s okay with you.”

Aleksandra took a deep breath and leaned back. Hands firmly on her sides. “I…am supposed to visit my brother at the hospital.”

“Damn, I’m sorry.”

The girl chuckled lightly. “No, he’s not where you think he is. My brother’s name is Aleksey. He has a weak heart.”

“Both your names sounds really similar.”

“Yes. People always say that,” she chuckled. “Today I was supposed to visit him with my father. It’s his birthday.”

Jude glanced at the giant screen showing Simeon Abramovich’s cold face. “And he didn’t come?”

“He has other things to do. As you said, my father is a very busy man,” then she said. A weak laugh escaped her. “Why am I telling you this?”

“Sometimes people just need to talk to someone to sort things out,” his pocket vibrated. “Hang on a second, I need to get this. Hello, Makoto?”

“Jude, where the hell is my ice cream?” Her voice boomed, continued with a series of Japanese words and a BANZAII. In the background he can hear air hockey puck being hit and Sam’s loud grunt as he released a well-aimed smash. And then a cry of disappointment.

At that moment, an idea strikes him.

“Hey, can you and Sam meet me at Calead Central Hospital?”

Aleksandra’s eyes widened. Jude gave her a little wink.

Makoto’s voice suddenly sound panicked. “Why? Are you hurt?”

“No. Just helping out someone. Hurry, okay?”

“Wait, Jude –“

He cut off the call and threw the girl beside him a smile.

“Why did you do that?”

“Just because. I know how it feels not being able to meet your father, especially on a birthday,” His expression turned sad for a moment, but then he gave a thin smile and said. “So, does your brother like soccer?”