C0NV3RG3 (Sequel to M3RG3)

Chapter 18

Thursday

"Okay, class, let's continue today's lesson on synthesizers. As you all know, synthesizers come in two forms: tablets and syringes. Now for a quick review, which Scientist invented the first synthesizer?" Noah questioned, his fingers drumming on the projector.

"Danforth," Cassandra stated. "But his brother helped him develop it after he died."

"Danforth played the main role in making synthesizers, but there were many other Scientists helping him as well. Danforth was the last generation to inherit a surname. The Republic deemed surnames irrelevant as they believed success should not come from family names. Only people who worked hard were given the success they deserved." Noah swiped across his Tabloid screen, and a variety of synthesizers appeared on the screen. "Can you identify these?"

"The coloured ones are for children, and they are sweetened to make the synthesizers taste better. The transparent or white ones are for adults. They only contain the required nutrients" Valerie stated.

"Excellent," Noah nodded, his gaze shifting towards me. "Astrid, what did they call this movement?"

The answer was at the tip of my tongue. I just needed to pry it out.

"They called it..." Did Lyla or Natasha attend the previous lesson?

"Well?" Noah asked again, his tone more sharp this time. By now, the entire class was staring at me, and I could guess what they were thinking. The all-rounder perfect score Astrid, struggling to answer a simple History question.

"The movement of advancing humanity," I let out a nervous laugh. "I almost forgot."

"Obviously, they were best known for their synthesizers, but they also 'advanced' other things. Can you give me a few examples?"

Beads of perspiration formed on my forehead. "Well, they..."

Trying to gather information that wasn't mine was like typing an essay under the glaring sun. It took time, patience and strength, which I couldn't muster right now.

"Astrid," Noah rapped his knuckles on the wooden table. "Were you not paying attention to my lessons previously?"

"No," I quickly intervened, my cheeks warming. "I did pay attention."

"Well, apart from Synthesizers, what else did the Scientists invent?"

My eyes darted to the sleek silver device resting on my table. "Tabloids. And pretty much everything else that came with it."

Noah hummed in approval. "Can you list a few more?"

I clenched my fists. Even though Astrid had Lyla and Natasha's intelligence, it didn't mean the same applied to me.

"Serums?" I started.

"Wrong," He shook his head. "Serums were invented when the Republic came to place. The Scientists didn't have enough equipment to produce that much technology, despite their talent and skill."

"Did the people automatically nominate the Scientists to be leaders then? Because of the serums?"

"Not really." Noah was treading on eggshells. If he said the truth, then everyone here would know that History lesson was a scam. If he lied too much however, it would raise a few suspicious eyebrows. "The Scientists were very influential people. The citizens felt obliged to make them the leaders."

"And how were they influential?" I prodded further. "Having the technology doesn't mean having the power."

Noah's smile was thinning by the second. "They promised many things for their people, things that the people believed that they could do."

But they didn't. Which was why the Scientists had to release a memory serum to gain power. It was all making sense now.

"And did the people believe them?" I crossed my arms against my chest, my chair scraping against marble.

Noah shrugged stiffly. "We're straying off topic. What other strategies did they implement?"

This time, I couldn't recall anything. "I don't know," I muttered, staring at the floor.

"You said you were paying attention in class," Noah said, letting disappointment colour his tone. "I'm expecting an evaluation on the movement of advancing humanity next lesson. You're dismissed."

"Magnus?" I rapped on the door. "Can I come in for a second?"

"Sure," He replied, his voice muffled. "Give me a minute."

Soon, he opened the door, his brown hair damp from the shower. A towel was carelessly slung over his shoulder, dripping wet. "The bathroom's currently a mess, so I wouldn't go in there if I were you."

I shrugged, plopping myself on the bed. Magnus took a seat by the couch, staring at me with expectant eyes. "Well?"

"So," I started nervously. "William asked me to check on you. How's your homework going?"

"Seriously?" He laughed. "You're asking me about homework? You know, I thought you would talk to me about some forbidden topic, but no, we're having a civilized conversation on homework."

This couldn't be Jamie. "You got me," I grinned sheepishly. "I was trying to see, well... Never mind."

"Look, I know we're not really close, but you seem a little... Off these days. I'm going to bet that William sent you here for that specific reason," he stated confidently, his lips stretching to form a wide smile.

I internally smiled. Same old Kyle, always jumping to conclusions. At least that hadn't changed.

"You're right about the 'off' bit," I carefully said. The last time I let Kyle jump to his own conclusions, things did not end well between us.

"Well then, what's wrong?" He smiled, making himself comfortable on the bed. "You can tell me. I won't tell anyone."

"It's..." I swallowed harshly, my mouth suddenly parched. "Just your usual teenage drama, nothing much."

"If the situation is 'nothing much', then William wouldn't have sent you to find me, would he?" He smiled gently, and my heart sunk at how wide and earnest his expression was.

"I never said William sent me," I stated pointedly, then bit my lip. I had let that lie slip out easily. Too easily.

"So, you lied," Kyle said, his tone surprisingly flat. "Why did you want to find me then? We barely talk to each other. We aren't friends. We just happen to be Merged members."

Because I wanted to say sorry except you forgot everything that happened. "It's..." How could I summarize everything that happened in one month to a few sentences? "A long story," I finished lamely.

"Another one of your teenage dramas?" He teased.

Unless the genocide counted as one of them. "We could say that," I shrugged.

"I'm just surprised that you didn't talk to Cassandra or Octavius first. You three are friends, right?"

"Not really, we just sit there to look less lonely," I shrugged. That was way too blunt, even for me.

"Okay? Then why talk to me now? So you'll look a bit more sociable?" He asked, eyes intensely trained on me.

I sighed, running my fingers through my hair. "I can't tell you. Not now."

"Seriously?" He almost rolled his eyes. "I can handle it."

No, you couldn't last time. This was a mistake. A huge mistake. "No, you can't," I shook my head, fingers reaching towards the door handle. "Just... Just... Pretend I never came here. It's better that way." I closed the door behind me.

Next update: 10th May