The girl's name

Vesper could think of only one reason for the alarm. School. There were a lot of blanks in his head. And so he decided to start with a shower.

The uniform was ironed and wrapped in plastic and hung in the cupboard. Vesper gave himself a minute admiring the uniform. Deep blue pants, white shirt and a deep blue blazer. A pair of white socks and black shoes completed the uniform. He changed into the uniform and stood a lot longer in front of the mirror, admiring the handsome boy giving him a dazzling smile.

— I know. We're so handsome.

Vesper was surprised, again, by the sudden realisation. The two of them could read each other's minds.

"Wow," he said. "No need to actually voice the words. Makes it so much simpler."

— That it does. So much more fun too.

He admitted, again. He was very, very handsome.

— Dashing, I'd say. One good thing, leaving an impression on girls, and boys too, isn't going to be a challenge.

He agreed. A life of leisure wouldn't be complete without a lot of friends, many of them being girls. He had a brilliant personality anyway. The dashing looks completed him.

— Yes. Such little arrogance is definitely warranted.

"Right. So, what now?"

— School. Get me to an access node.

"Sorry?"

— Oh, right. A system to connect to the web. The study table. There's a tablet on it. I'm surprised you missed it.

These were things that were an unnecessary and a useless luxury after the war began. Farges' life had begun only with the start of the war. All of which meant there was a lot to learn now.

He was very good with the tablet. His fingers were dancing over the glass screen so rapidly, they turned invisible. He would be faster, if the tablet could only keep up. He smiled proudly.

Wasn't long before he had all the information. Last week hosted the three day long orientation where the new students were introduced to the academy and the classes. Today, was the first day of classes. He hadn't missed out on much.

His flat was on the fifth floor of the building called Palace Heights in Citi gardens which was a ten minute walk from school. And it was an easy walk, straight to the main road, turn right and walk for a few minutes, and turn into the lane leading to school. He couldn't be lost if he tried. If he started now, and walked the slowest he could, he would make it well within time. Perfect.

He debated a long while about the backpack, in the end deciding to sling in over his back with a single notebook inside. Walking out of his flat, he found himself in a wide hallway that was entirely under a golden hue.

— Sure fits the name.

He agreed. He was visibly pleased as he walked out of the building, and found himself in a quiet residential neighbourhood. It definitely fit into his definition of a good home.

— We're definitely lucky. Haha.

People were rushing to work, parents were walking children to school, it was anything but silent, and yet was quiet in a soothing way. His eyes met with many, he saw recognition but no familiarity. He liked that he kept to himself. A quiet life was essential for a life of leisure.

School was the complete opposite. From the moment he stepped into the school's lane, he felt injected with the enthusiasm that stained even the air. He was a drop of blue in a sea of blue. He felt a belonging that was new to him. This wasn't so bad as compared to a quiet life.

— That's right. Adventure cannot birth from quiet. The spark of ignition only births from such exuberance.

He wasn't particularly inclined toward philosophy, or big words. He nodded, smiled, and walked in through the wide and open gates.

He didn't need to ask for directions. He saw the hesitation and the nervousness distinguishing the new students, and followed them. That showed him the way to the first year classes, but how was he to know which class he was in? Before he could afford the question a minute, the answer presented itself.

"Look who it is. Our very own Vesper."

It was a good looking boy overflowing with arrogance, his tone mocking. There were a few boys around him, laughing openly.

Vesper was confused.

"What's the joke?" He asked, his voice clear and his face straight.

The boys froze, except for the leader, the one who said the joke. He refused to be defeated so easily.

"Oh sure, wear the doubt like a crown. You're not fooling me," he said confidently.

Vesper looked at the boy like he would a fool. The unveiled mockery infuriated the other boy.

"You, did you forget who I am?"

"Yes," Vesper answered immediately.

The boy was stunned silly.

"What?" He asked unconsciously.

"I forgot," Vesper repeated slowly, as if talking to a child. "I don't remember you. Please, tell me your name again. I promise I won't forget this time. Well, even if I do, you can just tell me again. It's good to repeat your name, so you'll never forget."

Other students had been attracted by the commotion, had come over. All of them burst out laughing.

"Damn you," the boy swore. "Don't think you'll get away with this. I'm Egon. That's a boy's name. Not like Vesper, a girl's name."

Egon wore the victory bare on his face, but the smile fell when he saw Vesper looking unimpressed.

— So Vesper's a girl's name. Interesting. Is he trying to tease us?

Vesper wasn't sure. It looked like that was Egon's intention. But could that be called teasing? It was beneath juvenile even.

"Is that it? Egon?" Vesper asked with a straight face.

Egon blanked. Vesper tut-tutted expressionlessly, which was far more insulting than teasing harshly. A round of laughter broke out as Vesper started to walk away, that was very different from the laughter from a moment ago. Egon seemed to have turned into stone, deaf to all around him.

Vesper walked away, stopped, and turned back with a look of confusion. He wanted to ask Egon, but Egon didn't look helpful, so he turned to one of the boys behind Egon.

"You know me?"

The boy nodded dumbly.

"Good," Vesper said, looking pleased. "Which class am I in? I forgot."

The boy couldn't be more lost. The audience looked like they swallowed something distasteful, and seemed to not know what to do with their faces.

"1A," the boy answered after a while.

"Thanks. You're a nice guy," Vesper beamed and left.