Why Crysty Wouldn’t Have Done It - Part 4

“Give me your hand.” Reef tells her.

She raises her hand slowly as if her body refuses to be fueling any motion.

Reef helps her stand up and takes her inside the school in order to look for the teachers’ lounge. He tries moving quickly, holding Crysty’s hand as they pass by different rooms, walking in the hallway.

“Have you ever been to to the teachers’ lounge?” He asks her.

-“No...”

They keep walking until they see a few teachers getting out from a room together. Reef then notices the “Teachers’ Lounge” sign on the door. -“Perfect.” They enter. Reef scans the inside of the room, looking for a specific someone. “He isn’t here.”

They get out and Reef keeps leading the way. They walk towards one of the art classrooms. It’s the one Angelica usually goes to. They find there ABlue40, the A.I robot - their art and music teacher.

“Teacher, we need your help.”

Reef explains to the teacher how they just went on their usual routine as they were approached by classmates who introduced them to this app. He then explains what it does. From there on, Crysty suddenly starts speaking up. She is extremely upset about it, but she seems to have regained some spirit. She explains: “Sophie even thought I used the app to create my music to begin with, I’m glad she realized it can’t be the case since the app is new and I’ve been making music for a while, but there has to be something wrong with the entirety of this! I want the future of art to have integrity and shine brightly! How can we ever achieve that if we destroy what art is? If we destroy what we already built?”

Reef realizes the situation is pretty bad, but he sees Crysty regained her senses, at the very least. He is confident reaching to this teacher was the correct choice.

“Yesterday, I even heard on the nostalgia bus’ radio a variation of my song... I can understand the appeal, people can rearrange a song with their fingers on their phone, but they just take my hard work, my art, my very BEING, and tear it apart. They switch it to their voices. These are not even covers, the app makes it as if they are the ones who sang it to begin with. I didn’t sign anything, I didn’t sell any rights to it...

🩸They are erasing me from my art.”💔

The teacher downloads the app to his Smart-BLUE phone.

-“Follow me.” He says.

He leads the way. Reef and Crysty follow behind him, keeping up with his speed while still holding hands. He walks fast. It’s possible to feel the anger in his steps.

They reach the principal’s office. In there, are the principal and the same homeroom teacher who will later on converse with the city council about cleaning the streets, far in the future.

“Sir, are you familiar with this new app?” He shows him on his Smart-BLUE.

-“What’s the matter, suddenly barging in like that?” The principal ask.

-“This new app by the OnLineHere company can be used to completely destruct artists carriers and creations.”

-“I heard about this app. Isn’t it a good thing that makes opportunities for people who are enthusiastic about art - be able to experience it for themselves? People can build entire carriers off of it.”

-“Sir, but what about the creations?” He asks.

💔“This is worse than theft.”🫀

-“I’m sure nobody means to steal anything...” The homeroom teacher says. She sits close to the principal.

-“I think...” The principal takes a second to consider his words. “...I think you are making a bigger deal out of this than it actually is.”

-“Aren’t you an A.I robot?” The homeroom teacher asks him. “You are one of our finest teachers, I don’t think A.I is a bad thing.”

-“I’m an A.I made to be human, study art like a human and teach it to humans.

🔩I may not be human but I am Humane.🫀

This usage is not. And, I believe our school needs to take a position against it publicly.”

-“I don’t think our school’s image can afford to combat such a big company.” Says the homeroom teacher. She does not appear to share his opinion.

-“But this happens to one of our own students as we speak!” Says ABlue40, surprising everyone with his boldness.

-“Look, if this is so important to you, I’ll try looking into it. I’ll see what I can do.” Says the principal.

-“Really?” Crysty asks, with a new hope in front of her.

-“Sure.” The principal answers.

-“Thank you. I didn’t mean to cause any harm, I just don’t want people to erase my music.” Crysty explains.

-“As you are entitled to.” Says their beloved art and music teacher, smiling to her.

Crysty bows politely and turns to leave, -“Let’s go Reef.” She says.

ABlue40 pats Reef on the shoulder and smiles to him too. Reef smiles back and leaves with Crysty.

-“Ohh my...” Crysty blows off some steam. “Thank you Reef, that was a good call.”

-“Do you think they can solve this?” Reef asks, still worried.

-“I really hope so, but I feel much more reassured now.” She replies.

Reef and Crysty then go to class. They sit throughout it normally. Crysty tries not to think about what happened. Reef cannot find his rest, unable to focus, fearing the worst.

As the class ends, they hear another variation of Crysty’s song from some of the students. Sophie quickly tells them to turn it off, hoping it won’t escalate.

It visibly changes Crysty’s mood, but she tries putting it behind her. -“Let’s go Reef!” She says, forcing a smile.

They go outside to get some air. They look at the beautiful garden. As they reach their favorite spot, they see Angelica working on a painting, in tears.

-“Angelica, what happened?” Crysty asks her. Reef seems in shock, unprepared emotionally for any more bad news.

-“Oh, it’s just... Have you heard of this new app?” Angelica asks, showing her Smart-BLUE to Crysty.

“It’s used to recreate songs and such... They took the song we made together and they replaced my voice with someone to make it as if they sang with you. I’m sure they meant well. It’s probably just a fan of yours... But I don’t know... The moment I heard it... I felt such sadness.” Angelica starts crying.

Crysty hugs her tightly. They stay like this for a few seconds.

Reef is losing his mind, feeling helplessness. He cannot handle the lack of control they have over the situation.

The next morning. Reef, Crysty and the rest of the group walk together to school.

They reach the entrance. As they go inside the premises, they encounter a big sign with crysty’s image. Next to it stands the principal. -“Oh, good morning to our star pupil!” He says.

-“What’s... Going on?” Crysty asks.

-“Well, after I reached to OnLineHere Inc. they reassured me their product was made for the sake of both artists and consumers of entertainment at the same time. They even wanted to promote the app with your image and agreed to sponsor our school! Isn’t that great?”

Reef’s eyes went dark. He was afraid. He was terrified of the grief he knew he was about to see in Crysty’s eyes. He was terrorized by the fact that he has no idea how to help his loved one.

He slowly turns, looking towards her. Her eyes are tearing with no movement. Her body fails to keep standing up. She falls altogether, losing consciousness.

-“Crysty!!” All of her friends yell together.