8. The Dancing Question

The following day at school was a nightmare. It was the most boring time I’ve ever had to face since arriving on Monday. Homeroom was transformed into a free period as they began doing personal interviews for the accelerated program, or whatever they wanted to call the gifted class. As if the normal tests, and constant grade monitoring wasn’t decent enough. Now I’m being subjected to extremely agonizing social anxiety. What are they going to talk to me about, if I want to be president? No thanks.

The rest of the week had gone by smoothly, and despite my lively tutoring session with Juliet. My only hope was that Miya wouldn’t harass me. Speaking of which, what was it that Miya wanted today? Was she going to bully me? Take my lunch money? Maybe she was planning on kidnapping me and selling my organs? Did girls get involved in stuff like that?

Currently there were no teachers in the classroom. I also had some peace and quiet because Taika was the one that was in the other room getting tested at the moment. Perfect. I can relax, and not have to worry about listening to Taika flab his mouth at a million miles per hour. Who am I kidding? I was bored as hell. I looked over and Saw Juliet playing with Miya’s hair at the other end of the classroom. Should I dare it? Do I dare traverse the void.

I gave in.

“So, do you know how long this is going to take?” I asked. Juliet was humming softly.

“Why yes, I do. I personally designed this test, to see how long it would take before you asked me a stupid question!” Miya snarkily replied.

“Not funny,” I groaned. Couldn’t she just answer normally? “What is even going on?”

“The interview portion of the exams,” Miya didn’t even bother looking at me, “or did you not understand when they said, ‘this is the interview portion of the exam.’”

“I’d just be more confident if they explained what it was for a little better. It’s for placements or whatever, but I thought we already took those.”

“They’re always doing some fancy test or another, for studies and what not,” Juliet answered me. A million times less rudely than Miya would have.

“I guess I’m just not used to it.”

I sighed in frustration and dropped my head. I was then looking at Iki who was seated across from where I was and he was, naturally, tapping away at his laptop’s keyboard. He must not have noticed me because he looked up, but only to adjust the height of the screen, and then continued to type.

Alice noticed my attention and walked up next to me, smirking boldly, “whatcha lookin at?”

“Uh,” I felt like I was in trouble. Not that Alice could do anything to me, I think. It also wasn’t as if I did anything wrong to begin with, but the way she was looking at me made me nervous.

Luckily, Taika showed up and saved my life. Never thought I’d say those words. “Alice, you’re next.” Taika called out and then plopped onto his desk looking exhausted.

“Boy, they know how to talk…”

“How was it?” I bothered to ask. Ignoring the irony of Taika complaining about someone else talking too much. Truly my curiosity and test anxiety were eating away at me. “Was it difficult?”

“Nah, just boring,” Taika commented, and then looked around, “probably more fun in here.”

“I doubt it,” I said.

“You just have to liven up the mood a bit!” Taika shot up. The resulting shock of his sudden movements had everyone’s wrapped attention. “How about a dance, Miya!” Taika extended his hand.

What the hell? Where did that even come from? And of all the people you could ask to dance with you, you’re going to ask the queen of the underworld. Do you have a death wish?

Not to my surprise, Miya looked at him with a humorous, and albeit surprised expression. But to my utter surprise, she actually replied, “but there’s no music?”

“I can put some on,” Taika appropriately said, remedying the problem in the room, which was apparently a lack of music. Because of course THAT was the issue. He pulled out his portable speaker from his backpack and placed it on the desk. A teacher right about now would be great.

“What do you wanna hear?” He asked.

“I suppose something slow, and fancy, to fit the mood. If you’re even capable of that?” Miya shrugged.

“Oh, I am!” With that, Taika put on some song that must have been for Salsa, or Latin Swing, or some other dance. Honestly, I don’t dance, and I don’t know much about that genre of music. So I can’t even begin to guess what it was. Taika even had this triumphant smile that made me want to punch him.

“Well,” Taika was standing waiting, with his hand out.

I shook my head. There’s no way.

“Why not? People do say I should loosen up.”

When Miya took Taika’s hand, the entire classroom lost it. Even Iki was watching the scene unfold. Unbelievable. I’m dreaming. I’m sure of it. But, I’m not waking up, which is frustrating. Am I naked yet? I looked down to make sure. Nope.

The two began dancing. It was like watching two professionals on stage for one of those tv shows. Dancing with the stars, or something. I don’t know what type of dance it was. Maybe...tango? There was quite a bit of complicated footwork, their bodies working in unison, left foot, right foot. There was a spin, their hands clutched, extended, and it was dancing okay? What do you want from me?

The astounded looks painted on the faces of the students surrounding the two was what you might expect. Where at first, Taika’s fanatical proclamation brought upon disapproving looks, dripping with “not another one of Taika’s stunts,” the sheer bewilderment that was the scene actually unfolding in front of us left shock and awe unrivaled by anything short of being abducted by aliens. One might not take that too literally, but then again, that person probably doesn’t know Miya. They also don’t know how unbelievable it was for her to just go with the flow. Then again, what do I know? I haven’t known her long, and she’s been surprising me every day.

“Is this really happening?” I was baffled.

“Awe, I wish I could dance like that,” Juliet sounded jealous, but more so admiring.

I slapped my palm against my face, roughly, “are you joking?”

“They’re perfectly in step.”

I pinched myself for good measure. Yeah, still here.

“They’re reading each-other to a tee.”

“You’re not bad,” Taika seemed to nod in approval.

“I am a highly skilled individual, in all matters of life,” Miya seemed to say this as if she was merely reminding him of what he should have already known.

“Great, I just dance with my pillows.”

The two of them continued to dance. After switching songs, a few other couples began dancing as well. It managed to become a class event. I couldn’t believe my eyes. Sitting there, I stared briefly at Juliet hoping she might want to dance with me. That sentiment died as soon as it bothered to appear though, considering I didn’t know how to dance, and I would have been far too nervous. What kind of classroom is this? Where are the teachers! Anarchy! Anarchy!

Alice stepped through the doors, and her eyes scanned the room robotically. She sneered, and then settled her eyes on Miya, “dance queen, it’s your turn.”

“Right then,” Miya stopped dancing, and Taika looked disappointed. Taika turned off the music and the excitement died instantly.

I am never going to understand anything.

Examination room, subject 36- 0900 hours

The subject is classified as a high priority examination. Due to restrictions from upfront, we are limited to only baseline questioning. The subject: A Miya Weskaber.

Height: 5’4; Average female height, but slightly above average for age group.

Hair: Dark, Raven. Eyes: Black, obsidian.

Weight: Unknown, failed to disclose. Restricted information, according to Upfront.

Lead scientist: Nathaniel Bowkin

Camera is operating at required levels. No errors have yet been recorded.

Bowkins: Just going to be a quick series of questions. Just answer as honestly as you can. I must inform you that we’ve received permission from the school and your parents to use facial-recognition, lie detecting software. Of course, this information can not be used to incriminate you in any way.

Weskaber: -Subject receives paperwork-

Bowkins: Feel free to read through it before we begin. As you can see, your father has already signed it. Please, sign it as well.

Weskaber: My father signing it is enough for me.

Bowkins: Thank you -receives paper-

Weskaber: Which school of psychology would you consider yourself a part of?

Bowkins: -Amused by the question- We aren't necessarily a subdivision of any. Though you could claim we are the children of Freudian psychology. We focus mainly on precognition, and subjected psychological tendencies. The inner psyche, I.E. Truth. Don't mind textbook knowledge; however, that won't be what we are monitoring for this interview.

Professor Elizabeth Lutz: Tell us while looking into the camera to test the reading.

Your name is Miya, right?

Weskaber: It is one of the names people call me by.

Bowkins: -nods-

Lutz: Now, I want you to tell a lie. Tell us your name is not Miya Weskaber.

Weskaber: Am I attempting to tell a lie, or am I just blatantly telling a non-truth with no effort whatsoever?

Lutz: -Curious expression- Tell us specifically this: “My name is not Miya Weskaber.”

Weskaber: My name is not Miya Weskaber.

Note: The readout on the detection software registers as standard expression. Despite telling an obvious lie, there is no reading.

Bowkins: -Frowns- Perhaps it’s the question.

Lutz: Can you tell us a lie? Any that you can think of. Only, try and mean it.

Weskaber: -Subject has remained stoic and unresponsive since entering- I want to be here, and for you people to continue breathing air without compensation.

<Momentary pause, as my colleagues and myself are stunned.>

Lutz: Do you think it’s a glitch?

Bowkins: -Whispers to Lutz-

-Subject shuffles in her chair briefly, to readjust her legs-

Bowkins: Please answer the following in yes or no: You approach an elderly woman in need of assistance, do you help her?

Weskaber: That depends on the situation. What are the circumstances? What am I doing? Am I busy? What does she need help with? Are there others around? Under what laws or stipulations am I obligated to do so?

Bowkins: Miss Weskaber, yes or no.

Weskaber: If I’m not busy, sure. If I am. Probably not.

-Still no abnormal readings on the systems-

Bowkins: Do you have a favorite color?

Weskaber: No.

Bowkins: Do you enjoy any of your classmates? As in, do you have any friends, or enjoy being around any of them?

Weskaber: I suppose I have at least one.

Bowkins: Do you have a best friend?

Weskaber: In a manner of speaking.

Bowkins: Do you have a lover?

Weskaber: Absolutely not.

Bowkins: Do you believe in love?

Weskaber: Familial or Platonic?

Bowkins: Familial, then Platonic.

Weskaber: Yes and No.

Bowkins: Do you believe in God?

Weskaber: Not lately.

Bowkins: For the following questions: Just tell us in as few words as possible an emotion or feeling you have when you hear the following names.

Taika Taylor

Weskaber: Hidden Talent

Bowkins: Juliet Captor

Weskaber: Friend, replacement.

Bowkins: Ayase Namane

Weskaber: Assistant

Bowkins: Elias Mason

Weskaber: New.

Bowkins: For this next segment, tell us what you think of these things. As concise as possible, similar to when describing the people you know.

Life

Weskaber: Indifferent.

Bowkins: Death

Weskaber: Indifferent.

Bowkins: Day.

Weskaber: Indifferent.

Bowkins: Night

Weskaber: Indifferent.

Bowkins: Family.

Weskaber: -Subject hesitation- Indifferent.

-The only abnormality was briefly registered, but is unusable for our purposes, Bowkins has written it down for recap.-

Lutz: For the next subject. Answer honestly. Has the death of your sibling significantly impacted you, since the accident?

Weskaber: I'm not sure what reasonable answer you'd be looking for in a question like this. I am here now in a functioning condition currently, but to say it has not affected me would be ridiculous.

Bowkins: Do you blame yourself in any way, for the accident?

Weskaber: -Subject smiles politely- Don't you agree as experts, that this line of questioning is extremely damaging to a young mind?

Bowkins: This will be your last question.

Lutz: Do you consider humanity to be at its peak of expected evolution? Or is there further for us as a species to go?

Weskaber: -Stands up- Humanity is not in my realm of concerns. But, what I will tell you is that you should definitely rethink your line of questioning. As I would have no issue killing all three of you in this room for how heavily your questions have accosted me. - Subject winks at the camera-

-Lutz is stunned by the subject's comment. Bowkins seems to smirk boldly. Miya Weskaber begins to leave without permission.-

Bowkins: Send in Elias Mason, please.