Hacker Academy

Python Gala (1)

A year ago, I would've questioned my actions. If hacking was really ethical, if the end justifies the means, and if skipping meals just so mother and sister could have a little bit more to eat would really make them happy.

But now I really question my actions, because I'm hiding in a large maple tree that overlooks the Python gala. I peer closer, where all the hackers are dressed in black and white tuxedos or flowing dresses. There are so many hackers, it's difficult to find Cyber in the swarm of people. I bite my lip.

"Move over Unix! Give me more branches!"

"I don't have any more branch room!"

I roll my eyes. "Would you two please keep quiet?"

Domain pushes up his glasses. "It's your fault you chose such a small tree."

"Says the loser who agreed to come for booze."

"Yeah, well, Unix-"

"Shut up, the drones will spot us!" I hiss as I duck in time before the blue scanning light of the drones above us detect our movements. The three of us pipe down as we watch with bated breaths as the drones scan the area before heading off to another sector. I let out a sigh of relief.

It wasn't my intention to bring the two of them along, but it all happened when I came back to the dorms and an expectant Unix was waiting for me. As soon as I had opened the door, Unix spun her chair around and had a smug grin.

"Are you going?"

I furrow my eyebrows. "Going where?"

"To the Python gala, of course!"

I internally freak out. How did she figure that out? Unix is still too much of a noob to hack my messaging system, much less the chatroom that Cyber and I were in, but the timing of this is just too uncanny.

"What makes you say that?"

"Considering you're hacker number 350, I just assumed you'll be able to go. It's next week."

I let out a breath of relief. My secret conversation with Cyber is safe.

"The gala sends out the invitations super early. Even if I were to be able to make it, I'd have to be at least hacker number 50."

"Bummer."

"Yeah, I know," I let out a shaky laugh.

Unix turns her chair around and scrolls through her laptop. "'I just saw the rumours from our school headlines that you were asked out by Cyber to the Python Gala."

"WHAT," all life drains from me as I grapple the screen of her laptop. Unix jumps a little at my outburst, and now I know there's no option for me to play it cool now.

I pinch the bridge of my nose. "You know they are just rumours, right?"

"Yes, but I also had speculations. Thought it'd be better to ask you in person."

"Yeah, well," I gesture towards the headlines that say CYBER AND ADA TO PYTHON GALA!? "That is false."

"Aw, I was actually kind of rooting for you two."

A furious wave of heat comes upon me. "Unix! Don't- don't joke about that."

She swivels around in her chair. "It's coming up on Sunday. We got nothing better to do on Sunday. How about visiting the gala?"

"You can't visit a privately held gala," I say exasperatedly.

"I know you want to!"

So here we are. In a tree. Spying on Cyber at the Python gala. Only thing is, Cyber has yet to be seen. I've seen almost every top hacker come through the red carpet, but no sign of the cocky boy that I've come to know.

"Where's Cyber?" I ask.

"He'll probably be the second to last person to come. The order is from hacker number 50 to 1. Then the big man himself will arrive," Domain says.

"You mean Mr. Python?"

"Yeah. He's been hosting these galas for years now. Not only is he the founder of Hacker Academy, but he is also an entrepreneur and infamous businessman in HackCity."

"Does Celestia ever go to any of these?"

Domain shakes his head. "Not her or any family relations from the Python line that I know of."

I frown. If he's such a popular figure in HackCity, how come not much has ever been revealed about his family? The only related family member of Mr. Python is Celestia, but nothing has ever been mentioned of his wife.

"What hacker number are they on, now?" Unix groans.

On cue, the speakers announce the one I've been waiting.

"Ladies and gentlemen, hacker number one. Cyber!"

My heart starts to beat irrationally and my face becomes unusually flush, despite the slight breeze blowing in the trees tonight. My arms become electric with nervousness and I grapple onto the branches tightly.

On cue to the soft music playing in the background, Cyber steps out of a limousine in a tuxedo and onto the red carpet. My heart dances. He waves confidently to the cameras swarming around him, and I can't help but feel relieved that I didn't go with him. Who knows how I could embarrass him in the media spotlight.

But then he turns back around and helps a slender frame out of the limousine. My heart catches. Then it feels as heavy as stone. Cyber slips his hand around the tiny waist of Perl. She's wearing a creamy beige sleeveless dress that is high-collared and goes down to her pearly heels. Her hair is fluffier and pinker than ever. She has the brightest ebony earrings that are like shining coals in a dark cave.

Was Perl his backup plan if I refused him? Or was I his backup plan if Perl chickened out? Was I always his backup plan? 

He's turned my heart to stone and shattered it countless times. Yet I don't know why I keep on picking the pieces up and give it back to him, hoping he'll be careful next time. It's too much to bear.