It is Just a Virus

Chapter ten

I'm in a virtual room. I climbed into my jeans pocket to get my dad's card. But I pulled not one but two cards. One belongs to my father, the other to my mother. She apparently discreetly put the card in my pocket. I grinned from that of her action. First the father's card. I scanned the balance through the bracelet. There are 330 vcoins on the account. Then the mother's card: 458 vcoins. Oh! There will be enough money for the next three months, at least, and I hope to buy an antivirus. "Exit".

I managed to show up for lunch on time. As soon as I opened my eyes, there was a knock on the room. Opened the door, there was a tall guy in a mask with a lot of paper bags in his hands. He handed one package to me and went further through the rooms. Today for lunch there is a slurry called chicken broth in a glass, a roll and coffee. At the bottom of the bag was a blue envelope. I took it out and opened it. The invitation to the party, which will take place today at 9 pm, in the gym of the university, in reality. I looked at the bracelet: 5.35pm. Why was I informed so late? Should I go? After an illness and all the troubles? And Pattie... I would like to visit her, but doctors will not let me in. 

I left the room and went to the girl with whom we studied together at the university. She lives on the floor below. I knocked on the door. The door was immediately opened.

"Danna? What are you doing here?" said Ellie, sticking out only her head in the opening between the door and the wall. Looking oddly from side to side, the girl again drew attention to me.

This question I hear more and more often. 

"Hi. Is there a party tonight?"

"Yes," all the same, without opening the door fully, she said. "What do you want?"

This is rude! Could invite to her! We often talked at lectures and a couple of times went to drink coffee in a small company.

"The invitation does not indicate anything for the dress code. And why did they bring me an invitation on the day of the meeting, and not earlier?"

"Earlier? For you wanted to pass the invitation earlier," without stopping to look around, Ellie said. Her black curls jumped like balls, after each turn of her head. "You were in the hospital. In general, everyone thought that you would not come."

"Who's everyone?"

"Everyone!"

"Very clear!" I was starting to freak out from the strange behavior of Ellie.

I turned and already wanted to leave, as she called me.

"Dan, there is no dress code. It's just a meeting of our fellow students."

I nodded. Ellie hurried to close the door, but I caught a glimpse of someone lying on the floor in her room. The door slammed shut, preventing me from seeing more. I went to my room. Ellie's strange behavior alerted me. Always friendly and smiling today looked repulsive. The one on the floor looked like Pattie. Apparently, another virus program. What's going on in this city? If ten minutes ago I still had doubts about going to the party, now it is necessary to go. Ellie knows how to get this program. I need to talk to her.

I went back to my room. I tried to call mom first, then dad, but both did not answer the calls. The mood was getting worse, as was the state of health. I didn't want to do anything, just plunge into the abyss of pity and fear. But the likelihood that I can find out about these programs today is huge. And then I will help my friend, and perhaps now my parents.  

I gathered quickly. I put on a tight skirt, made of ultra-thin metal fabric, the color of copper, and a white sweater that I took from my father when I moved to the campus. I loved that sweater. A plain white sweater with an uncomplicated knitted pattern. A huge collar opened one shoulder. White shoes on a low heel, my favorite. Light make-up, lipstick and mascara that changes color as you wish. It's enough to touch the object with the color you want. I chose the color of the skirt - copper. Lipstick also had surprises and changed during the day: in the morning it is transparent, in the daytime pink, at night red with neon. Pretty, told me my reflection, but the moral state did not want to let me anywhere. And the doctor insisted on bed rest.

I put on my mask and left the room. I was greeted by night on the way out of campus. The gym was about thirty minutes away. Trash was always cleaned up on campus, but the fetid odor of the city streets pervaded inside, filling every corner of the territory. And the high humidity absorbed the feigned scent into every item. There is silence all around and only the sound of my heels on the asphalt. 

I went to the gym and stopped in front of the entrance. I still doubted if I should go. I was stopped by Ellie's phrase "Everyone thought that you will not be at the meeting." I was not expected. I turned around and took a few steps towards my room, but remembering Pattie, I returned and walked into the building, removing the mask on the move.

The deafening music nearly knocked me out when I opened the gym door. There were more people than I thought. The crowd jerked their hands and feet, depicting the dance. Apparently gathered all the students of the university. All courses. Looking around the hall, I saw two girls I knew and began to push through the crowd in their direction. Perhaps Ellie will be next to them. Despite the sharp movements around the dancing guys, I quickly made my way to the girls. They held drinks in their hands. They smiled brightly until they saw me. I hope the question “What am I doing here” will not be asked now. I waved my hand to them, they gave me uncertainty in response. What is going on?