Nobody's Straight

Joshua's day started out perfectly normal. He woke up, got dressed, ate breakfast, and came to school.

He was incredibly unprepared for what was coming.

The teacher started out with her boring, daily lecture as usual. Nothing out of the ordinary on that part.

Joshua could tell something was off. The air around him was full of tension.

The loudspeaker went on, and a soft woman's voice filled the classes ears.

"Welcome to semester three at Berk Wood highschool. We have some new updates to notify you all about."

There was a long pause for dramatic effect. The incredulous student stared at eachother with wide eyes. Excitement radiated of them in waves.

"We are introducing a new form of management at our school called the system. It focuses on discipline, and something called tasks. You will all receive an iPad issued out from the system in duely time. Your tasks will appear on the iPad, and it will record bullies, and misbehavior. Those who do not respect their tasks will be punished."

The student all stared at eachother and broke into a fit of wild whispers.

"That is all we had to announce. Have a great day students!"

Joshua stared at the floor. A frown disturbing his angelic features.

He knew what the systems real motive was. They wanted control over their lives. They wanted control over the next generation.

Class dragged on slowly. Joshua found himself very bored. He wished he had skipped class.

There was a knock on the classroom door. The teacher glanced fearfully towards the noise. Joshua guessed something interesting was about to happen.

The teacher got up and opened it. Her hand trembling in the process.

"Oh, Hello Jan!"

Her voice sounded terrified. Who the heck was Jan?

"Hello Mrs.Owens. I was sent to deliver the iPads for this classroom."

Joshua looked up. That was the same voice that had been on the loudspeakers earlier.

Ms. Jan was a short, hunched over woman. Her hair was frizzy brown. She had gold rimmed spectacles placed on the bridge of her nose.

There was something about her that screamed not- human. Joshua found it terrifying.

Ms. Jan entered the classroom, iPads stacked in her arms. She smiled at them coldly. She slowly started walking down the aisle, placing an iPad on each desk she passed. It was a steady beat as her heels clicked on the classroom floor.

Click. Click. Thump.

Click. Click. Thump.

Click. Click-

She had reached Joshua's desk.

"Rodgers."

Her voice was a sharp break in rythm.

Joshua's head snapped up so fast he heard his neck crack.

"Yes miss?"

"I heard from our previous principal that you've been quite troublesome in the past. I just thought I should tell you that this will not continue. We're focusing on proper discipline this year. Hopefully you'll change your attitude this time around."

Joshua nodded quickly. This woman seemed like someone he didn't want to mess with.

Ms. Jan just smiled at him and set his iPad down with a thud.

The beat continued for a few minutes more. Then she was gone.

The teacher sighed. She just looked annoyed now that Ms. Jan was gone.

"OK then class, I guess you can have this period to get used to the system. Enjoy your freedom while you still can."

There were cheers heard around the classroom, and a steady chatter droned while the students looked into the systems iPads.

Joshua looked at his. It was a plain black iPad, but there was no brand on it, or the case either.

He turned it on. The screen immediately lit up with bold black words.

Welcome to the system, student.

The screen changed soon after that.

You will be assigned tasks at random moments. A ding will sound when you get a task. Have fun with the system.

This was too weird. Joshua felt like someone was watching him. He turned around to meet eyes with the prettiest boy he had ever seen.

What was his name again?

It had slipped Joshua's mind.

He stared back, but the boy didn't look away. He was brave to stare like that, so boldly.

A sharp ding rang around the room. Joshua looked at his iPad. He was the first one to get a task.

What an accomplishment- not.

He grabbed his iPad and read the screen.

Task #1: Make friends with Rowan Steeves.

That was the boys name who had been staring at him before. Why would the system want Joshua to make friend with him.

This thing was weird, but might as well get started.

Joshua got up, and walked over to Rowan.

"Hey. I'm Josh."

Rowan looked at him as if surprised somebody like Joshua would even speak to him.

"Hey... I'm Rowan I guess your first task must've been something along the lines of coming over, and talking to me?"

Damn... This boy was smart.

"Yeah, something like that."

Rowan nodded thoughtfully. His light brown curls bobbing up and down with the movement. Joshua spoke up again,

"Would you like to sit together at lunch?"

Rowan's eyes widened at that. He seemed hesitant, but once again, nodded in agreement.

The way his curls moved when he nodded was absolutely adorable.... What.

Joshua silently cursed himself for thinking something so weird. He had just been properly introduced to this boy, why would he think he was cute.

An interesting thought nagged at the back of Joshua's mind. He chose to ignore it, and walked back to his seat.

He pulled out his phone, and texted his sister, Alice Rodgers.

He hoped she would have some insider information on these weird iPads. Or hopefully she could get some from her hacker boyfriend, Clive Montgomery.

Hey, Alice. What's up with these weird iPad things?

She took a few minutes to respond. It didn't gaze Joshua in the least. She was normally a bit lazy when it came to checking her texts. Finally she sent him a reply;

Be extremely careful around those things Josh. The punishments are brutal, and it records your every move. It's too bad we can't ditch them cause we'll get a punishment if we do.

Joshua immediately typed back.

Can't we call the authorities on them or something?

Alice didn't respond for a few minutes, and Joshua came the the conclusion that she was probably discussing his question with Clive.

Clive says that the authorities actually approved of this. So we're screwed. Sorry.

Joshua sighed in exasperation. This was going to be a long semester...

Rowan caught his gaze again and gave him a small smile.

Maybe it won't be so bad after all...