Nigel and Kaziah

Nigel and Kaziah

10/09/502AN

‘Hey, Nigel.’

‘Hello, Kaziah.’

‘Do you know what that stupid book was Msr Wendigo told us we need to read?’

‘Twentieth Century Landscapes. Here, I’ll send you a copy.’

‘How was it?’

‘How was what?’

‘The book.’

‘Don’t know. I didn’t read it.’

‘Me neither.’

‘I hate landscape class.’

‘Me too.’

‘What’s the point in it.’

‘I don’t know.’

‘You ever feel like life is pointless, Nigel?’

‘Are you okay?’

‘Forget it. See ya.’

16/09/502AN

‘Hey, Nigel. You awake?’

‘Hello, Kaziah. I’m awake. What’s up?’

‘Nothing, just bored.’

‘Me too.’

‘I was thinking about our Fashion lesson today. Do you think it’s true?’

‘I don’t know. I’m not sure I can trust what Ms Wolter tells us. I think she might have said some of those things to scare us.’

‘I’m not scared.’

‘I didn’t say you were.’

‘Do you think they really used to do that sort of stuff to animals?’

‘Maybe. We used to eat them, so it doesn’t surprise me if we used their skin and fur to make clothes.’

‘But if that was true, then surely we would know from the updates.’

‘I’m not sure I can trust what the updates tell us either.’

‘Do you think they lie?’

‘Maybe.’

‘Why would they do that?’

‘I don’t know.’

‘Nigel, are you still awake?’

‘Yes. What’s up?’

‘Nothing. Don’t worry about it.’

‘Hey, Nigel. Can I ask you something?’

‘Sure, go ahead.’

‘You ever hate someone before?’

‘Maybe a bit.’

‘Not a bit. I mean like hate them so much that you don’t even know what to do about it?’

‘Not really. Has someone upset you, Kaziah?’

‘No. Well no one in particular. To tell the truth, I kind of hate pretty much everyone anyway.’

‘Do you hate me, Kaziah?’

‘No.’

‘That’s good to know.’

‘Anyway, I was wondering if it’s just me.’

‘No, it’s not just you.’

‘Cool. See ya.’

03/10/502AN

‘Hey Nigel, are you awake?’

‘Hello, Kaziah. What’s up?’

‘I was just wondering why you don’t bother.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘At school, why don’t you bother trying?’

‘I guess it’s because I often don’t see the point.’

‘Is that because life is pointless?’

‘No. Because school is pointless. Or at least, it’s been pointless so far.’

‘Yeah. I hate that we have to go to school.’

‘I don’t hate going to school. I just haven’t found any point in what we do there yet. I want to make things, but I don’t want to make the things the teachers want us to make.’

‘Yeah, I hate the teachers.’

‘I don’t hate them. If anything, I feel sorry for them.’

‘Sorry for them?’

‘Yes. I think a lot of them are sad. I mean look at Ms Wolter. She must hate her job.’

‘Yeah. She’s so mean. You see what she did to Veronica?’

‘Yes. It was cruel. I think she did it because she envies them.’

‘You think she envies them?’

‘Maybe. Because Veronica does what she wants and Ms Wolter can’t. She’s stuck in her job.’

‘Do you like Veronica?’

‘Yes. But I don’t think she likes me.’

‘Do you like like her?’

‘What do you mean?’

‘LIKE her.’

‘Are you asking if I want to be romantic with her?’

‘Romantic?? Nigel, you crazy! OK, do you want to be romantic with her?’

‘No.’

‘Why not?’

‘I don’t know. I don’t think we would be good together. But I still like her. Just not in a romantic way.’

‘I don’t think you would be good together either. See ya.’

‘Good night, Kaziah.’

‘You still awake?’

‘Hi, Kaziah.’

‘How bad have you hurt yourself before?’

‘I don’t know. Not much. I fell over once and hurt my knee.’

‘How bad did it hurt?’

‘Quite a bit. Not that bad, really.’

‘Did you get your Eggbox to make it better?’

‘No. I try not to use my Eggbox if I can help it.’

‘Really? You don’t use your Eggbox??’

‘I use it sometimes. Mostly to talk to you.’

‘Really? That’s crazy. So, what do you do in your CombiCap?’

‘Not much. Sleep. Eat.’

‘No, I mean what do you do for FUN?’

‘I don’t know. I like to read.’

‘Read? What like books??’

‘Yeah.’

‘From the reading list??’

‘No. Not those books. Although I did read them once. Laura gave me rights to an extended reading list. Some of the stuff the 3^rd years can access is quite interesting.’  

‘You spoke to Laura?’

‘Yes. When I had to go for mentoring.’’

‘I hate Laura. They’re so fake.’

‘Laura isn’t so bad deep down. I think they act the way they do because they’re lonely and insecure.’

‘Yeah, I bet they are! What else do you do for fun?’

‘I go for walks.’

‘Yeah. Do you use the locations on the School Cloud?’

‘Yes. That’s the only other thing I use my Eggbox for.’

‘Where do you walk?’

‘Anywhere. I like places with water.’

‘Why do you like water?’

‘I like to watch it. It helps me forget everything. Anyway, what do you do for fun, Kaziah?’

‘Racing.’

‘The animal racing?’

‘Yeah.’

‘I heard some of the other kids talking about it. It’s quite popular. Are you any good?’

‘I’m alright.’

‘What animal do you ride?’

‘A tortoise.’

‘A tortoise? I didn’t think tortoises were exactly known for their speed.’

‘Yeah, whatever.’

‘Sorry, I hope I didn’t upset you. I wasn’t making fun. It just seems like an unusual choice for animal racing.’

‘I just like tortoises, that’s all.’

‘What do you like about them?’

‘I like how when they hide in their shell no one can touch them.’

‘It would be great to have a shell wouldn’t it?’

‘Kaziah, are you still awake? Don’t worry about replying if you are trying to sleep.’

‘Yeah, I’m awake.’

‘Why did you ask about pain earlier?’

‘Because I got thinking about it. Pain is bad, right?’

‘It’s not nice. But I think it serves a purpose.’

‘Yeah. What’s that?’

‘To stop you doing stupid things. That’s why I like to go for walks.’

‘What’s walking got to do with pain.’

‘I used to like going for runs.’

‘?? You’re weird Nigel.’

‘That was until I fell over and hurt my knee. Pain stops you from doing stupid things!’

‘Hah hah!’

‘Oh my, Kaziah. Did I actually make you laugh?’

‘Yeah, weird isn’t it? Hey, Nigel. I’m looking at water right now. It doesn’t stop me thinking though.’

‘What location?’

‘Some lake.’

‘Which one?’

‘Can’t remember. It’s little, with a waterfall and some trees.’

‘It might be Havasu Falls. That’s one of my favourites. What have you been thinking about?’

‘That I might like to make someone else feel pain.’

‘That’s not a nice thought, Kaziah.’

‘Yeah, well maybe some people deserve to feel pain.’

‘I don’t think anyone deserves to feel pain.’

‘Nigel, are you still awake?’

‘Yes.’

‘Forget what I said about pain.’

‘OK. Good night, Kaziah.’

25/10/502AN

‘Kaziah. Are you awake?’

‘Yeah.’

‘I feel like I need to talk to someone. Do you mind?

‘No.’

‘I don’t believe what happened today.’

‘Yeah. It was messed up. Are you OK?’

‘I don’t know. I feel so sad about what happened to Msr Clementine. It reminded me of what you said about pain.’

‘I thought I told you to forget about that.’

‘I think Msr Clementine was in a lot of pain and now they’re dead and they’ll never feel anything ever again. I can’t believe Ms Wolter could do such a thing.’

‘Yeah, she’s really messed up.’

‘You said some people deserve to feel pain. Do you think Msr Clementine deserved it?’

‘WHAT?! ARE YOU CRAZY!’

‘Sorry. I just can’t understand why someone would do that to somebody. I thought you might understand.’

‘Me!! You think I would do that to someone?’

‘No. Of course not. It was just that you were thinking about making people feel pain.’

‘You obviously don’t know me at all!’

‘I’m Sorry.’

‘I don’t think I want to talk to you, Nigel.’

‘Sorry.’

18/10/503AN

‘Hey, Nigel. Can we talk?’

‘Sure. What’s up, Kaziah?’

‘I think your food printer idea is really good.’

‘Thanks. That means a lot to me.’

‘Anyway, that was all I wanted to say.’

‘Wait, Kaziah.’

‘Yeah?’

‘Does that mean we can talk again?’

‘Yeah, sure.’

‘Great!’

25/10/503

‘Hi Kaziah. I just wanted to say that I watched you race today. I thought you were brilliant!’

‘Thanks Nigel.’

‘You’re welcome. It must take a lot of courage to do that!’

‘Yeah, it can get a little scary out there.’

‘Yeah I can tell! It looked like Veronica nearly got hurt.’

‘Yeah. I hate that Coolguy69 creep.’

‘I have to admit I’m not too fond of them either.’

‘Have you seen Coolguy69’s progcast?’

‘No. What’s a progcast?’

‘Never mind. You’re probably best off not knowing.’

‘Anyway. Just wanted to say that I thought you raced really well.’

‘Thanks.’

‘I look forward to seeing you race again.’

‘Cool.’

‘Good night.’

‘See ya.’

25/12/503

‘Happy Santa Day, Nigel.’

‘Thanks, Happy Santa Day to you too.’

01/01/504

‘Happy Birthday, Nigel.’

‘Happy Birthday!’

11/01/504

‘Hi, Kaziah. Sorry if I woke you.’

‘It’s OK. What’s up?’

‘It’s terrible that there’s been another murder.’

‘Yeah.’

‘It looked like it was Ms Wolter again.’

‘Yeah. Listen, Nigel. I’m pretty tired. Can we talk about this another time?’

‘Of course. Sorry.’

16/01/504

‘Hi Kaziah. I watched you race again today.’

‘It was messed up, wasn’t it.’

‘It was certainly unusual. Does that kind of thing happen often?’

‘What a bunch of penguins pooing everywhere?’

‘Um. Yes.’

‘I don’t think so. At least I hope not!’

‘I think you handled it really well, considering.’

‘Thanks.’

‘You’re welcome.’

‘Will you be racing again soon?’

‘Yeah, I’m through to the last ten. Next race is in May.’

‘Wow! Well done! I will definitely be there!’

‘Cool. I guess I’ll see ya at school tomorrow.’

‘Good night.’

07/02/504

‘Hey, Nigel. How are you doing?’

‘Great. How are you?’

‘I’m OK. I was wondering if you have any recommendations for places to visit over half term?’

‘Sure. Lake Nakuru has some beautiful views and there’s some good animal settings. Have you ever seen flamingos?’

‘No. Are they those pink birds that stand on one leg?’

‘They’re the ones! Hundreds of them standing in the water – like pink clouds surrounded by blue sky! There are rhinos and giraffes and zebras too.’

‘Sounds great. Thanks, Nigel.’

‘You’re welcome. Hope you have a good time.’

‘See ya.’

‘Bye.’

27/03/504AN

‘Hey, Nigel. I think your food printer should win the competition.’

‘Thanks. I don’t really care if I win, though.’

‘Why not?’

‘I don’t really want to go to Euroland. I’m just happy that I finally found something that felt right. Like there was a need to make it.’

‘Yeah, I get what you mean. I think it’s a really good idea. Just because we don’t eat animals anymore, doesn’t mean we should eat fake animal meat.’

‘Yes. That’s what I thought. If we stopped eating meat because it was wrong. Then we should stop it all together.’

‘Anyway, that was all I wanted to say.’

‘Thanks. It was nice to hear from you. I like your clothes too.’

‘Really?’

‘Yes, really. I think the animal print would look good on you.’

‘Yeah right! Nothing looks good on me.’

‘Don’t say that. I think you would look amazing.’

‘Hah hah! You crazy, Nigel.’

‘Maybe. But it’s true.’

‘Hey, I loved Nakuru by the way!’

‘Great! Did you see the flamingos?’

‘Yeah, they were stunning! I loved seeing all the other animals too.’

‘Did they inspire you?’

‘Yeah, I guess. I love all the patterns. Sometimes you have to look real hard because they use their patterns to hide.’

‘I don’t think they always use their patterns to hide. I think sometimes their patterns make them stand out. Sometimes patterns show how unique they are.’

‘Hah! What’s wrong with you today?’

‘Nothing, Kaziah. I don’t think anything is wrong with me today!’

 ‘Yeah, well. Good luck tomorrow! I think you’re going to win.’

‘Thank you and good luck to you too.’

28/10/504AN

‘Nigel? Are you OK?’

‘Nigel? Can you message me, please!’

‘Can you still message me?’

‘Hello my love.’

‘Oh, thank goodness! I thought they would stop you talking to me. I can’t believe we kissed in front of the whole class! I thought Msr Van de Velde would go crazy!’

‘I think they kind of did!’

‘Yeah, you’re probably right!’

‘I love you so much Kaziah. I’m sorry I never told you before.’

‘I love you too. I think I always did.’

‘We’re crazy for keeping it in so long. It feels so good!’

‘Guess what Nigel?’

‘What is it my love?’

‘I won!’

‘Congratulations!!! I knew you would.’

‘It was only because I teamed up with Veronica.’

‘That’s not true. Veronica must have chosen you because your clothes are so good.’

‘Now you come to mention it, they were the one that approached me.’

‘See!’

‘Hah hah! I even walked down the catwalk!’

‘Oh wow! Wish I could have been there. I bet you looked amazing!’

‘Psyche loved it!’

‘I bet they did!’

‘You know what this means Nigel?’

‘What, my love?’

‘It means we can go to Euroland!’

‘Um. I hate to disappoint you. But I’m not sure they’ll let me go. They put me in ConfiCap.’

‘No, it’s fine. Veronica said that Msr Van de Velde really wants you to come because they don’t want Coolguy69 to win if you’re disqualified.’

‘That’s great. But you know, we don’t need to go to Euroland to be together. I’m still allowed one visitor. Do you want to come round? We can go for a walk, together! I’ve so many places I want to show you my love!’

‘I’m coming now!’

‘See you soon xxxxxxx’