The messages scrolled by as soon as the screen was on.

Random690716: Hey did you guys hear about that guy who punched a lady?

ABEL: Yeah, that’s crazy! Guy got what he deserved.

Storm: I was sick the whole day, what happened?

Random690716: Yeah @ABEL I agree. @Storm you should check the NewsHub!

AgentNick: Who cares about that criminal, guys check out the new additions on Swoosh!!!

[MOD]Asan has banned DatISS for spamming. Have a nice day!

Rov312: Exclusive offer to @all in this group chat! Get the legendary I-Merz Visor at the nearest shop! Terms and conditions apply, please check them before purchase. Have a nice day!

Storm: @Rov312 thanks!

Random690716: @Rov312 thanks!

ABEL: @Rov312 thanks!

AgentNick: @Rov312 thanks!

Storm: @Random690716 Okay, I will. Got to go, though, time for classes. See you guys!

Disengaging the Visor’s clamps, Neil removed it and rolled his shoulders, working out the kinks in his muscles. The new extracurricular program at school hadn’t allowed him much time to enjoy chatting with his friends, but it’s a small price to pay. Mother always told him to go out more, anyway. Plus, Soil Studies was actually a much more pleasant experience than the name suggests. It gave him a little direction in the way of determining what he wanted to be.

“I’ll be back by 6!” He yelled at his mother, who was currently cleaning the front door the old-fashioned way - with a cloth. Of course, the neighbours noticed. Despite their suggestions on the newest models,  Mother was a traditional through and through. Neil was pretty sure she only used the Hub for calls.

He winced as he recalled the smartphone Mother still insisted on using. It was a secret he’d take to the grave, but he supposed it was one of the reasons why she was so healthy. How people used to spend their days tapping away at a physical screen, Neil had no idea.

“Well, it’s not like Physical Education isn’t doing anything about it,” he muttered, the reason for his collapse coming to mind.

Once he was actually at school, he took a seat next to Jackson, a classmate since Grade 5.

“How’s the fatigue?”

“I’m fine now. Not for long if P.E. continues, though.”

“Don’t worry, they’re going to lay off the 1 KM relays for now. Oh, check the SchoolHub; Mr. Gerard just called in sick. Looks like another online session.”

“Hey, no browsing other stuff, you hear? I don’t want to live with this sin of knowing for the rest of my life.”

“Yawn.”

Their light banter was cut short as the Homeroom AI powered on, giving the students the usual cheery greetings. From that point on, it was time for the usual lessons: Geography, Mathematics, Science, History. Once the recess bell finally rang, Neil immediately dashed to the cafeteria. He groaned as he saw that Jackson already beat him to their usual spot.

Having ordered their food, the two boys were joined by more of “the old gang”: longtime friends since kindergarten. Neil knew that the term friends was frowned on, but he couldn’t help it – the History treacher did teach them that term, after all. He liked the word; not that he was against the school’s teachings of getting along with everyone, but the term gave him a feeling of deeper intimacy. It made him wonder sometimes why some words become obsolete, just like that.

As they ate the usual conversations popped up: the weather, another one of those seemingly-unending new products from I-Merz, and what they were going to do after graduation. Jackson and the others apparently thought  Neil was brave for trying to be a farmer. In truth, though, Neil didn’t see much excitement in all other jobs; for example, who’d want to be cooped up in a building 8 hours a day? Instead, he looked at the hardships of farming as a challenge.  He loved the hard, honest work involved; just imagining the joy of cultivating a plant until it finally bears fruit was all the motivation he needed.

Before he realized it, the topic of the conversation had shifted again. They are now talking about one of the most anticipated events of the year: the Science Exposition. The prize money alone would raise enough excitement, but there was also the prestige of having your name mounted on the legendary Hall of Fame. It was a momentary shift in conversation, soon to be lost in other topics.

But not to Neil.

“Back so early?” His mother asked as Neil burst into the living room, his hands full with a box.

“The storm was getting a bit bad, so Ms. Aprilia gave us homework instead.”

“Oh, the old search engine?” His mother sat down next to him, gently stopping his frantic tapping in search for a touchpad interface and placing the engine’s keyboard - complete with the power switch - to his hand.

“Yeah, we’re supposed to boot up this old module called three-way rotation, then write down a little essay about it.”

WELCOME BACK! TYPE A TERM!

Neil chuckled at the old-fashioned text displayed on the holo-screen. “This is so weird,” he muttered, typing away at the remote’s keys in search for the necessary module.

“It might be weird to you but this is what I grew up with! Back in the days, we weren’t as organized. This thing was created to help children learn what they need to know.”

Neil sighed in mock horror. “The old days must be boring, typing away at these keyboards.” Finding the module he was looking for, he flicked the Hubphone’s switch to ‘Word Editor’ mode and started typing his answer as the simulation played.

The days passed by as Neil worked on his project. During General Science, there were some kids who wanted to present their project so far. James Dawlett showed a miniature prototype steam engine that he made with his father. Alicia Green showed the class a ‘revolutionary’ recipe for tea, made out of cucumber peels. Neil was impressed, but he was already confident in his project. He would get first place, that’s for sure!

After that day, needless to say, Neil poured his heart out into his project. There were days when he even forgot that Soil Studies were having a meeting; it was just that he had to finish it! Finally, the day arrived. He stood on the backstage, nervously rubbing his hands, as each student was given a chance to present their final idea at the podium.

“... and now, we have a Mr. Neil Olson, with his ‘RealiTee’. Please give him a round of applause!”

“Uh, good afternoon, honourable judges and my fellow students. Today, I’m here to present my idea for a better future.” Bending down, he opened the briefcase he was holding, pulling out an item that appears to be a shirt. He lifted it up high so that the camera drones could capture its appearance better. The item he was holding was, indeed, a shirt; the only difference was the 6 circular disks placed on the shoulders, neck, and sides. Thin fibre-optic cables leading to a single, dangling port connected the disks.

“This is what I call the RealiTee. It’s a shirt, I assure you!” The audience laughed. “Before I get to what it does, I would like to explain my inspiration for this. Surprisingly, it was from a hobby of mine: farming.

As I was tending the plants, I had a … well, you can call it an epiphany I guess. Plants are actually very honest lifeforms. When they deform, the leaves turn yellow. The fruits are small. But, if they are healthy, it is the opposite!”

“I had a thought at that time: what if we do the same? With this in mind, with the help of my Dad I integrated these omni-sensors onto a shirt. The sensors will work with our VR gear so that they have a filter called Reality - the sensors will render our actual body into the VR world. Yes, I know that rather defeats the purpose of VR. But, I think this will help us become more honest. It will help us be prouder of our true self. And, ahem, it certainly wouldn’t hurt  to know your virtual date’s real face.”

“Congratulations, Neil! I knew you could do it!” His mother hugged him as he entered the house, golden trophy in hand. Neil wasn’t sure how he pulled it off, either - the idea was simple, and yet it worked! As he looked down at the suitcase he was holding, he knew that what he made was a small step. People will eventually wake up from the lure of VR. People will look at the earth they’re stepping on and look at the sky.

Remembering.

He gazed at a distant spot, which seemed to twinkle in the stormy, night sky. “We’ll get back to you someday,” he whispered.

The next exciting idea was already on his mind.