I'm in Marvel 11

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***

After I went to talk to Gerda alone, the attention of the whole class increased dramatically. My classmates were surprised by this fact. But what surprised the kids more was the fact that I was still alive after that conversation. Just kidding.

Black managed to very quickly mark her place in the class hierarchy without even saying a single harsh word. A talent to be admired. We were in a similar position in a way, being sort of on the side of the rank pyramid. Only if I was a detached anarchist, the girl became a kind of observer, looking at others as at the ants swarming somewhere below. This attitude, which was felt even on a physical level, was more repellent than a slap.

I could not change anything at the moment, so I decided to relax and enjoy myself. So I lived quietly, as before, only with an addition in the form of one aristocratic observer. Fortunately Gerda didn't bother me too much. She only chatted with me from time to time when she got bored. I was also able to appreciate her knowledge. Comparing Gerda and Daniel, I couldn't tell which one was better. She could probably be in the top three smartest students in our class, displacing either Blue or another boy who used to study like the girl in the parallel class. But apparently she wasn't interested in it, and she didn't spend more effort on studying than to reach the level of a standard excellent student.

And everything would have been fine, but there was a problem. It was the beginning of puberty. Well, it's been going on for six months now, but it was easier in the beginning. And the hormones were putting a lot of pressure on my psyche. Fortunately, more or less formed mind could suppress some impulses, but it did not add to the good mood. 

But business was quite good. Social networks conquered new heights and brought huge profits. They were even included in the register of systemically important ones due to their popularity and coverage of most of the market. Many politicians and prominent people, as in my previous life, got accounts and started posting their own or not quite their own sayings. So to speak, they became closer to the people. Naturally, this only made my product even more popular. Not the least role in this was played by all kinds of assistance in the creation of new cells of society. Since this was the local agenda, following it gave me a lot of social and political approval points, which was naturally to my advantage. And since the agenda emphasising marriage suited me fine, I followed it without any resistance. 

At school, however, gradually only Danielle and Gerda began to talk to me. This was strange, because until recently, I had often been talked to by a few girls who had recently started to use all those feminine things. It was funny to me, as an adult of sound mind, to watch these attempts of little ladies who thought they were adults. They were the ones who had already decided to make a place for themselves. But after my conversation with Gerda, they somehow gradually stopped communicating with me. I think the black one had something to do with it. I just can't figure out how or why. I think I'm missing something. In fact, I'm going to ask her.

After waiting for a change, I turned to the girl and started the conversation.

- Gerda, I have a question.

- Ask it, if you dare. I will try to answer this question, - said the girl, nodded regally.

- Have you by any chance said anything to the girls who have been talking to me until recently?

- I have not spoken to them, if you are interested," replied Gerda, closing her eyes and smiling serenely. - But then you must answer my difficult question. Why should I communicate with them if they are ordinary from beginning to end?

- Who knows you? Maybe you said something to them, that's all. I don't know you very well, so I can't predict what you'll do. You're unpredictable, you know.

- You should learn some manners, so you don't look like a barbarian," Gerda said, grinning at me. - It is not proper for a young maiden to speak such words.

- But a boy is allowed to? It's not fair. We've been equal for a thousand and four years," I grinned. You're so sly, aren't you?

- Perhaps we should find you a teacher who will teach you manners worthy of your position," the girl said, as if she hadn't heard my previous words.

- My position? What do you mean? - I asked the girl with a frown.

- The creator of the most widespread social network is worthy of being in the high society," Gerda said, as if it was normal, looking at her nails. I glanced at them too and saw that they had been manicured, albeit without ponts, but with high quality. But I was distracted. 

Realising her words, I almost choked.

- Ahem! I think you're wrong! - I somehow said surprised by her knowledge. Then I continued, lowering my voice. - I'm an OASH - an ordinary American high school student and I can't possibly be the creator of something so cool!

- Oh, really? - Gerda asked, arching an eyebrow in surprise. Then she continued a little louder. - So you're definitely not the creator of Skynet?

- Exactly! And let's close the subject! - I waved my hand, wishing to show how I didn't want to talk about it.

- I don't want to forget it," Gerda said with the smile of a predator who had cornered his prey. - As I was able to find out, Skynet's creator is called Kyle Smith. His mother Emma Smith is the head of the company called New Era. She's your mother's full namesake and looks exactly like her. Is that a weird coincidence? I think we should tell our classmates. I'm sure they'll be very interested. I'm sure it'll keep the boredom away.

- Shh!" I hissed at her, looking round, hoping no one had heard her. It's all right. - Yeah, yeah, yeah, I created Skynet! Now please forget about it!

- I am forced to deny this request," Gerda said, turning sideways to me and smiling slyly. 

- What do you want? - I had to capitulate to this pain in the arse.

- Hmm, I don't know what to ask," the girl said, watching me carefully. - What are you willing to do for the sake of secrecy?

- Certainly not everything! Be aware that if you overdo it with demands, I'd rather tell everyone myself! - It wasn't a pleasant outcome that I wanted to avoid, but at least I was willing to do it.

- All right. I will not be excessive in my demands. Then I'd like you to come to my house for tea first.

- Erm, why? - I asked suspiciously. Why is she suddenly inviting me? Is she up to something?

- Oh, don't make a face like I'm some kind of monster," Gerda said, but when she saw the scepticism on my face, she sighed tiredly. - It is only my mother who wants to see the friends with whom I share all my joys and hardships. And you'll tell her how much fun we have at this school.

- That's all well and good, but there's one thing.

- What's that? Mind you, I made the concession even though I might not have," said Gerda, frowning slightly.

- You and I aren't friends," she replied, ignoring the last words.

- What are you talking about, Kyle? - The girl asked in surprise. - Are we not friends with you? What about the relationship that's bursting into flames between us?!

Um, mate is a bit ambiguous, you know! What if someone gets the wrong idea?!

- Nevertheless, we're not mates and it's not nice to lie to your mother.

- Then I have one more condition. Become my friend and Mum won't have to lie! - Said the girl. Heh, that sounds so childish.

- Do you even know what a friend is? - Asked her a question, as she seems to have a wrong idea about this word.

- Of course I do! - Gerda answered proudly. - A friend is someone with whom you are not bored!

In general, of course, such a definition has a place, but it does not address all aspects of the word.

- Well, it doesn't. A friend is that person for whom you can roll mountains, if the situation requires it. There's even a saying: disappear yourself, but help a friend. Or here's another example of how I understand this word. Is there an object, a food or something you like very much?

- One of the black teas," Gerda replied, tilting her head. She didn't look as arrogant as she had before. 

- Imagine the last mug of this tea in the world. - The girl frowned and nodded. I continued to speak in a meditative voice. - You want to drink it very much, to savour this unforgettable taste one last time. Now you are ready to do it. Your nose smells the unforgettable aroma of this tea. But then your friend comes up and asks you to give him a taste.

Gerda at this moment comes to her senses sharply after my meditative tone and moves away from me, and pulls her hands close to her, as if she wants to save this last cup of tea.

- And for a true friend, you wouldn't begrudge giving up even your most favourite tea. It's like that.

- So we'll be friends when I'm ready to give you that last cup? - Gerda asked after thinking about what I said. - And also if I am ready to save you, even though I know that I may suffer in a battle to the death?

- Yeah, sort of," I agreed. - But let's not fight to the death. And, by the way, it should be a mutual process. Although you could apply that to love.

- Love? - With interest asked Gerda. - And how do you distinguish between them?

- Ooh, everyone expresses love in different ways! Butterflies in the stomach, the desire to be near, and so on and so forth. You have to look at each case individually. But you should ask the girls for details. They'll tell you better. I don't know about women's feelings. - Maybe you could tell her about 50 Shades of Grey. And by the way, if you put that out in the world, what would be the result?

- I see. But back to my terms, you're still going to have to come to my house. I want Mum to calm down and I want you to play along.

- Okay, okay," I agreed, wishing she'd back off.

In the end we decided that Gerda would ask her mother to invite me over and then let her know when the meeting was. 

Well, it turns out that this frightening girl is still a child. Towards the end of our conversation, she even began to behave differently than usual. It didn't last long, though, and Gerda turned back into a young Snow Queen. But at least I realised that inside she was the same person. That's a very unusual discovery. I used to think she was a Nietzschean superhuman. Now it turns out that her adult behaviour is just a mask. I don't even want to be wary of her after that.

So I went home, thinking about Gerda. My mother and I still lived there, but in the near future we planned to move to a better place. As Gerda would say, according to our status. And there's room for security. In this universe, all sorts of nonsense can happen, so it will definitely not be superfluous.

At this moment I finally finished the machine for synthesising chiponosis and, rubbing my hands with impatience, started it up. The only thing that overshadowed my small triumph was the small quantity and long time to create this drug. Now it is not possible to produce it in large quantities. For now, though, one serving each for me and my mum will suffice. Plus the inability to procure a full list of ingredients to avoid being caught. At least I could replace what was missing with the universal picker.

And my fear of being caught in the act wasn't paranoia. I'd already been able to pick up surveillance of me on the internet, and closer scrutiny was definitely not required at this stage. I can't say who it was as I decided not to pry further, but they weren't bad. Oh well, nothing, once I can synthesise enkephalin, which I'll distill into Light, protecting myself will be a lot easier.

By the time I finished the car and finished my homework, it was already night. No sooner had I called my mother to see when she was coming than I noticed a car pulling up. She climbed out of it, waved to the driver and slowly wandered to the front of the house. Once inside, Mum threw off her shoes and her bag of outerwear and walked into the hall and plumped down on the sofa.

- Kyle, come here. I need a recovery cuddle! - Mum said capriciously. He's a grown man, but sometimes he acts like a child. Although it's only in private, because I've been to the office and I've seen how serious she is.- Coming-I'm coming," I muttered, stepping closer to be instantly grabbed. - You should have been in a wrestling match. Your arms are impossible to break.

- Is that a compliment? - Mum asked snidely.

- Mm-hmm.

- I'll take your word for it. Oh, I'm so tired! Working in such a large company as head of the company is very exhausting! - Hugging me like a stuffed toy, Mom complained. - Have pity on me, Kyle! 

- Poor Mum. You're doing great," I said, stroking her head. And I didn't mean it in an ironic way. She was doing a great job running the company. - I'm proud of you.

- Ufu-fu-fu-fu! Keep going! - Said Mum, purring with pleasure.

- What would I do without you? - I asked a rhetorical question. - You're the best.

- Oh, it feels so good," Mum said blissfully, pulling me even tighter. But where could it go any further?

- How are things at the company? - I interrupted the silence. - No problems?

- It's going well. Our ratings are going up, the people who want to sign advertising contracts are queuing up, our reputation among users is still as good as ever," Mum said with a shrug. After a minute, she looked up, as if she remembered something, and spoke again. - Oh, by the way, I'm going to be late for Willa Fisk's fundraiser in two days, so keep that in mind.

- Who's that? - I had a vague doubt when I heard that name.

- Kyle, you can't just not keep up with life! - Mum was outraged. - Fisk is one of the richest women in the country, not just in New York! How can you not know about her?!

- Yeah, billionaire, playgirl, philanthropist.

- I disagree on the second one. Fisk is a beautiful woman who gives a lot of money to charity. Plus she came from a simple family and built her business from the ground up. She's a great person. - And I see Mum has a very positive opinion of this Willa.

So we snuggled for a while before Mum went for a shower and then to bed. Good for her. Let her rest.

And I got on the Internet and started looking for information about Fisk. I have to say, I remembered a few conversations about the woman in question, but I let them pass. Finding a photo and biography of Willa was a matter of minutes. I decided to see what she looked like first, as it was just too interesting. In the comics, Ambal weighed something like 200 kilos, was a big man, and bald on top of that. I wonder what his counterpart looks like in this world.

And I have to say, it was quite an interesting sight. As I read later, the woman was two metres tall. Blonde hair a little below her ears, pretty face, blue, large eyes, plump lips. Fisk was maybe not the most stunning woman I'd seen in this world, but definitely well above average. Though with that much money, looks weren't a big issue. 

She was also wearing a jacket and trousers in most of the photos. But even such clothes weakly hid her powerful physique and large breasts. I even for a moment wanted to go with my mother to the reception to appreciate such wealth in person. And the combination of athletic physique and outstanding top far over ninety turned out to be killer. Literally and figuratively. As far as I knew, Fisk had no supernatural powers, but even so he was a dangerous opponent. I wonder what the female version of him would be capable of.

By the way, I managed to find some photos of Willa in dresses on the net and the sight was, quite, and quite impressive. Looking at the seemingly very open and decent woman and would not think that this is one of the most dangerous criminals in the country. I also looked up her biography online. Didn't read anything particularly new, just learnt some details. 

Anyway, I hope Fisk isn't targeting our business. Otherwise, it's gonna be a big problem. Who knows?

Oh, well, whatever. It's time for me to hit the sack. I've got school tomorrow, as usual. And I might have to go to Gerda's house. Oh, I don't want anything to happen.

***

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