– You okay?
– I'm good.
– We're weird. And this whole thing is weird, too.
– Yeah, I guess so," Louise agreed. It was just the two of them now. They were standing in the middle of a huge flower meadow. A chorus of steppe butterflies buzzed around them. You know, Forests and Steppes are a world of wonders!
Louise tried not to look at Niels, but only held his hand. It was awkward for both of them. It was as if they weren't them at all.
– We met so suddenly that I didn't realize it at first. But I remembered you and your name, Louise," Niels said.
– Do you think we'll…?" the girl asked timidly.
– We need to get to know each other better. Where do you live? " the boy began.
– You can't just ask that!" Louise was suddenly indignant. She didn't really want to talk about where her home was. And who her parents were. But she would not lie. She wouldn't lie!
– Oh, I'm sorry, Louise. I didn't think," Niels was immediately embarrassed, who was very afraid of offending the girl. All his life he had been on the sidelines of society, and now he had his own star. Or a flower. Whatever you want to call it. There's a purpose. There's a keeper. The heart is open, the lock is off.
– Nothing. I live here in the Forests and Steppes. I go to the local school. I hardly ever see real people, especially boys. And the ones I go to school with are so boring. It's like they're gray.
– What are you talking about? You've never been to the City? " Niels was surprised. Wow!
– I've been there once. Mother sent me to a roadside store. She wanted a newspaper," Louise began to explain.
– A newspaper? Does anyone read them nowadays? There are…
– There are what?
– Well, the news, for instance.
– What's news? The news is carried by butterflies.
– No, I mean the TV. You don't watch it?
– We don't.
– Do you have WI-FI? Uh, Internet.
– No.
– I see. Don't you get bored like this?" Niels asked.
– No. I'm having a lot of fun. Niels, I'm glad I have a friend now.
– Thanks, Louise. Listen, you can come to my house whenever you want. I'm about to graduate high school.
– Wow, you're a grown-up, aren't you?" exclaimed the girl, giving Niels an admiring look.
– No, not quite yet. Just a teenager like you.
– Have you met… the others? Other teenagers our age?
– Yes, of course I do! Are you so far out of touch with life?" the boy was puzzled. Who did he meet? Either this girl's parents are tyrants or she's a witch…
– No, it's just that Galya's house is old, and we're not really interested in any of that stuff. modern stuff.
– Wow! Do you have a phone?" Niels asked. All need a phone!
– No. I did write a letter to my parents," she admitted.
– It's too long. You have to wait.
– I want to be friends, Niels! You're my person. I've been alone for a long time.
– I was alone too. People didn't like or respect me much. At least not until now.
– If I feel sad, I'd like to write to you. Or talk to you. That's what friends always do. Maybe Galya will agree to buy us a cell phone.
– Who's Galya? " Niels raised his eyebrows. However, he was not too interested in any other adults – he had enough of his own at home.
– My nanny," explained the girl.
– We'll come here. At the same time. Okay, Louise?
– Come on. We'll save each other from loneliness. Loneliness can eat a man.
– I'll show you the City. I'll give you a tour. Would you like that?" the boy offered.
