[Felix POV]
3–4 hours.
That's how long it took me to build the energy core. That's how long I built a successful energy core. I failed 57 times, which wasted a lot of materials.
I built it on Saturday because I didn't have anything to do and Maria wanted to stay at her home. I feel like she's hiding something or she's scared to tell me. Either way, I ain't gonna force her.
Anyway, the underground auction is on the same day as my graduation, which means I'll probably miss the graduation party. I don't know what I should tell her.
Wait a minute, graduation parties are not mandatory, nor is the graduation ceremony. I'm just attending to have a memorable day.
I don't know about prom, but I have to go to my own graduation and I'll come up with a plan to celebrate it.
Anyway, I'm getting off track.
I failed many times to build a core because I tried different elements for the energy output. It was easy but harder because I had to incorporate output and input of the same energy at the same time.
At first, it failed to function, then it failed to operate. It failed to turn on at first, and then it turned on but did nothing. I would try to create 8–13 a day, then the day would end.
I wasted a lot of time on Monday because I was in Manhattan and only managed to create 4 times after I got back home. I failed though.
I designed the blueprint myself with a hologram and created it based on it. If I failed, I changed what was wrong and replaced it with a solution.
[A/N: That's for analogy]
It appears the core doesn't have infinite energy, but it does give unlimited energy within certain bounds. It can't power the entire Earth, but it can power simple things like cars and buildings.
It is perfect for me because that was my aim. It appears I'm out of materials to make another one. I have to buy materials and build my car.
The following day I went to buy new materials, and I even went to buy some car parts. I thought of buying a whole car like last time as an upgrade, but I thought I should design it myself with the best parts. I'll upgrade the parts when I get home.
There were many, so I only bought materials that fit my van, and I'll fetch my car parts tomorrow because I'm too lazy to go up and down.
On Monday, I went to collect my parts and upgraded them when I got home. I designed my car and all, then the entire week I built each part step by step like doors, frame, hood, roof, brakes, trunk and so on.
I designed fasteners with nanotech, I combined moving joints with some carbon nanotubes, and I merged carbon nanotubes with graphene for electrical connection. Graphene and carbon nanotubes were hella expensive.
The car is made entirely of Vibranium and Nanotech. The reason why I incorporated nanotech is for the car to change colour, shape and design but still be the same car.
The car is an SUV. It looks like Lucid Gravity but it can change its model to another SUV.
I thought I should remove DRIVE from the Challenger, but I didn't. I decided to design another artificial intelligence for the car.
I'll design it after coming back from the auction.
I gotta prepare for the graduation ceremony. It's Saturday and past 8.
I prepared myself and decided to wear a three-piece red suit made out of expensive fabric. I know I bought it, but I don't recall buying it. I don't think this has ever been worn before and it still has its price tags.
I wore a red tie and a black T-shirt with some nice shoes, not sneakers.
Damn, I looked good. The graduation starts at 10 and I have to be there before 10. When I got out of my room, I saw Maria waiting for me in the kitchen, or more like she was eating breakfast. We were supposed to leave at 8, but I woke up early in the morning and decided to finish building a core. By the time I realised it, 3 hours and 30 minutes had gone by.
Maria arrived at 08:30 when we were supposed to leave at 8. If SPACE hadn't reminded me what time it was, I wouldn't have realised it. Maria got angry at me because she thought she was late, but when she heard I was getting ready, she made herself breakfast and sat down.
She didn't look angry or happy, I think she learned to tolerate my behaviour sometimes.
She wore a long dress that revealed her thigh and high heels that had red colour on the bottom. She did her make-up and her hair was long.
For a 16-year-old, she sure looked fine.
My grandmother dressed very representatively and she looked lively. I gave my mother a call to come to my graduation and she'll come with her boyfriend.
I wanted my grandmother to sit at the front, but she decided to sit at the back. Maria sat at the front and I was driving.
"What's wrong?"
I said to Maria as I looked at her. She didn't look happy.
"Huh! What do you mean?"
Yep, she's thinking about something else.
"You seemed lost. Is everything okay?"
"Yes, everything is fine."
"If you say so."
Everything is not fine but I'm not going to push it. She seems afraid of something and I don't know what it is, that scares me a lot.
"Lex, do you trust me?"
"You haven't called me that in ages."
"Please answer me."
"Well... I trust you wholeheartedly."
"Will you believe me if I tell you something?"
"I don't need to believe because I already trust you. All I have to do is trust your word. Can you tell me what it is?"
"No, but I won't hide it forever. I'll tell you when I'm ready."
"Okay. I'm looking forward to that day."
She's been feeling like that for weeks. What's so important that Maria is feeling afraid to tell me about it?
Does Grandma know something? I feel like she does know something, but she won't tell me.
Anyway, we arrived at the school and when we got out of the car, we grabbed everybody's attention. It was like some VIPs arriving at a gala.
Maria and my grandmother went to grab some seats. Mrs. Hill, my mother and her boyfriend were already there. Maria and my grandmother went to sit beside them.
I went to grab a gown and cap and sat with the graduates. This is a great day.
Everyone went to grab their certificates and take photos. I thought I would be called soon, but I wasn't. I wanted to grab my certificate, take a photo and leave.
I know that the valedictorian will be the last one, but why am I not being called yet? I was getting bored and tired.
The class president is giving his speech. It's funny because I didn't even know who the class president was.
"Next is Felix Cole Vale, 'Dr Wrong', to come to the podium and give his speech."
The speaker said and looked in my direction. How am I giving a speech when I got just average scores? I wasn't planning anything at all. Why do they keep calling me that?
As I walked to the stage, everyone looked at me and I just gestured with 'I don't know'.
I looked at the teachers and it looked like they discussed it among themselves.
I stood at the podium and looked at the crowds. I thought of what to say and decided to just say anything.
"I don't know what to say because it wasn't my plan to give a speech. I just wanted to receive my stuff and go home. Standing here in front of you is proof I'm getting old."
Everyone chuckled when I said that.
"Let me be serious with you all. Some of you know what you want and some of you don't know what you want. When you were asked, 'What do you wanna be when you grow up?' some of you answered what you wanna be, but most of you followed the sequence without knowing what you want to be."
"I'm speaking gibberish, but what I'm saying is that this is not the end of your journey but the beginning to chase what you want. Dreaming is for everyone, but accomplishing your dreams requires perseverance and dedication. Chase your dreams and aspirations."
"Let me say the last thing on my mind. If you dream it, chase it."
"Thank you, everyone."
I said all that, grabbed my certificate and took some photos. After the ceremony ended, I went to my family to take some photos with them.
I took a photo of me and Maria kissing each other.
I took a photo with all the graduates of this year. We threw our caps high and took photos. I spotted Melina far away, but I didn't do anything.
That was great. The day went by and evening came.
It's time for the auction.