15-year-old Alise's alarm clock rang at 7:30 as usual, and although she was not sleepy, she had to get up and get ready for school. She got out of bed, stretched and walked to the window. The first rays of the morning sun shone through the glass and the air was crisp, heralding a cool day. She opened it for a moment to let in some fresh air and then went down to the kitchen for breakfast.
In the kitchen, her mother stood at the counter, chopping vegetables for a salad. The smell of hot coffee was steaming on the table and toast had just popped out of the toaster. Dad was sitting at the table as usual, hunched over a tablet, reading the headlines.
- Good morning, darling," Mum said, smiling at her daughter. - How did you sleep?
- Alise replied, sitting down at the table. - And you?
- Good too. - Mum poured her a cup of warm tea.
Dad watched her from above the screen. - Some interference in town again. The signal is working for now, but more and more people are complaining about power cuts. Something's been going on for the last two weeks.
Alise raised her eyebrows. - It's strange... do you think it's something serious?
- I don't know," Dad shrugged.
- I hope it's just some kind of malfunction," Mum added. - It's a shame there's going to be another fuss.
Alise started to eat her toast, but the thought of strange disturbances in the town kept bothering her. It had always been peaceful here, so this chaos seemed very unusual. But she preferred not to think about it for now. She had enough on her mind anyway, like school every day.
- Don't worry, Alise," her mother interrupted her thoughts. - Everything will be fine. You always worry so much.
- Yes, you're right," Alise smiled, but she still had a feeling of anxiety. It was a feeling that stayed with her all morning.
After a while she got up from the table. - I'm going to wash up.
After a quick shower, she brushed her teeth, looked in the mirror and smiled at her reflection. Still the same Alise - friendly and smiling.
She always started the day the same way. A simple daily ritual.
- I have to go, I'll be late for school.
- Bye, honey," her father handed her a bag, as he always did.
Alise smiled and ran out of the house. The air was cool outside, the leaves dancing in the wind. It was less than a kilometre to school, but she always preferred to leave early to get there quietly, and the school was still full of noise as usual. Alise's friend Max was standing at the entrance, telling his unfunny jokes.
- Alise! - he shouted. - What does the computer say about the Internet?
- I don't know, but it's definitely something stupid," she replied, rolling her eyes.
- "We've found a new bug in your system!" - He laughed out loud, beating his chest.
Emma, Sophie and Grace joined in, laughing at Max and his stupid jokes.
- What's up, Alise? - Emma asked. - Are you ready for today?
- Always ready," she replied with a big smile. - Just a little worried about all the chaos in the city. You know, these signal disruptions. Everyone says there's something going on.
Sophie nodded her head. - Maybe it's just some interference. You said Dad mentioned it.
- Yes, but this is strange. Nothing like this has ever happened here," Alise added as she walked through the school door.
School started with a maths lesson. The day was filled with talking, learning and fun. But despite the laughter and conversation, Alise felt a growing anxiety. Even inside the school, there was strange interference and a lack of electricity.