Bree walked beside Shawn. Her eyes were bright and they were speaking with so much ease and enthusiasm. And Bree was loving it all the way.
"To be honest...." Shawn was saying. ".... meeting you had been good. My English classes are brighter now."
Bree laughed softly.
"Yeah. Me, too. You're so fun. I'm really glad we're able to have this walks sometimes." "Yeah. I'm kinda like getting busier by the day."
"Oh?"
"Yes. I've got a project. Juggling a few classes right now."
Bree blinked, flustered and it even made her laugh.
"My God, you still take 'em English classes? They don't sound important to me at all."
Shawn shrugged and looked down at her. They paused under a leafy tree.
"They're not. Kind of. I mean, It's my first year and I already have a good amount of knowledge on robotics and engineering in the past. So, it's more important now."
"Wow."
"I just wanted to have the socials and certs fast."
"That means you've been to...." Bree paused to guess.
Shawn helped her.
"I joined the academy five years ago. I'm done with that."
"Wow. So, there's a project now. What's it about?"
"A female robot for familiarity."
"Oh.... What does that mean?"
"Uhh.... Let's just say.... It's going to be like a regular person. Just intelligent. Loyal. Designed to obey its owner."
Bree was amazed.
"Wow."
"Yeah."
"Wow." Bree repeated mesmerized. When she realized her reaction, she laughed.
Shawn smiled.
"I'm just surprised. You're so.... smart and.... Wow...." Shawn watched her as she spoke. "I've never ever met any tech person. I mean, they're gold. You don't meet them everyday. Outrageously intelligent beings."
"Yeah." Shawn could only reply so, amused.
"Don't mind me. I'm just.... surprised." "Nah. I know that."
Someone appeared and held out two folded booklets.
"School's night out party for the year." He said flatly.
Shawn and Bree exchanged glances, then each took a copy.
"Official. The authorities will announce it to y'all newbies later. Thanks."
The two looked around and found out that the booklet was going around and everyone was reading and talking excitedly and the issuers were not exactly smiling. Shawn and Bree then looked back at the stranger but he was already walking toward another student group now without another word.
"Uh oh...." Bree muttered. "I guess that's how robots are born."
Shawn laughed hard.
"He's so precise."
There was a moment of silence.
At a point, Shawn's visage darkened—just a flicker when he put his head down to read the dark graphics booklet. But it wiped off fast.
Like he didn't want her to notice anything, he glanced at Bree who had occupied herself with staring at the booklet people as they went about. Then he went back to reading the booklet, his face contorting with deep interest.
Bree was staring at the abrupt stranger's flying fish tattoo, drawn motionless at the back of his neck.
Until it came alive.
The tattoo wriggled suddenly....
Instantly, Bree's spine tightened and her heart skipped a beat.
"Shawn!" She helplessly exclaimed but quickly blinked and looked down at her book. "Jesus.... Don't mind my drama."
She looked up at him. He stared at her, too. Not alarmed. One brow raised. Maybe it was concern, Bree couldn't tell.
"Are you okay?" Shawn asked.
"I'm surprised...." She looked down and read. Something in the booklet registered and she gasped. "I mean, Oh my God! I know this place."
Bree whipped her head up to look at Shawn.
"Really?" He asked.
"Yes. That's where my friends live."
"Oh.... Yeah. Tell me something about them hotties."
"Oh, you know them?"
"Ah, the famous circle? Everyone's gossiping and I didn't want to pokenose—even when I know you're their friend. It just feels strange though.... Strange that I know someone who's close to them.... And now, it's a party in their house. And it's official."
Bree smiled. But, deep down, Shawn's words clicked and that made her look up at him.
"How are you so deep in thinking? I'm jealous! Well, let's explore. Shouldn't we?" "Yeah. Sure."
Bree looked at the front of the booklet and then flipped to the back.
She shrugged. "I'm appalled too." Bree caught her eyes wandering back to watch the departing back of the tattooed guy who had just handed the booklets to them. And maybe.... there lived a flying fish living in his back?
★★★
★★★
Bree blinked and shut her eyes where she sat at the library.
She needed to take her mind away from the guy with the live tattoo. Nothing happened. That was not possible.
She let out a breath. Her hands clutched the booklet like it could anchor her.
"Forget it." She told herself.
But she didn't.
She couldn't rest. She was getting out of mind and she needed help.
In fact, her palms had begun to sweat. She was getting scared. Because somehow she knew this wasn't just some imaginary thing and yes, it was so creepy.
Bree hurried and dialed ASHLEY.
"Hello, Ashley. I really really need to talk to you."
"Oh ok, Bree. Where are you?"
"I'm.... I'm at the library."
"You okay?"
Bree shook her head vigorously. She needed to think straight. No, she wasn't okay.
"I'm not okay."
"God, I'm coming right there."
"No, let's.... We should meet at the ornaments. It's quiet."
"Ok, I'm gonna be there instantly! Gotcha."
★★★
★★★
Bree waited patiently and soon saw Ashley hurrying past the large flowers that grew everywhere like it was some lovable weed.
The setting sun spilled amber light through her glossy curls, and Ashley—as if knowing it was important — shook a hand through it, smiling warmly at Bree.
Bree hurried forward too and held Ashley's arms, then blurted.
"Have you seen those party-booklet guys? The ones with the black graphics?"
Ashley nodded, concerned.
"You mean the 'Events' one? Yeah, they're inviting newbies for this year. It's hosted at the house."
Bree crossed her arms. "Yes and I was so shocked it's gonna be at the house, but.... like—one of them distributors had a fish tattoo. On his neck. It was... moving."
Ashley paused.
"...Moving?"
"Yes," Bree insisted, eyes wide. "It freakin' wiggled, like it was swimming. I thought I was imagining but—"
She stopped herself.
No, she wasn't imagining. Never!
Ashley smiled lightly and stepped back so she could look into Bree's face, smiling softly.
"Girl...."
"I'm serious, Ashley. I'm losing my mind and I'm so scared."
Without warning, Ashley looked serious and tapped Bree's temple with two fingers. "Just forget it, dear. You imagined it."
And just like that, the image in Bree's mind thinned like smoke. She blinked.
"What were we talking about again? I just lost track. Sorry."
Ashley grinned.
"The party. Don't forget. 9 p.m. It's official now. Let's find our way back."
"Party?" Bree echoed faintly, like the word had to reboot in her head. "Oh, I got a flyer. The stranger was so.... careless."
Then, she giggled.
Ashley shot her a wink over her shoulder.
"You can make new friends. Everyone's gonna be there."
She paused, then added playfully:
"Don't be weird."
"Nah. I'm not. I'm so excited if you ask me."