[SHORT STORY] Displayed

Enrique felt happy.

He was sitting with friends at a remote part of the school’s yard. They were talking right now, their voices sounded like they were so far away. And yet, Enrique could feel their presence next to him.

Enrique was sitting on the grass. He breathed in and out, in and out, exalting in the fresh air. It was so rare to find a place on Street Level that was like this. Before heading off to School, Enrique had only breathed fresh air like this on a couple of occasions. And that was only when his father decided it was time to lift his head off the screen and take Enrique on an expedition somewhere. Regardless, he was here now, amongst people he loved, and he couldn’t be happier!

“Enrique! Stop day-dreaming already!” A voice said.

Enrique turned, his sight gaining focus as he noticed the speaker, Vitali. Of course it was hard not to notice Vitali, since he had a fully Artificial nose. His real one was severely damaged when he was a toddler, or so he says.

“Sorry about that Vitali.” Enrique said. “Were you saying something?”

“I said.” Vitali seemed so serene, even when he had an annoyed look on his face. “That I saw Sam this morning.”

“And?” Enrique prodded.

“She looked amazing, man.” Vitali said. “I still don’t think you have a shot with her though.”

“Samantha Waller?” James asked. He, as always, looked immaculate to Enrique. He was one of the rare people Enrique knew that had below 10% Artificial Conversion on his body.

“The very same my man.” Vitali said. “Our dazed friend over here has been talking about her ever since we started school.”

“She’s hot.” Stefan said. And Enrique noticed how pretty his hat looked. Was this actually a new one? “But, well you know man, she’s trouble. Her dad is a leader in the Underground.”

“Like newton he is.” James said waving his hand. “I’ve talked to Sam and she told me those were just rumors created by Marie and her friends.”

“Well of course she’s not gonna admit it.” Stefan said. “But a lot of people are talking about it. You can’t just ignore that James.”

“Bah!” James exclaimed, as he usually did when arguing. Enrique noticed how small creases formed under his eyes when he did that. Weird. “Sam’s dad is not dangerous. Those rumors have become out of control.”

“Yeah, they have.” Stefan said. “But a normal girl wouldn’t be followed by those types of rumors. That’s why I’m saying she’s trouble.”

“Her dad is not in the Underground.” Enrique said. They were talking about things that shouldn’t be talked about, Enrique had to change the subject. “I’m getting one of those new Displays.”

“Change the topic why don’t you.” Vitali said, exchanging a look with the others. He shook his head, and Enrique could see a small afterimage as Vitali’s head moved. Pretty. “Why do you want a new Display?”

“These new ones allow for more options.” Enrique said. “Seeing as how we are now students; I think using our normal Displays will not cut it. We should get ones that actually help with our studies.”

“What are you talking about?” Stefan said. “What more can a Display do for your studies?”

“I heard something about these new Displays as well.” James said. “But the descriptions of what they do were as vague as Enrique’s.”

“Well my dad is getting one for me today.” Enrique said. “And I am very curious as to what these new Displays actually do.”

The three of them nodded, almost simultaneously – almost perfectly. “I’ve been really curious about those rumored Displays myself, guess we’ll find out what all the fuss is about sooner than expected, eh Enrique?”

Vitali placed his hand on Enrique’s shoulder. Enrique smiled. Vitali was always so kind. Enrique needed to remember to pay him back for being such a good friend. Some sort of gift perhaps?

“I dunno man.” Stefan said, standing up. “I don’t care about my Display really. It’s as good as it gets. You guys will tell me if this rumored super Display could help you get better grades or something. Otherwise I don’t care. Later.”

“Yeah I’m heading off too.” James said. “Gonna go and check what Sam is doing.” Vitali shot James a look, but James only smiled. “I’m only joking Enrique.” James said.

“I know.” Enrique said.

“Hey! Don’t get cocky.” Vitali said, giving Enrique a hand to get up. Enrique took it, and felt exhilarated by the motion of getting up. “You seem really happy today Enrique. Has something happened?”

“Oh, yes.” Enrique said, placing a hand around Vitali’s shoulder. “How about we meet later tonight? I’ll show you my new Display, and we can talk about all sorts of things.”

“Uh, sure.” Vitali said. “I’ll – “

“I’ll tell you when and where we’ll meet.” Enrique said, removing his hand from Vitali and strolling down the school yard, towards the entrance.

Enrique heard voices behind him, calling him, but they were not important right now.

Enrique had important stuff to do. Stuff that couldn’t wait, that mustn’t wait. He did not feel pressured by this however. In fact, as Enrique walked amongst the people on Street Level he felt – alive. He felt like he could do anything he wanted and get away with it.

Enrique crossed several streets before he reached his destination. He knew this was the place because his Display told him so. He stood in front of a café. This was where –

“Hey Ricky.” A female voice said.

Enrique felt like his heart was about to leap out of his chest. He turned. And was greeted by a kiss on the lips. A kiss that destroyed, and rebuilt him a new again. Her lips were so soft, softer than he remembered. Perfection. Like they were created for the express reason of kissing him. Enrique couldn’t get enough of it as – the lips retracted. Enrique opened his eyes and saw Sam leaning on his chest, a sheepish smile on her face.

“You like them?” Sam asked, her smile widening. “I got new Artificial lips Enrique.” Sam said, pressing against him. “Just for you.” She grabbed his hand, guiding him through the café doors. “Now. Let’s talk. Our work has just begun, Ricky.”

***

What could this new Display actually be? Could it really help with Vitali’s studies? Tesla knew he needed all the help he could get. Let’s hope Enrique pulled through and –

[New Massage.]

His Display suddenly popped up a new massage – from Enrique!

He actually came through. Vitali thought as he read Enrique’s massage. It said that the Display had been even more impressive than they originally suspected. And that they had to meet right away. It ended with some location coordinates at the bottom. Vitali swiped the massage away.

Curfew ended in half an hour, did he have time? Screw the curfew! I have to check out this new Display.

Vitali inputted the coordinates in his Display and jumped off his bed. He grabbed the first pair of clothes he saw and rushed out of his apartment. Once outside he started to sprint towards the desired location. His Display pointing the way. Vitali didn’t have to run for very long however, the location Enrique chose was close by. Seems like he still has his brain intact at least. Wonder why he acted so distant this morning.

Their meeting place was a Resting Station. Vitali collapsed on one of the benches, exhaling sharply.

[WARNING. 20 minutes until curfew.]

That Enrique better come quick or –

“Hello Vitali.”

Vitali raised his head and saw a smiling Enrique sitting down on the bench opposite him. “I was just thinking about how I was going to kill you if you made us miss curfew.”

“Listen. I think we’ll miss it either way if we stay here.” Enrique said. His speech was normal but his eyes were still…distant. “Here. I brought you one of the new Display chips. Take it, consider it a gift. Set it up and we’ll talk from home.”

What? A gift for him? Enrique stood up. “We got to go Vitali. Or risk breaking curfew.”

He was right of course. Vitali thought they would chat for a couple minutes at least, but this was the safer option. He was glad Enrique was pushing for it.

“You’re right. Let’s go home and see what this baby can do eh?” Vitali said, clasping Enrique’s shoulder.

Enrique beamed. “I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised, Vitali.”

They separated.

[WARNING. 15 minutes until curfew.]

As Vitali was running back home, he was thinking excitedly about his new Display. And about Enrique. His friend seemed more like himself, but still… Vitali couldn’t put his finger on what exactly bothered him about Enrique today.

He soon reached his apartment building.

[WARNING. 10 minutes until curfew.]

Vitali turned the warnings off, since he was now on his bed, in his room. He turned off every application he had, and finally turned off his display entirely. The small notifications in his vision disappeared and Vitali felt strange without them. *I wonder how strange I’ll feel once I install this new beauty.

The New Display chip looked the same as his old one. Did Enrique mess something up? If Vitali didn’t know which one was which he doubted he could pick them apart. Careful as to not mix them up, he placed the new Display in the port behind his left ear.

And nothing happened.

The new Display booted up the same as the old one, it had the same notifications as the old one. It even had the same startup beeping sound as the old one.

Yeah, time to talk to this guy and tell him his dad bought him the normal run-of-the-mill Display.

He risked curfew for this? He was so tired from the run he felt like he could fall asleep right there. In fact, Vitali felt like the bed was dragging him downward. Like he was falling. What was this fatigue he was experiencing? Was he that out of shape that two short runs would deplete his reserves immediately?

Why did he need to chat with Enrique tonight again? He got the Display, they could chat tomorrow at school. Vitali just wanted to sleep.

And his tired body obliged.

***

[Alarm.]

Even the alarm is the same. Vitali thought as he opened his eyes. Vision blurry he got up from bed feeling very odd. Not like he was sick or hungover – just odd.

And – surprisingly – happy.