“So what the hell happened to you two?” Isla asked pointedly, side-eying the bruises and scratches on the timid duo’s faces.

  Cecil and Yaeh arrived at the designated meeting point in the superstore, slightly late. It was a large cafe that they’d seen on a previous trip.

  Isla and Sana had arrived first and secured a table large enough for the whole group.

  The question made Cecil wince as he took off the heavy brown coat that he’d printed off earlier in the morning and placed it on the back of the nearest chair. It was a bit larger than he would like, but Yaeh had picked out for him.

  There had been some debate in the morning about whether they should use the cosmetic mask to hide their injuries but ultimately they’d decided against it.

  “Well…” He began.

  “Did you guys have a fight or something?” Sana asked cautiously, eying the cut on Yaeh’s lip.

  Yaeh shook her head vigorously as Cecil explained.

  “Oh, no no! Nothing like that. I, um, had some crazy nightmares and didn’t wake up properly.”

  “What does that mean?” Isla asked, squinting.

  “Do you remember the “lucid nightmares” that Ms Amelie told us about. The rare withdrawal symptom. It’s that… we think.” He explained.

  “Ok? But that doesn’t answer the question of why you guys look beaten up.” Isla fired back.

  “That was me.” Cecil confessed reluctantly. “I didn’t… I didn’t know I was doing it. I was still in the nightmare. I was hurting myself and Yaeh tried to stop me. I hurt her too…”

  Cecil breathed slowly a few times to steady himself, enduring a sludge-like wash of shame that turned his gaze down to his feet.

  They’d anticipated that the others would have questions, and Yaeh had insisted it was best to be open about everything and that it wasn’t his fault despite how guilty he felt.

  Once he’d come back to full awareness and Yaeh became calm enough to explain what had happened, the guilt had hit him like a magtrain.

  After administering their clumsy attempts at first aid, the frantic duo had contacted their teacher.

  Luckily the incident had taken place in the early hours of the morning and Ms Amelie happened to be an early riser, so the contact request was successful.

  Ms Amelie explained what had happened the best that she could while comforting her anxious students with encouraging words. Hearing her calm voice recentred Cecil and Yaeh and they ended the call with their worst fears assuaged.

  Other than that, Ms Amelie hadn’t been able to offer much more assistance. The condition would have to be classified as a “persistent” symptom before Management would authorise medication. Meaning that all they could do now was wait to see if it happened again.

  While not particularly helpful, it was something.

  More productively, the first thing Yaeh had done after the call was to cut and file Cecil’s nails as short as possible.

  “Is it just the four of us?” Yaeh asked on her tablet.

  Only Sana and Isla sat with them at the cafe table. Both girls had equipped themselves with luxurious looking drinks which Yaeh was eyeing eagerly.

  “Aeon and Lulu are running behind. Lulu wasn’t so good this morning…” Sana trailed off. It had been her turn to help the sickly girl to bathe.

  “He said he was going to wait for her to feel better before they came over. Hopefully it won’t take too long. Isla finished.

  “Poor Lulu.” Cecil sympathised.

  “What about Petal and Forger?” Yaeh typed, taking the seat next to Cecil’s.

  “Yeah, they’re late too, if they even show up at all.” Isla grumbled.

  “I reckon they’ll show up. Give them some time.” Sana countered with a warm smile.

  Conversation lulled to silence for a moment so Cecil took the time to survey his surroundings. The superstore was slightly busier than it had been the previous weekend. In the distance he could see a group of young men travelling together up one of the moving staircases. They wore matching jackets but it was too far for him to determine more details.

  Turning back to his own table, Cecil realised that all four of the third floor students were sporting new looks.

  Isla’s long hair matched her new wardrobe perfectly as she was dressed entirely in gothic monotone.

  In stark contrast, Sana’s fluffy brown and gold hair matched her colorful future-style citypunk jacket and jeans.

  Cecil himself was wearing a stylish new jumper and trousers, along with a cosmetic pair of glasses that Yaeh had insisted that he add to the ensemble to match his new, shorter, hairstyle.

  Yaeh herself wore a comfy large shirt with dungarees and a large pair of wooly boots.

  “Would you like to order drinks?” Cecil asked Yaeh, noticing that the girls' eyes were still glued on the other’s beverages.

  She nodded enthusiastically.

  “Those two are as adorable as ever. I think Yaeh did a pretty good job with Cecil’s new glam. That haircut and the glasses really makes his lankiness work for him, don’t you think?” Sana mused, sipping her drink through a grin.

  “Whatever you say.” Isla dismissed as she leant back in her seat, hands tucked into the pockets of her long black dress.

  “Oh come on Isla. Are you gonna be a grouchy-guts forever?” Sana teased.

  “Shut up. I have a horrible headache today. Sana I will literally never forgive you for how light your withdrawal is.”

  “It’s not that light. I still get sick and headaches and stuff too. I think it’s probably just an outlook difference.” Sana protested sunnily.

  “Seriously though. I actually think that out of all thirty of the damned idiots in VC37, you’re literally the only person who became more cheerful out of the tank. You used to be a total hothead on the net. What’s up with that?” Isla protested.

  The cheerful girl who was quickly becoming her best friend on this side of reality pondered the question.

  This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

  “I suppose so.” Sana agreed hesitantly. “I hadn’t really thought about it much, but now that you’ve pointed it out, I think living physical just agrees with me.”

  “Sana. We are literally brain damaged! Our brains have been pumped full of god-knows-what for years until they were riddled with little holes where our normal physical experiences were supposed to go. To the point that we might never be able to experience life properly ever again. What the sulphuric piss do you mean it agrees with you?” Isla asked, flabbergasted.

  Sana chuckled at the profanity, then shrugged. “I don’t know. Just does.” She finished with a smug smile.

  “Whatever. Wish I could say the same.” Isla grouched.

  “I don’t know Isla. I think I like the physical you a lot more than the net you.”

  “What? Why?”

  “I mean, we weren’t ever friends back on the net. You had your group and I had mine. You guys were kind of assholes to be honest. You and Lanc acted like King and Queen of the class. Do you remember how much you used to boss everyone around?” Sana asked, intentionally keeping her tone light.

  Isla scowled at her.

  In truth, she was completely aware of that. She’d earned her place in the hard fought social hierarchies that had been carved out of VC37 and that place had been the top.

  She’d loved it, or she had thought she did. Years of effort had been dedicated to that goal over their teen years, and while the social standings had begun to equalise as the class had entered adulthood, nothing had prepared her for the total reset that came from being unplugged.

  During the week she’d spent mourning the end of her relationship with Lanc, she’d come to the realisation that she didn’t even miss it. Any of it.

  She would likely never be the queen bee of 37 ever again, and it pissed her off how little she could bring herself to care.

  Sometimes, she felt like an entirely different person. Should that worry her?

  Isla sighed. “No, I get what you mean. I like you more now too. I just wish I could say the same about myself.”

  “We’ll get you there.” Sana encouraged, and punched Isla’s shoulder affectionately.

  Isla reluctantly smiled.

  Turning in her chair, she noticed a timid pair of students approaching the cafe wearing standard academy jumpsuits. One of them was consulting a tablet as though reading directions and Isla realised it was Petal and Forger.

  Isla almost made a meanspirited comment about how tragic the pair looked in comparison to Sana and herself. The difference that the cosmetic mask and their new styles had made was drastic.

  But she held her tongue. It was time to let old habits die. And Sana wasn’t like her other friends.

  “Oh hey guys, over here!” Sana called, noticing the newcomers. She gestured them over to the table and pushed out two seats with her feet.

  Petal and Forger hurriedly sat down then looked about, nervously soaking in the scale and small crowds of the superstore around them.

  God, they’re like Cecil cranked up to ten. Isla thought to herself.

  Neither of them could sit still on their chairs and looked like any loud noise would send them fleeing.

  “Guys calm down. It’s really not that scary out here. Did you find your way over Ok?” Isla asked lazily.

  “Um, yeah. Aeon helped us take the tram, then pointed us in the direction of the cafe.” Petal explained.

  “Oh, Aeon’s here?” Isla asked. “Did he wander off already?”

  “Yeah. He said he needed to buy more “chicken.”” Forger explained nervously.

  “God help us.” Isla groaned.

  Cecil and Yaeh returned to their seats, each holding a large drink.

  “Aeon’s buying more chicken.” Sana explained with a laugh.

  “Uh oh.” Cecil chuckled as he sat. “Hi Petal, hi Forger.

  Yaeh waved.

  “What’s up with this “chicken” stuff, is it bad?” Forger asked nervously as Petal returned the wave.

  Sana and Cecil laughed.

  “No. Aeon is what’s bad.” Cecil joked. “He tried to poison us with hot sauce last weekend.”

  “Was only Aeon with you guys?” Isla asked.

  Petal nodded.

  “So no Lulu.” Isla noted. “She mustn’t be feeling better. Damn, did he leave her with Karkos again?”

  “You really don’t like him do you?” Cecil asked.

  “No.” Isla growled. “He’s getting worse and worse. There’s actually something wrong with him. Like in his head.” Then, noticing the look from Sana, she added. “No, I’m not saying that to be mean. He’s been speaking to Ms Amelie about getting antidepressants, but they won’t give him any.”

  “Oh. That would kinda make sense though. He’s so different now.” Sana nodded.

  “Yeah, and like, if that’s all it was I wouldn’t care. But it’s the fact that he has no problem dragging me down with him that makes me so mad. It’s just selfish. Like, I’m not exactly happy either, you know? But I’m trying not to make that anyone else’s problem.”

  “Well, we’re in the same boat. We’ll pass this year together one way or another.” Sana encouraged.

  “How is Hereon?” Forger asked.

  “Passed out on pills most of the time. Talking to himself and crying in his room the rest. Whatever, he leaves me be and I’ve totally taken over the living room now. The sofa’s actually pretty comfy.” Sana explained undaunted.

  “Anyway. Have you guys started pubes yet?” Sana asked eagerly, leaning forwards towards Petal and Forger.

  Cecil spat out his drink mid-sip in a coughing fit.

  “SANA!” Isla scolded, horrified. “Do NOT call puberty, “pubes!” That means something else!”

  Sana looked around, innocently nonplussed.

  Yaeh began to giggle, then caught herself; hands going up to her mouth as she cut off the sound.

  Cecil had been too busy coughing and wiping the spilled drink off his trousers to notice.

  “What else could pubes mean? Obviously it’s short for puberty!” Sana argued.

  “No Sana. “Pubes” is short for pubic hair!” Isla groaned.

  “Why are we talking about pubes?” Aeon asked as he approached the table holding two large bags.

  “We AREN’T talking about pubes.” Isla almost shouted.

  Yaeh began to giggle again, this time silently.

  Sana saw her and joined in laughing.

  “I definitely heard pubes. Why, who’s got them?” Aeon asked in a completely deadpan tone as he sat down at the table.

  “Yeah! Anyone got any yet?” Sana asked eagerly.

  “Sana, I will HIT you!” Isla threatened, raising a fist.

  “Oh, are we not supposed to talk about that kind of stuff?” Forger asked, confused. “Nothing’s started for me yet I don’t think.”

  Petal shook her head as well.

  “No. NO! We do NOT talk about this stuff. It’s supposed to be private!” Isla demanded, banging a hand on the table for emphasis.

  “Why, who cares?” Aeon asked, cocking his head.

  “Yeah, who decided it should be private?” Sana protested.

  “It’s just the way it’s supposed to be!” Isla urged in desperation. “It’s embarrassing to talk about that stuff in public!”

  “Anyone else think it’s not embarrassing to talk about puberty and our bodies and stuff?” Sana asked the table, hoping to find support.

  Aeon shrugged impassively. Cecil and Yaeh looked at each other first, then also shrugged.

  “Yeah, I don’t know. I can think of more embarrassing things I guess.” Petal added with a grin. “Like when Forger didn’t know how to poo.”

  “Hey!” Forger complained. “I don’t know how any of this stuff works. It’s all new to me. Puberty. Shitting. Eating. I had to message Ms Amelie to ask her what was wrong with my arm last week because it kept feeling weird and bad and I kept wanting to scratch at it. She told me it’s just an “itch.” Whatever an “itch” is.”

  “Oh yeah, I’ve had one of those.” Aeon agreed. “On my balls! Is that normal?”

  “OH! Do you think that’s the puberty starting?” Sana asked enthusiastically.

  “Ooo, could be!” Aeon agreed optimistically.

  “Stop! Please, I’m begging you all. There is like… etiquette, about what’s proper to talk about in public. We need to watch more Earth media so you guys can get it.” Isla groaned.

  “Honestly, who cares? No offense Isla, but like, how relevant is that stuff to us? Their culture and experiences are completely different from ours. They go through these changes when they’re how old? Like thirteen or so? We’re adults! Why do we have to feel embarrassed talking about our bodies? We’ve only lived in them for a week anyway!” Sana argued passionately.

  Isla sighed. There was some sense in what Sana said, but still. “Whatever! You guys talk about whatever you want, I’ll butt out. But I’m saying this right now. If any of you ask intimate questions about my body, my puberty or my private areas, I will hit you with a brick.”

  She smacked a fist into her palm with a scowl to emphasise the point.

  “That’s fair Isla. Anyway, Aeon! First one to grow a pube buys the other the most expensive drink in the superstore?” Sana challenged.

  “Deal.” Aeon agreed cheerfully.

  Isla buried her face in her hands.

  Lulu coughed up more of the cloudy liquid that her lungs overproduced. Karkos helped her with a tissue and wiped away the excess from the corner of her lips.

  She couldn’t even raise her arms today.

  Nearby, on the floor of Aeon and Lulu’s apartment, Hereon lay on the floor. He was repeating something to himself under his breath that Lulu couldn’t hear.

  Karkos’ eyes were darker than usual. The deep black pits around his eyes had grown even more pronounced against his dark brown skin as he’d spent most nights unable to properly sleep.

  Lulu thought he almost looked as bad as she felt, but kept the thought to herself.

  She focused on breathing as deeply as she could.

  It was hard with her lungs so full of fluid, and she would run out of breath extremely quickly if she exerted herself, but while she was resting and focusing on each rattling breath she could breathe somewhat normally.

  She had really wanted to go with Aeon to join the others at the meeting but her body had refused.

  It was getting worse.

  “They named this place after their goddess of love. Did you know that?” Karkos asked quietly from beneath the living area window. His usual place.

  Not wanting to waste precious breath to answer the question out loud, Lulu cocked her head to indicate that she was listening.

  “Venus, the Roman goddess of love, beauty, sex, fertility… and victory. The Romans borrowed her from the Greeks, who called her Aphrodite, and the Greeks borrowed her from the Mesopotamians, who called her Ishtar.”

  “Same goddess, same concept. Love… Fertility… Battle… Don’t you think that’s impossibly ironic? Do you think the Romans, the Greeks and the Mesopotamians would hate us if they saw how we lived?”

  He was rambling. She considered the question anyway.

  “Is our entire culture a form of blasphemy? Do you think that we’ve been cursed by some vengeful goddess of the ancient world whose home we defiled and robbed of everything that made her, her.”

  The questions ultimately didn’t interest her. She disregarded them as the product of an overeducated mind with too much time to think. Although, unfortunately too much time to think was a problem that she could relate to.

  She didn’t even bother to shrug in response.

  The room was left in silence.

  “Lulu.” Karkos whispered.

  Tears streaked down his cheeks as Lulu looked to him mournfully.

  “Do you ever think about dying?” He breathed. Eyes desperate for help and answers that she wasn’t capable of providing.

  Lulu nodded.