Enhanced: A YA Sci-fi Thriller by J.S. Hudson

Author:J.S. Hudson [Hudson, J.S.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: eleven55
Published: 2019-12-09T06:00:00+00:00

17

Not The Same

Jack and Aarav pulled up to the coffee shop and saw Ashley’s Civic in the parking lot. “Thirty minutes to closing,” said Jack. He spotted the girls through the shop’s large window talking up a storm, as usual.

“I can’t wait to see them,” said Aarav, and hurriedly led Jack inside.

“Ashley! Venus! How ya’ been?” said Aarav, with his arms wide open. He walked up and gave a big hug to each of them before taking his seat.

Ashley’s eyes were glued to Jack, who was ordering coffee. “Aren’t you getting anything?” she asked Aarav.

“No thanks, it’s a little late for me. Do you guys want anything else though? A muffin… or a croissant sandwich?”

“Thanks, Aarav,” said Ashley. “I think we’re okay. You sure are peppy tonight.”

“I know, right,” said Aarav. “Is this enhancement feeding my brain caffeine? I mean, seriously.”

Ashley laughed — not so much from Aarav’s joke, but more from how “extra” he was being.

Aarav laughed along with his friend and shook his head. “This is so funny, right?” he said.

“You know what’s funny,” interjected Venus. “I have no idea what you’re going to do, or say.”

“Me neither,” said Aarav, and they all started laughing.

Jack returned with two tall white cups. “I got you a coffee, bud,” he said.

“Oh, thanks, Jack. I wasn’t gonna drink any, but I will now. That was really nice of you.” Aarav looked around at his three friends. “So,” he said. “How’s it going, guys?” He made an over-pronounced wink to signal he was talking about the enhancements.

“We get it, Aarav,” Jack said coldly.

“Jack…” scolded Venus, with her eyes doing most of the work. “I’ll tell you how mine’s performing, Aarav,” she continued. “Basically, I can anticipate just about everything that happens. My memory is phenomenally detailed. Like, all of this…” she waved her hands in front of Aarav’s face, “I have no idea what’s going on here. But with Ash and Jack and people I’ve known… it’s like I’m always one step ahead of them. And I feel like it’s getting stronger, too.”

“Yeah, isn’t it great!” said Aarav. “It’s gonna take a whole week for our enhancements to peak out, and we’re only on the second day. This is going to be such an awesome experience for you guys.” He peered at Ashley. “Okay, tell me what’s goin’ on?”

“Well,” she blushed.

Jack laughed. “Oh no, are you serious? Ashley Clayton’s blushing.”

“I’m sorry,” she said. Then something happened that shocked them all. She began to cry. “The way it feels…” She paused. “It’s so beautiful. It’s like Heaven… like an explosion. A nuclear explosion.” Her face lit up as she reminisced on her recent experiences. “I can’t really describe how it feels. But, it’s good. It’s really good.”

Aarav handed her a napkin to dry her eyes, “And it’s only gonna get better,” he said.

“Thank you,” said Ashley. “Seriously, Aarav… thank you.”

“Uh, well... that’s great Ash,” said Jack, diminishing the sensitive moment, and coincidentally, his own discomfort over it. “Well, for me… let’s just say that I got my starting position back.

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