Rising Shards

Lillia did her best to analyze the typewriter. Where the ink ribbon would be on a normal typewriter was a small screen. There was a message projected on it that you had to almost squint to see, something that Iris would have definitely missed as she slammed it against the nearest wall.

“It says it’ll need a few minutes to warm up.” Lillia announced to the group.

“More waiting?” Kalei said.

“Well, at least Iris isn’t here for this part.” Oka said.

“I can do a few more minutes without freaking out,” Zeta said. “Right?”

“Jury’s out on that one,” Kalei said. “Oka, you can either console her or finally do this challenge? Zates and Amara can’t be the only ones who do it.”

Lillia tried to inch her way over to Oka and the others, but once more she found herself unable to find a way into a conversation while someone else loomed close by. Without even looking, she could tell Ko Matora was nearby, wanting to use those “few minutes” to their fullest. When Lillia saw her, she was surprised to see that she wasn’t eagerly looking Lillia’s way. Ko was chatting with her sister and a few other classmates. Just as Lillia was about to attempt to rejoin the group chatter nearby, potentially even taking the pet food challenge, Ko broke away from her sister and approached.

“Saw you pouting so I had to stop by,” Ko said quietly. “Are you the jealous type?”

Lillia didn’t answer. Well, unless flinching and backing up to a wall so they’d have some privacy counted as an answer. Ko kept up with Lillia easily, with casual strides matching Lillia’s rapid steps.

“Well, anyways, I’m glad you called me over.” Ko said. “I wanted to ask you something.”

“What is it?” Lillia asked.

“Hey, so,” Ko said, stretching her arms. “Are you avoiding me?”

“What?” Lillia asked.

“It’s just…we made plans to see a movie this week, and I haven’t been able to see you.” Ko said.

“I’m not…intentionally avoiding you.” Lillia said. “We only just got back to class. Practice is going to be rather intense this week as well.”

“Right, true,” Ko said. “As long as you’re not mad at me or something.”

“Why would I be mad at…?” Lillia asked.

“I dunno,” Ko said. “So, we still on for the movie?”

“I want to,” Lillia said. I really want to. “I do have a big rehearsal on Saturday that I know will take a lot of my attention.”

“And I got a beam chasers thing that day too, yeah.” Ko said. “A movie feels like it needs a bit more planning than we got time for this week.”

“For some reason, yes.” Lillia said.

“How about next week?”

“Sure,” Lillia said. “Can I see you this weekend, though?”

“Huh?” Ko said.

“Huh?” Lillia said, only just starting to realize what she’d somehow said out loud.

“You want to see me? But like, not a movie?” Ko asked.

Lillia nodded, feeling like she just volunteered to immediately give a speech on something she hadn’t studied or prepared for at all. “I…would like to…” Ko raised her eyebrows as Lillia stammered. “See. You. See you this weekend. For something…more casual. Than a movie.”

What did I just say? What did I just suggest? I didn’t actually say that, did I? She’s beaming like I did. Her fangs are cuter when she smiles, somehow. Also, was she always this much taller than me?

“Something casual, got it,” Ko said. “That sounds awesome. I’ll text you after my tryout?”

“Yes, after my rehearsal, as well.” Lillia said.

The typewriter made a buzzer sound, announcing that the challenge was finally ready.

“Alright, talk to you soon,” Ko said.

“Right. See you.” Lillia said.

* * *

Amara sighed as she approached KJ in the corner.

“You don’t have to stay there, you know.” Amara said putting her hands on her hips.

“I was rejected by the student body,” KJ said. “So now I’m getting a shot that signifies this.”

“Right, very sad,” Amara said. “How about you take a break from that so we can get back to class? It’ll still be filming while we’re doing this challenge.”

KJ continued to stare forward; her shoulders slumped.

“OK, mopey, come on,” Amara said, taking KJ’s hand and leading her back to the others.

“Thanks,” KJ said quietly.

* * *

Maia scratched her face. The smooth skin didn’t feel right. As she waited for Iris to get back, she couldn’t help but think about how she’d ended up with a Shearing Infection.

The night before, Iris groaned as she entered their room, rushing to her bed to plop face down on her bed.

“So. Feral Flu attempt number…whatever didn’t go well?” Maia asked.

“No,” Iris said. “I got Shearing Infection instead.”

“Oh,” Maia said. “So…just like a cold, then?”

Iris groaned. “Basically. A mild cold. And a mild cold isn’t gonna get me out of class. And you know what’s worse?” Iris got up to stand on her bed so fast Maia felt like she was in a cartoon, and they just skipped a bunch of frames. “My mom’s doing that thing tomorrow.”

“Oh, the testing thing,” Maia said. “That sucks.”

“And I have Shearing Infection! How am I gonna explain it if that comes through on the test if I can’t flush it out?” Iris said.

“Hmm,” Maia said. “You could say I gave it to you on accident or something.”

“Huh?” Iris asked, hopping off her bed. “Explain.”

“Like, say I got it from some unrelated thing, then you accidentally got it from me.” Maia said.

“Oh! Like I was holding my hand out and you tripped and fell bite first on it!” Iris said. “That’s genius!”

“We can come up with a better story than that.” Maia said.

“Then, wait,” Iris said. “I should probably give it to you, then, right?”

“Yeah, that’s what I was thinking,” Maia said. “It just lasts a day, I can handle it.”

“Then my mom sees you with it and our story has evidence!” Iris said. “Soooo…where do you want me to bite you?”

Maia had suggested the idea half as a joke; she didn’t think Iris would actually take her up on it. Now it started to dawn on her that Iris was about to place her lips somewhere on Maia’s body.

“Where’s a good place? You get this stuff more than I do.” Maia asked.

“I usually get bit on the arm, but…I don’t have to do for them what I do for you.” Iris said.

Maia’s heart was pounding now. “Shut up, what are you talking about dude?”

“I’m trying to be there for you more after the trip, remember?” Iris said. “I’m cool biting wherever, don’t even worry about the fur!”

“And what does that have to do with biting me somewhere different?” Maia asked.

“I mean like, if I’m doing what you want, I want you to be comfortable, right?” Iris asked. “If you’re getting a coffee, they ask you how you’d like it prepared. I want to give you the best friend version of good customer service.” Almost as fast as she stood up on her bed, Iris sat down by Maia. “Where do you want me to bite you?”

“How about,” Maia said, her voice starting to give away. She barely whispered. “My…shoulder?”

Iris beamed. “I can do that.”

Maia pulled her collar to the side over one shoulder. This isn’t really happening. This is way too fast to be real. This is a dream, and I’m gonna wake up any second now—

“Now, it does have to be a hard bite.” Iris said. “You cool with that?”

Maia started to say something, but her voice completely left her, and she could only nod.

“Do you want a count?” Iris asked. “Like one, two, three, or one-two-three, go, or—"

“Just do it, dude,” Maia said. “Don’t make me change my mind.”

Iris knelt on the bed and slowly moved forward. Maia’s heart pounded even harder as Iris seemed to move toward her face, not her shoulder. Maia opened her mouth, wondering that if this really was a dream if Iris would change her mind and would kiss her instead. Iris turned and moved toward Maia’s shoulder. Her eyelids were half closed as she pressed her mouth forward, nibbling with her fangs at first. She slowly, steadily started biting down. However bad Shearing Infection would hit Maia, it was already worth it. Maia winced as Iris bit down. The pain was only there for a second, replaced by warmth that spread throughout her whole body instantly. Iris continued biting, leaning forward and causing Maia to fall backward on her bed. Iris stayed above her, continuing to hold her fangs in place. Maia didn’t know what to do with her hands, which looked like swaying trees in fall, her fingers outstretched weirdly like the branches.

This is just a dream, right? She’s still going. If this was real, she wouldn’t be doing this for this long.

Maia gently placed her hands on Iris’ back. She willed herself to stay silent, even though she felt some noise trying to make its escape. She squeezed hard enough to feel the contours of Iris' ribs. Finally, Iris stopped.

“Oh. Hey there.” Iris said as Maia realized she’d wrapped her arms around her more tightly than she’d anticipated. She quickly let go and sat back up as Iris sat next to her and softly giggled. “I’m gonna miss you being fuzzy tomorrow.”

“It’ll be just for a day,” Maia whispered.

“True,” Iris said.

As her mental gears turned, Maia tried to analyze Iris’ expression for some kind of answer to what just happened. On one hand, it was just what they agreed to; Iris gave her a Shearing Infection through a bite. But didn’t that…feel like more? Iris didn’t look any different than normal, she had the same carefree body language she generally did, and she didn’t even seem to mind Maia staring at her.

“Oh, oops, almost forgot.” Iris said. She darted to the bathroom then came back with a bandage. “You’ll probably need this, right?”

“I’ll let it air out a bit,” Maia said. “You didn’t get any…er. In your…”

“Nah, I’ve gotten Feral Flu enough that I’m a pro,” Iris said, sticking her tongue out. “Or, hm, usually I’m the one getting bit there. Let me get some water, too.” Iris started to laugh, then snorted. “Oh, god, I thought I stopped doing that. The snorting, not the hairball. I mean, I thought I stopped that too, but…”

The rest of the night proceeded as normally as it could, but long after the lights were out, Maia stared at her ceiling, replaying it over and over in her head, knowing that any minute she’d start really seeing the effects of the Shearing Infection. It’d be better to sleep, but she couldn’t stop the words looping over and over the mental replay of Iris’ bite.

It wasn’t a dream.