The night sky emerged bringing the soft chants of crickets. Like an alarm, their chirping seeped through the crack of the window, striking Aurora's eardrums. Her eyes shot open while her head darted back from her desk. A crinkled crease singed her forehead when she looked at her wall clock.

7:45?

  Instantly, her hand swiped her keys and phone from her desk. She held the phone up in her palm while her finger scanned through the contacts until Lori's name emerged. A tap on her screen sent the call. Lori's squeaky voice with its heavy New Yorker accent stung her eardrum.

"Where are you?"

"I'm on my way!" She ended the call without delay.

  At Hudson's Skatepark, her friends were gathered on a bench smoking weed. A shallow gust of wind shoved the smell of skunky grapes into Aurora's nose.

She approached them from behind, certain the thick cloud would get her high. Oddly, it didn't do the joint justice. She eyed the brown wrap that now glistened as Armon's puckered lips slurped in its bliss. A choking cough left his mouth clarifying the potency.

  Aurora finally walked around the lengthy bench snatching the joint when she noticed Lori on his lap. Her heart erupted in the midst of her grabbing it. As it neared her mouth, the edges of her hand trembled.

Why am I shaking? Can they notice I'm...jealous?

The corners of her lips rounded the tip as she inhaled. When a deep breath left her pierced mouth, Armon locked eyes with hers. They were like glistening loadstones with each sending a cosmic pull. She couldn't look away even with the rush that trickled up her spine. When the surfaces of her cheeks reddened, her face veered to the right. Still, a question tuned through her mind that slipped out.

"Are you and Armon together or something?"

What made matters worse was the outburst of laughter from all her friends. Perplexed, she glared at them in awe.

"It's a prank," said Lori. "I don't want yo man."

"What do you mean? Armon's not my man," said Aurora.

"I know you like me, so I thought it would be funny to prank you." Armon pushed Lori from his thighs. She stumbled to the floor on her bottom. Another round of laughing left everyone's mouths.

"That would be considered a cruel prank if I did like you. Which I don't." Her anxiety seemed to pass along with the humor.

"Why don't we go get some pancakes?" said Lori as she stood dusting off her toosh. Tiny rock particles sprinkled from her jeans.

"Yaw go ahead. Me and Aurora will meet you guys there." Armon stood from his seat where they now faced eachother.

He patiently waited for his friends to increase their distance. Sean and Darnell quickened his wishes when they jumped on their skateboards rolling past Lori. He laughed when she began running behind them. Once they were little pebbles in the distance, he faced Aurora with a wide grin. With cheeks bright red, his bashfulness made its first appearance.

Armon nervous? she thought.

"Why did we stay behind?" she asked.

"I like you." His soothing hands held hers while his eyes traveled from side to side.

"You do?"

"I wanted to tell you before you left for school."

"I, uh, like you too."

"I know. So you'll go to the diner with me as my lady?"

"Heehee! Yes!"

Once they reached the diner, they rushed inside since their friends waited for them.

  Friday nights the diner always had a stampede of teenagers ramming through the doors. Aurora beamed her bulging orbs from table to table. A warm breath rushed from her mouth when she realized her friends found a seat in a back corner by the restroom. The smell of crisped bacon road the air. She followed its trail, nostrils fully awakened by the aroma. Her mouth watered when a waiter zoomed past her with a plate of six golden pancakes.

  At the booth, Lori scurried out of her seat to the other side, shoving Sean and Darnell toward the wall. They both growled at her.

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"Let the two lovebirds sit together." Lori was the first to notice them holding hands.

Sean and Darnell's eyes widened with shock at the sight of their two friends.

"I see you, Armon," said Darnell nodding his head in approval.

"How will this work when she goes to school?" said Sean who foresaw their relationship ending.

"He'll come and visit or I will come and visit." They both sat in the open seat, hands still clasped.

  Just as Aurora's stomach grumbled, Lindsey the waiter, walked up. She was a splitting image of Patty, the owner. Her eyes were frosted blue and her hair, brassy blond. Her thin lips always appeared wilted, but so did everything else on her body. Ever since the twenty-five-year-old's mother became sick, she took the initiative and ran the business. The stress of the job showed on her face. Dark circles cradled her sockets and worry lines formed when she spoke. She asked everyone what they wanted. The pancake special was their go-to, but Lindsey always provided a side of bacon on the house for her loyal customers. When she walked away, her body was a magnet Aurora's eyes were set on.

"She seems so....down."

"I heard they're moving the business to Victorium," said Lori.

Aurora wondered where Lori heard that from. Patty was no sellout.

When Lindsey carried out their tray of food, Aurora quickly spoke.

"Are you really moving the business to Victorium?"

"I....am. Wow, word gets around quick." Her southern accent seemed heavier now as she shook her head in disapproval. Each plate carelessly slid to its rightful owner.

  The last plate was Aurora's which she slightly slammed in front of her. Oddly, no one noticed since they scarfed down their food just as it arrived. Even Aurora crammed her bacon down her throat. Just when Lindsey tried to walk off, Aurora blurted out another question.

"You have so many loyal customers here. Why are you leaving?"

Lindsey let in a deep inhale with the answer just spilling as air rushed from her mouth.

"Technet gave me an offer I couldn't refuse. My mom doesn't agree, but she doesn't understand what's at stake. I have to do what's best for my daughter."

"You guys are always busy though. It can't be the money."

"Aurora!" said Lori.

"No," said Lindsey. "It's fine. Technet will eventually require techpay in all sectors. No one here is prepared for that. When they finally enforce it, none of you will be able to pay for certain things. I'm moving my business to Victorium because they already have that system in place."

  Their booth now replicated a boiling pot of water spilling over into the atmosphere. Everyone was bound to a roaring emotion. Armon is the only one who spoke out. Just as he slammed his palms beside his plate, his eyes were pinned to Lindsey's. He studied her as her body wilted a little more. The knowledge was killing her inside.

Who gives a shit?

"Why haven't we heard anything about this?" said Armon.

"From what I can recall," said Lindsey, "they will slowly adopt their new system into households sector-wide."

"But first they're gonna take away our ability to buy stuff we need as we wait for them to datafuck us further?" Armon worried for his own family now.

"Kid, relax! You don't need pancakes. I think it's only for restaurants and retail...For now."

  Lindsey nodded her head as she studied the group of intrusive teens who had so many questions. She hoped her answers were enough to let her off the hook. Her legs began to slowly wind backward. It seemed that now, they were caught up in each other rather than her. She quickly made her exit scurrying into the kitchen. Instantly, she burst through the wooden panels with another tray not missing a beat. This one had a sizzling steak bursting with juices. Served with a side of potatoes and two sunny-side-up eggs, this made the perfect Hungry Man's special. It was partnered with white toast and coffee. The customer, an old man with a thing for Lindsey, tapped his sausages along the table, eager to eat. He smiled from ear to ear when she approached him.

"Can't talk right now, Bob." She dismissively slid his plate along the table causing it to hit his chest. For a moment, he scolded her as she walked off. His shoulders instantly shrugged as he began to slice apart his steak. The strips slithered into his mouth one by one.

  Is he even chewing? Aurora thought while eyeing all of Lindsey's movements. The stalking seemed to end at Bob.

About twenty more minutes in, Aurora and her friends pushed their plates aside. The guys managed to get every ounce of bacon and pancakes down. Lori had one lonely pancake sitting on hers. She always let the guys eat her bacon. Aurora decided to take her two pancakes and a few strips of bacon home with her. Lindsey carried out a to-go box and gently shoved the food inside. She put the container in a bag placing it in Aurora's hand.

  Their bill turned out to be $22 with each of them searching their pockets for what they had. Armon pulled Aurora's hands in his just when she went to grab $10.

"I'll pay for yours."

"You don't have to."

"I insist."

  Once everyone reached the exit, it was agreed that they would all head home. Armon accompanied Aurora. It would be a thirty-minute walk from Pat's. To avoid white coats and the curfew drones, they walked through shadowed corners and alleyways. Each time a drone hovered by, swiping its green, translucent luster along the concrete, Armon's grip on Aurora's hands grew firm. She would whip into his arms each time where he sheilded her just in case. Being so close to him and feeling protected by him made her heart thump through her chest. She thought of kissing him if it happened again but did not think she had it in her.

As their journey continued, Armon began talking. It must have been a safer area since he let go of her hand.

"So....You are leaving us."

"Yeah! I wish I didn't have to."

"At least I'll come to visit."

"I don't want you spending all your money to see me."

"I'll be fine. Me and my family all work."

"What do you guys do again?"

"My father repairs drones. Me and my brother clean the lenses."

"Ha!"

"Cool right?" He hated polishing the very things that stalked them throughout the day. She could see the disdain on his face. He rolled his eyes and flared his nostrils. What she didn't know was that he sabotaged them, scratching up the inner lens with screwdrivers or any sharp object he could find. This act made it impossible for them to see in their 360 view. Instead, a blotchy picture was cast to the security screens in the white coats headquarters. Armon always wondered if he would get caught, especially by his father since he repaired the damages. At least work consistently flowed now.

Just at the corner gate of Aurora's yard, they halted. Armon recaptured Aurora's hands while his thumbs smeared along the back of them. His hungry eyes beamed at hers and down to her lips. That's when the corners of his shoulders shot forward. He reeled her closer until their mouths collided.

  Aurora was certain he did this quite a few times before. Every motion had a proper follow-up. Tongue remained the driving action sending sensations throughout her body. He mastered the art of a sultry kiss, fully in tune with her body, more so than she was. When his soft peaches swept down her neck, he slid the tip of his tongue in the same direction. Their lips recollided, this time, Aurora replicated his passion. When the kiss ended, their feelings ignited. Nothing could ruin their moment. Well, at least that's what they thought.

  Out of nowhere, Aurora's father rushed them both. He shoved Armon away causing him to fly back and he dragged his daughter up the sidewalk and down their walkway. She nearly lost her footing as he pulled her up the stairs to the porch.

"Get inside!" he yelled from the top of his lungs. Aurora heeded his demand.

"Mr. Johnson! I, uh, I was walking Aurora home." Armon's voice trembled uncontrollably. "It's late. Wanted her to be safe."

"Stay away from my daughter pendejo!" The backs of his workboots rammed along the wood as he yanked open the door. He slammed it behind him.