Urban stepped carefully onto Ash’s giant boots and grabbed hold of his firm torso. His arms wrapped around her and tightened.
Ash beat his powerful wings, and they shot into the sky.
“Wow, you’re surprisingly light,” Ash commented. “In flight school they teach us only Naturals, Flyers, and a couple other obscure enhancements are this lightweight. All the other Enhanced have denser bones. Maybe you have some Flyer in you yet.”
Urban remained stiff and quiet, hoping the conversation would veer elsewhere.
When Ash stopped talking, she glanced down. Her stomach dropped. They were past the drone flying zone and weaving in between skyscrapers along with other Flyers. She gripped him tighter.
“Better than class, huh?” Ash asked.
“This is insane!”
“Yeah, you’re so light, it’s never been this easy. I bet I could even do some tricks.” He began gaining altitude quickly.
“Don’t you dare!”
Ash paid no attention as he swooped down, spinning in circles. He did a few more aerial loops before evening out again.
“I’m going to kill you,” Urban gritted out, her eyes shut tight.
Ash chuckled. “Says the girl who’s not a Flyer and hundreds of feet above the ground. Yeah . . . I don’t think so.”
His flying slowed and they landed. “You can open your eyes now.”
As he set her down, she took in her surroundings. They were on top of one of the tallest skyscrapers, taking a seat on what looked like a pagoda rooftop. There were no Flyers this high, but down below, there was a steady stream of them, and then drones, and then on the ground level, smart cars and people walking. There were buildings as far as she could see and, in the distance, rugged brown mountains.
Her vision swam. She scooted away from the ledge.
Ash dangled his legs, carefree. “Don’t worry. You’re not going to fall.”
I’m not going to be a scaredy cat around one of my few friends. Determined to prove herself, Urban forced herself to the edge where she hung her legs over the ledge. Great. Ash is my only ticket down.
Ash gazed out over the city. “This is my favorite spot to think.”
“Flyers think?” Urban couldn’t resist the jab.
“Ha. Ha. This one does a lot actually.” He let out a sigh. “Too much.”
Urban wasn’t sure whether to say anything or not.
Ash straightened, tucking his wings. But something about his wistful, sad gaze made Urban curious.
“What do you think about when you’re up here?”
Ash paused. “My career choice. Or rather, my parents’. If they made the right one. Like seriously, wings? Do you ever wonder what your parents were thinking when they designed your genetics?”
“What are you talking about? I would kill for wings.”
“Flying is amazing, but you get used to it after a while, and it just becomes a part of life. I’d much rather be an Inventor, using my intellect to make an impact in the world or even a Giver. There are only a few career paths for a Flyer.” He detached what looked like a thick black stick from the back of his XR suit. Urban had never noticed it before.
“This is a polearm. Every military Flyer’s weapon of choice. It works well for crane-bot, the martial art that incorporates flying.” He switched it on, and the tip blazed blue. “I’m only an orange belt, but I’m hoping after five more years of training to become a Master.”
“Why a Master?”
“Cause, you get this amazing weapon.” Ash projected a pulsing stick with two sharp, wing-shaped lasers at the tip. “Way cooler than mine and easier to fight with. The crane-bot founders only give them to people who’ve perfected the art though.” With that, Ash switched off the projection.
“So, why aren’t you interested in one of the Flyer paths? Crane-bot sounds pretty great.”
“True, but it’s just not me.”
“Ash,” Urban said slowly, “why are you telling me this?”
He placed the polearm carefully back on his suit before responding. “I get the sense you’re not content to live out the enhancement track your parents picked for you either. You even keep your gene pool a secret from everyone. That’s pretty rare these days. I guess it makes me comfortable talking to you about it. Most people just laugh me off.”
“Oh. Thanks, I guess.”
“Take it as a compliment.” Ash grinned. “So, what about you?”
Urban stiffened. “If you’re hoping to get me to reveal my enhancements . . .”
“Dang, so close,” Ash said playfully. He turned serious again. “But really, I think about this all the time. What I’d give to be an Inventor.”
What I’d give to be anything. Urban thought ruefully.
“Sorry, didn’t mean to put a damper on the conversation.” Ash seemed to sense the mood shift. “You asked what I think about, and I’m an open book.”
How opposite we are. Urban thought. I need a friend like this.
“Anyhow, if you know of any Inventors, let me know. I’m super into smart chicks.”
Relief flooded her. Ash wasn’t hitting on her. “I’ll keep my eyes peeled.” She winked.
“Say, you’re not one, are you? I swear, if you’ve been holding out on me . . .”
Urban threw up her arms, laughing. “I’m not an Inventor, I promise.”
Ash eyed her suspiciously a moment more. “If you say so.”
“Actually, my roommate and sister are both Inventors.”
Ash brightened. “Be my wingwoman? Please? I might even let you cheat off me in class if you do.”
Urban snorted. “Yeah right. Although . . .” She peered down at the long drop below. “I’ll cut you a deal. Get me back to the dorms without any tricks, and I’ll introduce you to them.”
“Brilliant!”
They continued talking about their genetics class, martial arts, and all the worst and best bashes they’d been to in the last year. The sun set, and the city lights flickered on—a brilliant rainbow of flashing lights.
An alarm beeped in Urban’s retina display. “Oh shoot!” She jumped to her feet. “We have to go! I forgot I have jiujitsu class.”
She was one of the last ones to arrive at the gym. The rest of the class was already seated on the floor. She took a place near the front next to Lillian.
Orion gave her a slight nod, then began the lesson. “Lately, I’ve noticed a few of you rushing through the motions. When you practice a move, take your time. Jiujitsu is like trying a new food. You don’t scarf it down. You take a small bite and chew it slowly. Maybe you like it, maybe you don’t.”
He paused and eyed them all. “Or take another example. It’s like pursuing a woman. You give her flowers, tell her she’s beautiful, take her to dinner, then you hold her hand, next you kiss her, then you ask her to be your girlfriend, then eventually, marry her. It’s a slow process. Kiss her right away, and you’ll get slapped. Ask her out too soon, and she’ll say no. Jiujitsu is no different. Take your time.”
There were a few chuckles and titters. They began their warm-up and then watched as Orion demonstrated their newest defensive move with Craig.
“Partner up,” Orion ordered when the demo was done.
Another girl teamed up with Lillian, leaving Urban to scramble for a partner. She glanced around the room and found most everyone had already found someone. Craig, the Super, was the only one left. He clumped toward her.
This is going to be so awkward.
Craig also looked uncomfortable. “I’ll go first,” he suggested, lying on the floor and motioning for Urban to sit on top of him. He executed the move flawlessly, then turned to her. “Your turn.”
Urban dropped to the mat with dread.
Craig tried to be gentle but being gentle for a Super was like asking a grizzly bear to afternoon tea.
As soon as he was in place, Urban wanted to tap out. She gasped for breath. Her ribs were surely snapping under his weight.
Taking several deep breaths, she tried to calm herself. An Enhanced student with reinforced bones would probably be fine in this situation. She had to be too.
She focused all her energy on trying to free herself. Her attempt was clumsy and weak. The Super shifted under her efforts but otherwise didn’t move.
She tried again. Craig moved a little more but not enough. The stench of his sweat dripping down on her was nauseating.
Urban tried a third time, giving it everything she had and growling through gritted teeth. The Super almost moved but still no luck.
Urban wanted to cry from the pain and her inability to do anything about it. She was reminded of the time Lucas dragged her to the bottom of the pool and almost drowned her. Only, she couldn’t exactly hit Craig in the groin to free herself this time.
Orion came over and pulled Craig up, and fresh air immediately filled her lungs again.
“Watch.” Orion motioned to Craig and demonstrated the countermove slowly with him. “It’s not about brute force, but leverage. Try with me.”
Orion was significantly lighter than Craig, and Urban realized it was because he was putting the majority of his weight on his hands and knees instead of crushing her chest.
His face was inches from her own, and she noticed the texture of his stubble. Her nerves spiked with him so close. The scent of him filled her.
Urban shook herself. Why was she noticing these details rather than remembering the move she was supposed to be executing?
She tried the defense and this time managed to flip Orion. It was clumsy, but she still counted it a win.
“See?” Orion said with a wide grin, and she found herself smiling back. “Much better.” They practiced several more times before she returned to Craig. Then it was back to having her lungs crushed and hyperventilating. Only this time, she was able to flip Craig.
By the end of class, her back and chest were sore, but she smiled with pride.
“Are you okay?” Lillian whispered.
Urban rubbed her ribs. “I survived.”
“Next time let’s make sure we partner up.”
The next morning, Urban surveyed the damage. Her ribs were definitely bruised. Pulling on her XR suit was a painful ordeal.
She was curious if Orion would join her in biopsych class. Sure enough, a few minutes later, Orion sat next to her.
“Hey, hey. How you feeling?”
“A little sore,” Urban admitted.
“Sorry about that. I keep telling Craig to partner with someone his own size.” He gave her a smile that made the blood rush to her face. Fortunately, Dr. Botteria began class, and Urban turned away quickly.
What is wrong with me? Get it together! You have a boyfriend.
She let out a frustrated sigh. Orion gave her a concerned look.
Right. And he’s an Inceptor.
Urban tried hard to focus on Dr. Botteria’s lecture but found it difficult with Orion so near. His profile was visible out of the corner of her eye. Next time, she would be sure to sit somewhere else.
“Let’s meet soon to work on our group project,” Orion called out as he left.
Urban nodded without turning.
In Crypto Currencies, it was a relief to sit next to Coral. Her roommate was wearing a backward hat and high-top hover shoes, though why she needed an extra boost when she jumped, Urban wasn’t sure. Then again, it was Coral. Who knew what sort of trouble she’d be getting into.
“What happened last class?” Coral whispered.
“Uh, what do you mean?” Urban stiffened. “I just choked on my water.”
“Yeah, and gullible is written on the ceiling.” Coral gave her a look. “You were like dying.”
Urban twisted the hem of her XR suit. “My body’s just weird like that. Sometimes I choke really bad.”
Thankfully, the probot chose that moment to start class, and Coral stopped asking questions.
After class, Coral walked out with Urban. “Hey, I’m going to grab a quick lunch and work on our homework assignment. Want to join me?”
Urban wondered if Coral would ask any more questions, but she seemed to be past that.
“How about DingDing’s Dim Sum?” Urban suggested. She knew the students with a high sosh all despised the place and wouldn’t venture near it. She also happened to love dim sum, and the place was a great study spot.
Coral agreed, and they soon found themselves in a bamboo booth with robots pushing trays full of assorted food past them. Urban’s mouth watered at the sight of snow-pea sprouts with shrimp dumplings, custard-roll sponge cakes, chicken and roast pork bundles, turnip cakes, deep-fried crab balls, red-bean balls, and eggplant stuffed with vegetables.
Urban snagged some chicken feet off one of the trays.
Coral watched Urban stick the foot in her mouth to chew around the bone and made a face.
“Get used to it. You’re in the Asian Federation.”
Coral grimaced. “Thanks for reminding me.”
As Coral plucked a sesame-seed ball off a tray, Urban noticed a tattoo. “What’s that?”
“What?”
“Your tattoo.” Urban pointed.
Coral looked down. “Oh.” She rolled up her sleeve.
“Weiji?” Urban read. “Crisis?”
“Seems strange, I know, but I like how the character is made up of the two parts, wei, meaning dangerous, and ji, meaning opportunity. For every crisis, there is both danger and opportunity. It reminds me to keep a positive outlook.”
“That’s cool.” Surprisingly.
But Coral just nodded and turned back to the homework. “Okay, so what does question number seven mean? Do you get it? I don’t recognize this word, and I keep getting a weird translation from my retina auto translator.”
Urban took a look. “You’re right. When translated it does come out weird.” Urban spent the next three hours helping Coral understand the questions and a few of the other terms in their textbook. In return, Coral helped Urban with some of the equations she couldn’t crack.
“You know, we make a good team,” Coral commented as they left.
As the dorms came into view, Urban looked up. “Say, how hard is it to get around the curfew system?”
Coral stopped walking. “Don’t tell me you found yourself a boy that fast.”
“What?” Urban was confused. “No.” But then she thought better of it. This was the perfect excuse. “Well, actually . . .”
“Who is it?”
“Just . . . someone.”
“Aw, you’re no fun.”
“The curfew hack?” Urban pressed.
Coral eyed her. “It’s supposed to be a Camo-exclusive trick. But you did just help me with my homework.” She paused. “All right, I’ll tell you. All you need is a halocaster and something weighing roughly the same as you. The weight trips the bed monitor, and the halocaster needs to be programmed to display your retina so the retina scanner will be shut off. And that’s all.”
At Urban’s confused look, Coral added, “It’s super easy. I’ll show you.”
“Thanks. And, Coral, please don’t tell anyone about my boyfriend. My parents would kill me if they found out.”
“So, he’s your boyfriend already?”
Urban bit her tongue. She hadn’t meant for that to slip out.
“Don’t worry,” her roommate assured her. “Your secret’s safe with me.”
That night, while Hazel and Blossom were out, Coral showed Urban how to trick the curfew system. She also gave her a carabiner and some other gadgets to help her rappel out the window.
“And no one’s going to spot me just climbing down the side of the building? Is this even safe?” Urban glanced down at the forty-two-floor drop.
“You’ll be fine. I’m never spotted because I blend in with the wall. So that could be problematic for you. Just wear your XR mask so the cameras can’t trace your identity, and you should be good. If you give me a heads up, I can probably shut off the surveillance for a couple minutes.”
“I knew I kept you around for a reason.”
Coral grinned.