Charged (Electric) Read online

  The presentation is similar to what we learned in class. The three of us manage to pay attention, though I have to smack Brie’s arm a couple times for making faces. She leans in towards the end. “Not for nothing,” she whispers, “but I still have yet to hear how they plan on keeping these things in line.”

  I nod my agreement, and try to focus on the rest of the presentation. Brie has a good point. Don’t get me wrong, everything they are showing to us is very exciting. It’s really life changing for every person. I’m just waiting to see the checks and balances they have in place. I’m also a firm believer that when something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

  We take a break to eat our bagged lunches before we start the tour. Brie, Mason and I dump out our paper sacks, trading food until we are all happy with our choices. Mason takes a swig of his soda before he says, “I find it a little creepy,” he takes another swig, “that if I go break my arm in a month, they’re going to put this little robot inside me to fix me. It seems like it would be violating.”

  Brie laughs, “I agree, it’s creepy. Just wait until they start using them for other things.”

  My brow furrows as I look at her. “Like what?” I ask.

  She swallows a bite of her sandwich before answering. “Think about it, Kat. How long until they start using them to gather information on everybody. Or using them to control people, I’m telling you, this is some freaky shit right here.”

  I notice Mr. Murphy passing our table to throw away whatever was left of his lunch. I flag him down. “Mr. Murphy, during our tour, are they going to touch on the safety measures for this new technology?”

  “Good question, Kat. I’ll make you a deal, my good friend is the lead scientist in that department. If we can’t get you any answers on the tour, then I will take you three for a private Q&A session while everyone else visits the gift shop.”

  I ignore the fact that I think it’s odd for such a major company to have a gift shop, “That’d be cool, Mr. Murphy. Thanks!”

  With that, Mr. Murphy calls us to order and we all fall into line for the tour. We are shown to a display area, filled with glass cases depicting different stages and advances in nanotechnology. Our tour guide speaks, monotonously, regarding the company’s history as we roam through the display cases. Brie, Mason and I goof off a little, but not enough that I don’t process what I’m seeing and hearing about the company’s history.

  I stop, as one glass case catches my eye, and move in for a closer look. It shows magnified pictures of nanobots self-replicating. The card states: ‘Productive nanosystems are "systems of nanosystems" which will be complex nanosystems that produce atomically precise parts for other nanosystems, not necessarily using novel nanoscale-emergent properties, but well-understood fundamentals of manufacturing.’

  I imagine the astounding rate they can mass produce. These microscopic inventions are almost God-like in a sense. They can manipulate atoms-the basic makeup of everything on this planet-into whatever they want or need, and then regenerate themselves. Maybe Brie isn’t as pessimistic as I first thought. Maybe, Brie is right to be so skeptical.

  My internal monologue is interrupted by the herding of everyone into the next area. Mason grabs my hand to pull me along, and to my delight doesn’t release it. I tell myself to lighten up, and enjoy the day. It’s not like it’s my responsibility to save the world from nanobots. I’m sure they pay someone very handsomely to worry about it.

  Mr. Murphy keeps his promise, and at the end of our tour he leads us to meet his friend and colleague Dr. Julian Ford. Dr. Ford is younger and handsomer than I expected. He looks to be in his twenties, and has blond hair and piercing blue eyes set behind thin rimmed glasses. Even Brie is a bit flustered, which never happens. He extends his hand first to Mr. Murphy, then to the rest of us.

  “It’s good to see you again, John.” Dr. Ford says.

  “You, too, Julian. Please meet Kat, Brie and Mason. Brie and Kat have some questions for you regarding the safety measures in place for these new nanobots.”

  Dr. Ford smiles at us. “You know, most adults don’t even think ahead to the possible ramifications of nanotechnology. I think it’s great you guys are doing it on a high school level. What’s your main concern?”

  Brie jumps right in. “Utter world domination? I mean, what’s to stop them from taking over everything?”

  Leave it to Brie to lighten the mood. Dr. Ford chuckles as he replies. “A valid concern, guys. Every nanobot is designed to have a specific focus, so the first safety feature is proper usage.”

  “What about human error?” Brie counters.

  “Well, that’s the reason it’s only the first precaution. The nanobots will also require an energy source. Other factors come into play too, such as environmental stresses. And finally, we’ve created them to be self-limiting. They would still be in need of materials that they require for consumption, all outside parameters we control.”

  Brie seems to think this over while Mason pipes in. “See ladies, they’ve got this under control.”

  I smack his arm. “Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions Dr. Ford.”

  Brie starts, “Yeah, thanks, I feel a bit better now. Not completely,” she grins, “but better.”

  “I’m happy to help.” Dr. Ford holds his hand out to Mr. Murphy again, “John, not so long next time, stop by anytime.”

  Mr. Murphy shakes his hand. “I’ll stop by again soon, Julian. Thanks, again.” He turns to us. “We have to get going, before we miss the buses.”

  I can’t help being a little excited when I wake up the next morning. It’s not only Saturday, but it’s also finally the day I turn seventeen. This means I finally meet my mother’s requirements to attain a learner’s permit, which I will be doing first thing after school on Monday. I’ve been waiting for this day for over two years now, ever since my mom made it known I had to be seventeen to drive. Thank goodness Brie has had wheels (albeit sporadically) for the past year.

  If I’m being honest with myself, then I suppose I should fess up to the fact that I’m also excited to spend the day with Mason, and go to the party Brie is planning tonight. I have no idea what Mason has in store for me. I attempted to get it out of him, but he refuses to give me even a hint regarding today’s activities. I try to figure it out as I make my way downstairs for my mom’s annual birthday breakfast. Ever since my dad left (when I was only about a year old), my mom and I have been our own little family. As a nurse, she works crazy hours, and to accommodate things like birthday’s and holidays, we celebrate breakfast, because she is usually working the rest of the time. As soon as I was old enough, I started making sure the house was cleaned, and that there’s food in the fridge. We make a good team, my mom and me.

  The kitchen smells heavenly-maple syrup and bacon. My mom is at the stove flipping the last of the pancakes. She turns with a big smile, “Happy birthday, Kat!”

  I go to her and give her a hug. “Thanks, Mom. It smells great in here.” I take my seat at the table and have a sip of the orange juice she put out for me.

  “It’s tradition, after all. Except now, you’re the one with the busy evenings.” I can tell by her smile that she doesn’t think of this in a bad way.

  “I really can stay home if you want.” This is the zillionth time I’ve offered.

  “Don’t be silly. Go have fun,” she wheels around and points the spatula at me, “but not too much fun.”

  I smile. “I’ll be sure to have balanced fun. I promise.”

  My mom sits down with the plate of pancakes. “So, when are you going to get your permit?”

  I smile. She knows me well, “First thing after school on Monday.”

  “Good luck.” She smiles back. “Do you think you’re ready?”

  I have to fight not to roll my eyes. “Mom, I’ve been ready for over a year now.”

  She’s acting very strange, impish almost. “I think you’re ready.” Her Cheshire cat grin is still firmly in place a
s she lights the customary candle and sings ‘Happy Birthday’ to me. I blow out the candle and begin eating, still a little suspicious.

  We joke and tease as we eat. We’ve always gotten along well. After we finish, my mom looks at me, her hands wet from dishes. “Can you see if there are any clean dish towels in the dryer for me?”

  I head to the garage, where the washer and dryer reside. Flicking the switch on the wall, I open the door and take one step in before I notice something. My mom drives a red SUV. This older blue sedan I’m seeing is definitely not hers. Puzzled, I turn around to find her right behind me. “Happy Birthday, baby, do you like it?” She looks anxious.

  I’m literally speechless, so I wrap my arms around her and hug her tightly.

  “I take it that means you like it?” I nod. “Good. Now, there are a few rules that go with it, and no driving it until you’re licensed. We can discuss the rules after you pass your road test.”

  I release her and the words come out in a slightly garbled rush. “Mom, it’s awesome. You totally didn’t have to do that. Thank you, very much.”

  “Well, I couldn’t see any other way around it. And you deserve it. Just don’t abuse it.”

  “I won’t,” I promise. Wait until I tell Brie and Mason!

  By the time I’m showered and dressed, Brie is sitting on my bed. She is in full on excited-Brie mode, bouncing up and down on my bed and talking so fast that I’m basically gaping at her in wonder, and wondering how she’s breathing. I try to keep up as she prattles on about tonight’s party. I know she has secured her uncle’s lake house for the event. I have no doubt that Brie has put together the party of year. I’m half excited and half nervous when she tells me that the band is going to let us play a few songs. I hadn’t even been thinking about performing tonight.

  When she has it all out of her system I look at her. “Want to see something awesome?” Not waiting for an answer, I grab her hand and tug her to the garage. Flicking on the light, I pull her through the door. “Check this out!”

  Brie’s reaction is similar to mine, but she recovers much more quickly. “Is that what I think it is?” I nod. “Holy flipping crap, Kat, you have a car! This is epic!”

  “I know. My mom got me good, too. And I can’t really drive it yet, obviously, but I still love that I have it.”

  My cell goes off in my pocket. I grab it to find a text from Mason, wishing me a Happy Birthday and seeing if I’m up. I tell him to come on over. Brie sees my smile and can’t resist teasing me. “I can tell by your goofy smile who that must have been. Let me guess, he’s on his way.”

  “Yep, I’m surprised he isn’t here yet.” I say as we go back into the kitchen and glance out the back patio doors. “It’s just a yard after all.”

  Brie sits at the table, and grabs an apple from the fruit bowl, which she spins in her hands. “You guys are getting kind of serious, huh?”

  I shrug. “I guess so. It’s not like I really have anything to base it on. And it’s only been a week.”

  Brie rolls her eyes. “A week maybe, but I can tell you both have it bad. I’m happy for you.”

  A knock at the door grabs my attention. I glance up and see Mason, my heart racing at the sight of him. As I motion him inside, I think about the past week. It’s certainly been a new experience for me. Not only do I have a cute guy who seems to like me, he’s also the boy next door. This makes him astonishingly available. And we have exuberantly taken advantage of our mutual availability.

  Spending so much free time together over the past week with Mason has been more surreal to me than anything. I know the next step, logically, is to have him meet my mom. While she’s a bit eccentric, she’s no dummy, and I can tell by her looks of late that she has been noticing the subtle changes in me this past week. It’s a situation I’ve been avoiding, but I know it has to be addressed soon. It’s not that I don’t think they’ll get along, I’m more worried about being embarrassed. Horribly embarrassed.

  Brie winks at me as Mason walks in. “Hey, Mason.”

  He nods at her, “Hey, Brie.” He turns to me and smiles, “Happy birthday, Kat.”

  I feel my cheeks warm. “Thanks, Mason.” I take a quick moment to compose myself. “What did you guys want to do until the party?”

  Unsure if it’s my imagination, for a split-second I think I see a look pass between the two of them. I’m not able to even confirm it in my mind, when Brie says, “Actually, you two are on your own. I have a lot to do today.”

  I instantly feel guilty for not being more proactive with the party plans. “Do you need help?”

  She gapes at me in horror. “Absolutely not! It’s your birthday, and you need to go have fun.” She gives me a hug. “I’ll be back later so we can get ready together.”

  “Bye, Brie.” Mason and I call as she walks out.

  Mason looks at me. I can’t help but smile as I say, “What do you want to do?”

  He grabs me and I squeal. “Well, first I want to give you your present.” A small box appears in his hand. I go to grab it, but he holds it just out of my reach. “But before you open it,” he hesitates, and unless my eyes are deceiving me, blushes slightly, “Kat, I’m really happy that I met you a week ago. And that we’re neighbors. In case you can’t tell, I really like you. A lot. I was hoping, that maybe we could make it official…so, would you consider being my girlfriend?”

  I remain frozen momentarily, in a state of shocked bliss. He looks at me expectantly as I finally absorb what he just said. A huge grin breaks across my face, and I throw my arms around his neck and smack a loud kiss on his mouth. “Yes!” I say exuberantly.

  His return grin dazes me again and he uses the moment to kiss me, really kiss me, and when he’s done, all I can do is rest my head on his chest and sigh contently. I feel him chuckle softly, as he lays his head gently on top of mine. “Do you want your present now?”

  I giggle. I don’t think I’ve ever been quite this happy before. “Yes, please.”

  He releases me and hands me my present. I unwrap the metallic blue paper to find a small box inside. When I snap the lid open I see a pretty silver ring. At first glance, it looks like a simple band, but closer inspection reveals it’s many intricately patterned bands in one. In the center of the ring, the pattern forms a row of small hearts. I love it immediately, and I fumble to take it out of the box.

  Mason takes it from me and gets it out without a problem. He looks a little sheepish. “I had them engrave it, too. I was really hoping you’d say yes.”

  I take the ring from him and read the inside. It reads ‘To the beginning’ with our initials and the date. It’s perfect. “Mason, I love it.” I look at him fervently. “Thank you, really.”

  He takes the ring back and gently places it on the ring finger of my right hand. “It fits! I wasn’t sure that it would. But now we don’t have to get it sized.”

  I admire my new ring, and give Mason another quick kiss to show my appreciation. Then I remember that I have to show him what’s in the garage. I tug him excitedly to the door. “I almost forgot, check this out!” I flick on the light and fling open the door.

  His eyebrows shoot up and his mouth drops open. “This is awesome! Your mom surprised you?”

  “Yeah, she rocks,” I smile, and suddenly it occurs to me this is a good start to another conversation. “I think it may be time for you to meet her, right?”

  “I’d like that. And I guess that means I will have to subject you to meeting my parents, too.” He rubs the back of his head. It doesn’t look like he’s any more thrilled than I am. This makes me smile.

  “We’ll just have to make a pact not to let them get to us.”

  Mason looks in my eyes. “Deal, in fact, I think the pact should include more than just possibly embarrassing family members. I don’t think we should let anybody get to us.”

  Brie flashes through my mind quickly. So far, they’ve gotten along better than I could have ever hoped, but if that ever changes, I can’t leave my
best friend in the lurch. “Deal,” I agree, “but Brie gets special privileges.”

  “That goes without saying.” He agrees. “Now, birthday girl, what do you want to do today?”

  Ultimately we spend the mild fall day in my backyard, gazing at the clouds and leaves, talking about nonsense. Brie shows up and demands we get ready. Mason gives me a quick kiss before heading back to his own house. He’ll meet us at Brie’s in an hour, so we can all go together. We’re taking Brie’s mom’s car. It’s exciting to think that in a few months, we’ll be able to take mine.

  Brie surprises me with my present. It’s a skirt she knows I’ve been eyeing, and she insists I wear it. I put on my sneakers-I don’t need to fall into the lake at my own party-and layer a tank top and hoodie, so I’m prepared for the chilly night. Our perfume is sacrificed for bug spray. You don’t want to mess around with the bugs at the lake. I throw the bottle in my bag, just in case it wears off, or some poor soul forgot theirs. Brie’s full on punk. She’s rocking her skinny jeans and a sequined top. Her hair is blue today, and I imagine it’s because she knows it’s my favorite color, to honor my birthday.

  “I have some news.” I smile.

  Brie grins at me. “So, you said yes then?”

  My mouth drops open, “You knew?”

  “Of course I knew,” she laughs, “he practically begged me to give him some alone time today. I wasn’t about to give it to him without any explanation.”

  “What do you think?”

  She turns from the mirror we’re using to put on makeup, her eyes softer than usual. “I think it’s great, Kat. He’s great. I’m really happy for you.” She turns her attention back to the mirror. “Plus he already knows if he hurts you I’ll kill him.” She flashes me a grin. I laugh. I know Brie well enough not to get mad. That’s just her.