Cyberpunk Stars [Part 3]

The journey through the market quickly came to a close as the cyberized stars approached the evening. The technological landscape begins to glow in a new light from the fading horizon, to serve as the clockwork signal for the streetlights to flicker every so slowly as the night approaches. Nevaeh, showing a mild glee over the odd job that she has to chaperone Izel on his way home.

“It’s so quiet in this region of the city, it's actually kinda eerie, but—nice.” Nevaeh faintly chuckled at the observation.

“Yeah, not a whole lot goes on in the ol’ Underwood Bungalows.” Izel remarked in a tired sigh.

“Must be nice tho? Every place I’ve lived has always been some kind of raucous.” Nevaeh mentioned, with a low tone.

“Yeah, I mean, I can’t complain too much… My pops thinks that we’re pretty lucky, but I look at it as well thought out planning.” Izel conversed.

“How so?” Nevaeh simply asked.

“Well, it's kind of a long story, but my mom. Before she passed, was pretty clever her whole life, even at a young age. When she lived in León, just a few hundred km from Mexico City, she knew that owning land was going to be the biggest advantage in her life.” Izel began, stretching his arms. “So, one day in the 90s, she saw that Nuevo Eztli was expanding for newer residents to thrive. Before it was even built, it was pretty cheap compared to everywhere else, so she took the risk and it paid off. Because she knew that Nuevo Eztli was going to be a big deal.” He explained.

“Wow, that’s pretty impressive, for sure.” Nevaeh added.

“Yeah, she just turned 14 when she bought our house, too.” Izel mentioned, with light pride.

“No way! Where did she get the money?” Nevaeh remarked, amazed.

“Pops said that she was really good with investing in stocks and stuff… But she was really good at gambling.” Izel explained, ending with a chuckle.

Izel looked over to Nevaeh gazing downward with a faint smile. Unsure of what to say, he simply remained quiet as the two enjoyed the still air of the evening. Strolling in the neighborhood of Red Underwood, the two walk past a couple of houses enjoying the remainder of the day in their small front yards with light festivities of artificial bonfires and leftover barbeque. All in the complete solidarity of their loved ones.

“I’m guessing it's been only you and your pops for a while?” Nevaeh suddenly asked.

“Oh, um, yeah… My Mom passed when she was delivering me, so I technically never met her.” Izel opened.

“Really?” Nevaeh asked, pausing her stride. “My-my mother passed during my birth too… Was it from the Over Corrective AI Incident?” She then asked.

“Wow…” Izel paused too. “Um, no actually.” Hands in pockets, he then continued to walk at a skittish pace. “My Mom was… Traditional in a way, she understood the technology of artificial wombs and its purpose. But she just firmly believed that giving birth naturally was the correct way to do it.” He mentioned, with a vague undertone of frustration.

“Well, she was kinda right, in a strange way.” Nevaeh commented. “We rely on technology so much these days. Just blissfully allowing AI to control so much of our lives, without thinking twice.” She then muttered under her breath.

Despite his strong intellectual mind, Izel has yet to perfect the complicated nature of sympathetic conversation, especially ones of emotional intelligence. Which can lead him into awkward and questionable topics or being unintentionally inconsiderate. Nevertheless, he wants to continue the personal learnings of Nevaeh.

“So, your condominium? Have you lived there long?” Izel bravely asked.

“Hehe, I’ve lived there for about 4 years, it's been alright. Surprisingly quiet, when the windows are closed.” Nevaeh answered. “Oh, and it's actually called a neighborhood, just upward instead of outward like this.” She moved her hands around emphasizing her wording.

“Really? I suppose that makes sense.”

“Yup, each structure has its very own special name. To make it seem less depressing or something.”

“What’s the name of yours?”

Nevaeh looked at him for a quick second, holding a smirk.

“Ah, ya know, in case of an emergency, or whatever.” Izel panicked for a moment once he noticed Nevaeh’s glare.

“Tecpatl-Xul, my little place I call home.” Nevaeh explained. “Speaking of which, there's your little home.” She then remarked.

“Oh, yeah… Our little home in such a big, heartless city.” Izel sighed.

Another moment of voiceless strides formed between the two. This time enjoying the light hum of the street lights along with the habitual yawn of the neighborhood. Both developing thoughtful topics of discussion to possibly share as they complete the remainder of the trek to Izel’s.

“Hey, ya know, I wasn’t as surprised as the others when Carmen said that you are Elli’s kid.” Nevaeh announced softly.

“Why’s that?”

“Well, your pops and I chatted about you awhile back.”

“Aww, really?” Izel groaned with a hint of embarrassment of what his father might have shared. “What’d he say?”

“Nothing embarrassing, if that’s what you're worried about.” Nevaeh giggled.

“Oh, good, he can be a little generous with stories of when I was younger.” Izel scratched his head in relief.

“It was over some repairs I needed or something, and I was feeling pretty down—I may or may not have been crying most of that day.” Nevaeh emphasized with a grin. “And he just gave me a nice boost in confidence… I remember every word…” She reflected on one of the few pleasant moment’s she’s shared with someone within the invisible barriers of Nuevo Eztli.

“You’ll probably need a new temperature regulator for your left leg, but the right should be fine for another year or two.” Tlacaelel advised. “I can get a new one for you… tomorrow… Is everything alright?” He slowed his words once he saw Nevaeh fighting her tears.

“It’s nothing, I’m FINE.” Nevaeh seethed, forcing away the few tears that escaped.

Tlacaelel paused, just before placing his tools away. Focusing on Nevaeh’s bottled frustrations, for him to then switch to a small yet glowing smile.

“I have a son… Just a few years younger than you.” Tlacaelel said softly, barely gaining Nevaeh’s attention. “I can read him like a book.” He chuckled. “The most consistent read I see in him every day. Is the size of his heart… Strong, durable, always determined to do what’s right.” He beamed.

“Now—I'm not saying I know more than your old man, but—I can tell when young people want to show the world how large their hearts are. And, I can see that in you. Don't neglect that big heart of yours.” Tlacaelel shared with joy as he left the room.

“What’d he say?” Izel’s curiosity found its way out of his mouth.

“Nothing much, he just said we’re kinda similar. We have big hearts.” Nevaeh shared, reminiscing on the flurry of confusing emotions she has felt so often in the past.

“Yeah, that sounds like him.” Izel remarked, as they arrived at his front door. “Well, uh, I’m sure I’ll see you sometime next week.” He added.

“More than likely… So, see ya.” Nevaeh waved goodbye and began to walk away.

Izel watched her walk away, as he did, his leg began to rattle uncontrollably. The second this was clear to him, he felt a warm beat in his chest.

“He-Hey!” Izel shouted lightly to Nevaeh.

Just out of Izel’s view, Nevaeh grew a faint smile. One that she didn’t even realize she had, but it promptly faded as she turned to Izel.

“So, uh, shoot me a message when you get home, okay? Good communication and all, ya know.” Izel quickly thought of what to say.

“Heard.” Nevaeh simply stated, with a small curve upward on the corner of her mouth.

Izel sighed, just before entering his home just to be met with his father, grinning rather mischievously. Izel formed beads of sweat as he and his father stared at one another, exchanging no words.

“What?!” Izel shouted, red faced.

“Nothing, nothing at all.” Tlacaelel smiled, returning to the living room couch.

“Better be nothing!” Izel scolded, marching to his room.

After some late evening snacks and school prep for the following days. The newly forming sensations he felt today had faded, now ready to focus on the future. Until he heard the rhythmic chirp of his phone. In the moment those same sensations rose within him, the moment he looked at his phone.

—Hey, I made it to my second home xD I decided to just crash at Carmen’s place, it’s a little closer lol —

—Heard, lol. Goodnight. —

—Goodnight :) —