Learning to Be Human (FREE READ)

Chapter 2: A Friend to Name

Vallarta had always been my go to for certain things that aren't sold in regular American chain stores. I waved at the lady who always poured me a cup before I approached.

"Watermelon again," she giggled.

"You betcha," I happily took the drink and continued with my grocery shopping. Now, yes, Vallarta may be a bit expensive, but I enjoyed the music and smiles on the worker's faces. I stopped by to pick up some onions until I saw something odd!

I looked at an onion float in mid-air and something invisible started munching on it.

Whatever it was, did not like it and spat out the bits and pieces, the onion was then thrown and started rolling away. I looked once more and saw the environment begin to shift in a silhouette shape. I saw an apple float and bite marks were visible. I grabbed the apple and felt a hand grip my wrist.

I can see you. I narrowed my eyes.

The feeling of the hand slipped from my grip and the apple fell. All of a sudden, I saw the shape take place, and it was a dim stream of sparkles. I followed it, despite it trying to elude me. I left my basket of groceries and followed it out of the store. There was an iridescent path it left behind. It was starting to get away! I huffed my chest and sprinted. The unknown matter took a turn in one of the corners.

"Stop!" I pleaded.

To my amazement, it did!

"I-"

I was out of breath!

"How were you able to see me?" it spoke. And it was definitely male.

I gasped for air but seeing, as it was just as curious as I was, I looked up. The figure soon molted away its camouflage and I couldn't believe my eyes! Standing right before me, was a typical man!

This man had that of a light-skinned black man, a sturdy and kept goatee with piercing green eyes. His fade blended perfectly with his fro, and as he talked I saw a dimple!

"You- you're a man?" I asked exasperatedly.

"Is that what you call your species?" he replied.

"W-well," I called for a timeout because I couldn't calm my breaths and panic while talking.

"What are you?" I asked.

"Scanning," he replied.

Scanning? What the hell?

I then saw a blue beam shoot through his eyes and I felt like a grocery being scanned by one of those scan guns.

"Hey hey, I feel violated!" I covered my body with my hands.

"Scanning complete," he tilted his head, "Species: human, female, IQ: 85..."

"Okay, now you don't have to start off with my biography," I halted him mid-sentence.

"Your speech frequency suggests you are using what your kind calls 'humor' shall I respond back with the same tone?" he monotonely asked.

"Uhhh- sure?" I wanted to see what he would say. But to be honest I was dreading his answer.

"Well... I am unable to scan your hippocampus at the moment, but I do know that the only thing violating you are those leukemia cells."

And I was right.

"You scanned my whole body?" I was baffled.

"That is all I can do for now, until I regain my powers," he looked at his palm.

"Powers? What powers?" confused, I looked at his palm too.

"That is classified," he responded, "Do you have any power?"

"What am I? The government? No..." I hesitated, "I'm a- uh."

"Woman?" he interjected.

Okay, now that was inappropriate!

"My additional scanning indicates that with the sudden rise in body temperature you are feeling flustered," he analyzed.

"Dude!" I exclaimed, "You can't just do that!"

"What is it that I am doing?" he asked.

"Y-you really don't know?" I crossed my arms.

"I don't think answering a question with a question is a progressive approach," he then folds his arms.

"Look," I paused and took a deep eternal breath, "If you can't tell me much about yourself can you at least confirm that you are not from Earth?"

He thought for a minute and nodded his head, "That seems like a respectable trade."

I scratched the back of my head but continued, "You know you have to go back in and pay for the things you ate."

"I was experimenting with the consumables of your species. I believe one of them was not meant to be eaten raw," the man looked away.

"Oh the onion? It can be eaten raw, it's just not preferred. I personally like to cook it," I explained.

"So you know a lot of your kind?" he looked back at me.

"Well, yeah? Considering that 'I am of this species'," I mocked.

"I see that we are still using the humor tone. Do your kind find entertainment within your actions?"

Did he just ask me if I was a joke?

He then took a step closer and I took one back. He looked at me, "I believe I can benefit from befriending you in the meantime. My results of you show you are no threat."

Really?

He continued, "To answer your question... No I am not from here. I am utilizing this vessel to blend into your society," he kicked out with his foot.

"You're not going to get far without blowing your cover," I warned. "Wait a second... Was it you who cr-"

A few strides and this man had his hands over my mouth. My eyes shot wide and he looked around.

"I will use a lower volume, I suggest you do too," he continued his sentinel posture, "There is no other beings around, but I still sense hostile danger."

The cameras!

I looked around as well but didn't see any.

Phew!

"I don't have my powers to protect myself. Could you shelter me?" he blatantly asked.

Wh-what?

"We don't have much time! Take me to your domain," he urged.

"I don't think that would be a good idea," I stumbled.

"How about another bargain? You shelter me and I will answer your questions that I am permitted to?" his eyes dilated with caution.

"I'm surprised you haven't abducted me," I raised an eyebrow.

"Within the strength of this weak vessel, I am still able to. But, your kind is not worth abducting."

Ouch?!

"I can bring you home tonight, but we got to get to my moped," I reared to the corner.

"Is that fancy talk for a galactical travel vehicle?" he asked.

Nope. Not at all.

"What is this?" he started touching my moped, which I slapped his hand away.

"Don't touch! It's my only means of transportation," I sighed, "Get on."

I saddled myself and signaled him to follow suit. He stood there and crossed his arms.

"This transportation is analyzed to go no more than 40 mph. With our combined weight it's potential decreases t-"

"Just get on!" I exclaimed.

He took one last look and sat behind me. He then removed my hands from the accelerator.

"What are you doing? I'm driving!" I hissed.

"I may not have much energy, but we need to lose our potential hazards. Allow me to demonstrate a tiny bit of my power," he then focused on the road before us, "Address..."

I felt uncomfortable but curious to find out what he meant, "555 North Spring Street."

"Embrace your grip," he huffed.

"Wh-" I felt that immense pressure you get when you go down a roller coaster. I felt like my eyelids were going to peel off my head! With a flick of his wrist my moped zoomed!

And I was not talking about the regular 80mph of a Texas highway, it felt like we were going at light speed!

I was about to shout until we suddenly stopped.

I froze there, still dazzled, still confused. As always.

"I have attempted and succeeded to lap around LA to lose our tracks, but we are here," he got off from my means of transportation.

"H-how," I asked, unbelieving of what had just happened.

"I don't have much energy left, and the solar source is receding," he hurried up the stairs.

I dulled my expression, "So what now? Are you a werewolf too?" and flung my arms into the air.

After parking my moped, we arrived at my little apartment. I squeezed through and he followed behind. He struggled a little less because his physique was phenomenal. He slid past me and started scanning the room.

"Human nest consists of decaying materials..."

Was he talking about my furniture?

He continued, "Different pathogens and compacted materials occupying the float space..."

Dust? Is he really describing dust?

He presumed, "Inferior technology consuming electrons and scattering of colored bytes on a monitor..."

"Are you an alien or a robot?" I asked, "Why are you all up in my business? Here come sit on the rotting material known as a couch."

"I don't intend on causing you any more temperature flares, it is merely a way for me to become educated about my temporary surroundings," he tilted his head in confusion.

"Okay," I took a deep inhale, "Let's start with, what's your name?"

He still looked at me puzzled, "Do you have a name for me?"

"Uhhh," I was dumbfounded, "That's not how this works."

"It could be if you let it," he answered.

"Uhhh," I was like a chicken without a head, "I don't want to give you a name, I might give you a stereotypical one! I just don't want to offend anybody."

"What are some examples?" he inquired.

"Well... there's..." I stopped myself.

Nope! Not going to feed the fire on that one.

"Where did you get the body you are in from?" I changed the subject.

"After crashing, I ejected onto a nearby park. There was this man who was having difficulty breathing while using motor nerves to continue on an incline graveled path. I have consumed his body for its temporary convenience."

"YOU ATE HIM?!" I was shocked and terrified.

"His internal organs were failing and he only had an approximate time of 4 Earth months to live," he added.

"But every second counts!" I was fuming, "You just killed someone!"

"Or in your religious terms... martyr," he clasped his hands together.

"That is NOT what that is," I said shakingly, "Are you going to eat me too?"

"I do not desire to morph into your body," he passively declined.

"Is it because I am fat?" I puffed.

"I don't eat humans! I lost that power after overtaking this one. And besides... I didn't eat him, I just took over his central control organ," he pointed to his cranium, "I thought humor was inflicted into tone."

That was so not funny!

"So we gotta find out what your body's name is. If anyone who is associated with him sees you, we have to be ready!"

He pulled out a small business card, "Will this help?"

I snatched it out of his hand and read the name and even gasped at the company he works for!

"You're name is Javon Sergin! And it looks like... you're one of the high highest-ranked in the real estate agencies!" I looked back at him with wide eyes, "You work for an infamous real estate agency called Lareed Realty!"

"So Javon is my name?" he questioned.

"Javon, Jay... for short you know," I giggled.

"Jay sounds nice. From now on, call me Jay," he introduced.

"If I had your powers I'd want to be anyone but me," I sighed.

"And I am certain that there may be others who wished they were you," Jay said.

"I highly doubt that! And don't recommend it either," I nervously chuckled.

I went over and sat on my couch. I witnessed the dust particles going into the air.

Okay, maybe I do need to upgrade and clean.

As much as Jay has been mysterious and whatnot, I have learned a few things about him that wasn't his name. Could he be the friend that I have been longing for?