When Challenging Perceptions

Log #10

August 10, 2105, 7 AM

"Kids!" A voice calls from down the hall. "Come on, it's time to get up for school! Let's go!"

I blink a little and sit up in bed. "What?" It takes me a while to register that I am no longer part of The Collective. If that wasn't enough indication, Jenna sits up in bed beside me in her new pink and white undergarments. I jump a little at the sight of her. "Oh, good morning, Jenna."

Jenna jumps as well, squeaking like a mouse. "Oh, good morning, Roger. Apologies, I forgot about yesterday."

I smile, relieved that I wasn't the only one who felt this way. 

Suddenly, the door opens, and Charyl pokes her head in the doorway. "Is everything okay in here?"

"Yes," Jenna says. "My apologies."

Charyl smiles, albeit with a hint of concern. "It is quite alright. Are you sure you wouldn't prefer a room for yourself, Jenna? I understand that sharing a bed with a man the first time can be a little nerve-wracking."

"No, no. It is alright. I like it this way. I need to get used to how things are now."

Charyl smiles. "Alright."

Suddenly, a boy with black hair enters the room abruptly. "Good morning, Uncle Roger; good morning, Auntie Jenna."

"Auntie?" Jenna says with visible confusion.

"Cody," Charyl says, "It is rude to enter a room without knocking."

"Sorry, but they're my Uncle and Auntie, right?"

"Yes, but even so, genuinely, just busting into a room isn't proper etiquette."

"Oh," Cody says, looking down. "I'm sorry."

"Come on, let's go get your brother." Charyl turns towards the two of us. "Breakfast is ready whenever you two feel hungry. Don't wait too long, or it will get cold."

Out of respect, Charyl closes the door, allowing Jenna and me some privacy. I cannot help but smile at the gesture. Jenna, however, looks away from me, her face flushed. "Hey, are you okay?" I ask.

"Yes," Jenna answers sheepishly. "I did not expect to be called Auntie at all."

My face reddens a bit. "Well, all things considered, that is probably not too inaccurate, huh?"

"Do you think something like that will happen to us?"

"Who knows? Only time will tell."

We decide to take up Charyl on her offer for breakfast—after we get dressed, of course. I wear a pair of shorts and a red shirt. Jenna puts on the ensemble from yesterday, not feeling as self-conscious as she did the other day. We already smell cinnamon and maple syrup as we walk towards the dining room table. 

Pancakes, sausage, and eggs sit on a warm plate in the center of everything. Nicholas and the kids sit on one side, and two free seats by Charyl are on the other. Cody and Johnny seem to be competing in an eating contest, only for my brother to tell them not to overindulge. 

"There you are!" Nicholas says to us. "Come on; there's more than enough."

"Thank you," Jenna says. I sit across from the boys with Jenna and Charyl on the right and left of me.

"So, how did you two sleep last night?" Charyl asks.

"It was different," Jenna says. "I had never shared a room with anyone before. It felt nice, although, Roger tends to talk in his sleep."

Do I? I don't think I've ever had that happen in The Collective. Although, it's not like anyone was around to call me out on it. I couldn't imagine AI ever raising an issue about it, but then again, AI is a robot assistant. They probably wouldn't even register something like that on their own.