Cipher

Chapter 3: Frozen Yogurt

Cipher had a week and a half to get settled before school was set to start. One and a half weeks to become more familiar with new people and the new world around him. He had training, of course, but nothing was like actually hanging out with Isaac and his close friends. Some were hesitant to even acknowledge his presence. Others dove right in, intensely curious and not afraid to talk about the 'alien' in the room as it were.

Unfortunately, none of Isaac's friends attended the same high school that Isaac and Cipher were enrolled in. After moving, Isaac had transferred beginning his junior year to a school much closer to his current residence. Now approaching his senior year, he knew many of his fellow students, but that's what they were for the most part: fellow students.

"Why does you skin do that?" Meg, one of Isaac's less inhibited friends asked. They were all sitting at a table in the local mall's food court.

Cipher looked up from his tiny, sample-size frozen yogurt. "What?" He could feel pigment rush to the marks along his cheeks in embarrassment.

"Like that," She said. Sitting forward in her chair.

Cipher's eyes flitted around the food court. He had nothing to be embarrassed about; from what he understood about humans, his non-environmental pigment shifts were equivalent to what they called 'blushing'. Unlike his, human skin was thin enough that blood could color it pink or red. Which was strange to him on many levels.

"Lots of reasons," he hedged. "It can be environmental or emotional."

"So like a chameleon?" another asked, his name was Michael if Cipher was remembering correctly. The word didn't stir any recognition for Cipher. He looked to Isaac.

"It's basically a lizard that changes color." he explained.

"Oh. I suppose?" He shrugged, not really knowing if it was an accurate comparison.

Isaac checked his phone and stretched. "We should get going soon. We have school tomorrow; unlike some people." he directed the jab at Michael and Meg.

"Hey, it's not our fault your school is such an overachiever, starting almost a week before everyone else." Michael said, scooping the last of his yogurt from the cup.

"On the bright side, you guys'll probably get more days off during the school year." Meg pointed out.

Isaac just rolled his eyes before turning to Cipher. "Ready to head out?"

Cipher nodded and stood. They talked as they wandered toward the general direction of the car. It was nearly dark outside, but that didn't make it any cooler.

"I can't believe how hot it is outside," Meg complained.

"You've lived here your whole life," Michael pointed out. "You should be used to it by now."

Meg turned her half-hearted glare on him. She looked to Cipher, "What do you think?"

"It is not too bad." He said. "But that is the reason I am here. My people are built for desert climates."

"So did they send any of you guys to study in, like, Canada or something?"

"No, they only send us to places that Aeolians may be able to live one day as part of your society instead of separated from it."

That seemed to satisfy her curiosity for the moment.

***

Cipher was quiet for most of the drive. He seemed to be in his own world so Isaac left him alone as he drove Michael and Meg home. They each said their goodbyes and wished them luck at school the next day before making their way inside.

Isaac drove in silence a while before finally asking, "Are you okay?"

Cipher pulled himself back to the present. "I am fine. Why?" He still had a distant look in his eye.

"You just seem preoccupied. You're not worrying about tomorrow, are you?"

"No."

"You're a terrible liar."

"Maybe a little," Cipher sighed. "I know it is fiction, but your media does not portray high school as a pleasant experience for anyone except a select few."

"Like you said it's fiction. And besides, how do you know you won't be one of the 'select few' that have a great experience?"

Cipher looked at him with humorless eyes "I hope you are not being serious."

Isaac shrugged. "You never know. People will probably want to hang out with you all the time. We've had foreign exchange students before, but never one from a different planet."

Cipher sank deeper into his seat. "I would prefer not to be a novelty friend." His marks were dark on his skin. "Besides, I was born here same as everyone else. My parents were the last generation born on Aeolus."

Isaac wasn't sure what to say to that. He understood how it felt to be the 'novelty friend' as Cipher put it, but this was on a different level. "Well, you'll have at least one regular friend to start with." He nudged Cipher with his elbow. "Your novelty wore off a while ago."

Under the intermittent streetlights he thought he could see Cipher's marks lighten a bit. He took it as a good sign.

"Try not to worry about it too much, okay? It's everyone's first day as much as it is yours." He smiled as a thought came to him. "Maybe you could find a few other foreign exchange students to hang out with."

Cipher rolled his eyes. It wasn't a totally ridiculous idea, though.

"Just promise you'll tell me if there are any cute girls among them."

Cipher barked a short laugh. "And if there are none?"

Isaac shrugged, "Then you're not looking hard enough."