Cipher

Chapter 5: Lunch

Lunch. Humans had an entire hour devoted to eating. Though, from what Cipher could see there was a fair amount of socializing as well.

He and Isaac looked out over the full cafeteria. "Do you want to try to find a table?"

Cipher silently cringed at the thought. "Could we find a place outside?"

Isaac looked out the tall windows of the cafeteria, at the bright August sun. He almost visibly wilted. "That's probably all that's left by now," he sighed leading the way outside.

"At least today is cooler than average," Cipher tried to console him.

"Yeah, it's only a hundred degrees instead of a hundred and five."

"I am sure we can find some shade."

"Don't be so sure." The outside tables set in the shade were overflowing as well.

Cipher yawned. "What about over there?" he pointed to an open grassy area beneath the shade of the trees. There were a few scattered groups, but plenty of space for them to sit and eat.

Isaac seemed to think about it for a moment, "Sure."

They sat in the shade, the grass making it a few degrees cooler. They ate in silence for a few minutes. Isaac's brows drew together as if he just realized something. "Random thought, but I don't think I've seen you smile the whole time you've been here."

"Well," Cipher said around a yawn. "Smiling is a human expression of emotion. I have attempted to emulate it on a few occasions."

Isaac nearly choked on his drink, "Emulate? It's a smile."

Cipher shrugged as he laid out on the grass with another huge yawn.

"What's with you, dude?" Isaac asked around his sandwich. "You're going to put me to sleep over here."

"I am tired," he tried to smother another yawn as he spoke. "When is the sleep break? I didn't see it on the schedule."

"Sleep break? Like naptime?" Isaac asked incredulously.

"Yes, you have an hour for eating, a lunch break, there must be time set aside for sleeping." His eyes were already drooping shut.

"Schools don't have naptime unless you're in preschool." Isaac explained, not sure whether or not Cipher was joking with him. But when he glanced over, Cipher looked like he was already out. "You can't sleep here," he said nudging him awake.

"Why not?" He asked blearily.

"Because... I don't know."

Cipher closed his eyes again. "This is not a new development. This is my usual sleep schedule, remember?"

"Yeah, but people are allowed to take naps when they're on break."

"Mmm... well Aeolians sleep twice a day, during the hottest and coldest part of the day. It does not matter as much on Earth, though since the temperature extremes are less... extreme." He let out a deep breath.

"Whatever you say," Isaac said shaking his head. "Don't blame me if you're late for your fifth hour."

Cipher made a small noise in response, but Isaac could tell he was already out.

***

Cipher woke to a jab at his ribs, momentarily blinded before his secondary lids flicked into place.

"Time to go." It was Isaac beside him.

Cipher groaned, rolling himself into a sitting position. "Is it time for class?"

"Close enough," Isaac pulled Cipher to his feet. Cipher, seeing Isaac's anxiety, grabbed his backpack and followed without question.

Once the heaviest anxiety faded from his aura Cipher voiced his questions. "What has you so worried?"

"Nothing."

"That was not nothing."

Isaac paused. "Nothing I can explain. It just didn't feel right, okay?"

"Okay," Cipher understood. "It is likely you subconsciously read cues that there was danger, it is not uncommon."

"Really?" Isaac scoffed. "I drag you across campus with no solid reason and you're okay with that?"

"I trust your judgement," Cipher shrugged. "And it would be foolish not to listen to warnings, especially in an unfamiliar setting from someone with experience."

Isaac wasn't sure what to say to that.

"Besides, it must be nearly time for fifth hour." He glanced around. "And my next class is on this side of campus."

"Yep. And mine is on the other side." The bell rang and students began pouring out of classrooms. "Your class is a few doors down," Isaac gestured down the hall.

"I can read the numbers. I will be fine." He tried for a smile.

Isaac clapped him on the shoulder, "Keep practicing."

His mouth pressed into a line and Isaac laughed, turning to go.

"Meet in front of the school after class; we'll head out from there."

"Understood," Cipher nodded. He turned to go find his last class of the day.