Dear Evalynn Hansen: Be More Chill

Sync Up

'Rise and shine. Time to get ready for school.'

"Just five more minutes."

'I don't think so.'

A shock went through her body, and Evalynn sat up quickly, all grogginess gone.

"Stop doing that!"

'Maybe if you listened and obeyed more often, I would. And keep your voice down. We wouldn't want to alert your brother.'

Scowling at the SQUIP, she swung her legs out of her bed and went to grab the bags containing her new outfit. Once she was dressed, she looked at herself in the mirror. She barely recognized herself in the outfit. The top was cream colored with tiny polka dots on the main body of it while the cap sleeves were a shimmery sheer fabric that was also pleated around the hem. The leggings clung in all the right places and were black like the strappy wedges.

'Now hair and makeup.'

'Wait. What?'

'Calm down. Nothing too fancy.'

Evalynn felt her body respond to the SQUIP, walking into the bathroom and plugging in the curling iron. When it was hot enough, she carefully curled her already slightly wavy golden locks in sections. When that was done, the SQUIP had her pull half of it up stylishly. Then came the part she was dreading. Pulling out her mother's makeup, she began to do simple things under the SQUIP's direction.

Once that was done, the SQUIP relinquished control of her limbs. Evalynn had to admit, the hair and makeup really finished off the outfit nicely. She was actually kind of pretty if you ignored the white cast on her left arm.

'There. You're ready.'

Exiting the bathroom, Evalynn headed to the kitchen. Evan was there making up two plates of eggs and toast.

"Morning, Ev," she greeted him.

"Morning, Lynn. How'd you...sleep?"

Evan's jaw dropped when he saw his twin sister. The outfit and hair were one thing, but the makeup was something else entirely. It was simple, just a bit of mascara, lip gloss and a neutral eye shadow, but it made her absolutely glow.

"Wow. You look...wow."

"Um...thank you?"

"I-is that what you bought at the mall yesterday?"

"Yeah, one of the things I bought."

"What else did you buy?"

'Lie to him. Be vague.'

"Oh. Just some snacks and things. Nothing really important."

Evan nodded, sliding one of the plates toward her. After they ate breakfast, the twins headed out to the car and drove to school. Evan hurried off to be with his friends, leaving Evalynn alone with the SQUIP.

'I'm a learning computer, Evalynn. With every interaction, I evolve. Simply walk down the hallway and observe.'

She did as she was told, talking to several people on the way without stuttering or making a complete fool of herself. Most of them she was positive wouldn't bother making conversation if she had dressed how she normally did. The real test came when Connor Murphy, her crush and the one to tell her about the SQUIPs, approached her.

"Hey, freak, where the fuck is my money?"

'Up-up-down-down-left-right-A.'

Both Evalynn and Connor clutched their heads as their SQUIPs synced up.