Human

Chapter 1

Firefox: "Wakey wakey!"

"What time is it?" I groan. Mondays always suck. I have to get up for a godawful 4:45 AM lecture every single time. Firefox is as usual, jumping like a puppy on the bed. She has a blue coat and orange tail and hair. She's a...miniature pony. God I feel ridiculous thinking that.

"It is 4 AM Evan. Traffic is light at this time of day which is the reason why I wake you up so early on Mondays. Would you like to change your wake up time?"

"Heh. No. It is fine the way it is. I'll live. What's the weather today Foxy?"

"Here in Stockton it is predicted that there will be a high of 92 degrees today. Clear skies. Your typical Summer day."

"Thanks." I've been in bed long enough. Time to get up.

"I will have breakfast ready for you after your morning shower Evan."

"Thanks bud." She walks or if you really wanted, trots out my bedroom door. I get up and head over into my bathroom. I live in a one bedroom apartment, so it isn't anything glamorous, but it's a roof nonetheless. I get undressed and go into the massive shower stall. I have absolutely no idea why they decided that this was what should be the biggest thing in my whole bedroom. I'm droning on, aren't I? Sorry. Bad habit I guess. I turned the water on but didn't realize it was all the way on hot.

"Frick!"

"Evan? Is everything ok in there?"

Oh nothing. Other than the fact I am basically scalding myself at 4 in the morning. "Yeah I just burned myself. Almost at least."

"Ok. By the way, someone is at your door. Would you like me to answer it?"

"Foxy, we've been over this. You don't have to ask. Just use your better judgement." I have told her this before. She just wants what is best for me is all. It just gets a bit annoying after a while. I've had Firefox for only a few months and have coded and installed modifications to her operating system. Making her less...computery? I don't know.

"As you wish."

I can't see her. Shower door and all. I hate to say it but she has indeed...seen me. It was embarrassing as all hell. She didn't know what she was looking at. Anyway, back to what I was doing.

I finished my shower and head back into my bedroom. I hear Foxy talking to someone or rather what sounds like two people. I get dressed and head into my living room.

It's my two closest friends Sam and Laura. We have been friends for a while now. They have been trying to get their own browsers with no such luck. They are hard to find nowadays given they are expensive, and have their own share of scalpers. Being the friend I am, I have been building custom browsers for both of them. Hard as hell but worth it.

"Yo. Ready for whatever bs the day will bring us?"

"Hey, look at the bright side. You're still alive. You woke up!" Said Sam

"Don't be so morbid babe!" Countered Laura

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, Laura and Sam are dating. That's the end of it.

"I have no answer to either of those."

I see Firefox just staring at the three of us out of the corner of my eye.

"Something to say darling?" Asked Laura

"Hmm. No. By the way your breakfast is ready Evan. I also made some more for your two friends."

"Thanks Foxy!" I ruffle her mane. All she does is smile. I'll admit it's kind of cute.

"Want to join for breakfast you two?" Sam shrugs. "Sure. Laura?"

"Of course! Thanks Fiery!"

"Of course Laura. Happy to help. You are to be at your lecture in 10 minutes. I suggest you pick up the pace Evan to avoid being late.

"Thanks for the reminder."

Eggs. Simple yet the way Foxy makes them, makes them even better. One of the few "healthy" things I eat on a daily basis.

I look and see Sam looking at me from across the table.

"So Ev. How are your lectures going?"

"Different day, same old sugar honey iced tea."

Laura adds "Same here to be honest. Sam and I are studying biology. We want to be veterinarians, Isn't that right Sammy?"

Sam just grunts in response. I snicker.

I decided to mess with her a bit, after I finished the last of my breakfast. "What's the matter? Don't want to have to check where the sun doesn't shine on a bunch of animals?" I burst out laughing.

She snarks back at me. "It isn't funny!"

"Actually judging by Evan's current emotions and Laura's subtle smirking, I would say it is pretty hilarious."

Sam sticks out her tongue at the browser. Firefox looks back at her blankly, but then very subtly smiles. "You'd like that wouldn't you?"

Sam Looks shocked and blushes a bright pink. "Heck no!"

"FOXY!" Did she really say that?

"Yes Evan?"

"You're funny as hell you know that?"

"You have told me that one hundred and seven times this month."

"Seriously? You keep track. Typical computer crap."

"You are about to run late Evan. Let's go." SHOOT I forgot all about the lecture. Dang it! I get up and quickly say my goodbyes to the both of them and me and Firefox rush out the door. I trust them. They crash at my place more often than not. Especially Sam. She gets a little quirky when she's tired enough. Trust me.

Being in California, the mornings are quite nice. As we head out of my bottom level apartment, the cool air hits me like a brick. It's 4:40 so it's still quite dark outside. We make our way over to my old Ford pickup that my grandfather gave me. She's old as I said, but she's dependable. Even Firefox agreed,at least after telling me all the statistics of automobile accidents that happen in much more modern vehicles. I get into the driver's side and Foxy is close behind and...wait. Climbs into my lap and then gets into the passenger side seat.

"Ok that happened. May I ask what that was for?"

She grins mischievously. "Why? I know you just love it when I do that."

"Dork." I smile. She's quirky but that same quirkiness is also in a way...endearing.

"Oh boy ain't that the pot calling the kettle black." I look away and start the truck. She sputters to life. I see Laura and Sam waving. As I pull away I wave back as we make our way to the Institute of Technology for my lecture on the boring yet somehow interesting subject of computer science.