After dropping Wenyang off, I stopped at a food place near my house for a bit to grab a bite since a protein bar was not enough to sate my hunger, then went to the store next to it for a less important purchase.

A sign that read Deep Breath hung above the door with neon lights.

A bell echoed in the establishment as the door opened to let me through. The interior was cozy and softly lit with dim purple and orange lighting, creating a calm atmosphere. The familiar scents of various strains tickled my nose, some spicy and some fruity.

Paulo, a man who preferred the term budtender over clerk, noticed me enter and gave me a smile. “Hey, Valentina! Long time no see.”

I gave him a nod and walked to him. “Paulo, my man,” I greeted him.

“How's it going?” he asked with a gentle and friendly smile, genuine interest in his eyes and voice. He was moving some jars filled with buds on the counter, a folded screen tucked in his apron pocket.

“Pretty good, you know. Work, life, classes, and stuff.” I replied, running my hands through my hair. “A girl joined the swimming team and had to drive her around a bit. And you? How's everything going?”

“Youth is all about doing sports and learning, isn't it,” he chuckled, then shrugged. “As for me? Same old, same old. Raul is improving his speech so we're losing those precious mispronunciations I told you about.”

I took a deep breath, feeling the passage of time despite my young age. “They grow pretty fast. My little sister is fifteen already.”

“That's just life,” he agreed with a big smile. His eyes had a cheeky spark, though. “Hey. We got some new stuff. One of the OG farms made a comeback and I copped a few kilos of their newest buds.”

I arched an eyebrow at that, then leaned over the counter and held my face with both hands. “Oh? Do tell.”

“Daddy Spank,” he said with a straight face. “It's a hybrid that enhances pleasure and sensory stimulation. You said you were looking for a bedroom strain, right?”

“I did,” I confirmed with a slow nod. “Is it good?”

Paulo nodded “Trust. Emilio tried it last night,” he said and turned to the side. “Ayo! Emilio! You tried Daddy Spank, right? Tell Valentina about it!”

Another employee who was a good distance away turned to us and made a silly face along with an okay sign. “Beats Primae Noctis in every aspect. You won't regret it. My girl said she felt like she took a shuttle to Mars' colonies,” he shared.

Paulo turned to me and wiggled his eyebrows. “See? It also enhances libido, calms the nerves, and gives you a sense of peace while fully retaining your awareness. The reviews are unanimously positive and I have the feeling it'll win some awards by next year.”

A lecherous smile grew on my face. “Alright. I'll have ten grams of that,” I decided. “Throw in a pack of the same edibles as last time. The mango-flavored ones.”

“Good choice,” Paulo chuckled. “Ten grams of Daddy Spank and a pack of mango-flavored Super Grand Sativa edibles. Anything else?”

“Hmm...” I thought for a bit, looking around the store.

Many trinkets for cannabis consumption were available, some intricately constructed and others the more classic, sober type. Big coolers held beverages, none of them alcoholic.

“Your recommendation of paper, a lighter, and... one Thermonuclear Throatpunch,” I told him with a friendly wink once I decided.

“Right away,” he accepted with a nod and a chuckle, then went to fetch the products.

As I waited, a few familiar employees met my eyes and gave me smiles and nods along with short greetings.

Two minutes later, Paulo returned with a big jar full of buds, a small fabric bag, and a measuring scale. “Here he is. Daddy Spank,” he presented with a smile, placing the tool on the table. He opened the lid and moved it closer to me. “Take a whiff.”

I leaned in and took a deep breath.

The smell was earthly with rich notes of pine and lemon, sneaking an almost indistinguishable scent of petrol.

“Waah...” I breathed out while backing up a little, scratching my nose and blinking. “Packs a punch.”

Paulo laughed, nodding at my words. “Told you,” he chuckled and weighed the buds, then stored them in a siliplas bag, which he put in the fabric bag with the store's logo on it. “Check the contents while I prepare the transaction,” he requested and focused on the screen on his side of the counter.

I took the bag and looked inside, finding everything in order. I paid the 4.750 Kredits and said my goodbyes to Paulo, Emilio, and the other staff, then left.

The ride home was pretty uneventful and quick since my house was nearby.

-

I live with my family in an apartment complex where each floor is a full sized house, garden included. There are two schools, a hospital, several metro stations, and various stores for daily, weekly, and monthly purchases nearby.

The elevator was quick and silent as it took me to the 5^th floor.

I opened the door to my home and went in. “I'm baaaaaaack!” I called.

“Hey,” a deep voice came from the dining room. My father, Eusebio Bernardo Leon Casas, is forty-four years old. He works at Kanbe's Energy and Fuel Ministry as an inspector and makes sure the many industries, companies, businesses, and factories follow the law. He is a tall man of Dominican descent.

I gave him a hug and a big kiss on the cheek.

Next to him, my mom was waiting with a big smile. “Welcome back, Vale,” she said, opening her arms for a hug. Her name is Maria Sofia Guerrero Martinez, a professional chef of Chilean descent who works at a two Michelin star restaurant, El Buen Comer, that mainly serves South American cuisine. “How was Uni?”

I gave her a nod and a hug. “I can't complain. How was your day?”

“Busy,” she replied, patting my back. “How was practice?” she asked, letting me go.

I walked to the kitchen and opened the fridge. “We used the gym,” I replied, then remembered something. “Lucciano is throwing a party tonight and I'm staying over at Zhou's. We'll have lunch there tomorrow and then I'll meet with a classmate for a project about whales.”

“Aha. A classmate, she says,” my mom giggled. “To do a project.”

“She'll stay over at Zhou's,” my dad chuckled. “Sure, kid.”

I gave them both a look, arching an eyebrow. “Yeah, we'll meet and I'll blow her back,” I corrected my previous statement with a shrug. “Maybe two to five creampies depending on her stamina.”

“Ay, Valentina Trinidad Esperanza Leon Guerrero!” my mom called my full legal name, covering her face and shaking her head. “So crass...”

My dad gave me a thumbs up and a proud nod. “That's my girl.”

I quietly laughed and poured myself some juice, then drank some.

“You better thank contraceptives are one hundred percent effective in this day and age or you'd have an army of pregnant girls knocking at the door,” my mom complained, letting a long sigh out.

My dad let out a wishful sigh, though. “If only...” he muttered.

“Or I'd be the pregnant one,” I countered, fetching a banana from the kitchen counter and noticing there were a few left. I'll go to the store tomorrow.

“True,” my mom agreed. “You'd be like one of those 21^st century teenage moms.”

I huffed. “Imagine that,” I whispered, put off by the concept. “My dreams of touching the ocean's floor ruined by a child I don't want.”

“Or paying child support,” my dad joked. “Several.”

I shook my head and peeled the fruit, stuffing my mouth. The mouthful went down with the help of juice. “Anyway. What did I interrupt?” I asked and put the peel in the trash.

My parents shared a complicit look.

“Nothing much,” my mom said unconvincingly. “Not yet, at least.”

“Go take a shower,” my dad told me. “We'll tell you if the time comes.”

I squinted my eyes at them and slowly walked backwards into the house. “Suuuree...” I whispered, keeping my eyes on them until I took a turn into the hallway that lead to the bedrooms. Stopping at one of the doors, I knocked.

“Come in,” a voice called from inside.

I held the banana in my mouth to open the door.

My younger sister, Javiera Sofia Leon Guerrero, the third child of the family, had turned eighteen years old two months ago. She was sitting at her desk, typing something on her computer.

“Hey baby,” I greeted her with a stuffed mouth, walking to her and giving her a hug. I put the glass of juice on her desk, on top of a coaster.

She groaned but returned the hug. “Hi Vale,” she greeted back. “Can you drive me to a party tonight?”

I separated and chewed, then swallowed. “You're not going to ask how my day was?” I pouted, pinching her cheek. “Straight to asking for favors?”

She turned her chair, facing me. Opening her arms wide and giving me a big smile, she stood up and gave me a tight hug. “My lovely dear sister whom I love so very much!” she said with a cheerful tone. “Is it me or are you getting bigger? Your muscles are so hard! What a strong big sister I have! So dependable!”

I returned the hug, lifting her up and spinning around. “That's the filial love I needed,” I laughed. “But I know you can do better than that.”

She sighed. “Okay, stop. I'm getting dizzy.”

I stop the spinning and put her down, but didn't release the hug. “I'm waiting...”

“You're being gross,” the teenager brutally commented, wounding my heart.

I leaned my chin on her shoulder and relaxed. “The day will come when Josefa asks you a favor and you'll expect her to be a bit nice about it, but she'll be just as much of a cunting bitch as you are right now.”

“Haa... How was your day?” she reluctantly asked.

I let her go and gave her a nod, then took a bite of the fruit. “Pretty good. Yours?”

She shrugged, sitting back on her chair. “Got a bad grade on a paper.”

“Mhm,” I hummed and swallowed, caressing her hair to fix a few locks that had been rustled by the hug and spinning. “That sucks major ass. Was it Horatio?”

She nodded, giving me a look that told me everything I needed to know.

“That sack of shit should just retire already,” I sighed, criticizing the biology teacher who also taught me in school. I took a last bite of the banana and continued, “His bullshit about university professors being unforgiving is not true at all.”

“Right?” Javiera agreed, then took a deep breath. “He said I'd never graduate if my papers didn't improve to match the appropriate standard,” she mocked, imitating his voice and gestures. “Fucking asshole. I hope he dies!”

My eyebrows went up at that. “I don't know about death, though,” I countered with concern. “A bit much. He's just grumpy with age.”

She let out a long sigh and shook her head. “Whatever. Will you drive me to the party?”

I squinted my eyes at my younger sister. “What time? Where to? Who are you going with? Who's going to be there?”

Javiera rolled her eyes. She sighed and, knowing I wouldn't take her anywhere unless she answered, replied, “I want to be there by nine the earliest or nine thirty the latest. Gina's place. Me, Isadora, Pola, and Sabrina will be there and stay there. Sleepover kind of thing. We gathered some money and I was going to buy alcohol for us on the way. A few, uhm, boys will go as well... but they won't stay the night.”

“Aha,” I uttered. “Is that why you're not asking mom or dad?”

She clicked her tongue and averted her eyes. “They're going to make a big deal out of it. Don't tell them about the alcohol.”

If I meet Monika after seven I might be busy until nine. I can tell Zhou I'll take a little longer because of this brat. I'm sure she'll understand, I machinated. “Sure, I'll take you. You have to tell mom and dad, though.”

Her eyes widened and she looked me in the eye. “But if I-”

“Not the alcohol part,” I interrupted, shaking my head. “Just so they know where you are.”

She relaxed and nodded. “Okay. I can do that.”

I leaned into her and smiled. “Where's my thank-you kiss?”

“Ugh! Really?” she complained, glaring at me.

“Methinks this hoe wants to walk, then,” I threatened, keeping my smile.

She frowned, but sighed and gave me a big and noisy kiss on my cheek.

“That's it!” I cheered, giving her a big, wet, juicy, and noisy kiss on her cheek in return.

She wiped her cheek with her hand, shaking her head and sighing. “Get out of my room, please.”

“I'll be back to pick you up after nine. Love you,” I told her, picked the juice glass up, and left her room, closing the door with my leg.

The next destination was across the hallway.

I licked my fingers to get the last bit of banana and knocked on the door.

“Mhm,” came the response.

I opened the door, but didn't go inside.

My little sister, Josefa Catalina Leon Guerrero, the fourth child of the family who turned fifteen last week, was sitting on her bed, reading something on a portable screen with headphones on. Her eyes left the screen, meeting mine.

I gave her a peace sign and a big smile.

She gave me a nod, the corner of her lips tugging a little but not quite forming a smile.

Blowing her a kiss, I closed the door. “Teenagers,” I whispered, knowing that if I went in uninvited she'd start screaming at me about privacy and personal space. With greeting my sisters out of the way, I went to the laundry room and put the dirty clothes in the washing machine, then set them for a full deep cleaning cycle, drying, and folding.

Then, at long last, my room.

The place I spent the least amount of time in was neat, minimalist, and clean. A bed, a desk, a closet, and a door that lead to a bathroom.

I sat at the desk and checked my phone, setting an alarm for 18:50, then tuned into the news while responding messages and keeping up with friends and acquaintances.

A news channel studio occupied half the screen, two people: a middle aged woman wearing a sharp suit, and the host, Jimmy Panders, were sitting on the desk and mid-way through a conversation.

“Additionally,” the woman remarked to a question I missed. “Collaboration between the public and private sectors is essential to address issues such as infrastructure development and zoning regulations. At Mahanta Properties, we are actively engaged in these conversations to contribute to the overall improvement of the housing market.”

Jimmy gave her a professional nod. “Thank you for your perspective, Aaliya. Before we wrap up, is there anything else you'd like to communicate to our viewers, especially the young individuals contemplating their first home purchase?”

I perked up at that.

While my family was financially stable, the desire to own or rent a place on my own was something that occasionally had occupied my mind the last few months.

The woman nodded, contemplating the question. “I would like to reassure potential homebuyers that Mahanta Properties is dedicated to creating homes that not only meet their needs but also exceed their expectations. We are committed to transparency, quality, and affordability. As an example, our most affordable property available at the moment is a one hundred and twenty square meters flat with two bedrooms and two bathrooms, a large kitchen space, a living room, and a balcony, available at seven different locations around Kanbe. The price we ask is five and a half million Kredits, and offer up to fifteen installments free of interest. It's a prime example of a property for young people with its affordability. If anyone has concerns or questions, we encourage them to reach out to us directly. We value the trust of our customers, and we're here to address any uncertainties they may have.”

Jimmy looked at the camera with a surprised and approving nod, then turned to her. “Thank you, Aaliya, for joining us this evening and providing insights into Mahanta Properties' approach about the real estate market. We appreciate your time.”

Aaliya gave the man a smile and a nod, both professional. “Thank you, Jimmy. It was my pleasure.”

The screen went to black, and then showed a view of Kanbe from one of the many flying vehicles the news firm owned.

“That's it?” I demanded the screen, then clicked my tongue and did mental calculations.

Five and a half million divided by fifteen is Three hundred and sixty-six thousand six hundred and sixty-six, I contemplated.

I squinted my eyes at my phone. My part time earns me a monthly wage of 550.000 Kredits after taxes, plus I have some savings... but two bedrooms? I drummed my fingers on my desk, contemplating the future. With a sigh, I searched Kanbe's minimum wage for comparison.

Ꝅ440.000 a month was the answer the search engine gave me.

[How much is 440.000 Kredits in D-marks?] = [423.562.848,63 DEM]

[Most expensive property in New Germany] = [742.000.000 DEM, located in...]

“The world has truly gone to shit,” I muttered, not reading where or what the property was.

Chances were it was a rotting hut in the middle of a radioactive wasteland.

Five fifty minus three sixty-seven is one eighty-three, I hummed.

The screen showed a few advertisements.

Spending fifty thousand a month in food leaves me with 133.000 Kredits. My gym membership is twenty thousand since I chose the premium, so 113.000 Kredits left. My phone plan is five thousand, leaving 108.000 K's. I'd have very little money left to buy furniture or appliances. The water and energy bills are cheap but I'd be broke as fuck for fifteen whole months, I chuckled. Doable but... I don't need one hundred and twenty square meters anyway. I'm sure there are cheaper places out there.

The screen went to black again, then showed a man in a suit standing in the middle of Kanbe who talked about the weather.

To distract myself from the reality of adulthood, I checked social media. Cropping and editing the less spicier pictures I took in the changing-room for a few minutes, I busied myself with appreciating my hard-earned muscles – my body was a machine most people would envy. After waiting for the content filter to check for nudity and gore, I added captions and uploaded them.

The picture I had uploaded that morning – a front selfie of me covered in sweat and posing as Apollo after hitting core – had a good number of comments and likes, so I checked it out.

 

 

An amused scoff escaped me. I had seen enough so I went to my bathroom and took a shower.