Same old Yu... but relaxed. Though things seem weirdly different

The second Yu finishes the drink, an invisible ripple radiates out from her, like a stone dropped in a still pond. The **** washes over everyone, and somehow, things seem slightly different than before.

The first thing you notice is that your clothes are different. You're longer wearing old jeans and a t-shirt, but a slick dress shirt with some buttons undone and the sleeves rolled up, along with a crisp pair of dark skinny jeans.

What the hell? You look like you could get it. You even smell good. Is that cologne?

"How was it?" asks Indigo, suddenly standing very close to Yutong. Wasn't she standing with Sully?

The new, darker, sexier Yutong lowers the can with a contemplative expression on her face. "That," she observes, "is an - ahem - acquired taste."

"Let me try a sip," says Jane, snapping her fingers.

"No!" you interject, blocking the path between the girls.

But Yu gives you a funny look and turns the can over for your benefit. "It's empty."

You take a step back and briefly take stock of the situation. Pearl and Sully are missing, and Jane and Indigo are dressed... differently.

Indy wears a sequined black mini dress, with matching glittery tights that accentuates her figure in all the right ways. A much more put-together outfit than the tights and t-shirt she sported before.

Jane, meanwhile, wears a rather daring (for her) vest top and a pair of orange parachute pants that look perfect for dancing. She doesn't seem to have her skateboard with her, and her short red hair is gelled back in more of a wet, amphibious look.

Weirder than all your different outfits, though, the vibe between the three of you is somehow off. You've known Yu, Jane, and Indy for years, but right now, it feels like you're surrounded by strangers.

"What's the problem, Chase?" Jane asks, frowning.

"He wanted first dibs," jokes Indy.

"If you want something, all you have to do is ask," says Yutong, brushing the back of her hand across yours. The subtle gesture is full of hidden meaning that sends shivers up your arm.

Okay. The **** Life Twist obviously changed more than Yutong... somehow. Blend in and play along till you can figure out what happened. Based on your snazzy duds, you're now a high roller. Which means all you have to do is act like an asshole and you should be good.

"When I want something, you'll know," you say, leaning casually against the counter like you own the place.

Apparently, this was the right thing to say, because Indy chuckles through a full-lipped smile, and Jane and Yu crack smiles. Guess you're more popular in this dimension.

"So..." says Jane. She shrugs toward the machine. "More **** Twist?"

"An acquired taste. Must be special," says Indy, winking at Yu.

Beside you, almost hovering on your arm, Yu smiles enigmatically.

"I only offered it to her because I knew she would appreciate it," you say, redirecting the group's interest away from the mystery drink. You're on juice lockdown until you puzzle this out. "For the rest of us, I think a round of Pineapple Twin Jet is in order."

You away to the Juicer Max, turn off the JUICE setting, and mix up four cans of Popple's ill-fated Pineapple Twin Jet Turbo. Despite everything else that's going on, you're still excited to try the famous drink.

The girls crowd you like you're a maestro bartender at a high end club. You're not used to being the center of attention in a non-mocking, non-joking sort of way. It's kind of nice. With an extra flourish, you pass the cans to your fashionable friends (trying to steal an extra look at Yutong on the way, without being too conspicuous).

"Cheers," you say, popping your soda.

The girls do the same, and you clink cans, before knocking back and examining the flavors.

"That's pineapple all rght," says Jane, puckering her lips against the acidic bite.

Indy winces and coughs. "That's a lot of sugar."

Yutong, though, is quiet. After tasting the drink, she watches for your reaction without volunteering her opinion.

You take a long pull from the can.

Sugar and pineapple crash into the back of your mouth in a proverbial jet of flavor, dousing every square inch of your mouth in canker sore inducing sweetness. It's everything you ever imagined it to be. Better, even. One can of this is enough to give you diabetes.

You give a satisfied gasp after draining half the can, surprisingly refreshed by the liquid candy.

"Do you like it?" asks Yutong.

Tears well up in your eyes as you experience the classic, perfectly blended aftertaste of artificial pineapple flavoring, real cane sugar, and yellow 5. The geniuses. The Quenchologsits. They knew what they were doing. In one sip, you've been hooked.

"It's perfect," you say, beginning to cry.

Jane rubs your shoulder, reassurngly. "It's okay big guy."

Indy snaps and makes eye contact with Yu, pointing quickly to the machine. Yu nods, mutely.

Unexpectedly sexy Yutong takes your place at the machine, examines the controls, and flips a switch. The machine produces an empty two-liter bottle, locks it under the soda nozzle, and fills it with foaming liquid. The laser etcher engraves PINEAPPLE TWIN JET TURBO on the side.

After the lid's been screwed onto the cold bottle, Yu collects it, and offers it wordlessly to you.

Her angelic vision of sexy elegance, complete with a precious, heavenly gift, leaves you speechless. You've never been more attracted to a woman.

"Who... who are you?" you ask, dazed.

"Yutong," she says.

You belatedly accept the big bottle of soda from her, and she smiles. Amazing.

Indy and Jane surreptitiously dispose of the rest of their Pineapple Twin Jet while they think you're not looking. And they're right, because you can't take your eyes off Yutong. Is this what happens when your tightly-wound nerdy Asian friend cuts loose?

"What did I do?" she asks, batting her lashes (she has lashes).

"Huh?" Your eyes briefly drop to her bare throat and the hazy material hiding her chest.

"I pleased you," she explains, demurely folding her hands behind her waist and arching her back slightly. The motion strains her racy top even further, almost as if inviting your gaze. "So tell me. I want to know so I can do it again."

Whatever Yu's doing, it's working for you. She's always been a people pleaser but this is... this is something else. You're absolutely hard, but Yu almost seems to know. How does the **** Juice factor in? You want to ask her outright, but she asked you a question first. Why are you so suddenly impressed with Yutong? How should you answer her?