SPECIAL ANNOUNCMENT

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Chapter Three

''Gross!'  I skittered back, my face aflame with the raging embarrassment of not only being so close, but a kiss! This nonsense was novel material, but this was supposed to be my life! I scrambled to my feet, unable to look at him.

But his eyes were very much on me. As were Minnie's. They both stared at me, and at that moment I knew with absolute certainty that this would be the pivotal moment that defined my relationship with this droid. But as I always did, I screwed it up.

''Nasty! Ugh and I got your weird alien blood in my mouth!'

His face also turned a shade of scarlet indicative of embarrassment.

Minnie's face was always like an open book, a story written to be read easily. This time it told the story of the smooth move remark that came out of my mouth. Admittedly once I heard myself say it, it sounded a little harsh.

He picked up on it immediately too.

''So sorry if the multiple injuries you inflict are so inconvenient!'

A light flicked on in the main house and we all fell silent. Unspoken, we all knew. That outburst, or rather series of outbursts, had woken dad. This wasn't the conversation I wanted to have yet. I needed time to come up with a good reason, something that didn't sound like I got this thing I hate the concept of entirely out of pity. Truly why did I get him? Maybe it was the grief of my cat's death, or how lonely things had been at school. No, that sounded pathetic. No matter how I could think to put it, it made one of us sound sad. That's not a talk I wanted to have yet either. The real reason I had my own home made home away from the house. The silence, that feeling of being unsure of what to do or say. The fear of finding one of mom's old things in a box, since we never really fully unpacked. Neither of us wanted to talk about grief counselors, or how it feels without mom. Neither of us were ready for that.

''Lilith what on earth is going on out here?'  How did he get here so fast? I must have zoned out again, lost in my thoughts. One of the many things the one counselor we tried to see suggested was a sign of trauma.

''Lilith I'm speaking to you.'  He wasn't normally so stern, but being woken up early, and the scene laid out in front of him...it warranted some anger.

''Sorry dad, I didn't mean to wake you. I bought a doll and I didn't see him and accidentally shut the door in his face, then I tripped...'  I was rambling, I could see it on his face. His thoughts had always been written all over his face, I could read him like a book. Anyone could. He was just an open honest guy. I couldn't ask for a better dad.

''Okay aside from the fact that I'm glad you're okay, you bought a doll? I thought you hated them.'  His expression softened from one of irritation to concern. He was worried about me, of course. Anyone would worry. From handling my own mother's death in silence and now acting unlike myself, I would be worried too. I was worried about myself. But I didn't want him to worry.

''Yeah, he was free. Sort of a weird thing at the store. Its a long story. But I'll get an after school job to get anything he needs, I promise.'

He rubbed his face, a tired gesture. It was almost like he was trying to physically gather his thoughts, move them back where they belonged so he could form a coherent response.

''No, its alright. I'm glad you've got some company other than just Minnie, I was worried with her going off to college next year that you might not have anyone.'

So there was no awkward conversation to have about why I bought an android, or a boy for that matter. Good. All that was left was the silence, no need to explain anything.

''You know since he's a boy and all, we'll have to talk.'  He crossed his arms in a very dad like expression of authority.

''You know, I think my parents would be mad if I stayed out late. I'll see you later Lil!'

''Traitor!'  I shook my fist at her as she ran away.

Somehow parents had this look, if there were any way to put it into words then it would have to be 'Really? How did that benefit anyone?'

''You're seventeen, so I'd say this is long overdue. But I still have three hours before I have to get up, so I'm going back to bed. We can discuss it when I get home.'  He always made sure to get home early on weekdays, so I could eat breakfast with him before I went to school On weekends he got home a little later, because he had Saturday and Sunday off to spend time with me.

But the time I once looked forward to would be my demise, for I would surely die.

''Dad there's no need for that, really.'

''Lilith I need to get some sleep, I have a long night ahead of me. I'll see you when I get off work.'

''Now look what you did.'  Why was I blaming him? This droid was only going along with what I said. I really needed something to call him other than that droid. I opened my mouth to ask, unsure if he'd already mentioned having a name or not.

''What I did? Oh no you are not putting this on me. You just can't accept that you did this all on your own.'

''Me? You're kidding, right? You don't see a door coming and maybe back up?'  I was losing track of my point, but he was infuriating.

''I wasn't exactly paying attention.'

''And why did you yell? Were you trying to wake my dad?'

''Well you...you...'  He was at a loss for words.

''Whatever just come inside. We can work it out later after we've both eaten and my homework is done.'

The look on his face was pitiful.

''You mean you're not taking me back?'

''Of course not. You're obnoxious, not a bad person. Come inside.'

''Thank you.'

''Hey I meant to ask, what's your name?'

''Oh, yeah weird I hadn't mentioned it before.'

''Well?'

Chapter two

(I know it’s late, sorry I have a wicked cold.)

“You bought one. I can’t believe you actually bought one.” Minnie was practically bouncing all the way home. “I didn’t buy him, he was free. And I just couldn’t stand how that jackass was talking to him. You know? It was just…infuriating! Somebody had to help the thing.” Minnie looked back. “You know he’s right there, right?” “Yeah. I know. He hasn’t said a thing since we left the store. Hey sulking wonder, how about a thank you?” “Thank you? You waltzed in, destroyed my playing card, and walked out with me for no more than a promise not to return me.” “Be that as it may, you live with me now. Which reminds me, I need to know about you. Like what you eat, how much sleep you need. Can you bathe? I only have a shower, my dad spent a long time hooking up the plumbing for me so I could have my own little house away from the main house. Its technically a pool house that he added walls and a bathroom to so it would be a place I could go. You know, since he has no idea what to do with a teenage girl.” “What about your mom?” Minnie and I both paused. The look on his face said he knew he’d shot his mouth off, but it wasn’t his fault. “She died a few years ago.” “I’m sorry…I didn’t know.” “Its fine, how could you know? This is the place, we have to go through the house to get to mine, so try to stay quiet. Dad works nights, he should be asleep for another few hours.” “Isn’t it difficult to see each other with opposite hours?” “Yeah, but I’m in school all day anyway, so its not much different. I see him on the weekends.” “Whatever floats your boat I guess.” Minnie rolled her eyes and stepped in front of him. “Does everything that comes out of your mouth some sort of distanced remark of sarcasm?” I had neither the energy nor the patience to deal with his attitude. We reached the door to my little mini house built out of my father’s misguided attempt to give me privacy, I let Minnie go ahead of me before I followed her inside. I shut the door directly, a small justified smirk crossing my face. That would show him. “Oh my god you hit him.” “What? No I didn’t, he would have yelled or something.” “You told him not to wake your dad! You totally hit him with the door!” “I did not!” Though my heart was beginning to race. I began to run through the mental scenarios of what happened if you abused your doll, broke it out of anger instead of accident. “I swear I heard something hit the ground.” We stared at each other in silence for a moment. I opened the door a crack to peek. He sat on the ground, holding a hand over his nose. He was bleeding. “I thought you were an android!” “He is, Lil. Androids are full of nannite liquid, it tints red when its exposed to oxygen. It moves information through their body and redistributes heat.” “I’ll ask how you know that later, but for now I’m so sorry. Does that hurt?” “Oh no, I get doors slammed in my face all the time.” He rolled his eyes. “You know you’re a smug little creep when you want to be.” I knelt down and immediately regretted it. A pebble dug into my knee. It really wasn’t that bad, but the surprising pain was enough to jolt me forward. I half tackled him, it must have hurt him worse than it hurt me though, as I had him to break my fall. But the worst part of it was when our lips met, and all I could see was forest green eyes, wide with shock.

Chapter one

It had all started out pretty simply. A dead pet, needing a replacement to fill the void of loneliness. So...how was she here?

”Simple. You're here because you need someone to fill that void in your life Mittens left.” Minnie practically beamed.

"You're awfully cheerful, considering we buried my cat this morning. In the rain.” That was me. Minnie's best friend. Only I knew her real name, but she got nicknamed Minnie after it came out she could do a flawless impression of the overly pink clad mouse.

“Mittens was so old even the neighborhood dogs left her alone. She's in a better place, where all cats who scratch people just trying to help them go.” Minnie was overly pink clad herself as well, usually. Today she wore a sleeveless white button up tucked into one of her favorite skirts, a color change knee length that looked like it was made of a flowing metal.

“Min you ever worry that that skirt of yours would turn blue when you fart?” I was trying, my head still hurt from all the crying I'd done at the cat funeral.

Minnie only rolled her eyes and chose not to comment. But if she didn't know I wasn't in the mood to argue, she would have mentioned something along the lines of a lady never farts.

“So explain to me again what your issue with this store is? And why its such a big issue that we're standing outside despite the very threatening rain clouds?”

In terms of the company, this store was small. Just a little shop that sold the old and used, the damaged, the discounted. Androids.

“I think its just another kind of slavery. But this time instead of dark skin light skin, its real skin synthetic skin. It just feels wrong.”

Minnie scoffed, the sound somehow ladylike coming from her. As though it were directed at a cookie that didn't go with the tea she selected, rather than my beliefs.

“You don't feel the same guilt when you open Sirius to ask a question and then shove her back into your pocket.”

“Sirius is a program on my phone that literally everyone has to ask questions. This is different. These things...they have bodies, minds, personalities. It feels wrong to just go and buy one. On top of that, you're asking me to spend the savings I put aside for a car.”

“Lil You're sort of buying a person. I mean not to make the moral aspect worse, but you're paying for a living being that will love you unconditionally. And when you're old and gray, you can turn it it, and get whatever its worth to leave to your kids, or say your best friend.”

“Says the best friend who already has two parents working for the company selling these things.”

“They want me to get a job this summer, I'll be cut off at the end of the school year. Lets go inside, at least look at a few. Who knows, you might meet a cute boy and take him home.”

“You'd better be referring to one of these over-sized barbie dolls.”

“Of course, of course. Come on, its getting windy.” Minnie's expression was one of pure innocence. How did she manage to do that?

The inside of the store was warm in contrast to the brewing storm outside. The smell of coffee from a machine in the back meant to make the business more inviting hit me as soon as we got in the door. It took me back, to old bookstores with free coffee, a live band playing on a stage made by the store owner. People sitting around enjoying the atmosphere, the small town feel that made me feel cozy and familiar anywhere in town.

I was instantly brought back when the door opened again, a couple attempting to get past me bringing in the smell of big business. The reek of smog, which seemed to be everywhere in Angel city. Of course the residents were used to it, always smelling it, taking the smell home with them on their clothes. No one was bothered by the constant presence of asphalt and smoke, they thrived in it like fish in the ocean. I missed the ocean. The pleasant little town on the coast, one I would miss for the rest of my life.

“Lily, you're blocking the entrance.”

“Right. Sorry.” I half slid on the floor trying to get out of the way. The manager shot me a look, mud smeared across the floor where I'd nearly done the splits. That was how Angel city worked. It didn't matter if you fell, only how much of a mess someone else had to clean up from you getting hurt. If not for Minnie I'd never make it here. Before we met I was a mess of walking into bike lanes, thinking people with Bluetooth were talking to me, and even once walking into a club ironically named The Library and finding out there were no books there. I missed the small town friendliness, the way people would just help each other out. They all knew each other, they were all family. Now, feeling the cool air on my back as people came in, pretending to look at product to get out of the rain. I felt a twinge of longing. Why did you have to buy something to stay dry until the storm passed? Why not wave hello to the shop owner, share a laugh about the sudden torrent of rain? I walked around to make the appearance that I was still fully there, not off on the coast somewhere dreaming about warm waves and caring people. The sound of quiet chatter fell away. The dim buzzing lights of the back room drowned it out. The musty smell of cardboard and discarded instruction manuals was almost enough to take me back again, if only the coffee would reach it I could close my eyes and delude myself that I'm home again. As the coffee smell finally reached me I smiled, letting my imagination take over.

I was home, sitting in the bay window watching the bees scuttle about to be finished before the sun would set.

“You know I don't like you sitting in that ramshackle addition, Lily. It looks like it could fall right off the house at any moment.” Mom was always worrying, it was what made her mom.

“I'm not bouncing or anything, and besides if it was going to break it would be creaking. And its never broken before. Dad made it sturdy.”

“Your father doesn't make things study, he makes them quickly. That window is hardly up to code.” Mom was a contractor, she worked for some fancy company up in the city, part of the Ark conglomerate. She left on business trips a lot, it was up to dad and I to keep the house standing while she was gone. Dad did basic construction, that's how he and mom met.

“Okay, I can watch the bees work tomorrow. When does your flight leave?” It was a tradition to make her a nice breakfast before she left, all started on a joke that airport food was terrible and expensive.

“I'm actually driving this time, its only to the border of Angel.”

“What's going on at the border?” The border had been crammed with homes and businesses, everyone trying to get a taste of the city without paying to be close to the center. There was nothing else to cram into the border. Certainly no large businesses buildings.

“I'm actually going to see a doctor there. A specialist.”

And that was the beginning. Ark had failed to provide her with proper breathing equipment when she went to a site, her requests for them finding the bottom of a stack of requests. A simple error in paperwork. When she came back she had a bunch of medical equipment, and doctors hired from the companies she'd worked for in hopes she wouldn't sue.

Of course she didn't sue, my mother was a good soul who loved to help others. Her only condition was a settlement, enough for dad and I to live on after she was gone.

“Excuse me.”

Once again I was yanked back to the present, but not by an angry stranger or Minnie. It was a boy, about my age by the looks of him. He looked grimy and kind of gross, covered in dirt and oil stains. He wore a fair amount of leather, though none of it matched. A faded black leather jacket, cocoa leather gloves, and leather combat boots that might have been dark brown at one point, but looked almost black. With a dirty oil t shirt and equally dirty and oil stained jeans, he looked like a homeless mechanic. And I  was standing over him, staring down like an idiot.

“Yeah?”

“You're standing on my cards.” He was right, my muddy rain boots were on top of what looked like a game of solitaire.

“Oh I'm so sorry, that was all my fault.” I stepped back, some of the cards sticking to the bottoms of my boots.

“Oh no, no need to apologize. Not like I'm a human being or anything.” Where did the sudden attitude come from?

“Look I'll buy you a new deck, there's a corner store near here.”

“Stop. I've got an extra deck. There are a bunch back here, from back when this hole sold little gift shop gifts to advertise.”

“Oh...well. Um, I'm still sorry, is there anything I can do?”

“You can get out of the storage room.” The manager who'd glared at her before for making a mess now loomed over her.

“You're not supposed to be in here, little girl. Especially talking to this defective droid.” It didn't matter if he wasn't a human, though that did explain his rude comment. No one was defective.

“Well I'm interested in buying him.” What? That wasn't what I meant to say at all.

“Uh huh. You want this defective droid you don't even know the model of.”

“I do. I want him. I have an Ark card.” Part of the deal, a card that could be charged without limit, in case of emergency. This was an emergency, right? This kid looked miserable.

“No need, he's not for sale. The best you can do is sign the paper claiming ownership of him. Ark won't sell a broken product.”

“So he's free.”

“Yeah.”

“Then I'll take him.”

“Good.”

“Great.”

“Fan-freakin-tastic.”