Digi-Friends

The Root of This

God...what time is it?...

I let out a small yawn before rubbing my eyes, trying to remember what had happened.

We visited the bakery together, yes...

I shook my head lightly and observed my surroundings. The air was warmer than usual and there was a stillness to everything. No sounds came from outside. I looked to my left to see Leafy sitting down on her platform, looking at me.

"You must have been tired," she said softly. Leafy got up and sat next to me.

I scooted over to leave more space between us. "Why do you say that?"

Leafy smiled and looked up, responding, "Soon after we got home you fell asleep. Though, I did get you a little something during all of that time."

"Oh, what is it?" I replied looking towards her hands. She hid them behind her back but something was clearly in them.

I watched as Leafy pulled out a clear plastic bag with a circular piece of bread. I could smell its lovely scent and knew it was baked a few hours ago. Leafy smiled widely and put the bag on my lap.

A whole piece of bread for me... Wait a minute.

"How did you get this?!" I yelled in shock. I felt my body heat up.

"It's a gift," she simply responded.

I glared at Leafy and grumbled, "That doesn't answer anything. Did you steal this from someone?"

"No!" She exclaimed, frowning, "Pin told me I could help out at her bakery and in return, I asked for food. She agreed to give me any leftovers from the bakery..."

I looked back down at the bag and carefully took the piece of bread out. Did she really think I needed food that badly? She wasn't wrong, but was it that obvious? I took a few bites and put it back down on the bag.

It isn't fair. She managed to get a job way faster than I did. It took me months of begging to even work for Golfball.

Looking back, I noticed Leafy was looking down sadly. Her metal tail tucked between her legs. I reached for her hand and carefully held it. She immediately looked towards me and seemed a bit happier.

"I'm grateful for this. I really do need more food, and I'll be able to eat more because of you," I admitted. "Thank you, Leafy."

Leafy's tail untucked itself and her face grew a smile again. She didn't say anything in response, but that wasn't needed. For once, silence felt good. It felt like there was an understanding.

I didn't ruin something.

I let go of Leafy's hand and continued to eat the bread until it was finished. For some reason, it tasted better than before, though the recipe didn't taste any different. Maybe it was the happiest I got from eating two days in a row.

Suddenly, my phone started to ring. It startled myself and I jumped off of the couch and face planted into the floor. When I looked up, I saw Leafy standing with her hand out. Reaching for her, I stood up and ran to my phone. Coiny was calling.

"I'll be back soon. I need to take this," I calmly said before walking outside my house and answering.

"Hello Firey. You finally picked up for once," Coiny stated. His voice had a hint of sass to it.

"Oh but you never call me. How can you claim I finally picked up if that's the case?" I replied, laughing to myself at the end.

"I do call you. Your phone happens to be dead most of the time, though," Coiny added. I could picture the smug grin he would've had on his face.

I paused before admitting, "You're right. Why did you call me anyways?"

"I wanted to ask about Leaf-" I quickly cut him off.

"Oh um, I don't know her."

That was a horrible lie.

Coiny explained, "First of all, I saw you walking home with her. Secondly, I only want to ask if she was okay. Her movement seemed stiffer than the regular object."

I groaned and rolled my eyes, "If you promise not to say anything to anyone, I'll tell you everything."

"Of course! My lips are sealed."

I hoped that Coiny would keep his mouth shut. I couldn't have him tell this to any authority or else I'd be punished as well. He was good at keeping secrets, but usually ends up telling everything to Pin.

"Leafy is... a robot," I began, staring to pace around before continuing, "and she has been living with me for a couple of days. And she has genuine emotion."

Coiny responded with silence. He didn't say anything for a while. I got concerned but he spoke again, "You. Firey, the robot hater, is living with a robot?!"

"Yes. Yes I am. Could you please quiet it down? I don't want anyone else overhearing me," I whispered.

You'll get us both in trouble...

He listened. "How are you managing that? You tend to always damage any robotic part you find, no matter how big or small."

"That isn't true. I can contain some of my anger. I don't burn things by accident anymore." I muttered.

"Then you must have something in mind, right? I know you keep robotic parts to sell but..."

I started to feel a bit guilty. Leafy had gotten me some food to eat and would keep bringing me things. Should I really move forward with what I wanted to do?

It doesn't matter. She isn't actually living. Her emotion is just... code.

"I'm going to take her to a robotics place sometime and then get her trashed. Afterwards, I should get paid enough to live a decent life for at least a month," I admitted.

Coiny's voice filled with disappointment, "Just be sure this is what you want to do. Once Leafy is gone, she'll be gone for good. You seem happier than usual."

"It doesn't matter. Technology is the main reason the world is as shitty as it is."

Coiny hesitated before asking, "Why didn't you trash her as soon as you found her?"

"Whatever. How's working for Pin treating you?" I responded.

Why didn't I trash her immediately? Could it be- no. I could never get attached to a robot.

That would never happen.