"Here ya are! Your new ROSEJETS1!
The delivery man announced with forced cheer, dropping the tall box off the cart, narrowly missing my toes. It had taken five minutes for him to find a clear space in my trashed apartment.
Printed on the wooden box in bold print was Meet your new ROSEJETS1, your customizable robot helper! She can do anything! I tapped my finger on the tablet, listening to the small ding as it read my fingerprint before handing it back to the man. We stood, awkwardly, for what felt like two minutes, before he rolled his eyes, holding his hand out.
"Right."
I blew my bangs before heading to my purse, digging to find my wallet.
"I heard these things are easy to hack into," he said, adjusting his cap as I handed him five dollars (I lived on the fifth floor and the elevator was currently out of order. It was a fair tip) "Ya sure you want this thing?"
"Quite" I coolly replied.
He shrugged, heading for the door.
"Ok, but word of advice-"
I slammed the door, not wanting to hear the end of his 'advice', turning to the box, rubbing my hands together.
"Time to open this little helper."
I sliced through five layers of packing tape before I saw her. Well, then, she was a silver base, wearing a maid's dress.
I whipped out my phone, opened the JET app and began customizing her. I gave her the name Audrey, long pink hair, striking emerald eyes, and freckled sun kissed skin, then activated her.
She whirred for a moment before coming to life, sitting up in the box, looking around. The second she spotted me, she smiled warmly.
"Good morning, my lady, how may I serve you/"
She clumsily tried to climb out, only for me to catch her hand.
"Easy, Audrey." I laughed.
She tilted her head slightly, looking at me.
"It's...funny that I stumbled, my lady?"
"No," I shook my head "I just wasn't expecting it is all."
Audrey blinked a few times before nodding.
"Of course, my-"
"Don't call me 'my lady,'. Just call me Tina"
"Yes...Tina. How may I serve you?"
I grabbed my painting apron, tying it.
"While I'm in the studio, could you start dusting the lights? I'll be out for lunch in a bit."
She nodded, curtsying as I left.
The next few weeks went by smoothly, Audrey was the perfect helper, as advertised. She was always on the ball when I asked her to do something. She knew my favorite meals (how she found out I wasn't sure) and somehow washed dishes without short circuiting.
Then that dreaded morning came.
"Tina, it's time for you to wake up." She sang.
I groaned, pulling the covers over my head.
"No, today's cancelled"
She nudged me gently.
"Up and at 'em, sleeping beauty," I heard the clink of a mug being lifted. "I have wake up juice."
I shot up.
"Caramel Frappuccino?" I inquired, hopefully.
She shook her head laughing.
