The Neighbor Next Door

Figuring out (a new) normal

It was Saturday morning when OJ went over to bring his kids home, being too selfish, and low on energy to do it on Friday. He came over early, so he had time to kill before they actually woke up for the morning, which left him sitting on a stool in the basement TestTube had converted into some sort of lab-- which... Would sound incredibly sketchy, if it weren't for the fact she was actually a scientist. As far as OJ was aware, nothing weird went on down here.

"So..?" TestTube finally spoke, looking up from a small box she was tinkering with.

"Huh?" OJ blinked, looking at her, a bit confused.

"Are you going to tell me what happened?" Her focus went back to the box while she talked.

"Oh. um... I mean, it's... Nothing, really." OJ glanced away, not really knowing if it was worth trying to explain.

"It's clearly something if you got so bummed out you couldn't take care of your kids." She immediately paused, before clarifying; "I didn't mean for that to sound mean,"

"No, no, I get it." OJ just sighed. "Just... Complicated stuff with the neighbor."

"Did you two get into a fight or something?"

"Not this time,"

TestTube raised an eyebrow at this, but didn't say anything, allowing OJ to continue;

"Um... We like each other. That kind of complicated."

"You have a boyfriend now?"
"No,"

TestTube took a moment to think, trying to wrap her brain around it.

"Oh, I see. Are you worried you'll end up like our parents or something? Because I'm sure y--"
"No! No, haha, that's-- not it," OJ cut in with an awkward laugh, trying to shove any bit of that insecurity down, before elaborating;

"He's trying to be a better person is all... He isn't ready to actually be in a relationship. I respect that of course, but..."
"It's difficult, isn't it,"
"... Yeah," OJ glanced away, feeling a bit selfish.

"Well, that's completely normal. Moving on is difficult, I'm sure. But if you ever need anyone to talk to, I'm here--"
"I'm not trying to move on," OJ fiddled with his hands, hoping he wasn't going to make himself sound stupid, or dumb for making the choices he was making.

"You're not... Oh. Oh, okay." A pause. "Just... Don't let him hurt you, okay?" She couldn't help but slightly warn her brother, having a bit of caution towards the robot, considering his creator, a man who's inventions and tech she'd had a growing distaste for over the years.

"What?"

"You get too attached to people, sometimes. I just want you to be safe."

"I can assure you I'm being safe. He's not like that." OJ was a little pissed at the remark, but he wasn't going to start an argument. His sister was surely just looking out for him. She noticed the shift in his tone, letting out a small sigh.

"I didn't mean anything by it. Sorry." TestTube did her best to let it go, not wanting to blame the robot for his creator's failings as a businessman and tech genius.

Silence for a bit, before TestTube spoke up;

"So... Your kids are starting their school year soon?" Thankfully a shift in the conversation.

"Yeah. They're pretty excited, but I don't know how long that'll last once they actually start going, y'know?" OJ just shrugged. "I just hope they adjust well to a new school. They did really well getting used to the house, but... I don't know," OJ couldn't help but confide in her, not really sure. He was afraid his kids would be bullied, or alienated for being 'new', or something. They were good, kind kids, and he didn't want that to be ruined. Especially with them getting up there in grades.