The Neighbor Next Door

Brittle

TOPICS OF PHYSICAL/MENTAL ABUSE, & GRIEF ARE INCLUDED IN THIS CHAPTER. Stay safe

The last interaction MePhone had with his father wasn't a good one. It was the day before he had left for good, and just a few months after MePhone had dropped out of highschool. It was clear the robot was nothing but a disappointment for him. Nothing but a blight on his image, and current life. Of course, the last time the two had interacted, it had turned into one of their worse arguments. It hurt a lot because things had seemed fine up until now. His dad was on the busier side, so he wasn't around-- and at least when he was before this, he was at least civil, despite the whole not finishing school thing. Of course, it had been too good to be true.

"You couldn't even do one thing right for me. How am I supposed to justify this to any of my business associates that the robot I programmed and created couldn't even make it through the school system?" He sneered, clear venom in his voice. The two were in the living room right now, and MePhone was just so annoyed. He had a bit of fight in him today, because it was one of the few days he had managed to get the motivation to get out of bed, though he had only realized a bit too late that his dad had been home today. Cornered into a conversation he couldn't just walk away from. He could just apologize, and take the blame like always, but he was just so sick of that. The thought annoyed him today.

"It's not my fault you clearly messed something up with me." He challenged. He knew he had brought up his issues of understanding letters and numbers up with his dad hundreds of times by now, but it was always met with ignorance, or annoyance from the other. Always an excuse that he was just lazy, and stupid, and not trying hard enough. His dad stopped pacing through his clear frustration, looking at his creation now with a look of disgust.

"What did we talk about. You don't get to disrespect me. I'm here to tell you what you're doing wrong. You need to shut up and take it today."

"Yeah, well I'm tired of it. You're just being an asshole. I know I fucked up. So what? How many times do you need to tell me, huh? I guess you did one thing right, because I know I don't have issues remembering things." MePhone just clenched his fists, keeping them in his lap as he looked up from his seat at his dad, who seemed so close to just flipping out completely.

At this point, his dad laying hands on him wasn't something new, but it still hurt so much each time. He was a robot. He was supposed to have tough skin, and not hurt like this, and not be so sensitive, but he couldn't help but sniffle afterwards, losing his voice, and his fight completely. His dad had made his point. MePhone knew it was bound to happen with him talking back, but he still hoped it would end any differently. That his dad would just listen for once. He was just stupid for thinking like that. For hoping at all, wasn't he. He kept his gaze stuck to the floor after that, zoning out as his dad yelled and yelled and yelled at him. Even after all the yelling and shouting from him was over, and he had left to go do something surely more productive with his time, MePhone didn't have the courage to move for a while after that. They didn't say anything else for the rest of the day. His dad never spoke another word to him, past whatever was the last thing he got shouted at for. He didn't really remember. He wouldn't have been surprised if it was just him reinforcing the fact he was just a waste of space. That's all it ever was these days, anyways.

...

MePhone slid down to the floor, his back against the door now as he moved his hands up to his head. He didn't grip at his hair. He didn't cry. He didn't scream. He just... Found himself in a state of shock.

He could hear his phone buzzing with a few more texts, surely all from his cousin, or something, but he just didn't have it in him to check, or even move now. His brain was reeling to process this, really. He wondered if 3gs knew yet. He wondered if he was going to have to tell him.