JARVIS and the Real Girl

Four: Movies

I was surprised that it had actually worked, but I didn’t say anything. Tony stepped forward, grinning.

  “Hey JARVIS. It’s going to feel a little strange at first, being in a body, but it’ll get easier. You’ve seen people countless times before, so just use what you learned from them.” He said. JARVIS nodded and stepped forward easily, seeming to understand how to do all of this.

   “This is quite an interesting feat, Mr. Stark.” He looked back up and glanced at Pepper and I.

    “Hello Miss Potts, good evening Miss Lockwood.” He smiled and stepped forward to shake our hands. Pepper looked like she was ready to pass out.

   “JARVIS? What’s going on?!” She exclaimed, turning from Tony, to JARVIS, and then me. She narrowed her eyes and stared at me, so I stood there. I didn’t like Pepper from the second I walked in the Tower, and now I had to put up with her. I could tell she didn’t like me either, but I honestly couldn’t care less.

    “Right, uh, tonight’s the night I usually order a pizza and watch movies, does that sound good to you guys?” Tony piped up, stepping between Pepper and I before one of us ripped out the other’s throat.

    “Sounds good to me.” I said, smiling. I loved movies, and it would be interesting to see JARVIS watch his first movie. Pepper left the room, so Tony, JARVIS and I went upstairs into one of the many rooms which seemed to contain what looked like a movie theatre.

   “Make yourselves at home, I’m going to go order.” He left the room, and I stood awkwardly with JARVIS. I walked over to one of the seats and plunked down into it, sinking into the cushions. JARVIS sat down beside me, and I turned to him. It wasn’t every day I saw an android, let alone one who had a mind of his own.

    “Uh, hi. How are you.. How are you doing?”I asked, my mind running blank. He turned to me and smiled, laughing a little.

   “It’s a little strange, Miss Lockwood, I will admit. But I think I can get used to it.” He said, shrugging. I nodded and smiled back.

    “Forgive me for prying, but what happened to you last night?” He asked, head tilting a little. I shrugged, looking down.

   “Nightmares. I get them every night. I don’t know what causes them either, they just happen. I’ve been to countless doctors, but they allsay it’s just stress. They’re getting to an extent that I can’t handle them anymore.” I sighed, playing with the hem of my shirt. It was awkwardly silent for a while, before JARVIS said something.

    “I’m sorry Miss. Is there anything I can do to help? I understand the music did provide a bit of assistance to you falling asleep.” He said, blue eyes almost searching me. I nodded, smiling slightly.

  “Yeah, it did. Thanks. There’s not really much that gets rid of them, except talking to people.” I sighed, looking down again.

    “You may speak to me whenever you wish. I never sleep. It’s not a bother.” He said, smiling at me.

    “Thank you, JARVIS. That’ll help me a lot.” I looked over at him, turning in the chair to face him again. It was quiet again, and I glanced over at the door, looking for Tony.

   “May I offer you a hug, Miss Lockwood?” He asked, sounding almost scared. I almost choked on air, but nodded.

     “Yeah, sure, thanks.” I said, awkwardly hugging him. He returned the hug, and Tony picked right then to walk in.

   “Whoa, okay, what am I interrupting here?” He asked, eyes widening a bit. “Is there something I’m missing?” He set down the bowls of popcorn he was carrying, and I quickly let go of JARVIS and bit my lip,face flushing crimson.

   “No, nothing. Anyways, which movie did you pick?” I asked, trying to sound as nonchalant as possible given the situation.

  “Uh, right, I picked out Friday the 13th, I hope that’s alright. If not, suck it up princess.” He grinned, and I sighed. I really hated horror movies, but I relented. He walked up the steps and disappeared into a little room, putting in the movie and dimming down the lights. He reappeared and handed us sets of glasses, and I frowned a little.

  “Oh, I forgot to mention. It’s in 3D.” I took the glasses, quietly muttering ‘crap’ under my breath. I put the glasses on and so did the other two, and the movie started. For the first little while, I was fine, but when the movie really got going, I debated whether or not to take off my glasses. I shut my eyes and looked away, trying my hardest to block out the whole movie. I felt a tap on my shoulder and I glanced over, removing the glasses.

 “Miss Lockwood, would you like to leave? You don’t have to stay through this movie if you wish not to.” JARVIS whispered. I shook my head, clearing my throat and putting the glasses back on. There was no way I was seeming like an idiot in front of Stark, he’d never let me live it down.

  “I’m.. I’m fine. It’s just a movie, right?” I said quietly, forcing myself to look back up at the movie in front of me. It only got worse and worse, so I looked down again, cursing the panic that flashed through me and the tears that prickled at the back of my eyes. I was such a weak person when it came to blood and death. JARVIS put a hand on my arm and helped me up, and we left the room. I blew it again.