Dreaming in Static

Chapter 13

Polaris

She hadn't considered it possible to become so attached so someone in such a short span of time. But as the days went by, and Christmas on Saturday neared, Polaris found herself talking to and confiding in Wei more and more.

They'd stay up texting well past midnight, Polaris falling asleep with a smile on her face. They talked about everything--cat videos, books, the mysteries of life and death...although Polaris couldn't reveal her android identity to him, she felt like he knew her better than Ali or Andromeda, both of whom now spent their days looking for jobs and trying in vain to devise a plan to prevent the mass android shutdown.

The only misgivings Polaris had about her friendship with Wei was the fact that she'd had to fabricate a completely fake identity in order to communicate properly. Polaris, version 2.0, loved astronomy and robotics (of course); she discussed the symbolism in Renaissance art like a cultured intellectual; she seemed to consume over 100 cat videos daily (which Polaris now made a habit of doing, just to fit into her new persona a little better); and she had a passion for Italian food. She chose to develop an interest in modern thrillers and mystery novels, while Wei preferred sci-fi.

And in the blink of an eye, Polaris could find all the information on any of the subjects she took an interest in. Whenever guilt crept up on her for staging a faux identity, she'd remind herself that this was what it took to survive in 2117. And to actually make friends for once.

***

When Saturday came, Polaris borrowed nicer clothes from Myrka: a cream-colored dress matched with dark dress boots, laced up to her knees. Of course, she insisted on wringing a galaxy-themed scarf around her neck, even though Myrka said it looked dorky.

She texted Wei at four o'clock ("I'm ready when you are"), twisting the strands of her indigo hair around in her fingers nervously. She still didn't know how she was going to escape the terror of eating food. Maybe Polaris would just pretend to be sick. 

Of course, she'd met whole crowds of friendly people throughout her week in 2117, but this felt different. Somehow important. A momentous occasion that would affect her life forever. It was one of those days when everything felt like it was just about to go disastrously, irreparably wrong.

When Wei knocked on her door wearing a hoodie and jeans like he did every day, Polaris's heart felt like it was about to thump out of her chest, and her vents were whirring almost violently. Luckily, Wei also seemed too nervous to notice. 

"Y-you look nice," he said, and then Polaris smiled, and Wei smiled back, breaking the tension between them. "Let's go."

Andromeda

She tried to look as presentable as possible for her interview, brushing her wavy auburn hair into a ponytail and donning a simple blouse and jeans; it was just a waitress job. Ali had procured all the necessary credentials she would need, along with a well-written resumé (according to which she had experience at three different restaurants), so all that was left was the actual interview.

It struck Andromeda that her interview was scheduled for six o'clock, around the same time that Polaris would be eating dinner with Wei's family. She grinned at this thought while walking to Adagio, the place she was trying for a job at. Polaris, her little bean, was growing up! She felt like a preschool mom.

As she neared the quaint establishment on the corner, boasting elegant Christmas lights and decorations that stole the eye of passers-by, Andromeda rubbed her hands together and recited her answers, even though she knew she couldn't possibly forget. Her heart was beating faster now, and she opened the door and stepped inside, inhaling the sweet aroma of coffee beans and hot, fresh cakes, wafting over her like the smell of home. This must be the café section of the restaurant.