[Automatic] (An Aarmau AU)

[Chapter 4] One Metal Hand

"It's completely fried!"

I starred at the small contraption in my hands, "How could this be?", I asked, placing the small object on the table, "The control panel is the most protected part of the android!"

"I don't know", Katelyn said, digging through her desk for something, "All I know is that Aaron is going to be extremely ticked off by this, this android held very important information"

I shone my flashlight into the small opening, "I'm going to try to fix this", I told Katelyn, "It may be impossible, but if what you said is true, Aaron needs this information, and I promised to repair this android"

Katelyn looked up at me in disbelief, "You can not be serious"

"100%", I said while looking for a smaller screwdriver.

"You're crazy", Katelyn noted.

"I may be crazy", I told her while gathering some tools, "But you can't deny, I am very determined"

Katelyn laughed, "Well, I guess you're right on that one"

I giggled and continued to look for the right tools, Katelyn leaned against one of the counters, "So how exactly did you meet Aaron", she asked me.

I looked over at her, not sure how to respond, "Uh, w-well", I stuttered, "He just came to my shop about a week ago, and asked me to fix this android"

She nodded her head and started to pick at her nails, "That's... really odd"

"How so?", I asked, opening another cabinet.

"It's just", she started, "Before all this, Aaron never really left the castle. I've been here for almost ten years now, and I've only seen him leave a handful of times"

I stopped digging, "So why is it different all of a sudden?", I asked, slowly standing up.

"I really don't know, I've never seen him like this, so life like"

"So what was he before?", I joked, "A potted plant?"

Katelyn laughed a little, "Not exactly, but he would just spend hours in his room, not even coming down for meals"

Katelyn shook her head and jump up to sit on the counter, "I just don't know, ever since this android broke he's been so much more alive, as strange as it sounds"

I continued to open cabinets, "That is really odd"

I thought about how enthusiastic he was at the market, how he asked questions about literally everything. At the time I just thought it was because he had never been to that part of town before, but after what Katelyn told me, I can't help but wonder if it was one of his first times outside.

A bell echoed through the castle, "Ah", Katelyn said, jumping down from the counter, "It's lunchtime"

Right on cue, Aaron walked into the room, "How's it going?", he asked.

I quickly slipped the control piece in my pocket, "Great", I lied, "I think with a little more time I can get this thing up and running again"

Katelyn rolled her eyes and grabbed my arm, "Come on", she said, "You are not going to want to miss lunch"

She started pulling me along, and then noticed the greasy glove on my hand, "And take that gross thing off", she said, "You don't want to contaminate your food"

She reached to take off my glove, but I quickly pulled my hand away, "I think I'm going to go wash my hands first", I quickly lied, "You can never be to safe"

I turned around and sprinted off the the small bathroom that was attached to the shop. Locking the door behind me, I took a deep breath, that was to close for comfort.

I slowly pulled off the grease stained glove, revealing the metal hand under it. I sighed and tossed the glove aside, how was I suppose to get out of this? If I show up to the lunch with gloves still on, Katelyn would make me take then off, but if I showed up to the lunch without them...

My eyes wandered to the small shelf right above the toilet, filling it were various medical supplies, including bandages. I quickly stood up, and walked over to the shelf. Carefully picking up the role of white bandages, I started to formulate a plan in my head.

I emerged from the bathroom five minutes later, with a full covered hand. The story that I had come up with was that, I had burned my hand at work, and I was to embarrassed at first to admit it.

It was simple, and it was believable. That was all I needed.

After asking for a few directions, I made my way into the lunch hall. Many workers were sitting down, talking, and enjoying food. I spotted Aaron and Katelyn waiting nervously at the head table. 

I approached the table, and Aaron's face lit up when he saw me, "Oh thank goodness", he said, "I thought you may have left"

I laughed, "And miss out on free food, no thank you"

I heard Katelyn chuckle, and Aaron smiled, "Well, whatever the reason, I'm happy you decided to come"

He looked down and noticed my hand, "Oh my Irene", he exclaimed, "What happened"

Katelyn looked over, and also saw my bandages hand, "By The Six, Aphmau", she said, putting down her taco, "Have you had that the whole time?"

I pretended to look embarrassed, "It's nothing", I said sheepishly, "Just a small work accident"

They didn't seem convinced, but still let the subject drop.

"Here", Aaron said, pulling out a chair for me, "Come and eat, you must be starving"

I sat down and looked at all the food. Being a poor plaza mechanic, I didn't have many choices when it came to eating, so I didn't even recognize half of the food in front of me.

Aaron saw my confusion, "You look like you've never seen food before", he lightly joked.

I quietly laughed, "I'm used to living off Ramen and apples", I replied, "So forgive me if I can't name every appetizer"

Aaron looked troubled for a second, but covered it up quickly, "Well then, you better try as many different foods as you can"

I took him up on that offer. I ended up trying fifteen new foods, everyone one of them new to me. My favorite out of the bunch was the spaghetti, which I had seen before, but never got to try.

By the end of the lunch period, I was stuffed, which was something I had never really felt before.

"Ugh", I said, smacking my head down onto the table, "I feel like I just gained a million pounds"

Aaron laughed, and put his hand on my head, "I told you that you shouldn't of tried the cake"

"But it was so good", I groaned.

Aaron and Katelyn laughed, "I guess we should get back to work", Katelyn smirked, "That is if you can even make it back to the shop"

"Nope", I teased, "Can't get up. Send help"

I heard Aaron laugh, before a pair of arms wrapped around my waist, and I was hoisted over Aaron's shoulder.

"Hey!", I yelped, "Put me down!"

"I thought you couldn't walk", Aaron chuckled, walking towards the door.

I watched Katelyn follow us, laughing the entire time. I started laughing to, without realizing it.

Is this what having friends feels like?

Hey guys. I'm so sorry that I haven't been uploading and much as I should. I've been really sick this past week, and to be honest, I'm still sick. I'm hoping to finish the next chapter of The Fears Within and get it up soon, but only time will tell.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and if you did, make sure to leave a vote and I hope to see you in the next chapter. Until then, bah bye!

-Lizzy, The Sick and Tired