ROB-BIE: Robotic Boyfriend Incorporated Enterprise

Chapter 23

"What is he doing her?" I spat out venomously, harsher than I wanted, but I couldn't control myself. Were Jaz and Billy dating? They weren't even friends? I mean they couldn't even stand each other for the most part. Everything seemed to be like a never-ending nightmare, one I wasn't going to wake up from. First, there was my fight with Billy, then Leo basically said he was using me and now, Jaz and Billy were together. What was the world coming to? And why does it feel like the world is moving at lightning speed, and I am the only one being left behind?

Jaz looked back at Billy, who stood way too close to her, and turned back to me. Jaz new how this looked. I quickly caught my reflection in the doorway mirror, my eyes were bloodshot and swollen. I looked so lost, confused and... sad. God, I am pathetic.

"Sammy, it's not what it looks like." She started. "We're just hanging out." As the words came out of her mouth, Jaz knew they would be no help. She knew what I saw and there wasn't any way I was going to let them weasel out of this with a far-fetched excuse. I am done with being manipulated.

"I – I can't do this with you," I mumbled, "I can't do this." Before anyone could say anything, before Jaz could tell me to wait; before Billy could reach out and touch my arm to comfort me; I was speeding down the hallway of Jaz's apartment building. My heart beat so loud, it drowned out the sounds of my friends calling my name, begging me to come back.

I was so lost, not physically, but I wasn't sure about anything anymore. What did I want? Who did I love? What was love anyways? Maybe I'll never find out; maybe this wasn't for me... Maybe happiness was never a viable option.

***

I starred at the ceiling, watching the slow arms of the lame fan, turning in never ending circles. My phone had slowly stopped buzzing, the vibrations from calls and texts became less and less frequent and with more time in between. I eventually turned onto my side, no longer really seeing what was in front of me. I didn't have to see, to see. I knew what was on my side table; a picture frame that Jaz had got me for one of my birthdays. It had a photo of us smiling on the park swings. We looked so lively and silly. I couldn't help the sad smile that formed on my face. There were also a few photos of me and Billy. We had taken them and the fair last year in on of the booths. There was a small rip at the bottom of the second photo. I remember splitting the photos, because Billy insisted it was only fair that he got two photos too.

I felt hands wrap around me. My head snapped quickly.

"I'm sorry," I quickly relaxed. It was Robbie. "I didn't mean to scare you." I shook my head. It was fine. I loved how Robbie just knew, I didn't have to tell him.

"How did you even get in?" I asked, as I began to lay back down, his arms -without my asking- wrapped around me and pulled me into him.

Robbie chuckled. "I am a robot. I snuck in through the front door while your mom went to answer the phone. Easier than it should be, actually." He kissed my head. My shoulders let go of the tension they had been holding up all day -heck it felt like all week.

"You make everything easy," I said, closing my eyes.

"Why are you sad, Sam?" Robbie's voice was a low whisper behind my ear. I could feel myself retreating the moment the words escaped his lips. I did not want to talk about it. It was so odd to me, how Robbie could sense it, because he quickly added. "It's fine, we don't have to talk about it if you don't want to."

"I just want to sleep." I could hear myself dozing off.

"Okay," Robbie responded, "You sleep; I'll keep you safe."