Build-A-Boyfriend

6

"Wow. Ok. Ok. You're really hot. Like really hot." I nod rapidly and fan myself. "Sorry. Wow. Just need a minute here."

The boy in front of me smiles politely down at me, as if women having a panic attack in his presence is an everyday occurrence for him.

My legs are shaking and I can't bring myself to look at him. He's so much more unbelievably handsome than I imagined and the reality of what I've done hits me. I can see tattoos through the outline of his t-shirt and they look so hot that I'm having trouble breathing.

After a minute I feel a hand on my arm and when I glance up he's leaning down, gazing at me in concern.

"Are you ok?" He asks gently.

His voice is much deeper than I expected and for a moment I nearly melt but he looks so lost and confused that I realise I'm being completely selfish.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be." He smiles and those damn dimples crease into his face again. "I'm... Nervous? I think that's the word for it..."

"Sounds like it." I exhale heavily. "Right. Well... Come in-"

"Actually, I was thinking we could take a walk."

"A walk?"

"Yes. A walk." He frowns then smiles helpfully. "A walk is a recreational pursuit in which we travel on foot at a moderate pace, in such a manner that at least one foot is always on the ground. It's also a form of gentle ex-"

"I know what a walk is." I interrupt faintly, holding up a hand to stop him.

"Oh. Well... I thought perhaps you'd feel under pressure if we went straight inside. Maybe we could take a walk and get to know each other." He beams at me.

The idea of walking outside to get to know someone who is living with you regardless seems odd, but he looks so proud of himself for thinking of it that I find myself agreeing.

At first I worry, I mean, what can you talk about to someone who has literally been born 8 hours ago?

I needn't be concerned though. Harry is full of curiosity about the things around him and we spend ages in the park, watching things that I barely take the time to notice. He is particularly entranced by a pair of swans we spend ages watching glide around the lake.
When the sunset arrives he stands and watches it as though it's the most unbelievable thing he has ever witnessed. When he turns to face me after watching in awe, his eyes are damp and shining.

"Have you ever seen anything so beautiful?" He whispers. "What a thing to witness everyday. How wonderful to be alive."

I glance round at the park under the glowing streetlamps. It's covered in dog shît and the lake is overflowing with rubbish. It looks scruffy and neglected. Harry doesn't seem to notice that part of it.

"Come on." I laugh, linking his arm in mine. "Let's get some food."

I guide him to a small pub with an illuminated outdoor seating area. Harry keeps glancing around, watching new things and there is something so childlike and adorable about him that I can't help but laugh. Eventually the waiter comes to take our order and Harry copies me, ordering a steak.

"How would Sir like that served?" The waiter asks him.

"Um... Like what served?"

"The steak."

"Oh. Perhaps on a plate?" Harry suggests helpfully. "I think that's usually how it's done, but if you know some other method-"

"We'll have them medium-rare." I cut in, hiding a smile as the waiter glares at Harry's clueless smile.

Seriously, this boy is cute. Not what I was expecting, but cute all the same. I know he will slowly change in the next month, but something about seeing the world all fresh through his eyes makes the shitty park and pub I've lived next to for years seem like the most fascinating place on earth.

"What do you remember about being in the pod?" I ask once our drinks arrive.

"I don't really remember anything." He frowns, wrinkling his nose at the taste of the cola. "Just this morning, I woke up in Dr Hendersons office."

"That's all you remember?"

"Not quite." To my surprise a sudden flush steals up his cheeks. "There was only one thing I knew for certain."

"And that was..?"

"You." He says shyly. "Or your face to be precise. I wasn't really happy with being dragged out of my pod, but the minute I saw you... Well, I felt safe. Like... Like I was home."

He hesitates before continuing; "I was scared I suppose. Suddenly I was in this huge, bright place with people prodding me and asking me questions, the next I was in a car- and let me tell you, cars aren't what you expect them to be, we had to stop 3 times while I threw up- then I was told to knock on this glass door... I was terrified. I didn't know what was going on. And then..."

"And then?"

"Suddenly you were there and I knew it was ok." He shrugs.

"Oh..." I struggle for a second. "I'm not that great you know-"

"Ha. You're talking to a guy who was incubated in a pod. At least you won the fastest sperm race without any help."

I stare at him for moment before breaking into laughter.

The food arrives and although Harry attracts the disgusted stare of our waiter by squirting a large amount of every sauce available to him onto his steak, it surprises me how quickly conversation picks up with him.

I don't know what happened in that pod but he can talk for ages in depth about absolutely anything. But although he can talk at length, he doesn't have strong, pushy opinions. He doesn't shout me down or overrule me, he listens and adds his own knowledge, which turns out to be far superior to mine anyway. I haven't enjoyed talking to someone so much since... I can't even remember.

We've just finished eating and and I'm talking about some boring ass stuff that he actually looks interested in when he suddenly leans over and wipes my lips with the tips of his fingers. His index finger trails slowly across my bottom lip, dragging it down so that the tip trails across my inner lip.

"Sorry, you had a crumb there." He says, crossing his legs. "Carry on."

Oh yeah, carry on after you been rubbing my mouth with yo sexy ass fingers.

"I... Uh... I can't remember what I was saying. Wasn't important."

"Oh. Ok." He smiles and I wince as he smears tartar sauce over his steak.

***

When I get back my answer phone is flashing. I wait until Harry has shyly gone to use the bathroom, like a kid on a sleepover in a strange house before pressing play;

Hallo Hendrix, it's Dr Henderson.
I've tried calling several times and I'm sorry to disturb you. I don't want to worry you, but there is a problem with our H batch. Your model is a H batch and it is imperative that I speak with you. Could you could bring the product along to the office tomorrow so we can check it out?
It's only H batch that's affected. They may not have grown to order, unfortunately, and may not be exactly what you were looking for.
I'm sorry about this, it may be a nuisance but as I told you, this is a trial stage.
Please don't worry, if it's not up to standard we can just replace it for you. The model is still very disposable at this this stage. We have an S batch you may find a match in.
Do call me back, or pop along tomorrow.

***

AN- dedicated to Marianarla thanks so much for reading my stories xx