Your Best Buddi - (POV READ)

Part One: It's Just A Doll

"Come on, (Y/N), you know how much I want this doll!" Your best friend, Gabriel, tells you.
     "I know," you mumble with a sigh. "Those things cost a lot. Are you sure you want it— I mean, it's just a doll."
     Gabriel's eyes widen. "Just a doll? This isn't just a doll, (Y/N), it's like an actual robot that can talk and walk and everything else! Trust me, it's a doll for all ages."
     You roll your eyes, but not harshly. You look down, and finally, you respond, "I'll see what I can do."
     Gabriel beams with excitement. "Thank you, (Y/N)! See you tomorrow; hopefully with that doll."
     You smile and wave as the two of you leave each other's side for the weekend. As you start to walk home, you think about how much Gabriel really wanted that doll. He's never really this passionate about something he wants, and when he is, you know he really wants it. You decide that if you buy this doll then it would make him the happiest person on Earth and that he would thank you forever.
     Before you reach home, you decide to stop by ZedMart and buy the Buddi doll for your very own best buddy. It'll cost a lot, sure, but the parents wouldn't mind, would they?
     As you walk closer and closer towards the store, you look up towards the sky after a light drop of water landed on your cheek. Gotta hurry up before it pours out here, you think to yourself.
     Inside ZedMart, there's the usual items that have been seen everywhere in advertisements: drones, cars, appliances, and of course, Buddi dolls. The Buddi dolls are so popular that there's a whole section with multiple rows dedicated to the AI robots. Walking towards the isle you can already tell that a crowd of little kids are just begging their parents to buy one. It just looks a little odd to spot a person of your age in the doll section, but hey, according to Gabriel, it's a doll for all ages.
     You pick up one of the dolls that had been knocked off the shelves and on to the floor. You examine the box and fidget around with it until you're completely satisfied that you should buy it. Hopefully I won't regret this, you think to yourself. With the yellow box in hand, you make your way to the check out section and purchase the doll.

     Outside, the rain gets heavier. At that moment you wish you had at least an umbrella or somewhere to stay. You notice the back area of the store where there's a "roof" hanging over, so you decide to stay there for a little while until the rain stops. You crouch down and look at the doll. It's not the cutest doll ever, that's a fact. It's head looks a bit big compared to its body, but what doll doesn't? You sigh and look up to check on the weather, and it slowly dies down. Just a few sprinkles here and there, that's all. "Okay, Buddi, we'll at least try to make it in this rain," you let the inanimate object know. You start to head off into the rainy weather.
     You finally make it to your neighborhood. You speed up with the big box in hand to avoid getting poured on. You walk up the steps and take the keys out to unlock the door. Stepping inside your home, you notice the lights are on, so your parents must already be home. You peep into the kitchen and spot your mom making some good ole chili. "Smells good!" you tell her.
     "Thank you, honey!" she responds while mixing the chili. "What's that you got in your hand?"
     You raise your eyebrows as if you forgot about the doll in your hands. "Oh, this is the Buddi doll that Gabriel wanted. I got it for his birthday tomorrow."
     "Ohh, that's sweet of you," she comments. "Tell him I said happy birthday."
     You smile. "I will," you promise her. You head up the stairs carrying the Buddi doll. Occasionally, you glance down at the toy and study it. Shutting the door behind you, you place the box on the floor and sit down right next to it. Just slowly, you become more and more interested in the doll— like you wish you had your very own. Out of pure last-minute decisions, you grab the scissors off your dresser and proceed to open up the box. Gabriel's gonna hate me for this! You quickly realize. Tomorrow, I can go back to the store and see if they have a discount for another one, hopefully. You tear and tear until the doll is finally out of the yellow box. You hold it in your hands firmly and smile as you admire the doll. "So, Buddi," you start, "show me how you work." You turn the doll around and switch it on. You quickly turned it over to the front to see that the dolls eyes were now lit. You flinched a bit after it suddenly starts to sing. You are my buddy, until the end; more than a buddy, you're my best friend! You laugh and can't help but smile. The doll cocks his head to the side and smiles as if it copied your expression.
     "What's my name?" the doll asks sort of randomly.
     "Y-Your name?" You repeat. You sure weren't aware that these dolls didn't already come with names. The Buddi doll stared into your eyes with an anticipating look. Its eyebrows were raised and its eyes were huge. "Um... what about... Buddy?" You awkwardly smirk at the doll who looks like it's processing what you just said.
     "Buddy," he repeats after you. He slowly smiles, and you smile back just realizing how cute this doll actually is.
     "Well, Buddy, welcome to the family!" You congratulate the AI toy.
     Buddy smiles and lifts up his arms. "Jazz hands!"