Whatever Happened... to Robot Jones? Continued

Chapter 5: Between the Lines

Outside the library, the October sunset was already setting, and it was getting even colder out.

"I'm starving," Cubey said as he pushed open the doors.

"Me too. I guess we'll call it a night," Mitch said. "Andy's ghost is going to have to screw with somebody else tonight, because I do not have the patience for him on an empty stomach."

"The fact that we did not find anything only further suggests the idea that he never existed to begin with," Robot declared. "I think we should be considering the possibility that it has been a silly myth all along."

"Maybe you're right," Socks agreed. "But he's sure real to a lot of people."

The boys split up into twos, with Socks and Robot heading off to their own direction, and Cubey and Mitch getting home faster if they took the opposite way. Nearing Socks' block sooner, Robot's paranoid best friend felt like he needed a confirmation that his smart moment at the library wasn't his imagination before they separated. "So, how do you figure you're going to get to Andy's files at the school?"

"I don't know yet," Robot admitted. "It depends if they moved them to the computer or if they're still sitting on a shelf somewhere. At least if it was the former, I could hack into one of the computers at the school and get into the staff database."

"You can do that?" Socks said, stopping in amazement.

"I am a computer, Socks." Robot said. "A bi-pedal computer, but so be it."

Socks narrowed an eyebrow. It was weird that Robot had to emphasize that, as if Socks of all the kids didn't realize what he was. "Whatever, I just didn't know you could do stuff like that."

"I can do a lot," Robot said, folding his arms.

Socks gave him a confused look. "Why are you talking like that?"

Robot found he couldn't help it. Truthfully, the mysterious Andy Fields was battling for space in Robot's thoughts. Ever since watching Shannon leave the library, she was all he wanted to think about. What was she doing there? Why was she interested in a book on robotics? Was it condescending to think that it had something to do with himself? Why, after so many months of being numb to her presence, did any of this suddenly matter to him?

For whatever reason, to make it worse, his video memory kept playing back the a clip of that morning, when Socks' hand landed on hers. He, who had swooped in first to help her with the mess. He, who chuckled with her in the halls about how tall they both were. He, who-

"Robot, are you there?"

Robot shook his head, and returned proper eye contact to his friend. "I am sorry. I think I am just drained."

"Me too," Socks said, rubbing the back of his neck. They were in front of Socks' house now, and both boys were secretly glad to be able to say goodbye for the night. "I'll see you at Nob's tomorrow?"

"Affirmative," Robot said, but now it was his turn to look confused. "Won't we walk together as always?"

"Uh, I don't know exactly when I'll be there," Socks said, hoping Robot wouldn't catch onto the uncertainty in his voice. "I forgot that my dad wants me to help clean out the garage in the morning. So, tell Mitch and Cubey I'll be running a little late, OK?"

"Certainly," Robot said, but his computer voice did not emote certainty for once. "I hope that task runs smoothly for you," he said as he began walking away.

Socks went to open the door, but the knob turned from the inside and was yanked open in front of him. "Timothy Morton, where in the blazes have you been?" demanded his mother, still wearing her work suit. "The school left a message on our answering machine and said the power went off!"