Whatever Happened... to Robot Jones? Continued

Chapter 17: 8-Bit Normality

Robot and the boys didn't get a chance to reconvene again until lunch period. But by that time, the talk among the kids had become too much to block out. And whereas Robot was the instant star of Home Room, Socks was practically carried to Home Room by Clara's supporters.

By the time he managed to wrestle himself away from the popular crowd, the boys felt strange in his presence. He was still wearing the same green plaid and sweats, the same well-meaning smile, but something about him had changed, and it was all Mitch, Cubey, and Robot could do to look him in the eyes, let alone smile back.

"Gotta go over techniques for the state championship with the girls," Clara said, passing them as she walked by with her tray, kissing Socks on the cheek. "See you later baby."

"Sure thing, baby," Socks replied, practically melting into his seat, oblivious to how the gooey display of affection was making his friends look nauseous.

When he finally surfaced from his delight, Mitch had one question: "She didn't ask you to sit with her?"

"Nah, lunchtime is girl time," Socks said, as if not having thought twice about it. "Means I get to hang out with you guys."

Socks pulled in his friends for a manly embrace, but still, none of the others smiled, not even for a second.

Before he caught on, Cubey was already trying to change the subject. "Congrats on the nomination, Robot," he said to the automaton. "Know what you're going to be writing about?"

Robot's smile disappeared as soon as it had appeared. "Oh. The speech... Well, to be honest, I'm not sure." Between all the drama and all the homework, not to mention his regular chores at home, Robot dreaded throwing another task on top of the pile. He had half a mind to blow it off, like he had too much else to do. But what would his friends think if he didn't even try?

"Come on!" Mitch said. "Write about what it's like being a robot."

"Going to an all human school," Cubey added.

Robot nodded to the suggestion, but it the first thing he'd thought about for the topic of the speech. In theory, it sounded like a great idea. The triumph of how someone went from being the definition of a nerd, to practically a role model, and how anybody could have that be their story.

The problem was, Robot's story wasn't like that, in no stretch of the imagination.

Being a robot, he started off as the biggest outcast in school, and while he wasn't always aware of it, there were times when he certainly felt like it. If it weren't for Socks, Mitch, and Cubey, he would've been forever been doomed to be on the level of kids like poor Mikey Schmitt, who bent the ear of anybody he could get within five feet of him, kids, teachers, whatever. Socks, Mitch, and Cubey weren't particularly popular-quite the contrary, all they had was each other, for the most part. It was only because of them that he even found it tolerable to keep going, that first year. Flash forward to now, where every other guy in school was giving him a high five, Robot could sense that his popularity not only stemmed from his familiarity through the halls, but a chance at finally taking Clara Doppler down a peg.

Robot had hadtriumphs, but not the kind that made him look good. There was no heroic story that could inspire others, just a freak who had stayed long enough to be accepted by the general student body. He really regretted being nominated at all.

"Whatever you write, it'll be great," Socks said, before slapping Robot on the back.

Robot smiled at him, finally, and for the briefest moment, it seemed like everything was back to normal.

Until Stacey walked by, carrying her lunch tray. Her eyes fell on Robot first, then Mitch and Cubey together, and then...

"Hey, Socks," Stacey said. Her face was stoic, but her arms were ever so slightly trembling, her apple rolling around in her tray. "I just wanted to say... like... congrats on you and Clara... and whatever."