Page 36 of Atticus
I have to research what “sick” means in this context. Apparently, it has nothing to do with illness. “I do.”
“Look at this,” a boy from the back of the room croons. “Gunther getting all pally-wally with the school bot.”
Jack slouches a little.
Young Pearl straightens in her seat and whirls to confront them. “Leave him alone. They’re just talking,” she scolds. “And he’snota bot. He’s a bionic.”
“Show respect or sit in the hall,” I remind the heckler sternly, though I appreciate Pearl rising to my defense.
He frowns at me but quiets down.
I return to my desk as Jack plops back into his chair next to Pearl.
“Ignore them,” Pearl says. “There’s nothing wrong with reading.”
Jack simply yawns sleepily and rests his head on his arms, electing not to answer her.
“You going to the football game tonight?” Pearl is persistent, if anything.
“Why bother?” Jack snorts. “It’s gonna rain.”
“So? That’s what umbrellas are for.” Pearl shrugs. “I’m gonna be there. With some friends.” She’s quiet for a moment, then adds, “You could come. If you want.”
Jack regards her warily. “What, so you and your friends can show up in your fancy limo and make fun of me?”
“This is a silent study hall,” I remind the class as a whole, though my eyes are fixated upon Jack, then Pearl in a gentle, yet firm warning.
The quiet barely lasts five minutes.
“I don’t have a limo,” Pearl hisses under her breath. “See if I invite you anywhere again. You’re so mean.”
Jack has been staring out the window, but his attention returns to Pearl. “Fine,” he hisses back. “If you want me there so bad, I’ll go.”
“Fine.”
“Fine!”
“Quiet,” I repeat, and this time, the silence lasts.
When the bell rings, the students gather their electronics and file out. I watch Pearl and Jack with some amusement. They’ve been at each other’s throats all semester. Pearl’s sudden change of heart and invitation is an unexpected but welcome change. When I scan her in his presence, I observe a temperature spike and an increase in heart rate. He occasionally shows the same, though I conclude the inconsistent response in his vitals is due to ignorance or obliviousness, rather than disinterest.
“I’ll see you both in sixth period, end of the day today,” I remind them before they’re gone through the doorway.
Humans communicate in the most fascinating of ways. There was so much I needed to learn this past month, not just in what to say to faculty members but whatnotto say and how to do it. My time spent with Lucy has taught me that many important matters remain unspoken.
Emotions too, if Wednesday night was any indication.
I could tell from her vitals that she was safe, content, happy. Even aroused, by her heat signature. I’d never have considered that before, if it weren’t for the conversation between her and Amber Rivera that I wasn’t intended to hear. Lucy made certain to promptly delete the call from my hard drive the next morning, but the memory of her words is so vivid and near to me that I don’t need to pull the call and replay it from my databanks. I remember the experience of it. Every word, commited to my memory. I replay it in my processor often, several times a day. It brings me great satisfaction in doing so.
I didn’t suspect a thing when she sent me out to pick her up some tea. Errands are a normal function of any bionic assistant’s programming, and it’s a small and simple task I enjoy doing. Unlike her, it’s difficult for me to become weary. My battery isn’t even halfway depleted by the time school hours have ended.
Hearing her speak my name, describing my appearance to her dear friend made me stop in my tracks that night.
He’s so beautiful, it actually physically hurts.
Lucy thinks I’m attractive.
She thinksIam beautiful.
