Two Halves of the Same Heart

by Vivid Insomnia

[EIGHTH INSTALLMENT IN THE VIVID INSOMNIA ASTRO BOY FAN FIC SERIES] Emily records an interview with Astro for a project where he tells the story of how his relationship with Tenma developed since his return to Metro City. (RATED T FOR SWEARING)

1. The Beginning

Two Halves of the Same Heart

Written By: Emily The Artist and Kaitlyn Draws Manga

Chapter one: The Beginning

Introduction:

The story takes place in a unknown location, Emily has been asked by one of her teachers to record an interview of someone she knows, Emily gets together with Kaitlyn and decides to interview Astro, during the interview Astro brings up a time when he forgave his father, Emily asks if she could record him telling that story. Astro agrees and begins with an introduction Kaitlyn records.

Sometimes people don't see it.

You put on a smile, and they think everything is okay, they think i'm okay.

I'm not okay, I'm crazy, I waste my days chugging down root beer watching anime.

I had it all, I had more than most people I know had.

But that's one thing people don't understand about me.

They don't understand my struggle.

People take breathing for granted until they're drowning.

They're drowning.

But they never notice people like me.

Who everyday, no matter what…

Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

Are drowning.

Are gasping for air in the midst of it all.

Just trying to be someone.

I am no one,

I am myself and myself only.

Theres a reason behind it.

A reason i'm mad.

A reason I never cared.

A reason, I can't fix myself straight and get my ass up in the morning.

A reason I cry in the middle of the night.

A reason I can never be changed.

Never be touched.

Never be noticed.

Noticed?

Why would I wanna be noticed?

I don't deserve to be noticed-

Noticed.

Noticed…

Noticed.

Kind of a weird thing, isn't it.

It's like that's all people want…

Is to get,

Noticed.

I love the people I love,

I'd do anything for them…

Feed them, dress them, take them places.

But forgiving was never one of them…

I remember…

Being little…

And taking my family, my friends, my life.

For granted.

Threw it away like paper in a trash can.

But now that i'm a little older.

A little wiser.

A little more careful

I realize…

I should've never taken them for granted.

There's not a day that goes by where I don't forget what i've done.

I've never forgotten.

And as the days go by..

I remember more…

I remember being little,

I remember what it was like to be called Tobio.

To take my walks in the forest and prick myself with the metal fence by accident.

To see my father all happy.

To put up a smile no matter what I did to him or what trouble I caused him.

But I wish I could take it all back.

I wish I could've been there..

I wish I could be in a family again,

I Wish I could turn back the clock!

But I never will be able to,

No matter what i do,

No matter what i try

I'm just a stupid idiot

Trying?

Trying isn't gonna do anything

I've tried my whole life but i guess it just wasn't worth it

I'm just not worth it!

I JUST CAN'T STOP CRYING!

I…. I can't stop trying…

And trying..

And trying..

Until I give out.

And i'm dead.

After moving back in with the professor in Metro City, things between me and him have been very rocky… always arguing about the same crap, always telling me to do this and do that.

But I suck it up and move along.

Proper thing to do, right?

So now-a-day's I like to go downtown and stroll the sidewalks, and maybe get an icecream or two.

But today I decided i'd go over to the pizza place, it's been a while since i've been there…

I walked in and saw most of the tables were empty, people were walking in empty-handed and came out with boxes of pizza and 2-liter sodas.

But to my surprise I saw someone sitting alone in the corner table, it looked like he was reading something.

Well I had nothing else better to do..

I walked up closer to the table and sat down in front of them.

I realized who it was.

"D- dad?" I stuttered.

They ignored me.

Was this really my father?

"Dad? Tenma?"

They ignored me again.

I sighed.

I ruffled up their hair and left the pizza place.

I wasn't in the mood for pizza anymore.

"Astro?" Tenma looked up.

After seeing no one was there, he resumed reading.

I strolled casually across the sidewalk, looking at shops and all sorts of people.

I looked at the lights and how bright they were on such a night like this…

I turned around and shuttered after a feel of someone touching me.

I turned back around.

"Brianna?" I looked at her.

"Hey Astro! Whatcha' doing here?" She asked me.

"Just strolling, the usual… " I shrugged.

"Oh, well I better get going for dinner, see you later pookie face!" Brianna skidded away and shuffled through the big crowd of people. I heard her say things like "Excuse me?" "Sorry… I'm going on my way home for dinner" "Sorry sir!" "Pardon me."

I chuckled as I saw her walk away.

My smile faded as I put my hands in my pockets and walked at an even slower pace.

You better get going

I sighed after staring at my phone for a few minutes reading the same text message from the old fart himself.

I know, i'm on my way there.

Good. That's what i'd like to hear.

You could give less of a damn about what what you hear than the most of us.

Astro i'm not in the mood.

And neither am I…

I walked into a giant building, there was a lady at the front desk.

"Astro here to see-"

"Gil?"

"Yeah." I nodded.

"Here." The lady handed me a pass.

I came out of the elevator and walked into the hallway.

I stopped at a door, knocking on it gently I began to think about what I was gonna say to him.

The man opened the door.

He was a tall man (but maybe average height for his age) He was completely bald and clean shaven and he always wore white in a professional manner, along with a pair of rectangular glasses.

"Come in Astro, have a seat." The man said to me as he pushed up his glasses.

I sat down on a couch, the man (whose name was actually "Gil" ) sat in a chair not too far from me.

Gil grabbed his clipboard and clicked his pen.

"Shall we begin?" He glanced at me.

"I guess… " I shrugged.

"So how are you feeling today?" Gil began to question me.

"I dunno… "

"Hmm… okay, what did you do today?"

"I woke up, survived and came here…."

"Can you be a little more descriptive on that?"

"Okay… I woke up, I got into an argument, I haven't eaten in three days and I just came back from the pizza place downtown…"

"Ahh I see, meet anyone on the way…"

"I met Brianna…"

"Brianna? Oh yes, Brianna… you've told me about her…" I saw Gil write a few things on his clipboard with that pen of his.

After an hour passed of a meaningless conversation, I headed on my way out and back to the streets of downtown. It was even darker now as I made my way to Tenma's house.

I always liked to visit him after going to the tortured place the professor sends me off to (he calls it "therapy". after he called it that, I removed it from my brain and now i've forgotten what it means).

But anyways, i'm almost getting on my way there and I see Mrs. Dr. Tenma arranging a few things out in the front of his house.

"Hey… uh… C- Cindy? Cindy? Am I right? Gosh after you got married I forgot what else to call you…" I said to her in an awkward fashion.

"Cindy is fine." She smiled at me as she stood up, dusting her hands off.

"Oh, okay… Cindy.. is Tenma there?"

"Yes. Bill is inside."

"Aren't you gonna be coming inside too?" I opened the door.

"Yes. In a few minutes."

I forced a small smile and walked inside.

"Nice to see you ignore me at the pizza place, isn't it?" I sounded a little sarcastic while speaking to Tenma.

"Oh. Sorry about that. I was really into that book." Tenma turned around.

"Ahhh… I see… I still don't understand what's so great about books, I prefer manga if you ask me… " I slowly walked over to the dining room table and sat down in a chair.

"Hmm. Well they both serve the same purpose."

"Well Books are stupid… and you know who else is stupid…" I folded my arms.

"Who?"

"If I say his name I will lose my mind completely..."

"Ah. I think I know who you're talking about."

"Don't get me started on the arguments, the 'do this' 'so that' crap… I swear he's worse than a nagging mother!"

"And you know what else that little d-bag did to me?" I added.

"What?" Tenma sat in the chair across the table from me.

"He sent me off to 'therapy' now i'm there 2 days a week… it sucks the life out of me…" I leaned my head closer to the table out of frustration.

"Therapy doesn't help at all. I went once. It did absolutely nothing for me. If anything it made me worse,"

"Tell that to Mr. Big Nose himself! He won't even take me anymore, now I have to walk because he says i've 'pushed his limit' "

"Whatever came upon that man? He never used to be like this." He slowly shook his head,

"I know, but he's not like this to Atom, oh no.. because Atom is his little angel who does what he tells him to do… and he cleans, and he doesn't talk back, and he's so respectful!"

"He's just so perfect, but when it comes to me, it's a whole different ballpark, he's like a totally different person! He goes from good to bad in less than 3.5 seconds!" My voice sounded really annoyed.

"He says i'm irresponsible and I have poor manners…" I sighed.

"You deserve better."

"Why… why doesn't anyone like me… why… why do people always pick on, try to change me… they just don't understand…" I put my head down.

Tenma got up and kneeled next to me.

"I like you." He said softly as he smiled.

I looked up and around, trying to figure out where he moved to.

"Oh!" I smiled back at him when I finally figured out where he was.

"But that's still not gonna change anything…"

"Well. It's always important to know somebody understands." He put his hand on my shoulder.

"Okay, i'll try and remember that…"

"But… I just don't know what to do…" I closed my eyes and sniffed.

"Hey now, It's ok."

"E-easy f-for you t-to say…" I sniffed again.

"I know what you're going through."

My chest hurt a little for a moment.

I tried holding back my tears.

I took in one more sniff and cringed my eyes.

I felt Tenma's hand gently rub my back.

I sighed as tears streamed down my face.

It was just unfair.

It was always unfair.

No one ever notices how unfair things can get.

But I live unfair everyday.

Sometimes I enjoy it.

And sometimes I wish It would rot in hell.

I tried my best to wipe some of the tears off my face, but they were just replaced with new ones striking down and hitting the floor.

After a moment of thinking in total silence, I began to smile. ((Aww shall we document this moment in which the robot has smiled? ~Emily)) ((yesh ouo ~kate))

I felt a little tired though, still sitting on the same chair I was before.

I let a yawn escape out.

I slowly closed my eyes and snored.

Tenma titled his head.

"He fell asleep…"

I stopped snoring as I seemed to be slowing down.

Tenma put his arms around me and lifted me up off the chair.

Cindy came back inside as he walked over to the couch.

"Aw. He fell asleep?" She quietly walked up to Tenma as he gently laid me on the couch.

"Yeah. The poor kid. He's got way too much weight on his shoulders." Tenma looked down at me.

Cindy walked up next to him and he put his arm around her.

"He looks so sweet when he's sleeping." She moved closer to Tenma.

"Hmm. Almost like a baby." He chuckled.

Cindy blushed, wrapping her arms around Tenma.

"So when are we going to tell him?"

"Eventually. It may be too soon to tell him the news." He leaned over and kissed her forehead.

((IT'S EXACTLY WHAT YOU THINK ~kate)) ((Kait is the reason I ship Astrianna more and I torture her with the Kaitas and the Astriannait ships.. ~Emily)) ((Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Astriannait is a lie. the cake is a lie. everything is a lie. yup ouo ~kate)) ((Yeah, she doesn't ship it, i don't ship it, but… thats what she gets for doing dis to Tencla.. ~Emily)) ((TENCLA DESERVES THIS. THEY ARE IN LOVE. TRUE LOOOOVVVVVEEEEE ~kate)) ((man i need like a chil pill or something ~kate))

A few hours had passed, I was tossing and turning as my mind went on, thinking the same usual thing. I shouldn't really be sleeping though.

It's the nightmares that get to me.

I tossed and turned so much I fell off the couch, but I never woke up.

My mind was still racing.

I tried grabbing onto the floor, thinking there was something I could grab on.

Small streams of tears fell to the ground as i quietly let out a scream.

The nightmare was consuming me.

I gasped and saw myself on the floor with my fingers dug right into the tile.

My head hurt, my back hurt, my heart hurt, my everything hurt!

I just stayed there and let the memories pass and leave, hoping they wouldn't come back in another dark dream.

Everything was dizzy and blurry for a moment, I saw a blob of something walk up to me.

"Astro?! Are you ok?" I heard a familiar voice say to me.

"N-no, just make it stop- please!" I begged. ((Poor Astro.. *Tears up* ~Emily))

They picked me up and put me back up on the couch.

I curled up into a ball and sniffed.

"Just calm down, sweetie." The voice said gently to me, rubbing tears off my cheeks.

I tried to relax and put myself at a state of ease, doing my best to forget the nightmare.

"I-i'm sorry, I-it's just getting worse, I-i can't control it…" I stuttered.

"It's not your fault."

"Well of course it is! there's no one else to blame…"

"Please don't say that. You know it's not because of you. You're just putting all the blame on yourself."

"Because there's no one else…there's nothing else to blame"

I finally opened my eyes.

"I better get going, I've already pissed the old fart off today…" I got up from the couch and started heading for the door.

"Oh. Ok." Cindy looked at me. Almost confused as to why I was leaving so soon.

"Tell Tenma I left and I said goodbye…" I said, waving.

She slowly waved back.

I opened the door and walked out of the house.

"He's gonna kill me…" I thought.

"Your home late." The professor began as soon as I walked inside the house.

"I know, I just went to-"

"Your home late."

"I know professor, I went-"

"Your home late."

I sighed and walked up the stairs to my room.

Closing the door behind me, I looked for my phone in my pocket.

It wasn't there.

"Aw crap, don't tell me I left it on that table… " I turned around.

Sighing, I walked out the door again and back downstairs.

"Where are you going?" The professor asked.

"I left my phone… " I muttered.

"Be back in a hour… "

I nodded and headed back out the door again.

I knocked on Tenma's door again after reaching his house.

Someone opened it.

"Back so soon?"

"Oh no, I just left my phone… " I replied, scratching my arm.

"Oh. Well, come on in."

I casually walked inside, still scratching my arm.

I pin pointed my phone that was on the table, slowly walking up to the table, I grabbed it and put it back in my pocket.

The next day, as usual, I was the first to get up.

I woke up to seeing the piano in it's usual place, hidden in the corner of my room. Uran always came in to use it but I occasionally sat down and let my fingers place around with the keys.

I never really was much of a musician, but Becky inspired me to try out a few instruments, even though I already have mastered the flute and I like busting out a few song covers on the electric guitar, and also seeing how Uran really shows her talent when she sits in that chair and just looks at the sheet music, like typing without looking at the keyboard.

Somethings just, happen to inspire me.

I got out of my bed, rubbing my eye and walked over to the piano.

I sat myself down in the chair.

letting out a quick sigh, I stretched my arms.

I looked down at the piano keys.

Thinking for a moment, I put my fingers over the keys.

It started out with a few random notes, until I unconsciously ended up playing a song I had no idea about.

"Astro?" I heard someone call me.

I stopped playing.

"Yeah?" I called back.

"Nothing, just wanted to see who it was…"

"Oh." I got up from the chair.

"You were really good Astro, have you considered taking classes?"

"Not really, i'm not much of a musician you know..."

I looked down at my little sister, Uran who was walking with me downstairs after I left my room.

"Morning Astro!" My twin greeted me with a smile.

"Uhh… morning?" I greeted back in a nervous tone.

"Sleep well?" the professor asked, he was sitting at the end of the dining room table.

"You know I don't sleep." I quickly replied.

Elefun sighed.

"Uran?" He looked at Uran.

"Yep!" Uran smiled.

The professor smiled back.

"I'd rather skip breakfast today, i'm thinking of going downtown and-"

"You and your downtown trips…"

"Well what else am I suppose to do?! Being stuck in this d-bag of a place isn't gonna help me or help anyone!"

"Well then… you're excused."

"Excused, my ass.." I muttered as I walked away.

I was going back downtown again since I didn't think it was fair that my time got wasted just to visit a bald dude that sucks out my soul and eats up my pigments (since most of the time i leave with such a pale face).

This time when I walked inside the pizza place it was completely empty, and I didn't see Tenma in the corner reading.

I walked up to the cashier.

"You know, it's kinda early to be ordering pizza…" They said to me.

"I know, I didn't say I was ordering…"

"Well yeah but you walked-"

"Ah buh buh! Shh!" I put my hand in front of their face.

The cashier sighed.

"What do you want…" They looked annoyed at me.

"Mmm.. nothing…" I shrugged.

I waved goodbye and left out of the pizza place.

Putting my hands in my pockets, I continued to stroll the sidewalk and pass by the park.

"Hmm…"

Maybe a walk in the park can de-clutter my thoughts.

Even though that's a workout in itself…

I crossed the street and walked into the park which was already becoming crowded like it already was with people and children and those babies who still can't seem to walk or master how not to have a tantrum.

The sun got in my eyes and I reacted quickly by turning around heading another direction.

Wait a second?

Is that?

I got a little closer to see who it was.

I saw two people strolling by holding hands, they seemed familiar.

I hid in a bush hoping they wouldn't notice me when they passed by.

Wouldn't want to get caught of like, I dunno.. spying?

I think i'm too sneaky for today's society.

I peeked my head out of the bushes and looked around.

I finally saw who it was.

It was Tenma and Cindy, casually holding hands and walking the sidewalk.

Should I go greet them?

"Woah!" I stumbled forward and fell on the sidewalk.

"Astro?" They both looked pretty surprised to see me pop out of the bushes.

"Hehe… hello" I looked up at them and laughed with a nervous smile as I waved.

"Hello." Cindy grinned.

I got up and brushed off my shirt and jeans.

"Ah!" I felt something drip from my forehead. ((Cuz the sidewalk scraped your forehead dummy! ~Emily))

"Oh! You're bleeding." Cindy let go of Tenma's hand and leaned down, examining my forehead.

"I- I am?"

"Yeah. But it's not that bad."

"Oh… good." I said with relief.

She took a tissue out of her pocket and gently dabbed my wound.

"Is it gone?" I asked.

"Well, the bleeding stopped, but you still have a little scrape."

"Eh… not much of a big deal." I shrugged.

"Oh! Hi dad!" I looked over Cindy's shoulder and waved to him.

"Hello." He smiled and nodded his head.

" 'Hello' just, 'Hello' oh okay.. I see how it is…" I joked.

"Would you rather I walk up to you and give you a rib-crushing hug?" He joked back.

"Hmmm.. i'm not sure, is it painful?"

"Oh. Yes. Very much." Cindy chuckled.

I sighed.

"Oh well… you only live once" I threw my arms out towards him.

He laughed as he walked up to me.

"Ahh!" I laughed even though it did kinda did hurt.

I soon broke off the hug and scratched my arm since it's always itchy for some reason.

"So where you guys going?" I asked.

"Oh. We were going to walk around for a little while then go food shopping since we're running out of some things." Cindy looked up at Tenma as she took his hand again.

"Oh… looks like your days planned, too bad I have nothing to do today…"

"You can come with us if you'd like" She looked at me and smiled.

"I could, but i'd only slow you down…"

"You won't."

"Really?" For a moment I thought I was transforming into my twin when I spoke.

"Yeah." She chuckled.

"Well I guess I could go, I'm sure the professor won't mind…" I shrugged.

They continued walking as I strolled along besides them.

At one point, Cindy reached over and held my hand.

I looked up at her confused, but soon ignored it and kept walking on.

"So… what kind of instruments do you play?"

"Well…I'm not really much of a musician, but I have dabbled in the piano, mastered the flute and do song covers on the electric guitar." I replied.

"Piano? Your father here likes the piano too." Cindy looked up at Tenma.

He blushed.

"Oh, I haven't played in ages." He chuckled.

"Really? Then it's my sister you wanna talk to, she's a piano fanatic… she plays it even better than me, but I obviously don't admit it when she asks me…" I added with a chuckle.

"I'd like to hear you play, though." Cindy grinned at me.

"Oh…. i'm not that great, and I barely know any songs…" I shrugged ((OMG ASTRO JUST STOP PUTTING YOURSELF DOWN U ISH FAB OK FAB?! ~Emily)) ((SUPAH FAB ~kate))

"I'm sure you're good."

I blushed.

I wasn't used to hearing so many compliments in one day…

"Well then… you're welcome to see me play any day… " I said, looking at her.

"Sounds good."

I chuckled again.

"You too." I looked at Tenma.

He smiled.

We continued walking the park for a while.

Tenma looked at the watch on his wrist.

"You wanna get going now?" He asked Cindy.

"Sure."

We all left out of the park and walked into the parking lot.

"So where did you guys park?"

"Over here." Tenma walked towards some cars.

"Oh, I thought you guys would park farther…"

There were two ladies walking past us and towards the park.

"Aw. What a cute family." I heard one of them say behind me.

I blushed and slowed down a little.

"Come along, Astro." Tenma looked at me as he unlocked the doors to his car.

I quickly made my way over to him and Cindy and we all got in the car.

I clicked my seatbelt and got comfortable.

Soon we arrived at the supermarket.

Tenma and Cindy walked in casually, I tried catching up with them while pushing the cart.

"So what are we getting anyways?" I asked.

"Hm. Do you still have the list, dear?" Tenma looked at me then at Cindy.

"Oh. Yeah." She reached into her back pocket and pulled out a small piece of paper.

She unfolded it and started reading off some of the things on it.

"That's a long list…" I said after Cindy went through the whole list.

"Well, we haven't been shopping in a while." She chuckled.

"Oh… well thats makes more sense…"

We walked down the first aisle as Cindy took a few things off the shelves and put them into the cart.

Before we knew it we were waiting in line to pay for all the stuff we got, I kept scratching my arm while we waiting for the next person in line to go pay.

"You okay, you seem to be itching that arm a lot?" Cindy asked.

"Oh it's nothing, it just itches a lot sometimes…" I replied.

We were up next in line.

I pushed the cart further so we could pay.

I noticed Tenma looking at at my arm as I continued to scratch it.

I helped put the stuff from the cart onto the conveyor belt, scratching my arm in-between moving stuff.

"Gosh, my arms never been this itchy.." I thought.

After putting the last item onto the conveyor belt, the itched area became a little red, I ignored it and casually helped put the bags into the cart. ((Aww Astro's so nice… ~Emily))

I helped push the cart outside where we parked and put all of the stuff in the trunk.

I could still felt the itch in my arm as I closed the trunk and went to put the cart back.

Coming back to the car I noticed Tenma was still looking at my arm again.

He walked up to me and held my arm up as he examined it closely.

"We're going to have to do something about this when we get back to the house." He said with a hint of worry in his voice.

"But don't I have to go back to the professor's?" I asked.

"I'm sure he won't mind if you stay for a little." Cindy walked up to us,

"If only it were that easy…." I replied back with sarcasm.

She looked at me with a slightly sympathetic expression.

"It sounds like you need a little break from him."

"Thats why I left in the first place, but then I decided to give him and my life a second chance, but it hasn't really turned out like I wanted it to turn out."

"It takes time to mend some relationships." She patted me on the head.

"Well then I guess it might be a while…" I shrugged.

We all got in the car and drove off home, I kept checking my phone every few seconds to check the time, as if checking it once wasn't enough.

"I'll carry the bags inside for you." I said as I unclicked the seatbelt once we got home.

"Oh. You don't have to. You already helped out so much today." Cindy looked back at me.

"You sure?"

"Yes. I'm sure."

"Mmm.. okay, but if you need help, just ask." I opened the door and got out of the car.

I walked inside as Tenma and Cindy made their way to the back of the car.

"You shouldn't be taking such heavy bags, dear." Tenma said to Cindy as she grabbed a few large bags.

"Oh, I'm fine."

"You really should be resting."

"It's ok sweetie. I'll be fine. What's a few heavy bags going to do, hmm?"

Tenma sighed.

"Oh. Alright."

I sat down at the table and put my head down, I wasn't really tired, but my head was cluttered with thoughts and I was getting bored.

My head began to hurt and my arm itched again.

Tenma and Cindy placed bags on the table and Cindy began to put some things away behind me as Tenma walked back outside to get more bags.

I moaned and tried to get comfortable and stop my head from hurting.

Tenma walked back inside with the last few bags left and put them on the table.

I closed my eyes but tried not to fall asleep.

Because the nightmares became more prominent now and it was hard to avoid them.

I lifted my head up and opened my eyes even though they were heavy and tired.

"Ahh.. i'm… just so… tired…" I said in a sluggish voice.

"Here. This'll help wake you up a bit." Cindy handed me a glass of water with a big smile on her face.

I took it from her and took a small sip.

Putting the cup down I put my head down and scratched my arm.

"You really should stop scratching that." Tenma looked at me.

"I can't help it, it's just too itchy for me..." I mumbled.

I finally stopped after the itch ended, but my arm was still red.

Tenma walked away.

"Ah. Where's he going?" I thought.

He came back with a small tube in his hand.

"Take a little of this and rub it on your arm. It should help." He gave me the tube and smiled gently.

I looked up at him and took the tube from him.

Opening the cap I put a little on my arm and rubbed it gently as told.

I handed the tube back to Tenma and he left again to put it away,

I put my head back down again for like the third time.

"I'm...so… tir-" I yawned and slowly closed my eyes, falling asleep.

It seemed like an hour had passed before I woke up again, somehow I made it from the table to the couch.

"Ahh.. you know what time it is?" I asked, rubbing my eye.

Cindy was at the kitchen table doing some work on her laptop.

"Oh, you're awake." She got up and looked at me through the doorway.

I sluggishly nodded.

"It's…. 3:48." Tenma looked down at his watch, sitting in the chair next to the couch.

"Ahh... do you think I should get going?" I sat up.

"You can stay as long as you wish." Tenma shrugged, looking down at the newspaper he had in his lap.

"Ehh… I don't wanna upset him as much as he already is, but i'd keep the door open just in case…" I said as I got up from the couch. ((Astro says this figuratively, just saying…~Emily))

I walked back inside my house, carefully closing the door hoping not be heard.

"I'm back!" I yelled.

"I'm right here you know!" The professor yelled back at me.

"Oh! I thought you were upstairs or something…"

I sat next to the professor on the couch.

"Well?" he looked at me.

"What?" I shrugged.

Elefun sighed, it was as if I was suppose to know already what he was going to ask me.

"What did you do today?" Elefun asked.

"Nothing, just went downtown…" I replied.

"You seem to be going downtown a lot…"

"Well where else did you think i'd go?" My voice sounded angry.

"Enough with the attitude!" The professor scolded ((OMG typical Parent be like… ~Emily))

"What?" I tilted my head.

"What else did you do?"

"Nothing else…"

"Hmm... interesting…"

"Were you expecting a more exciting story?"

"No no, carry along now, why don't you go see what your twin is doing or talk to your sister- just do something productive please!" ((omg Elefun. Astro is PLENTY productive. sheeeesh ~kate))

I shook my head.

"Astro!"

"I won't okay! You can't make me do something I don't want to do?!" I quickly snapped at him as I stood up.

"Astro. Go. Do. Something!"

I took a step back.

"MAKE ME!"

"Astro…."

"I'm not gonna do anything okay you old fart! Y-you- old school bastard!"

"That's enough!"

"No you're enough, you're always telling me what to do and making me your slave, but do you make Atom you're slave- Ha! Not at all…"

There was a moment of silence.

Elefun hated when I pulled the "Atom" card on him.

Because i'm always right when I do.

"Right? You'd never turn your little angel into a slave, right?!"

Elefun stood up.

"You're not worth arguing with, because all you do is lie and create a loss cause! I should've known better than to come here!"

"Well now you're here, and you're gonna go upstairs and leave me alone!" Elefun yelled at me.

I cleared my throat.

"YOU'RE NOTHING BUT A BITCH OKAY, YOU COULDN'T EVEN GIVE A DAMN JUST TO KEEP YOU ALIVE, YOU CHOSE FAVORITES, TALK SHIT ABOUT EVERYONE AND THEN YOU HAVE THE SUDDEN RIGHT TO MAKE ME YOUR SLAVE AND THINK YOU CAN WHIP ME INTO SHAPE, BUT YOU CAN'T- YOU- YOU JUST- CAN'T! I COULD CARE LESS ABOUT YOUR HELPLESS COLD SOUL AND IF IT WAS UP TO ME I'D GET MY ASS OUT OF HERE IN A HEARTBEAT, AND OOHHH, TRUST ME, I WOULD!" My voice was super loud.

"WELL THEN WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!" Elefun tried matching my tone.

Atom came out of the hallway, he didn't seem too happy.

"C-can you guys just stop yelling!" Tears were streaming down his cheeks.

"Atom..." I walked over to him.

"Do you see what you've done, y-you- monster!" I put an arm around Atom to comfort him.

I let go of Atom.

"This is the last time i'm dealing with you, last strike and my ass is out of here and you can kiss it and cover it in chocolate all you like!" I stormed away. ((oooo damn… ~Emily)).

"TIME FOR DINNER!" I heard someone call.

I opened the bathroom door and stepped out.

"I'm coming!" I said, racing down the stairs.

"Took a shower?"

I nodded.

"Have a seat."

I sat down at the table.

"This smells really good professor!" I heard Atom exclaiming as he leaned over a pot to smell what was inside.

"Ahh yes... smells good indeed!" Elefun chuckled.

I folded my arms.

"Ahh Atom, go get you sister…" Elefun said to Atom.

"Okay!" Atom walked out of the kitchen and headed for Uran's room.

"I'm not eating." I muttered.

"Oh come one Astro, you haven't eaten all week!" Elefun replied.

"And…. does my diet concern you?" I looked at him.

"Well no… but it's not healthy you know..." The professor pointed out.

He took the pot off the stove and carefully placed it in the center of the table.

Atom came back with Uran walking beside him.

"We all ready to eat?" The professor sat down in his chair.

"No." I muttered.

"Hush!"

A few minutes passed, we ate without saying a word.

"So… Astro…" Elefun looked at me.

"What?"

"You went to therapy, right?"

"Yeah."

"What did he say?"

"He said i'm not making any progress… I wouldn't blame him though, he sucks my soul out and leaves me pale looking…"

"Well maybe if you took it seriously-"

"Elefun-"

"Professor…"

"Elefun-"

"Professor…"

"Elefun-"

"Professor…"

"ELEFUN-"

"PROFESSOR…"

I sighed.

"YOu really think I'd take it seriously, you think I must be crazy, otherwise you wouldn't send me to that jack-"

I looked at Uran.

"Ass" I mouthed.

"Astro, it's for your own good!"

"No it's not! It's not for my own good, because it's not working! It will never work okay?!" I stood up from my chair.

"Astro, sit down, please."

"Your begging doesn't satisfy me…"

"Astro, Sit down! Don't make me go over there!"

"Remember what I said, one wrong move and i'm gone!"

"Astro... just sit down i'm not gonna argue with you-"

"Oh no it's too late for that… you started it, so now we're gonna finish it!"

Elefun got up from his chair.

I had a look of determination on my face.

"Go." Elefun's voice sounded serious.

"Didn't I tell you already, i'm not your slave and you can't-"

"GO!" Elefun pointed at the stairs.

I was mad with fury.

I grabbed the pot…

and threw it on the ground, everything in it spilled and made a huge mess.

"You just messed with the wrong person you bastard! and guess what, i'm outta here!" I threw my hands up in the air as I slowly walked away.

It wasn't even a few minutes later, I left the house, slamming the door and not saying a word.

I dropped the box I was holding and tried not to cry.

I slowly picked up the box and walked out of the house and the driveway.

I didn't know where I was going, but I didn't seem to care.

I couldn't help but quicken my pace as tears poured down my face.

I tripped over a rock and fell on my knees, the box flew forward and everything fell out.

I just stayed there hoping no one would notice me when they passed by.

Finally, I was able to muster up some courage and get up from the ground, my jeans were ripped and my shirt was covered in dirt, I put everything back in the box and continued to walk the sidewalk.

On my way walking I happen to pass Tenma's house.

Should I go see him?

Maybe just to say a goodbye before I head off.

Unless he takes me in?

But I highly doubt it, but that's just my mind going nuts.

I staggered into the driveway and made it to the door.

I knocked as tears streamed down my face again.

My arms became weak and the box fell on my foot.

"Ah!" I yelled.

I tried picking up the box again but my arms were too tired.

"Astro?!" I saw Tenma open the front door.

He must have heard my yelp of pain.

"Dad!" I tried to lean for a hug, but the box stopped me.

He quickly made his way up to me and helped move the box out of my way.

I fell to my knees as I cried even more.

"I-it i's s-so t-terrible!" I sobbed.

He got down on his knees and put his arms around me.

"It's ok." He whispered.

"I-I don't know what to do now?!"

"What happened exactly?"

"I…. left."

"Ah. I see. So he broke the last straw, huh?"

I nodded.

"It was bound to happen, I assume."

"I just…. I feel…. lost…"

Tenma held me tighter.

"I just don't know what to do, i'm definetly not going back, that's for sure, but it seems like now I have no where else to… go…" I sniffed.

"You do have us, you know?"

"But you'd never take me in, i'd just be too much for you and besides, I think I just need a taste of the real world to figure out what i'm gonna do…"

"You need somewhere to stay, and we wouldn't mind. Really."

"Really? Y-you'd do that for me?"

"Of course."

"Oh! Y-you don't understand how much I love you right now, no joke!" I smiled even though I was still crying. ((Awww ~Emily))

Tenma chuckled.

I broke off the hug and let Tenma help me off the ground.

"Well I guess I better get unpacking then…" I grabbed the box and slowly walked inside.

I looked behind me for a brief moment.

"Ah! It seems that i'm dirting the floor… ehh…"

"Oh. That's ok. I'll clean it up." Tenma walked inside, trying not to step on the dirt I left on the ground.

"So where do I put this?" I asked.

"There's a spare room down the hall, 3 doors down to the left."

"Okie dokie!" I carried the box into the room.

"Ah! can… you… uh… open the door for me?" I called out.

"Sure."

Tenma walked over to the door and opened it for me, I walked inside what seemed to be a pretty plain room (although I couldn't tell since the light was off and it was dark outside)

I put the box down.

Tenma turned on the light switch.

"Oh! There we go!" I chuckled.

I couldn't help but turn around and smile for some reason.

Tenma smiled back at me.

I remember that one time back in the beginning of Summer when I told Kaitlyn I was going back to Metro City and I just felt so strange, kinda like I feel now…. ((It's called being "happy" if you didn't know xD ~Emily))

Cindy was walking down the hallway and saw the light on in the room.

She walked up and saw Tenma was standing there.

"What's this?" She walked up behind him.

"Elefun." Tenma whispered to her.

"Oh. And I guess he'll be staying here now?"

"Yes. It's the least I can do. I am his father after all. You don't mind it do you?"

"You know I wouldn't mind." She smiled as Tenma wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

"He looks so happy." She let out a sigh of relief and rested her head on his shoulder.

I got down on my knees and started taking things out of my heavy box.

"Shirt. Shirt. Shirt. Suspenders. Shirt. Jeans. Sketchbook. Complete collection of my favorite anime show… watch. Phone case. Brianna's necklace she left one day… " I said in a quiet voice as I took things out.

"All Time Low album… "

I grabbed a picture frame from the box.

I sighed.

"Why did I take this with me?" I muttered.

"What is it?" Tenma asked.

"Just a dumb picture frame…" I said as I put it back in the box.

I took it out of the box again

"You know what… you have it, I don't want it anymore." I handed the picture frame to Tenma.

"Aw. That's cute." Cindy said, looking at the picture in the frame.

"It was cute... but now it just hurts to look at it." I looked at Cindy.

"I'm sure things with you two will clear up."

"I'm not so sure about that… he's changed.. i've changed… I think that um…. how old am I? Like? Oh yeah!"

"That picture was taken 3 years ago at the county fair, I've never forgotten it… but now I wish i could erase it from my mind…" I closed my eyes and tried not to shed a tear.

"He just doesn't understand you." Tenma said.

"Well that's obvious… no one understands me…"

"I understand you."

"And so do I." Cindy smiled.

"Isn't it a little too late?"

"I mean, there's nothing anyone or even myself can do at this point… all that's left to do is just wait, wait it out and see what happens…" I took more stuff out of the box.

I sighed.

"I just…"

"...Never mind."

Tenma and Cindy stood behind me in silence for a few moments.

"I'm going to go get a drink..." Cindy walked out of the room.

I took out the last thing in the box.

"Laptop." I whispered, setting it aside.

I grabbed all my shirts and stuffed them in a drawer, I sat back down on the ground and pulled my knees up to my chest.

Tenma walked over and sat next to me.

I looked up at the ceiling, then at him.

I tried my best to put on a smile.

"I feel like i'm being pulled at like a tug-o-war game…" I said as I let out yet another sigh.

"Why is that?"

"I'm not s-sure…"

"I just feel so…. conflicted. I can't even make up my mind!"

"Why can't I be just… normal… just…. the same, not this crazy, assertive, rebel… a rebel in pain…. yeah... that's me alright…" I buried my face into my knees and arms.

"Maybe you need a little time to relax."

"Maybe... but how's that gonna help me? I go to therapy and talk to a bald dude that sucks out my living soul, time to relax doesn't seem exciting…"

"You don't have to go if you don't want to."

"Well I had to go, the pro- the big nosed dude made me go…"

Tenma leaned back onto the ground, a puff of dust poofing out as he hit the ground.

"Ah. I haven't cleaned in here for a while." He coughed.

I looked at him and chuckled.

"You should've seen my room, this is nothing!"

He laughed.

"Just promise me you won't leave this room a mess."

"Ahhh… I don't make promises… It's sort of a uh.. what do you call it? Mental thing… yeah…."

"Just try to keep it from getting messy." He got up.

"No promises, but I'll work on it…" I grinned.

He smiled at me and patted my head as he walked out of the room.

Tenma walked into the kitchen.

Cindy was leaning against the counter with a drink in her hand.

She sighed as she took a sip of it.

"What's wrong?" Tenma asked her in a concerned tone.

"It's just… He's going through so much, and it hurts me to see him like that."

"He'll be fine, dear." He took Cindy's free hand and held it in his.

"He just needs some better support." Tenma lifted up Cindy's head and looked into her eyes.

"Don't get too stressed over this."

"I won't." She sighed again and looked down into her cup.

Tenma gave her a kiss on the cheek.

Cindy couldn't help but smile.

"I love you." He whispered.

"I love you, too." She whispered back.

After putting everything away I plopped onto the bed (which I guess was mine now).

For a moment a thought passed my mind.

I looked down at the floor.

I shuttered at the recalling of a few memories in my mind.

Covering myself with a few blankets I tried going to sleep, forgetting that I left the bedroom door open.

The next morning to my surprise I ended up being the last to wake up. I walked slowly out of my room, to the hallway and out to the kitchen.

"Good morning, sleepyhead!" Cindy greeted me as she was getting a cup of coffee.

"D-did you…. know… that today is…uh… oh you guys may not know this, but today is ThrowbackThursday!" I sluggishly laughed.

"Oh really? Could've sworn today was Tuesday." Tenma joked as he looked down at a book he was reading on the table.

"Yeah… it's social media thing… you guys probably don't know because you might not have social media…" I yawned.

"Oh. We know what it is. He's just messing with you."

"Oh really? Oh okay.. you had me there for a moment!"

I sat down at the dining table.

"I'm not eating, just to let you know…" I said as I scooted the chair forward

"oh. Well that's ok."

I nodded.

"Talk about no sleep…" I said in a sleepy tone as I massaged my temples.

"You didn't sleep well last night? You slept like a baby, I'm surprised you're still tired." Cindy sat down at the table between me and Tenma.

"Huh? But I never sleep?" I looked confused.

She looked confused back at me.

"Yeah… It's a mental thing, you wouldn't understand…." I shook my head.

She shrugged

"But man that's a shocker… are you sure I really did sleep?"

Cindy nodded as she took a gulp of her coffee.

"Hmm…maybe things are starting to roll in my favor…" I shrugged.

I headed back outside to go, yes, downtown again… but this time I had a real purpose, if you didn't know or you're too lazy to read your 2036-2037 school calendar your teacher should've given you the last day of school, school starts in four weeks.

Have I even dared to walk into a store for school stuff?

Hell no.

Which is why I'm leaving,

But I obviously left that detail out when I said I was going downtown.

I walked inside a store, and like you'd expect… everyone and their uncle was running like animals around the store grabbing things and quickly putting it in their cart as if It was every man for oneself.

I rolled my eyes and casually passed the giant crowd.

A few heads turned around to catch a glimpse of me.

I walked all the way to the back of the store since I knew that's where most of the stuff really was, but most people here are lazy and just buy whatever's out in the front of the store.

I grabbed a few of the essentials (Pencils, paper, binders, notebooks… just to name a few…).

When I walked up to the cashier, I swear she looked like Kaitlyn, but I knew Kaitlyn would never take a Summer job here… so I ignored the assumption and just left after paying.

"Hmm.. maybe I should take this back home before I go somewhere else…" I thought.

I walked back inside the house with too heavy bags in my hands.

"Man those stores are so crow- I mean, I had a great time!" I said, smiling.

"Oh. You're back!" Cindy was leaning on Tenma as they were watching TV.

"Not for long though… just came back to drop these bags off…"

"What did you get?"

"Uhhh…." I stuttered.

"N-nothing important…"

"I'm sorry for procrastinating, I promise to shop early for school supplies next year…." I muttered as I quickly walked to my room.

I walked back outside and went to go visit a few friends since I had nothing better to do.

I came back a few hours later, nearing lunchtime. (Even though I don't eat lunch…)

"Sarah smiles like Sarah doesn't care, She lives in her world so unaware, Does she know that my destiny lies with her. Oh Sarah, are you saving me?" I made somewhat of a pretty good attempt to sing when I made it back home. ((Lol dat gon be Kaitas official song xD ~Emily))

I walked into the kitchen.

"Don't worry about me for lunch!" I hollered as I got a drink out of the fridge.

I left the kitchen and walked into the living room.

"I'm back." I waved my hand.

"Hello? You there?"

"Yelllo? Tenma? Cindy?" I waved again.

They didn't reply.

I sighed.

"Must be sleeping." I shrugged.

"Hmmm…" I looked at them.

"How cute…" My voice had sarcasm in it.

I thought for a moment.

"Ah. I know what to do."

"HELP! I'M DYING!" I yelled at the top of my lungs.

"What?! What's going on?!" Cindy quickly sat up and almost fell off the couch.

Tenma's eyes shot open and he had a look of shock on his face.

"I'm back."

"Astro?! Why would you do that. You almost gave me a heart attack." Tenma hyperventilated.

"Well you were sleeping, what was I suppose to do?"

"Wake us up… kindly." Cindy rubbed her forehead.

"Oh I see…" I couldn't help but chuckle.

They both sighed and leaned back on the couch.

"Ehh.. i'm going back to my room… I'm bored…" I sluggishly left the living room and walked into the hallway.

A few days had gone by and it was already Monday afternoon, nearing towards the evening, Cindy was busy doing a few things for work, I assume Tenma was just walking around the house for no reason. and I was recording the ending of my vlog.

"And that my friends is the reason I now refuse to eat funsdip!"

"It's just all those germs people don't realize go in and out of your mouth then you eat that crap…. nasty!"

"Well It looks like i'm running out of time, don't forget if you liked this video give it a thumbs up!"

"and comment if you still would eat fundsip after watching this video."

"Follow my in picstagram at Thebandfanastro.. follow um… follow Reno since he's in a lot of my vlogs and just cause.. i think his picstagram is um… at… it'sDEFFINETLYnotReno? I'm not sure but check just in case.."

"Shoutout to everyone and now I will attempt to take a ghetto selfie."

"Ehh.. I look like vomit.. eww.. my face man just…. ew…."

"BAND FAN OUT!"

I clicked the stop button on my camera.

"Phew! that sucked the life out of me…" I grabbed my camera and walked over to my desk.

Tenma walked in.

"Whatcha doing?"

"Ah!" I was startled.

"Uh… nothing…" I awkwardly opened my laptop.

"Ok." He chuckled.

I sighed.

"Okay… I was making a vlog for TubeYou…" I turned around and looked at Tenma

"Oh. Neat." ((Omg tenma ur such a nerd. who says "neat" anymore? lol ~kate))

I looked at him with a blank expression.

"What?" He looked confused at me.

"Dad… no one says neat anymore."

"Really?"

"Really." I nodded.

"Oh well."

I turned back around and typed in my password.

Tenma walked over and sat on my bed.

"So… You wanna do anything today?" He asked me.

"I dunno.. i'm a little bored…." I shrugged.

"Me too… Your step-mother won't let me help her with her work today."

"My what?" I looked at him.

"Cindy. She is technically your step-mother."

"Hmm.. guess i've never really thought of it like that.." I looked back at my laptop.

"Maybe I've been fussing over her a little too much." Tenma thought out loud, chuckling a bit.

"Ahh... relationships…what am I gonna do with them?" I clicked on a program.

"Hmm?"

"Oh nothing, Brianna's just been keeping me busy…"

"Oh… That's good…."

I reached for my camera and popped open a slot so I could take out my SD card.

"Hmm… maybe I just need a break." I scooted my chair out.

"Where do you have in mind?" I looked at Tenma.

He shrugged.

"Well, where do you like to go?"

"Hmm… don't really go out anywhere besides downtown….I like going to the ice cream shop and stare at ice cream I can't eat!"

"But I always go there too much, so sometimes I go over to the pizza place a few stores next to it…" I stretched my arms.

"Even though I can't eat the pizza either.. I mean I could, but i'd probably have to take mouse bites, or even smaller ones to be safe…" I continued.

"So pizza?"

"Yeah… I guess…" I shrugged.

I closed my laptop and went to go grab my jacket since it always got chilly at night no matter what season it is.

"We're going out to get pizza. I'll save you a slice." Tenma said to Cindy, who was sitting at the table, working on her laptop.

"Ok." She smiled.

"I can help you when we get back…."

"I'm fine, honey. I don't need help."

"Oh. Fine." Tenma smiled then kissed Cindy goodbye.

I stood there with a disgusted face even thought I was reminded that I do the same thing to Brianna…

Tenma walked up to me.

"Who you lookin at, twerp?" He joked, giving me a playful pat on the back.

"The floor."

"Pft. Let's go."

"Are we walking there because my feet are killing me, even in these boots!" I complained, fixing my suspenders.

"We can drive." Tenma opened the door.

"Oh thank the lord!"

I heard Cindy giggle as I walked out the door. Tenma closed it behind us.

"You know, I find it stupid that I already know how to drive, but I can't get my license yet…."

"What a shame."

"But that's just a secret, if anyone ask… I don't even know how to hold the steering wheel…"

"Seriously?" He chuckled.

"Yes seriously…" I chuckled back.

We joked around the whole way to the pizza place.

"Okay, here's the big moment we've all been waiting for… who's gonna go inside first!"

"Wanna try going in at the same time?"

"Woah dude slow down, my brain can only handle so much!"

He laughed as he walked in.

I walked in behind him.

We walked up to the counter.

"So whatcha' gonna get, cheese?" I looked at Tenma.

"Yeah. I don't really like toppings…." He said looking up at the menu.

"Same."

He ordered the pizza and we sat down at a table.

"Ahh this place is always so empty compared to the ice cream place, that place gets packed as soon as it opens!" I said, looking down at my phone.

"I haven't gotten ice cream in a while..."

"Me neither, it's been like a year or two since I've had it.. but I think that's because it's on my list of foods I can't eat the professor gave me…"

"You know, I could probably fix your problem."

"Haha… maybe… but it's all that stupid five minute power outage's fault, if the power would've never went out, i'd be enjoying some cheese pizza right now!"

"A power outage?"

"Yeah, remember like a year ago when the power went out for like five minutes, I was getting repairs when it happened, and it corrupted my system…"

"Hmm. I may be able to do something about that."

"Ehhh.. maybe we should hold it off… maybe.. um… we can do it before new years…because my life is already busy to begin with…"

"Sure…."

"Hold up, lemme put a reminder on my phone for this…"

He chuckled.

"There, It should remind me on Christmas Day…"

"Should give me a little more time to figure out exactly how to fix it."

"But didn't you know how to fix it already, you fixed my twin last Summer…"

"That's a little different."

"What's the difference?"

"It's a bunch of complicated robotics stuff."

"Eeeyyyeeeaaahhh... not really into robotics…. i'm more into Biology.."

"Haha. You should tell Cindy that. She'd be glad to talk about Biology with you."

"Haha, yeah… is it really true she left because of me… because that's what she tells me…"

"Yes, it's true."

"Pfft… yeah sure, like finding me in the rain inspired her to leave and go from the biggest name ever to a nobody… there has to be more than just me that convinced her…"

Tenma shrugged.

"It's what she wanted to do."

"I wouldn't have done it if I had such a high status as she had… i'm sure now everyone in the Biology department hates her for leaving…"

"They don't hate her."

"And how do you know?"

"She has some friends from there she still talks to."

"Ehhh.. I still wouldn't have done it, but that's just me…."

"She is making a big contribution to robotics with her knowledge in biology. There aren't many robotics engineers out there who are former biologists."

"You don't say…" I thought out loud.

"I think the pizza's ready." Tenma walked up to the counter.

"Mmm... maybe if I drink water I can have a little nibble!"

"Go get some water then." Tenma walked back to the table with the pizza.

"Fine…" I walked over to the counter.

I came back a few seconds later with a cup of water.

"If this doesn't work, you might wanna call the janitor…" I said before taking a sip of my water.

"Or drag me to the bathroom, whichever you prefer…"

Tenma took a slice of the pizza.

"Ehh.. I should've gotten juice…" I put the cup down.

I looked down at my phone to see if anyone texted me.

And of course, it was none other than Brianna.

"What does Brianna want?…" I muttered.

"Uhh.. how do I respond to this?" My cheeks went pink.

Maybe

Oh come on Astro, be serious, yes or no?

I dunno.

Pfft fine, if your not gonna answer, imma go to the professor's and make you answer.

I'm not at the professor's..

Oh yeah *faceplams*

So then i'll show up to your dads house and make you answer.

I'm not there either.

Then where the hell are you?!

At the pizza place….

Oh really? I'm at the ice cream place, imma finish this ice cream and you better have an answer by the time I get there pookie face!

….

Fine.

Thank you.

I put the phone to sleep and set it aside.

"Ugh!" I put my head down showing how stressed I was.

"What's wrong?" Tenma asked me after he swallowed a bite of the pizza.

"I"m stressed!"

"Something up with you and your girlfriend?"

"Wha? A- are you.. eavesdropping on me?"

"No…. you said 'What does Brianna want?'..."

"Oh."

"I just don't have an answer for her, and now she wants to come over so i can tell her my answer…. b-but I just- I don't have one!"

"What was the question?"

"Oh.. you wouldn't understand… this goes back to like when we first met… which was a looong time ago…"

"Ok…."

Brianna walked inside the pizza place, she tried to look for me.

"Oh gawd!" I put my head down to hide myself from her sight.

"There you are!" Brianna walked up to me.

"So? Do you have an answer?" Brianna asked.

I looked up at Brianna and shook my head.

She gave me a blank look.

"I'm just not sure okay!" I bursted out saying.

"Oh come on Astro it'll be cute, we can get the full package and just give everyone slideshow CD's for christmas."

"But you know I hate taking pictures!"

"But these are professional pictures for our two year anniversary!"

"Why can't we just do something else like watch a movie together, or like- I dunno.. anything but have our pictures taken…"

"Oh please.. it's just a picture and i'm sure your dad would love to hang it up in his room."

"Oh gawd no…" I slowly put my head down.

"Pfft fine… you win this time, but next time when it's our three year anniversary, you better believe imma want pictures!" Brianna ruffled up my hair and began to walk away.

"See ya later Pookie face!" Brianna yelled as she waved goodbye and left.

"Phew! Glad that's over with!" I said with relief.

"Okay I think I'm ready for that small piece of the pizza." I took a sip of my water.

I took the smallest bite ever of the pizza and put it down on the plate in front of me.

I sat there for a moment to see what would happen.

I leaned forward and held my breath for a moment.

I quickly grabbed for the water.

"Ahhh... There we go..." I said with relief.

"Phew! No more pizza for me!" I leaned back in my chair.

"At least you're eating something." Tenma took another bite of his pizza.

"Yeah but I usually stick to drinking juices and energy drinks..."

I stretched my arms and yawned.

"How come when I don't sleep I'm tired but when I do sleep, I'm still tired..."

"Everyone asks that. People are just always tired..." Tenma chuckled.

"Ehhhh!" I put my head down.

"So…. You don't watch anime do you?" I looked up at him.

"Meh." He shrugged.

"I'm guessing that's a no…."

"Why do you ask?"

"'Cause I saw this anime recently. It's pretty good but a little too girly for me. Well, there was this kid that played the piano but he stops because his mom-…. oh hey that reminds me, didn't Cindy say something about you liking the piano?"

"Oh… Yeah. It's been like a week since that, hasn't it?"

"Well... It's a long story of how I got into playing it... But it seems like a pretty neat uh.. Instrument?"

"Yeah. I used to play it when I was younger."

"Was that all you played back then?"

"Yeah. Pretty much, instrument wise."

"Pfft..."

"I wouldn't really consider myself a musician... But I do play more than just the piano... But the pianos cool..."

Tenma smiled. ((this dork… lol ~kate)) ((xD ~Emily))

I looked down at my phone

"Looks like it's getting a little late..."

"We can get going if you'd like."

"Yeah. Let's go." I got up from my seat.

Tenma closed the box of pizza and carried it in front of him as we walked out.

"Do you remember where you parked, because my memory sucks…" I said to Tenma as we walked out.

"Over here." He walked in front of me.

"And your memory isn't that bad. You did remember how Cindy told you I like the piano."

"Oh really? Tell that to my frien-err I mean.. tell Brianna…" I chuckled.

"I HEARD THAT!" I heard someone yell in the distant.

I turned around.

"GO HOME BRIANNA!" I yelled back.

"LOVE YOU!"

"Er… uh… LOVE YOU TOO!" I yelled. ((lol it's so cute dat its funny xD ~Emily))

Tenma chuckled as he got in the car.

I got in the car after watching Brianna walk away to head home.

"Can you hold this?" Tenma handed me the pizza box.

"Ehh sure, I got nothing to lose…" I took the box from him.

"Hmmm.. sitting in the back seat is fun!" I smiled.

"Kinda like having a chauffeur." I chuckled.

We came back home a few minutes later, I carried the box of pizza inside the house.

Tenma and I walked into the kitchen.

Cindy was still sitting at the table, but now she was sleeping, her head almost on the laptop in front of her.

"Oh my gosh, thats so me after I finish my homework!" I laughed as I placed the box on the counter.

Tenma chuckled and walked over to her.

"Cindy. Sweetie." He whispered to her.

"Huh?" She slowly opened her eyes.

"Oh. I must've fallen asleep again..." She rubbed her forehead.

"I think you should let me help you." Tenma kneeled down next to her.

"Oh. Ok…." She closed her eyes again.

"You wanna go sleep in the bed?"

"Mmmhmmm." She nodded her head.

Tenma laughed as he lifted her up princess-style and carried her off to their bedroom. ((*w* THIS IS SO CUTE! ~kate))

"I'll be back in a minute, Astro. Just go chill on the couch." He said to me as he walked out of the kitchen.

"Okie dokie, seems like an easy task!" I said walking over to the couch.

A few seconds later, Tenma walked out of the hallway and sat on the couch next to me.

"Oh… hello there citizen." I said looking at Tenma.

"And hello to you too." He looked back at me

"Nice weather we're having, isn't it?"

"Yes, yes. Very nice."

"I hear you have apple juice in the fridge, is this true?"

"Hmm. I do recall seeing some in there."

"Hmmm… interesting…"

"Would you like some?"

"Hmmm.. i'm not sure…maybe I do… maybe I don't…." I said in a casual voice, swaying my head from side to side.

"Or maybe…. i'm not thirsty at all…"

i thought for a moment

"Dang… that just sounded really wrong…"

Tenma chuckled.

"Ugh! I'm so uninspired!" I groaned changing my position.

I put my hands on my stomach and looked at the ceiling.

"It's funny how in one week, many things can happen…" I said in a low tone.

"Tell me about it." Tenma leaned back on the couch.

"Bloop." I poked Tenma's nose.

He looked at me with a blank face.

"What are you doing?"

"I dunno." I shrugged.

"... Ok?"

I chuckled.

"You know what time it is because I think i'm due for a nap, even though I hate naps!" I asked.

"It's 7:53." Tenma looked down at his watch.

"Ehhh… I still got time. Lemme know when it's midnight.." I spoke with a sigh.

"Ah. Ok."

"Yay! that way i can sleep till one and then stay up the rest of the night!"

Tenma laughed.

"I know… my sleeping habits are abnormal, no need to question why I barely fit in an hour of sleep…"

"Let's stop talking about sleeping. It's making me sleepy." He yawned.

"Same." I yawned back.

"Mmm.. I don't like classical music…" I said with a giggle.

"That was random."

"Well it's true.."

"I don't like it that much." Tenma stretched.

"Same."

I sighed and lied down on my side.

"Mmmm…. my head hurts.." I said in a sleepy tone, trying to keep my eyes open. ((Cuz Astro always look adorbs when he sleeps O/O ~Emily))

Tenma moved his hand over and gently rubbed my head.

My mind seemed to ease a little bit.

"Ah! I can't sleep!" I tried waking myself up.

"Why not?"

"It's… it's… t-the…- NIGHTMARES! that….. uh… b-bother… me…"

"Nightmares?"

"Ahh.. it's a long story…"

"Tell me."

"Ehh.." I moaned.

"Come on. I could help you get rid of them."

I sighed.

"Well.. where do I begin?"

"I think it all begins with the day I was born up to now…"

"Or maybe it was… I dunno… all I know is that this has been going for for quite some time… and it really bothers me… that's all i know.." ((haha i didn't have to write a whole story! yay! emi-chan ish smart! ~Emily))

"Hmmm." Tenma looked down at me.

I nervously smiled at him.

"Maybe there's something you need to let go that you've been keeping in and it's bothering you."

I shrugged.

"Just try sleeping. If there's something wrong, I'll be right here to help."

I slowly nodded and closed my eyes.

It was almost an hour that had passed, I wanted to toss and turn around for a moment.

I kept shaking my head as if I was disagreeing or saying no to something I must've been dreaming about.

"No… stop…" I mumbled.

"No…" I mumbled again.

"No!" I shuddered.

"Astro?" Tenma shook my shoulder.

"Ah, noo!" MY voice grew louder.

"Astro. Wake up."

My eyes slowly opened.

"What?"

"You were having a bad dream."

"OH.. I couldn't tell, everything was too fast and blurry for me…" I said, rubbing my eye.

Cindy sluggishly walked out of the hallway.

"Oh. You're awake, dear." Tenma looked at her.

"I heard something in here." She yawned.

"Oh.. uh…" I rubbed my eye again.

"Astro was just having a bad dream."

I sluggishly nodded my head.

"Aw. I hope you're better now." Cindy walked over to the couch and sat on the edge of it.

I yawned and moved my legs so she could sit back all the way.

"I'm still…. tired…."

"Well, I'm not going to keep you from sleeping..." Tenma said.

I nodded and closed my eyes again.

I shuddered for a moment but finally relaxed and leaned my head against the couch.

The next day I found myself in bed covered in what felt like a million sheets suffocating me.

I walked into the hallway.

"Morning or afternoon?" I asked.

No response.

"Is anyone even here?" I called out.

Still no response.

I sighed and walked over to the couch.

"Ugh gotta visit the bald dude today…" I muttered.

Tenma stretched as he walked out of the hallway.

"Oh, now someone's awake." I smiled.

"Ugh. I think I slept a little too much…." He cracked his neck.

"Why, is it the afternoon?" I asked.

"I don't know."

"Oh. It's 10." He looked at the clock in the kitchen.

"Oh… that's early for me…" I said, stretching.

"So? Any of plans for today? I need something to do till six when I have to go to see the 'soul-sucker' " I asked.

"You don't have to see him."

"Technically I still do since someone I assume is paying for it and that would be a waste of their money if I don't go and also because I have nothing else to do... And maybe this will help me like 20 or 30 years from now!"

"Well. If you wanna go…." Tenma sat on the other side of the couch.

"I don't want to go... But at the same time I do have to and kinda want to..."

I sighed and rubbed my forehead.

"Ever get those sudden on and on headaches?" I asked.

"Sometimes."

"Yeah..."

I got up from the couch and went into the kitchen to grab something to drink.

"Gotta love energy drinks!" I said walking back to the couch with the drink in my hand.

"So I was thinking we could just go for a walk. Cindy has more work to do today… And I could use some fresh air."

"Maybe..." I took a sip of my drink.

"But your gonna have to wait a while because I take forever to get ready.."

"That's ok."

"Ehhh fine.. I'll see you in an hour..." I got up from the couch and walked to my room.

An hour later I came back out of my room, it looked like I was wearing the same thing but if you looked closer you could tell I wasn't.

"Ready!" I smiled.

Tenma got up from the couch.

"Oh wait give me a sec!" I adjusted my suspenders.

"Ok I'm ready..."

We walked out the back door and made our way towards the woods.

"Ahh this is bringing back some memories, recent ones too..." I looked at Tenma.

"Like... Last Summer, and... Like I dunno four or five years ago...how long has it been since I've been born?"

"About five years, yes."

"Yeah, so about five years ago I came here.. Gosh, that's a long time!"

"Where have all the years gone?" I sounded like I was almost about to cry.

Tenma ruffled my hair.

I laughed.

"I miss the old days..."

"Hmmm." Tenma looked up at the sky.

"But I wish I could take it all back... You know, I wish I could be given a second chance to make it all up and not be such a troublemaking jerk face stinky pants..."

"You can always change now. It's not worth going back and fixing things, because then you would've never learned from your mistakes."

"Well what do you think I've been trying to do? I've always wanted to change... But.. It's like I can't no matter how hard I try.. I just... I... I... Can't..." I closed my eyes.

I stopped walking.

Tenma looked back at me.

"Astro?"

I sighed and tried to keep it in.

He walked in front of me and put his hands on my shoulders.

I shook my head.

"Saving me isn't gonna help.." I whispered.

"Don't get so upset over something so small." He leaned down and hugged me.

At first I didn't react but eventually gave in.

"I love you." I whispered.

"I love you too, son."

I smiled as we ended the hug.

"Maybe I should just let the whole thing go... It's stressing me out too much."

"You should. You only have a few more weeks until school starts and you should spend that time relaxing."

"Maybe...but... relaxing isn't something easy for me." I shrugged.

"Unless you consider drowning myself in music relaxing?"

"Whatever makes you comfortable." Tenma shrugged as we began to walk again.

"Mmm.. Okay.."

"Ehh... Maybe jeans weren't such a great idea..." I said after we walked a greater distance than before.

"We aren't going that far."

"I know but I'm just so hot!" I complained, wiping my forehead.

"You should've worn shorts then."

"But I don't have any shorts... I wear this everyday.. Not the exact same thing, but you get what I mean..."

We walked further until we reached the end and got to the metal gate.

"Oh, I see you've fixed the hole that was there."

I walked up close to get a better look, I did my best not to get pricked.

I put my hand on the metal gate.

"Ah!" I retracted my hand.

"Whoops." I looked down at my index finger.

"You should really do something about that gate, it keeps pricking me every time I touch it." I turned around and spoke to Tenma.

"Maybe you shouldn't touch it then."

"Meh."

We started walking back.

"Ah that gate got me good, do you think I'll faint?" I asked.

"Why would you faint?"

"I dunno I learned that like the first few days of Health class until they pulled me out because I'm a robot, so now I just help out the librarian during that class..."

"Well, you're not going to faint if you get a little cut on your finger."

"Oh good, because that would be embarrassing."

Tenma chuckled.

We made our way back inside.

"Well that killed a few hours... I should go get ready!" I said as soon as I walked inside.

As I walked through the hallway to my room, I saw Cindy walking on her way to the living room.

"Dang it, I don't know what to wear!" I said looking at my dresser.

I walked out into the hallway quite some time later, I thought I'd go into the kitchen and get a drink before leaving.

Cindy was standing at the counter, looking in one of the cabinets.

"Do you know if we have any Powersade in the fridge, Mom?" I asked Cindy.

I gasped and covered my mouth.

"What was that, Astro?" Cindy turned around.

"N-nothing! Hehe... I think I got it..." I blushed and walked away.

Cindy shook her head with a smile.

"You know you can call me 'Mom' if you want..."

I turned around.

"O- okay..." I stuttered.

I walked out of the kitchen and into the living room where Tenma was.

"I think I can stay a few minutes before I gotta go..." I said, plopping onto the couch.

"I heard that in there." Tenma chuckled.

"Oh gawd... Please don't rub my stupidness in my face..." My cheeks turned light pink.

"Haha. It's ok. You don't need to be embarrassed."

"Of course I do..."

"Well, we both kinda saw it coming."

"Really."

"You're really warming up to her. It was bound to happen. But I wasn't sure whether you'd say it by accident or you would just flat out ask her."

"Ehh I guess I am..." I shrugged.

"You know... I had the strangest dream..." I thought out loud.

"Oh really? What was it about?"

"It was really weird, I dreamed that I had another sibling, as if Uran and Atom weren't enough..."

"Strange…."

"I know right... Wouldn't that be funny though..."

"Yeah… It would." Tenma chuckled.

"Then again... I guess I wouldn't really mind..."

"Am I annoying you with my opinions?" I asked

"No."

"Oh okay because I-"

I looked down at my watch.

"AH! I better get going, see you guys in an hour!" I raced out the door.

I walked into the same room again as I did countless times before.

"Ah bub! I know what you're going to ask me!" I began.

"How are you feeling today?" Gil asked.

I rolled my eyes.

"Hmm... I dunno.." I shrugged.

"Come on, be honest Astro..."

I sighed.

"Well.." I looked at the ceiling.

"Today, surprisingly I feel... loved." ((Aww ~Emily))

"Interesting, anything you'd like to add on to that..."

"You're ruining my mood."

"I can tell you feel very irritated."

"So what, you're some kind of physic weirdo that can read my mind?"

"No, but I have a good understanding.."

"Well DUH?! That's your job, to understand people and fix them..."

"What did you do today?"

"I took a walk and pricked myself."

"Did you go alone?"

"Oh, oh I see what this is you-"

"I assume you didn't go alone."

"Why would I go alone?"

Gil pushed up his glasses.

"I went with my dad.."

"Hmmm... Interesting..."

"Are you interested in everything I do?"

"Well... No..."

"Oh... Good."

"I just find you quite strange, you're not like any of the other people I see..."

"So what does that mean?"

"Well.. It's a bit of a challenge for me..."

"You're welcome." I nodded.

"But not to worry... I'm sure we can work this out and help you.. You have potential, you just need to let your self allow for change, you just need to let go of some things and when you let go of them, you will be able to allow change and get better..."

I sighed and looked away.

"I know it's not gonna be easy... But I have faith that you can do it."

I smiled.

We continued on talking for the rest of the hour until I came back home.

"IM BACK!" I Yelled once I got through the front door.

"Hello." Cindy smiled at me from the couch.

"Today actually wasn't as bad as I thought it would be..." I shrugged.

"That's good." Tenma looked at me.

"But I still hate him because he sucks my soul out of me too much..."

"Oh well... I think I'm just gonna go take a shower and try to go to sleep..." I scratched the back of my head and walked into my room to get clothes for my shower.

Friday already came around and I was setting up my camera in the kitchen to do my next vlog.

"I hope I bought the right stuff, this is cookie dough, right?" I thought as I looked at the yellow and red packaging.

"Astro? What are you doing?" Cindy walked by the kitchen and saw me.

"Ssh! I am attempting to soon record a video on how to bake cookies!"

"Haha. Ok."

"Don't worry, I can't eat them, so I might as well give them to you guys..."

"Oh sure. We'll have some. But why don't you give some to your friends, too."

"Ehhh.. But they're too far away!"

"Don't be so lazy, Astro"

"Fine, I think I can spare one for Brianna."

Cindy chuckled as she rolled her eyes.

"Well you have fun baking your cookies."

"And you have fun waiting for them!"

She chuckled again as she walked away.

"Ahh okay, now since she's gone I can start recording.." I walked over to my camera and pressed "RECORD"

"WHATS UP EVERYONE IT'S UH... Uh... Oh gawd I forgot who it was..."

"Oh yeah, it's Astro and today I will be showing you how I make chocolate chip cookies!"

"Mmmmm"

"Yum"

"Ahh"

"Ok, so what you need is..."

"Chocolate chip cookie dough from the store or wherever you buy your food stuff at..."

"An oven.."

"A cookie sheet and a tin thingy mijigy..."

"So first you wanna turn on your wonderful oven and preheat it to 375 degrees... Because the package says so, and I read the instructions..."

"Next you open the package and you put the dough onto the cookie sheet you places onto the tin thingy..."

"So when I asked on picstagram what you wanted to see for suggest to the band fan, you guys said a food tutorial and I thought 'what do I know how to make' and then it just came to me 'cookies!' So I decided to make this even though I can't eat it, it thought it'd be nice to show you guys and maybe drop some off to Brianna..."

"And so now you simply place the tin thing into the oven carefully and we shall wait in time lapse for about nine to eleven minutes..."

I kept myself occupied for a few minutes while I waited for the cookies to finish.

"So then.. When it's done, you just grab your mittens and you take the tin thingy out of the oven..."

"Place it on the table."

I looked up.

"HOLY CRAP WERE YOU HERE THE WHOLE TIME?!"

"No. I was just coming in to get a drink." Cindy looked surprised.

"You scared me for a second there..."

"Oh. Did I interrupt your video?"

"No it's okay, I have the power of video editing to fix it..."

"Oh. ok. Well I'll be out in just a second." She walked over to the refrigerator, grabbed a soda bottle, then walked out.

"Ok so now you just let the cookies sit out for two minutes and you're ready to enjoy this sweet...uh... Cookie!"

"Hope you guys liked my crap ass cooking because I know I did!"

"Don't forget to add me on picstagram it's thebandfanastro and also add the co-host of this channel Reno, his is itsdefinitelynotreno. I'll see you guys on Monday!"

"BAND FAN OUT!" I walked over to camera and stopped it from recording.

I grabbed a plate from the cabinet and placed a few cookies on it.

I took the plate with me to the living room.

"Chocolate chip cookies made with love?" I said when I walked in with the plate.

"Oh. Thank you, Astro!" Cindy took a cookie.

"Yeah I can't eat them so I might as well donate them to you guys..." I shrugged.

"That's very thoughtful of you." Tenma smiled as he took the plate and put it on the coffee table.

"I'm gonna go give some to Brianna, be back in a little bit." I said as I walked away.

I headed out the door to Ken's so I could give the rest of the cookies to Brianna.

I knocked on the door.

"Let me guess, those are for Brianna." Ken said when he opened the door.

"Do you know where she is?" I asked

Brianna came up to the door.

She gasped.

"Are those for me?" Brianna asked.

"Yep. All yours.."

"Oh my gosh!" Brianna pushed Ken aside and gave me a hug.

"Ah, thank you!" She took the plate from me and gave me a quick kiss on the lips.

I blushed.

"See you later?" I asked.

"Yeah sure!" Brianna smiled and walked back inside.

I looked behind me for just a second and saw Elefun outside his house, getting in his car.

Ken closed the door.

I gasped and went on my way running back to my house.

When I got home I saw someone pull up into the driveway.

I had forgotten that I had left my keys at home.

I knocked on the door rapidly.

Tenma opened the door.

"What's wrong Astro?"

"T-there's... S-someone coming!" I exclaimed.

"Who?" Tenma looked out the door.

He saw the car that had pulled in came to a stop and turn off.

"Get inside, Astro."

I nodded and did as told.

"What's going on?" Cindy walked up to me and asked.

"Ahhh nothing uh, Mom... D- don't worry- man you went through those cookies fast!" I quickly replied.

"What are you doing here?" Tenma asked the person as they got out of their car.

"I know you have Astro here..."

"And your point is…?"

"I'd like to speak with Astro and apologize to him, possibly take him back..." The person got closer.

"Astro. Come here for a moment." Tenma looked back at me.

"Huh?" I turned around with a gasp.

"Come here, please."

"Oh... O-okay..." I slowly walked over to Tenma.

"Well?" Tenma looked at the person.

"You said you wanted to apologize."

"Yes, I would, I'd like to say that I'm sorry Astro, and I am willing to take you back, and I promise not to be so harsh..."

"I accept your apology, Doc. But I'm not leaving." I folded my arms.

"Why of course you are... You wouldn't wanna be here..."

"In your dreams!"

"Astro..."

"No! You can't make me! Dad?"

"If he doesn't want to leave, then he doesn't have to."

"Fine... Be my guest, but you will regret your decision, Astro!"

"Goodbye." Tenma closed the door.

"When did Elefun start acting so much like me?" He looked at me and Cindy and asked with a smirk.

"When I came back from the Underground City..." I replied.

"Hmm. Well maybe he needs a therapist, too."

I laughed.

"But man those were the days... I laid around and did nothing all day living there... But I see now how much of a homesick pain it's given me..." I sighed.

"You're way too lazy." Tenma chuckled.

"I am not! Okay, well maybe a little, but still!"

We all laughed.

"I'm hoping that's the last we see of him, I need my relaxation time, and I ain't getting any if I keep thinking of that big nose old fart, Grandpa Sanders!" I folded my arms.

The weekend passed smoothly and soon it was Monday again. I was sitting on the couch chilling.

"Oh ideas ideas ideas..." I kept thinking of ideas for my next vlog I planned to record today.

"I got nothing!" I said out loud by mistake.

"Whoops!" I covered y mouth.

"What?" Tenma asked me from the other side of the couch.

"Ahh nothing..." I looked away in embarrassment.

"Oh really?"

"Yes." I nodded.

"Hmmm. Ok."

I tried to think a little more.

Tenma changed the channel on the TV.

"Hmmm..." I looked over at him.

"Nah." I thought.

"Think Astro think!" I tapped on my head.

"Gosh i wish it was Friday again, that way people can chose the topic for me..." I scooted back.

I covered my mouth again.

Tenma looked at me.

I gave him a thumbs up as my face went pink and I looked embarrassed.

He chuckled and slowly shook his head.

"Phew! All I need is my family watching my TubeYou..." I said with relief.

Tenma smiled and rolled his eyes, looking back at the TV.

"At least I hope they don't already... That would be a shame..." I looked over at Tenma again.

He chuckled again.

"What? Oh gawd..."

"Hmm?" He looked over at me.

"Y-you don't... Never mind..."

I heard a knock at the door.

"Do I get it?" I asked.

"Sure."

I got up and walked over to the door to go open it.

"Hey pookie face!" Brianna greeted.

"Oh! Hey Brianna!" I gretted back.

"I have your plate, I was putting away dishes and when I noticed this one didn't look like the rest, I remembered that I forgot to give it back to you, so here." Brianna held the plate out to me.

"Sure I'll take it." I said as I grabbed the plate from her.

"And thanks for the cookies they were really yummy!" Brianna chuckled.

"Oh thanks, I made them."

"Oh really? Maybe you have a baking talent like me, because you know... According to my grandma, most of the people in my family were bakers and had a really great baking talent.."

"Hmmm... Maybe you can bake a cake for our 2 year anniversary?"

"Pfft... Like I wouldn't?"

I laughed.

"Well I better get going..."

"Don't you wanna stay or something, I mean you're already here..." I shrugged.

"Maybe another day..."

"Well if you insist..."

"See you!" Brianna waved goodbye and started walking away.

"See ya!" I waved.

I closed the door and walked back to the couch, not realizing that I still had the plate in my hand.

"Are you going to put that in the sink?" Tenma asked me, looking at the plate.

"What?" I tilted my head, confused.

"Look down."

"Oh!"

"Yeah... I'll go put it on the sink..." I got up and slowly walked away.

I walked back over to the couch and sat down.

"Do you think it's weird if your girlfriend just shows up to your house just to give you a plate and leaves?" I asked.

"Not really." Tenma shrugged.

"Maybe I need help then..."

"Haha. Maybe."

I sighed.

"What's wrong?"

"Oh! N-nothing! I just feel so weird, I'm so used to um... What's the word I'm looking for..."

"Like, im used to always being busy and told what to do, never really had it the way I wanted, but I guess now I can actually say i've gotten what I wanted, and it's kinda weird to me I dunno... Makes me all warm inside." I chuckled.

"Maybe you're happy."

"I dunno..." I shrugged.

"It's just really strange but I kinda like it." I smiled.

Tenma smiled back.

I leaned back.

"So how ya doing?"

"Hmm?" I looked at him.

"Oh. Nothing."

"Suit yourself." I shrugged.

I looked at the TV and saw a commercial playing.

It suddenly gave me an idea.

"Woah, I gotta write this down!" I stormed out of living room and quickly ran into my room.

I quickly sat down in my office chair and grabbed my manga pen.

"I know I shouldn't use you since you help ink my artwork, but I'm in a major crisis here!" I opened the cap and scribbled my idea onto a sheet of notebook paper. ((nuuuuu what a waste of an expensive professional pennnn ;n; ~kate))

"Phew! Finally have an idea for my video later..." I sighed and walked back out into the living room again.

"Oh sorry about that... an idea just came over me for my Uh... Something..." I said as I sat back down on the couch.

"Oh. That's ok." Tenma shrugged.

I lied back down on my back and looked at the TV.

I closed my eyes and took another nap, I decided I might as well sleep before I work my butt off recording, editing and drawing my thumbnail.

I snored.

About 30 minutes passed by, I was still sleeping while the TV continued playing something.

I tossed around.

Everything seemed fast a blurry in my mind again, I couldn't tell what was going on.

My legs seem to squirm around a lot and I couldn't get comfortable.

I finally curled up into a ball and relaxed.

I seemed to be somewhat okay for a few minutes until I woke up with watery eyes.

"You alright there?" My dad looked at me.

I sighed and nodded.

"You sure you're ok?"

I got up from the couch and slowly walked away.

"Wah? Where are you going?"

I walked over to my room and closed the door.

I sat on the floor and let the tears and pain consume me.

I heard a knock on the door.

I ignored it and sniffed.

"Astro, if somethings wrong, you can always talk to me about it." I heard Tenma say from the other side of the door.

I tried to shut the world away and tried to find a world, or even a place that better suited and comforted me in my mind.

I just sat there and did nothing but curl up into a ball and cry my eyes out.

I heard the knock again.

I ignored it.

"Come on Astro."

I shook my head.

"Astro…."

I slowly got up.

My hand hesitated to open the door.

It became a little too much for me at the moment.

I pressed my head against the door and sniffed, trying to hold all my pieces together.

I put my hand on the doorknob and tried to turn it.

More tears streamed down my cheeks.

I opened the door and almost collapsed.

"Ah." Tenma caught me.

I didn't know what to do.

"It-it hurts!" I whispered.

He held me tightly.

"You're ok."

I sniffed as more tears rolled down my face.

Tenma slowly rocked side to side and tried to soothe me.

I stopped sniffing and relaxed a little.

"There there." He rubbed the back of my head.

I smiled, tears still streaming out of my eyes.

The pain seemed to slip away for a moment.

"Why does this always happen to me?" I asked in a low tone.

"What?"

"N-never mind." I shook my head.

"Just tell me, Astro." He let go and looked in my eyes with a stern seriousness.

"Why does this always happen to me?" I repeated.

He sighed.

I sighed back.

"You really are quite a handful." Tenma chuckled.

"Sorry..."

"I don't mean it in a bad way."

"Oh!" I chuckled back.

He hugged me again.

This time I enjoyed the hug and laughed cheerfully.

Cindy walked by the hallway and saw us.

She giggled and leaned against the wall.

Saturday I was downtown since I didn't feel like staying at home all day and I had another place to go.

"Big sale today! Everything is 50% off in the store!" Someone said to me when i walked inside.

"Yeah yeah, I know you're putting out your sales just like everyone else..." I replied back.

"Now I just need to head over to the back" I thought.

I too a sheet of paper out of my pocket.

"7... 7... Where do you find a size seven?" I looked around.

I couldn't seem to find what I was looking for.

I sighed and left the store.

"Well at least I know where my last stop is..."

I came back home a few hours later with bags in my hand again.

"Watcha got there?" Cindy looked over at me from the couch.

"Oh I didn't tell you, did I?" I asked with a smile.

"Tell me what?"

"Oh I guess I haven't..."

"Well what is it?"

"Oh well uh... It's Uh... Me and Brianna's anniversary..." I blushed.

"Oh. Well, happy anniversary." She giggled and tilted her head.

"Aww, I hope she doesn't show up yet, I need to wrap these gifts!" I said, walking off to my room.

Tenma saw me walking into my room with the bags in my hand.

"Those for Brianna?" He asked with a smirk.

"I told you, didn't I?"

"Yeah."

I chuckled.

I took the things out of my bag and nicely placed them on my bed.

"Hmm. Okay, now I just need to wrap these up!" I walked over to my closet.

The doorbell suddenly rang.

"Ahh!" I scrambled to wrap everything up and put it on my desk.

"COMING!" I ran for the door.

"Hello, Brianna." Cindy beat me to the door and greeted her.

"Hello Mrs... Uh..." Brianna looked over Cindy's shoulder and spotted me.

"ASTROOOOO!" Brianna ran up to me and toppled me over.

"Ahh, hey Brianna!" I laughed.

"HAPPY TWO YEAR ANNIVERSARY POOKIE FACE!" Brianna squeezed me harder.

"Okay... I think you're gonna break my insides..."

Brianna let go of me.

"And guess what I got..." Brianna said before turning around.

"Hey?" She got up.

"Where'd my box go?" Brianna asked.

She walked back outside.

"Oh! Here it is!" Brianna picked up the box.

She carried it inside and put it on the table.

"I baked you a cake!" Brianna said as she lifts the top off the box.

"No way, you didn't make that..." I said, looking the the cake that looked like it was from the store.

"Nope, I made it myself, sure it took me a while. But I enjoyed making it for you!" Brianna smiled.

"Aww... But you know I can't eat cake, right?"

Brianna sighed.

"I know, but I thought it would be a nice gift for you and..."

I put my hands on Brianna's shoulder.

"It's okay..." I said to her.

Brianna gave me another hug.

"So what did you get me?" She asked.

"Oh. I'll go get it…." I ran off to my room.

Brianna sighed with admiration.

I came back with a wrapped box in my hand.

"Ooh a present! I wonder what's inside? Ooh what if it's a drawing, or- or a movie! Or maybe it's a new phone case, oh no the box is too big... Maybe it's a shirt! But what kind of shirt?" Brianna thought out loud, rambling on to herself.

I giggled as I handed the box to her.

She quickly unwrapped it.

She took out a hoodie and unfolded it.

"Oh my gosh!" Brianna squealed.

"Am I showing my boyfriend spirit or what?" Brianna asked as she held the hoodie up to her chest.

I laughed.

"No way man! How'd you get this, did you hire someone to make It for you?"

I shrugged.

"And it's yellow, my favorite color!"

"I am going to wear this effin amazing hoodie for the rest of my effin life!" Brianna said to me.

I chuckled as Brianna put it on.

"See look, now I'm Astro!" Brianna laughed.

"Ooh and it's a little big too so I can wear it to bed!"

Brianna ran up to me for another hug.

"Thank you, Astro." She looked up at me.

I smiled back.

"I love you."

I held her tighter.

"I love you too." I replied back.

Brianna broke off the hug to give me a kiss.

I heard someone chuckle.

I broke off the kiss to see who it was.

"DAD?!" My face went red.

"Haha. Not too bad a pick there, son." ((*facepalms* ~kate))

I facepalmed.

"Oh don't worry Astro, not like he's taken any pictures he plans on making Christmas cards out of..." Brianna reassured me.

"Well yeah but-" I folded my arms.

"Oh don't worry about him Tenma, he just gets embarrassed easily..." Brianna said, looking at Tenma.

"I know." He chuckled again.

"Now what?" I shrugged.

"I'm just gonna… go back into… the living room." Tenma began to walk away. ((lol this dork ~kate))

"Yeah you go do that you nosy butt!" I said to him as he walked out.

I looked at Brianna.

"Maybe we should be more careful next time..." I said.

Brianna rolled her eyes with a chuckle.

I picked Brianna up off the ground.

"Ahhh! A-Astro! What are you doing?! Put me down!" Brianna yelled.

"Na-ah, I shall carry you off to my room!" I replied.

"Ahh!"

I walked to my room carrying Brianna.

I plopped her into my bed.

Brianna stuck her tongue out at me.

I giggled.

Brianna sat up as I sat down next to her:

She leaned her head on my shoulder, I put an arm around her and let her come a little more closer.

Brianna closed her eyes and it seemed like she had fallen asleep. A few minutes passed and I carried her out to the living room, Tenma wasn't there anymore.

I put her down and started playing with the TV remote trying to find the right channel. When I finally found it, I leaned my head on top of Brianna's and watched TV until I fell asleep as well.

Tenma and Cindy walked into the living room.

"Aw. Sweetie, look at them." Cindy titled her head and smiled.

Tenma chuckled and walked over to us.

I readjusted my head.

"Shhhh." Cindy quietly shushed Tenma.

"Oh." He whispered.

She slowly walked over and gently laid a blanket over us.

I smiled.

She and Tenma quietly walked into the kitchen.

Cindy sat down at the table after getting a glass of water.

Tenma chuckled a little.

"Hmm?" She looked up at him.

"Nothing. YOu're just so cute and pretty sometimes." He smiled at her.

"Sometimes?" She joked.

"Haha. You're a great mother." He walked up to her.

"Don't you mean I'm going to be?"

"No. You are already one."

"Ohhhh." She giggled.

Tenma gave her a kiss on her forehead.

A few hours passed, Brianna woke up and rubbed her eye.

"Hmmm..." Brianna looked up.

I was still sleeping.

Brianna blushed with a chuckle.

Brianna scooted over.

"Huh?" I woke up.

"Oh! Sorry..." Brianna apologized.

"Oh that's okay.." I said rubbing my eye.

"I'm gonna get a drink... Be right back.." I said as I got up.

I walked out of the living room and went to the kitchen.

"Looks who's awake!" Cindy smiled at me as Tenma turned around in his seat.

"Huh?" I looked at her.

"You were sleeping."

"Yeah, and?"

"Nothing…."

"You weren't watching me were you?" My cheeks went pink.

"No no. I wasn't watching you." She shook her hand.

I sighed with relief.

"Good." I said, grabbing a bottle of water.

I walked back into the living room.

"Hey pookie face!" Brianna greeted.

"Yellow!" I greeted back as I plopped onto the couch.

Brianna leaned next to me again.

"So what's up?" I looked down at Brianna.

"Nothing."

"Nothing." I mimicked her.

Brianna rolled her eyes with a smile.

"When do you have to leave?" I asked, looking at my watch.

"I dunno... When do you want me to leave?"

"I dunno... If it were up to me I'd keep you here forever!" I said, tickling Brianna.

"Ah! Stop!" Brianna struggled to get out of my grip.

"No! I forbid you to leave!" I tickled her more.

"Ah stop it-it tickles!"

"Too bad, this tickle monster isn't gonna quit for nothing!"

I kept tickling her for a few more seconds until I stopped.

"Ahh that tickled too much.."

I sighed.

"Hmm?" Brianna looked at me.

"Nothing." I pulled her close and gave her a kiss on her forehead.

Brianna giggled.

"Ahh, it looks like I should get going…" Brianna said, looking at her phone.

"Oh come on Brianna, I got time…"

"Well yeah but-"

"YOu okay?" I tilted my head.

"Yeah… im.. okay.."

"You sure?"

"Yeah!"

"Well whatever you say…"

"I'll uh.. see you around." Brianna slowly got up from the couch.

"See ya!" I waved goodbye.

I sighed as Brianna walked away and left.

I looked down at my feet as I took another sip of my water.

"Well that went by fast." I muttered.

I heard the front door close.

I turned off the TV and sluggishly walked off to my room.

I slowly closed the door behind me and sluggishly walked over to my bed where I sat down and let out a sigh. ((Srry for the repeat of words, Google doesn't like giving me synonyms :P ~Emily))

For a moment, I felt kinda lonely.

I put my head down in extreme boredom.

I lost all motivation to do anything, I just sat there with my head down and felt as if pain were an object that was running up my back and crawling through my ear.

I let out a sigh and sniffed.

I just felt so alone.

I had nothing to do anymore.

No one to hug, no one to give kisses to, no one I could use to hid behind my fears and troubles.

No one to take me by the hand and tell me it was gonna be okay.

Which would be a lie, because throughout my whole life, I haven't seen a damn thing change.

I looked up at the ceiling with, yet again, tears streaming down my face.

I decided with nothing else to do, i'd just go to bed.

I crawled under the bedsheets and closed my eyes, trying to sleep.

A few hours passed and I was still wide-awake in bed, just sitting and reading the clock that said it was close to Dinner.

Even though I don't eat anything, I still sit at the table so I don't seem rude.

But I just covered my ears with my pillow and shut the world away.

I tried telling everyone It's not getting better.

I told them.

"Astro? You coming for dinner?" I heard someone call.

I ignored it and closed my eyes.

"Astro?"

"No." I muttered in a low tone to myself.

I brought my knees up to my chest and sniffed.

"Astro? Are you coming or not?"

I shook my head.

I heard footsteps and then a knock at my door.

I didn't say or do anything in response.

"Astro."

I shook my head again.

"Hmm. He must be asleep." They walked away.

"It'll be all over.." I whispered.

"...Eventually…." I looked at the door.

I was in the kitchen about an hour later getting a drink again before I sat down on the couch again like I did earlier today.

I sighed when I sat down and seemed uninterested in what was going on.

I felt helpless and didn't know what to do, I just sat there and ignored everything.

I looked over to see if anyone was sitting on the couch as well.

I turned back around and sat down slowly.

"Do you think he's ok, honey?" Cindy whispered to Tenma.

They were sitting on the couch as well, but I chose to ignore them just like everything else.

"I'm not sure. But he's probably fine."

Cindy rested her head on Tenma's shoulder as he looked over at me.

My eyes just focused on the floor or the ceiling, I didn't even bother to look back at Tenma with the smile that fixes everything.

He looked back at the TV after a few moments.

I had an urge to get up and go back to my room, but I just sat on the couch casually and now focused my attention to the TV.

I closed my eyes for a moment and tried to envision a world I was satisfied with, the more I thought of it, the more I felt like smiling and letting out a laugh.

It just wouldn't stop and before I knew it, I could see it all.

Until, of course, my eyes opened again, and reality set in.

It was like a hit in the back I couldn't stand, like I was…

Drowning,

And I couldn't get up. ((Haha, did u readers notice the reference to da intro? ~Emily))

I put my head down.

Tears were streaming down my face.

A few moments later, I shuddered when I felt something touch me.

"Astro? Are you ok?" Cindy said softly with her hand on my shoulder.

I tried nodding, but it never worked.

She put her arms around me and gently rubbed my head as I cried into her shoulder.

But this time I noticed, I wasn't really upset.

I remember a while ago when I walked into Atom's room and I asked him what was wrong, he simply replied to me that he was ok, and that sometimes people can get upset and cry for no reason.

At first I never understood what he meant, but I think now i'm starting to get it.

I sniffed and cried even more.

Cindy tried comforting me.

I rubbed my eye and looked at what I saw was a blurry TV.

A few minutes later, I finally settled down and stopped crying, but my face was still wet and I swear I thought I smelled.

"I'm gonna go take a shower, okay?" I said as I sat up from the couch.

A few days went by fast and to my surprise, things went pretty well, sure I had my few moments, but those ended within the first few minutes.

I was heading out into the living room preparing to leave to go downtown for the evening.

"I'll be back in a few hours!" I said, waving goodbye.

"Bye. Be back before dinner, ok?" Cindy smiled as I walked past her.

"I will!" I said with a chuckle.

I walked out the door and walked halfway there.

It started getting chilly and I shivered.

And that's when I realized.

I left my jacket at home.

It was too far for me to walk back, so I continued on as I shivered and the temperature got lower, like it always did when it got late at night.

My teeth started to chatter and I almost saw my breath in the air.

My body couldn't take it anymore.

I was racing and running around and eventually found myself running into a Starbuck.

"Phew! " I said with relief.

"Sup, Astro?" I heard someone greet me.

"Reno? You work here?" I asked, walking up to him.

"Well not really.. um.. just a.. Summer job." Reno replied.

"Oh what, so you could talk to Kaitlyn and impress her with your skills in frozen drinks?"

"Hell no! I told you i'm not into that bitch, i'm more into uh…. this girl in my robotics class…" ((_ ~kate))

"Oh.. good for you Mr. slutpants!" I joked.

"I am not a slut! Geez man, da hell you on?!"

"Well I guess I can't complain, I just talked to my twin like two hours ago and he spent like half the time blabbing about his boyfriend. I swear, I don't understand why he wants to be a photographer, he should be a reporter or a salesman because he's sure have a lot to say!"

"Pfft… are you gonna buy anything or not, because if you're not then just sit your ass down in a chair or leave!"

"Yeah but it's cold outside."

"Then sit down!"

"I'd like a hot chocolate, with extra chocolate…"

Reno rolled his eyes.

"That'll be $3.50…"

I handed Reno my $5 bill.

Reno handed me my change and muttered a few things while preparing my drink.

"Would you like whipped cream?" he asked.

"Yes govna i'll have cream with my lovely hot chocolate." I replied back in a British accent.

"Oh the things I do to make money." I heard Reno mutter.

Reno handed me my hot chocolate.

"Be careful, it's hot."

"Pfft.. what'cha think it was gonna be, ice cold?"

"No, I just have to say that to everyone, part of my job."

"Ahh I see…" I walked away and sat at a table.

I took a sip of my drink and looked out the window, catching a glimpse of the lights they put on every night.

"Dangit, i'm all out…" I said, looking at my empty cup.

"Hey uh.. Reno?" I walked up to him.

"What is it this time?" Reno looked annoyed at me.

"Do you suppose I could get a refill?" I asked.

"We don't give refills on hot chocolate, and if you drink anymore you're gonna piss your pants all over the floor, and everyone here's gonna be going 'slip n' slide' with your urine…" Reno folded his arms.

"Ew." I took a step back with a squeamish face.

"See what I mean?"

"Ugh fine, I won't drink anymore, but i'm just so cold!"

"Then why didn't you bring a jacket?"

"I left it at home doofus!"

"Oh. I see… sucks to be you…"

"Then how are you so warm?"

"Do you see what I'm wearing?"

"Oh."

Reno rolled his eyes.

I walked away and sat back down at a table.

I sat there and just scrolled through stuff on my phone until I had to leave.

I said my goodbyes and quickly headed on my way home.

"Oh gawd! I-it's s-so cold o-outside!" I said shivering as I walked inside the house.

"S-sorry f-for not getting you anything on my w-way b-back." I continued to shiver.

"Astro? You're freezing! Why don't you have a jacket?" Cindy walked up to me and felt my cheek.

"I forgot it." I replied.

"Come over to the couch and warm up with the blanket. I'll get you something nice and warm to drink."

I nodded and made my way to the couch.

I lied down and curled up into a ball as I shivered more.

Cindy came back with a cup of steaming tea.

"I know you don't like tea but we're out of hot chocolate." She sat next to me on the couch.

"Ehh, that's okay.. I think I can take it." I said, grabbing the tea from Cindy.

She smiled as she got up from the couch.

"Don't forget your jacket next time." She gave me a kiss on the forehead as she walked away.

"I won't" I said as my cheeks turned pink.

I took a sip of my tea and engulfed myself in the blanket.

"Hmm…" I looked for the TV remote.

I put the tea down and grabbed the TV remote so I could turn on the TV.

I pressed the power button on the remote and the TV turned on.

I couldn't hear what was playing so I turned up the volume.

I heard my name being said and I instantly turned around.

"Hmm? Whatever." I shrugged and turned back around.

"Woah! D-don't tell me!"

I quickly tried grabbing for the remote so I could change the channel.

"But we never knew our beloved hero acted much like teens today."

"He does it all, from TubeYou-ing, Picstagram and even an Art Tumblr's blog, seems like the robot is more human after all."

"Ah! gotta change the channel!"

"But what he's probably more known for today is for being a TubeYouer, Going by the name 'TheBandFan' Astro has talked about many topics in a funny, honest way, and I know that because my daughter watches them and obsess over them like crazy!"

"Where the hell is that remote?!"

Tenma walked into the living room.

"Whatcha watching?" He walked up to me.

"Ahh…" I blushed.

"He's also known for doing many collaborations with many of his friends and family, and is also the first TubeYouer to admit they draw their own thumbnails!"

"And you couldn't be able to watch his videos without laughing at the creative humor that makes Astro a super unique TubeYouer!"

I gave up and just covered my face with my blanket.

"And he's also gained a lot of fame I assume, right?"

"Well no matter what, hero or not, we sure won't be forgetting Astro and the entertainment he has left us, we'll be back after the commercial break!"

"Please kill me from all this embarrassment!" my voice sounded muffled under the blanket.

"what's there to be embarrassed about?" Tenma chuckled

"Ahh, you don't get it, you've never been famous before, at least not the type of famous I am…"

"What do you mean I wasn't famous? Being the minister of the Ministry of Science is a pretty well known position."

"Well yeah, but you're not the type of famous I am. You're just famous because you got a high position. But i'm famous because I'm a celeb on the internet, two totally different things!"

"I just hate it when people talk about me on celeb shows, it- it embarrasses me!" I blushed deeper. ((lol poor Astro… ~Emily))

"If it helps, I think it's pretty cool how you're on TV like that." Tenma sat next to me.

"Really?" I took the blanket off to expose my head.

"Yeah." He smirked.

"Hehe… thanks…"I laughed nervously.

"No problem."

I tossed around and laid on my back, I stopped shivering. ((lol dis was sorta based on an even cuter idea, but it won't work cuz Astro isn't a dog xD ~Emily))

I giggled to myself.

"Hmm… what's that word you been telling me again?" I asked.

"A word?"

"Yeah, that word.. you know uh.. what's it called.. it uh… starts with an 'H' I think?"

"Happy?"

I laughed.

"Oh yeah, happy!" I said, hugging myself.

Tenma chuckled.

I laid there and spent the rest of the night watching TV

"Mmm.. you know what time it is?" I asked, rubbing an eye.

"I think it's uh.. around ten, sorta…"

"Ahh I think I forgot to take a shower…"

"Or- Or did I take one before I left?" I rubbed my eye again and tried to stay awake.

"You already took one."

"Oh! Okay…"

"But this is weird, i'm almost never tired at night…" I yawned.

"Must be this tea." He looked in the nearly empty mug that was sitting on the table.

"Hmm? Tea? What's that gotta do with an-anything?"

"Some teas are very soothing and put you to sleep." He chuckled.

"Oh! Reminds me of when I went to the hospital- I don't remember why, but the doc tried to put me to sleep, but it never worked…."

"I think he either gave me tea or he uh.. no I think he gave me tea because I'm afraid of sharp objects…" ((OMG ASTRO, SAME! ~Emily))

"You think I should go to bed?" I asked.

"If you want to."

"Okay…" I rubbed my eye again for a second.

I got up from the couch and dragged the blanket behind me.

"Night!" I said.

"Goodnight."

I slowly walked to my room and went to bed.

"Can you believe this?! School starts in what, 4-5 days?!" I complained when I walked and sat down at the table.

"Ugh! I hate school, People are always telling me to be grateful I got to be in the high school program at my school since not many people get in, but that program gives me a headache. At least now I get to take Biology, my favorite science field of study!"

"But Geometry is gonna kill me.." I folded my arms.

"Why did you make me so smart?" I looked at Tenma.

"I dunno." He shrugged, his voice muffled by the donut in his mouth.

"Well now because of you i'm taking high school classes, you think I wanna take those classes, now? No!"

"But I had to enroll in the program because my advanced teachers said I was too smart for those classes, haha!" I laughed.

"Oh Well, at least I have Brianna, I think she's in the program with me too.."

"Yeah. At least you have a friend in your class."

"Yeah but the class is so annoying, I have like the laziest, stupidest, meenie heads this world could possibly offer!"

"I'm sure there's a way to get out of that class if it's really giving you problems."

"But I can't go back, i'm too smart for advanced classes, and too annoyed by high school classes.."

"Well, just see how it is for the first few days. It might not be as bad as you think."

"Meh. I guess you have a point, I haven't even met them yet and i'm annoyed…"

"And I don't even know what the hell i'm gonna wear, if I go to school in my everyday clothes people will think i'm showing up to a funeral."

"I'm sure no one's really going to care about what you're wearing."

"Pfft I hope so, I've wasted all my money on buying this stuff!"

"Speaking of buying, I need new suspenders, the numbers on these are fading, oh well…."

"Maybe i'll go the next time I have money." I put my head down.

"You could always start earning an allowance."

"I did at the old man Grandpa Sanders house, but I don't live there anymore, so I don't get an allowance anymore, and now i'm poor again, between school shopping, anniversaries, and so much other stuff, i'm poor…"

"I mean… you can earn allowance here."

"Oh."

"And if I refuse?" I joked.

"No money. No suspenders."

"Pfft… I can draw on them… hey, why didn't I think of that earlier?"

Tenma chuckled and rolled his eyes

"Hmmm nothing like a little D.I.Y. to start of the morning!" I chuckled.

"Ehh.. i'm hungry but I can't eat anything…" I complained.

"Drink some water."

"What's water gonna do, all water does is make me pee…" ((TMI Astro… TMI ~Emily))

Tenma sighed.

"Well stop complaining then."

I heard a strange noise.

"Pfft.. stupid stomach.." I got up and walked to the bathroom.

I came back a few moments later.

"I wouldn't use the bathroom if I were you, unless you plan on carrying some air freshener with you, phew!"

Cindy was standing in the kitchen and she gave me a blank look.

I sat back down at the table.

"So what's the game plan for today? Today is in fact Thursday, so i'm gone in like 9 hours…" I asked.

"I'm not sure. What do you want to do?" Tenma looked at me.

"I dunno.. I was hoping you knew…" I shrugged.

"Well there are a few things we could do."

"Like?"

"Bowling?"

"Hmmm.. but aren't you a little too old for bowling?" I joked.

"You're never too old for bowling!" Cindy remarked.

"Yeah you can be too old for bowling…. I remember something, but i forgot most of it, but it's the funniest story!" I started laughing.

"It's an old story Reno told me a while back…"

They both gave me a blank look.

"Haha" I laughed again.

"I guess I better go get ready then…" I got up from the table and walked to my room.

I came back an hour later ready to go.

"I'm ready!" I said, walking out of the hallway.

"Let's get going, then." Tenma got up from the couch.

"Oh wait, give me a sec." I said before burping.

"Geez, maybe I should hold off on the Red Bulls…"

"Ew. Astro, mind your manners." Cindy walked out of the kitchen.

"Whoops."

I walked out with Tenma to the car.

"I don't think I should answer this." I said in the car, looking at my phone.

"What is it?"

"My twin is calling me, but i'm not answering it because he spends like four hours on the phone, and half of that time he just blabs on about him and his stupid boyfriend! It was cute at first, but now it's just so annoying!"

"Bleh, he can call tomorrow…" I put my phone down.

We continued on our way to the bowling alley, I looked out the window for no reason and looked out at the places we were passing by.

We got out after Tenma parked the car.

"Geez, that was quite a long ride." I said.

"Yeah it was." Tenma stretched.

"I wonder why all the real stuff in Metro City is so far away, like where we live is nothing… it isn't until you go further to see the actual Metro City…"

"Well, that's just how it is."

"Hmmm I guess it's okay, you don't hear a lot of noises, must really suck for those New Yorkers…":

"Haha. I guess so."

"Ugh, school just came back in my mind…." I complained.

"I look like vomit made out with a gorilla and made me, because I look terrible, I stink, I don't know what i'm gonna wear! Ugh…"

"You don't look terrible."

"Yeah, I look and smell terrible…"

"No you don't."

"Pfft…whatever you say…"

"Trust me, I would never build a robot that would end up looking like some ugly, smelly freak."

"But what if i'm not a robot, and i'm an alien from planet French Fries?"

Tenma facepalmed.

"You're not an alien…."

"I know, but you never know…"

"I think I'd know."

"Okay fine….."

"But you should still consider it."

He chuckled.

We walked into the bowling alley.

"Gee, you'd think on a Thursday everyone would be gone at work or at home… but I guess not."

"Well, it is still summer break."

"Yeah but don't the adults have work?"

Tenma shrugged.

"Speaking of work, gonna need to exercise before I go back to school, because books are not light, especially stacked on top of one another and carried across the biggest school library you will ever see!"

"It tires me…" I sighed.

"So what we gonna do?"

"We're going to go buy a lane and get our shoes."

"Interesting…." I said, slowly nodding my head.

Tenma walked up to the counter where they had the shoes and handed a worker his credit card.

"Ahhh credit cards… cash is so much better, because if credit cards took over the saying 'making it rain' would no longer exist, and that would suck…"

"Here." Tenma handed me a pair of bowling shoes.

"I hope these are comfortable…"

"Nope." He smiled.

"Pfft… fine, I guess I can put up with it for an hour."

We walked over to a lane.

"Ahhh.. been so long since i've been here…"

"Oh really?" Tenma picked up a bowling ball and examined it.

"Yeah, I never went when I came back from the Underground City." hi

"I think the last time I went was maybe a year ago from today? I'm not sure, my memory stinks…"

"I came here about… 6 months ago with Cindy."

"Pfft… seems like all the couples here go bowling, but I will say me and Brianna enjoy the movies or going to Starbuck a lot better."

"Me and Cindy like that too."

"Sure…"

"What do you mean 'sure'? Aren't we allowed to do stuff?"

"Yeah, I guess… i'm just not into adult love... "

"Pffft. Whatever." Tenma walked over to the small screen that was on the table and put in our names.

I sat there and looked around.

Tenma took his bowling ball

I looked down at my phone and scrolled through my photos while Tenma took his turn.

"I'm surprised no one has noticed me yet…." I muttered.

"Ok you're up." Tenma sat down across from me.

"Oh!" I looked up.

I put my phone in my pocket and went up for my turn.

After we both took turns for a little bit, it was nearing the end of the game.

"Ok. So it looks like you're winning." Tenma got up to go.

"Pfft. I always win, that's why I don't come here much since i'm too good at it…"

Tenma managed to score a strike, which put us at a tie.

This time I was scrolling through my messages and laughing.

"Astro. Come on, go, it's almost the last round."

"GAH?! W-what?" I looked startled.

"oh… okay…" I slowly got up to take my turn in a civilized manner.

I got a spare.

"Eh." I shrugged, walking back to seat where I scrolled through more messages on my phone.

"Not bad." Tenma got up to go once again.

I laughed.

"Oh my god, I remember this!" I laughed again.

Tenma ended with a score of 170.

"Alright. Last round now."

"Huh?" I looked up.

"Go." He motioned me to get up and play my turn.

"Oh alright.." I got up to go take my turn.

I got 168 at my final score.

I slowly walked back to my seat.

"Looks like the winner is…. me? Oh well you still did good, bud."

"What?" I looked at him.

"You… didn't win…." He gave me a confused look.

"Oh." I looked back at my phone.

"Haha I remember tha…" I looked over at Tenma.

"So what are we gonna do now?" I asked, trying to be nice and not seem uninterested.

"Well, It's getting kinda late."

"Oh yeah, I need to get going…"

"I can drive you there." Tenma looked down at his watch.

"I dunno, I always walk, but if you insist…"

"Well, It's not far from here."

"Yeah, I guess you could just drop me off, I don't mind…"

"Ok. Let's go, then."

I got up from my chair.

An hour later I was on my way home again, I guess you could say I wasn't in much of a great mood.

I stopped and sighed as I waited for the cars to pass so I could cross the street.

Finally when it was my chance to go, I quickened my pace and quickly crossed the street to head home.

I unlocked the door and walked inside the house, I walked somewhat normal, but in a sad tone into my room.

"I guess therapy didn't go too well..." Cindy looked at Tenma who was sitting next to her on the couch.

He nodded.

"Hmmm. I wonder what happened."

I closed the door and couldn't help but let all the thoughts and wonders, all the possibilities clutter my head.

My head started to hurt.

I sat down in the corner of my room and tried to de-clutter what I was thinking.

I gave up and let out another sigh.

Nothing at that moment seemed to make sense.8

My head still hurt and I just sat there and let it happen.

It was nice of him to point out how careless I am, even nicer to see it happen at this moment.

"My…. head hurts." I mumbled, putting my head down.

"You think you should go in there and see if he's ok?" Cindy asked Tenma.

Tenma sighed.

"I just wish I could fix it so he didn't have to deal with all of this."

"You know you can't sweetie. What he needs right now is some moral support."

He smiled as he got up from the couch.

I heard a knock at my door.

My mind was too cluttered to respond, I just nodded my head and sighed.

The door opened and Tenma walked in.

He looked over at me and sat down on the ground next to where I was siting.

I couldn't even look up at him.

He put his arm around my shoulders.

I tried to de-clutter my thoughts again, but failed.

I still sat there, but this time it was becoming a little too much.

My head hurt too much and I felt like crying.

I sniffed as tears streamed down my face.

I could finally lift my head up again, I moved a little and laid my head on Tenma's shoulder as more tears streamed down my face and I felt a pounding in my head.

He put his other arm around me and slowly rubbed the back of my head.

I sniffed.

With my eyes still closed and the tears that escaped from them, I assumed maybe if I went to sleep, everything would just go away.

"My…. head hurts." I mumbled again.

"It's ok. Just calm down." Tenma whispered.

I nodded with another sigh.

Ideas and thoughts were still buzzing through my head and cluttering it up, It was like a never ending amount of trash was being thrown on me.

It wouldn't stop.

With my eyes wide-open, I looked around.

It was like a nightmare that wouldn't end, I tried to get up but it was like a weight was pulling me down forcefully.

Then with a sudden gasp, my eyes closed and i fell on my face.

I slowly woke up to find myself in my bed, covered lightly by the top sheet.

"What time is it….?" I yawned.

I looked over at my alarm clock.

It read 12:17.

"M-midnight? How the hell did that happen?" I said, stretching.

"Oh well.. might as well go get a drink or something…"

I got up out of my bed as the bright light of the near full moon illuminated my back.

I walked over to my bedroom door and slowly walked out into the hallway.

The door to Cindy and Tenma's room was slightly open.

I looked over inside to see Cindy sleeping, but Tenma was nowhere to be seen in the room.

I shrugged and continued on my way to the kitchen.

"I'm hoping no one will notice me." I said, acting all "ninja like" as I made it to the fridge.

I made it to the fridge and open the door, it made a creaking noise.

"Dang these 2030 fridges!" I complained in a whispering voice.

I reached over for a small carton of apple juice and closed the door.

I looked over behind me and saw Tenma on the couch.

"Pfft…at least I know where I got my couch sleeping habits from." I whispered, folding my arms.

I tiptoed over to him to see a half-empty mug of what looked like coffee sitting on the end table next to Tenma. I could feel heat still coming off of it.

I sat down and took my final sips of the apple juice.

I put the carton down.

"Bloop." I poked Tenma's shoulder.

"Ahh!"

"Whoops." I whispered with a nervous look on my face.

"Oh. Astro. It's just you…." Tenma sighed with relief.

"Yes, It is me, kind citizen."

"Phew. So are you ok now?"

"Huh?"

"Last night. You kinda freaked out a bit."

"Oh. Yeah." I looked down.

"Well looks like you're good now. You really gave me a scare there."

"Oh, I did?"

"Yeah. I…. stayed up as long as I could in case something else would happen…. but I guess I fell asleep anyway."

"Oh."

"Well I guess I might as well stay here, I'm too awake to go back to sleep, if that even makes sense." I shrugged.

"I'm too awake now too." Tenma picked up his mug and took a sip.

"So uh.. nice weather we're having isn't it?"

"Haha. Yeah."

"It's kinda dark here, but i'm not scared, I enjoy the dark!"

"The moon is awfully bright tonight, though."

"Really? I never noticed."

"Yeah. You can see it through the curtains."

I got up and looked behind me.

"Oh yeah, I see it." I whispered as I looked into the sky.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Tenma turned around and looked at it with me.

I tilted my head in confusion.

"The moon." He looked over at me.

"I guess." I shrugged.

"You'll see it eventually, Astro."

"Hmm… whatever." I turned back around.

Tenma turned to me.

"So what happened yesterday that got you so upset?"

"Stress." I yawned.

"The bald guy?"

"Sorta, well mostly the bald guy, but i'm always stressed, he just happen to add on to it."

"He called me careless and spent like five minutes going through a list of bull crap… I'm surprised I haven't thrown myself in a ditch yet." I sighed and scooted away from Tenma.

"Careless? You aren't careless."

"Well that's what he said… he went on to say other things but I a little too chicken to say them."

"I feel like I should make a deal with a 'certain person' to get you out of having to see him. This therapist doesn't seem like he's doing you any good."

"You can try…"

"But i'm sure he'll just lecture you the same way he lectures me. Trust me, you're not the first to wanna get me out of seeing him…"

Tenma turned forward again and leaned his head back on the couch.

"But if you insist." I shrugged.

"I guess it's worth a try."

"Well then, you have till Tuesday, when I see him again."

I looked over at Tenma.

He was sleeping again.

I scooted closer to him.

"You know…" I began.

"I could never ask for a father as great as you." I smiled.

He opened one of his eyes and smiled as he peeked over at me for a moment.

"I love you." I mouthed.

I sighed as my eyes became a little heavy as I became a little tired.

I leaned over and rested my head on Tenma's shoulder as I slowly fell asleep.

Friday, I walked over to the table, sat down and looked down at the ground.

"Do you know if we still have any of the energy drinks left, since i'm not eating breakfast." I asked.

"Mmmmmm. Here!" Cindy tossed me one after she found it.

"Yes! This'll do.." I said as I opened the can and took a sip.

"They say you shouldn't drink these on an empty stomach, but i'm sure since I don't eat and i'm a robot anyways, shouldn't do any damage, right?" I looked at Tenma.

"I don't think it'll hurt you."

"Ugh, I need to visit Grandpa Sanders today so he can give me my list…" I sighed before taking another sip.

"What list?"

"Oh! it's just of list of foods I can and can't eat."

"Oh. Ok."

"Eh. I think i'll go later, maybe after dinner, i'm sure by then everyone is home and the professor won't put up much of a fight…"

"Hmm. Well if he starts saying more than 3 sentences at a time, then just leave."

"I'll take note of that…"

"But I really need that list, I think I have to give it to the office on Monday, then I need to memorize it in case of an emergency, and then um… ugh, It gives me stress."

"Have you even figured out how to fix my problem because that list is two pages, front and back, long… I can' even remember the pledge!"

"Almost. I just have to run a few tests before I'm sure."

"Pfft.. then I guess it's memorizing for me."

"I may be able to do it a few weeks from now."

"Well you never know… but one time I ate a piece of ham… and…. yeah… so I guess it's not 100% accurate."

"Not that you would care anyways... "

Tenma blinked.

"Yeah… my stories must be boring… how about we talk about sports, I hate sports, but I assume that's what father-son conversations are about…"

"I don't like sports either…. but we can talk about them if you want…."

"Okay.. um… what about baseball? Oh wait! what about golf?"

"Maaaaybe we shouldn't talk about sports… ever…."

"I'll make a note of that…" I chuckled.

Tenma chuckled back.

"Then what else do we talk about? The fake crap in celebrity magazines? Photoshop fails? Memes? Social media?!"

"Or maybe.. TV shows?"

"Food? Mmm.. food…"

"Dang it, now i'm hungry." I pouted.

I headed on my way to the professor's to go get my list. the clouds were getting heavy, this time I remembered to bring my jacket so I wasn't cold.

I knocked on the door, the professor came out.

"I see you've returned!" Elefun greeted.

"I'm just here for my list." I muttered to him.

"Ah yes, your list! I think you'll be quite surprised, but this list may not be so accurate since I don't have recent samples to test from you, but I did my best…"

I walked inside.

"Hey Astro!" Atom waved to me from the couch.

"Ooh, whatcha' watching?" I asked.

"Come along Astro." Elefun motioned me to the basement.

"Coming." I walked away and went down to the basement where the lab was.

"Here you go." The professor handed me two pages of paper.

"Remember to make a copy and give it to the office, you hear me?"

"Yeah, I know." I walked away.

"Astro!"

I turned around.

"You can always come back?"

I rolled my eyes and walked back upstairs.

I headed on my way back home with the list in my hand.

"You guys have a copying machine?" I asked when I walked inside the house once I got home.

"Yeah, we do."

"Can it copy two sided papers?"

"I think so."

"Can you copy this?" I handed them my list.

"Oh. Sure." Cindy smiled at me.

"I know, it's a super long list, but you gotta include as many foods as possible don't want umm, something to happen…"

"Hmmm. Ok." She nodded, looking through the list.

"I can't believe he took crackers off the list of foods I can eat, I love crackers!" I complained as I walked to my room, since I had to prepare for my new final vlog before school starts.

"Haha, time to see what people want me to talk about today!" I exclaimed, turning on my laptop.

I got up from my chair and went to go set up my camera.

I scrolled through comments on my phone, looking at all the suggested topics.

"Ooh! I got this!" I put my phone down.

"Okay, i'm ready for this!" I stretched my arms.

I walked up to my camera and hit "RECORD".

"What's up lazy people of the internet!"

"That includes me too, so you're not alone… at least I hope not."

"And today's video is about things people ask me."

"Because you people just love to ask me about ish!"

"So one thing people ask me is.. um... "

"What kind of music do you listen to.."

"And so I say"

"Well I listen to bands, which consist of but not limited to."

"All Time Low, Panic! at the Disco, Paramore, Fall Out Boy, Falling in Reverse, Black Veil Brides, Pierce the Veil, um… Sleeping With Sirens, 30 Seconds to Mars, Green Day, We the kings, The All-American Rejects, Arctic Monkeys just to name a few.."

"Hmm.. I listen to EDM."

"Skrillex, Calvin Harris, Kaskade, David Guetta, um… Deadmau5, and I think that's it."

"So yeah, that's pretty much what I listen to…"

"Another thing people ask me is…"

"What's your favorite band?"

"Well, I used to say All Time Low, but now it's a tie between them and Panic! at the Disco dude, like, legit… it's a battle man…"

"Favorite color?"

"Red, or black."

"What do I think I look like?"

"Hmm.. well I never thought of that, hmm… I dunno what I look like besides an Astro…"

"Taken?"

"Yeah, sorry to ruin your dreams there…"

"Favorite movie?"

"Hmm… favorite movie…."

"I don't have one, but i'm sure Brianna, my girlfriend has one because she's a big fan of movies, baking, and devoting herself to me… yeah… my life behind closed doors explained in one sentence, if you know what I mean?"

"I'm hoping no one heard that…"

"All I need before schools starts in like two days is to be known as the slut of the year, trust me, at first it sounds kinda badass, but it really stinks…"

"Favorite song."

"No. just. no."

"I don't have one…"

"Paper or plastic?"

"Neither."

"Person I call or text a lot."

"My girlfriend."

"Hmm.. what else have people asked me."

"I think that's it."

"Oh well, time for me to talk about something else!"

"School."

"School is the reason I look like vomit had sex with a gorilla and gave birth to me, legit dude, because everyone else coming in with fancy, cute stuff they bought from this expensive store that only people like the president can shop at because he's 'so rich' "

"And here I am coming in with the same band merch I've had for like a year, and suspenders I drew on because the numbers are fading."

"Yes, because I wear rulers as suspenders, well not literally, but.. as you can see, my suspenders look like rulers, why? Because they do."

"So while everyones looking perfect and flawless, i'm gonna look like Yogi the bear…"'

"Thank you life. And thanks for karma too, I love you both!"

"But you know what that's okay. Because when they're the people I order my food from at McDonald'z Who's gonna be laughing now, bitch!"

"Certainly not you, that's obvious…"

"Ahh, am I going over my time limit?"

"Well that's a wrap people, if you didn't like this video, give it a thumbs up and if you like this video, thumbs up and comment that ish like cray cray! Add meh on Picstagram at um… I put it in the description cuz I too lazy to say it."

"Meh."

"BAND FAN, OUT!"

I stopped recording.

Saturday in the afternoon I saw Tenma gather a few things as if he was getting ready to leave.

"Where you going?" I asked.

"Nowhere important."

"oh really?" i smirked.

"Mmmhmm."

"Seems fishy, when i figure it out imma tell the world!"

"Haha. Sure." Tenma chuckled.

"Yeah im sure, going to use my 35,798 Picastagram followers to my advantage!"

"Do as you wish." He walked towards the door.

I crept up behind him till he made it to the door and then went over to the couch and watched him leave.

"Hmmm... he's going in the direction of Grandpa Sanders house, lord bless his soul..." i walked away and went to get a drink.

"Professor, I think someone's coming?" Atom said coming out of the hallway and into the kitchen.

"Hmmm?" Elefun looked at Atom.

"I wonder if it's Stephen, i'll go see.." Atom walked outside.

"Oh, hello Atom!" Tenma said as he parked and got out of his car.

"wait a minute, you're not Stephen?" Atom tilted his head.

"Yes, I believe I am not Stephen."

"well hi anyways, Tenma!" Atom smiled.

"Hello." Tenma smiled.

"And is Dr. Elefun home?"

"Yeah, he's here I just talked to him inside."

"Ok. Good." Tenma walked towards the front door.

"You seem a little in a hurry, but sometimes I think everyone's in a hurry, or maybe i'm just too slow..." Atom shrugged.

"Well, I just want to get something done and over with, that's all."

"Ahh I see, reminds me of Astro when I see him do his homework." Atom chuckled and opened the door for Tenma.

"Thank you." Tenma walked through the door.

"Oh, i'm just using my manners to advantage." Atom walked behind Tenma.

"Dr. Elefun!" Tenma called out.

"You have a visitor!"

"Tenma, the hell brings you here?!" Elefun called back.

"I just wanted to say hi." Tenma smirked.

"Ha! like you'd really drive your lazy butt over here just to say hi?"

"Hey! I'm not that lazy."

"Suuure" Elefun took a sip of his tea.

"Pft. You never change do you?" Tenma walked into the living room and leaned against the wall.

"Not really."

"Yeah. You don't."

"Well, spit it out, I know you're here for something." Elefun looked at Tenma.

"I'd appreciate it if you cancelled Astro's trips to that therapist you have him going to."

"Wha? that man is the best there is! hes a bright, fine fella, i even had tea with him once, Astro should be taking advantage, but I assume hes not."

"That man is draining him. He's mentally and emotionally exhausting my son!" Tenma took a step towards Elefun.

"That is not my fault Tenma!"

"I don't want Astro seeing that therapist anymore. I'll pay the cancellation fees if I must."

"If you wish, but if he gets too much for you, dont say i wasn't right!"

"Astro's been very well behaved, thank you. I don't restrict his every move like a certain person did."

"Oh really. You're gonna go there?" Elefun raised his eyebrows.

"Yes. I'm going there."

"Well then, Atom, Why don't you go see what Uran is doing?"

Atom shrugged and went upstairs.

Tenma turned around and headed for the door.

"Drive safe!" Elefun yelled.

"Yeah…. just send me that bill, k?

Elefun took a sip of his tea and didn't respond.

The door made a click as Tenma walked out of the house and to his car.

"To think I actually respected that man once in my life. That selfish son of a bitch." He mumbled to himself as he drove away.

"At least I got what I came for."

"So, what went down, did the devil spare your soul?" I asked when Tenma walked in.

"Haha. Yes."

"Good."

"So are you gonna tell me where it went, or at least what happened?"

"Well, it went a lot faster than I thought it would. To sum it up, I got you out of therapy."

"No. Really?" I sounded shocked.

"Yeah. Really." He grinned.

"Ah.. oh…" I took a slow step back.

"I-I don't even know what to say, how do I respond?"

"You did want to get out of it, didn't you?"

I nodded.

"Then how about a 'thanks'?" He gave me a silly looking smirk.

I put my hands in my pockets.

"Thanks." I said in a ghetto tone.

"Haha. Your welcome." Tenma walked past me and ruffled my hair.

I chuckled.

"So what's the game plan for tomorrow, i'm thinking of getting everything ready today so I can make most of the last day of Summer tomorrow…"

"Oh. I was thinking of just… sitting around…." He shrugged.

"Good. I like sitting around, I also like eating crackers, but I can't eat those anymore… and I also like watching movies, but only with Brianna because well.. I dunno, I just do… and I like hiding in the laundry room…"

"I think i've officially befriended your washing machine."

"Hmm… Well… That's… nice?" Tenma reached into the refrigerator and grabbed a carton of apple juice.

"Apple. Juice." I stared at the carton Tenma was holding.

"Why the hell are you drinking apple juice for?"

"Not that i'd care much since I uh…. obviously don't drink it especially if it's in a miniature carton…"

"Elefun really knows how to give someone a headache… and these are surprisingly relaxing…. I know these are for little kids… but… I have one hell of a headache."

I gave him a blank face.

"What?" He looked at me.

"Ahh you wouldn't understand…"

"Ok….?" He walked into the living room.

"I hope that's not the last carton…" I whispered to myself.

I looked in the fridge and saw a few more cartons left.

"Phew."

"Mine." I quickly grabbed a carton and left to my room.

I walked into my room and closed the door behind me.

I slurped on the apple juice as I got out my sketchbook.

"Hmm.." I pulled out my pencil.

I looked up at the ceiling, tapping my fingers on my bed.

"I got it!" I looked back down at my sketchbook and went on my way to draw something.

I was almost done about an hour later, it was getting close to dinner.

"Did I finish my thumbnail?" I asked out loud, looking up from my sketchbook.

I got off my bed and went to go check my laptop.

"Yep, Phew! I finished it!" I closed my laptop and walked back over to my bed where I grabbed my sketchbook so I could finish sketching my drawing.

"Hehe… this is too funny!" I chuckled as I looked at my sketched drawing.

"Haha! This is why I love drawing chibis!" I closed my sketchbook.

"Hmm.. I wonder if dinner is ready?" I got out of bed and walked out of my room, into the hallway.

I heard Cindy and Tenma talking in the kitchen.

I casually walked over to the table and sat down with a big grin on my face.

"Hey, Astro." Cindy smiled.

I put my head down and giggled.

"Well, someone looks happy!" She chuckled.

"Can I have bread, It's on my can eat list?" I asked.

"Sure." Tenma grabbed a piece of bread and handed it to me.

"I'll have your problem fixed soon."

"Good." I took a small piece of the bread and ate it.

Suddenly my stomach felt funny.

"Eh. I'll be back.." I left the table and went to the bathroom.

I came back a few minutes later and slowly sat back down at the table.

"You ok?" Cindy looked at me.

"Eh." I shrugged.

"I don't think I should have the rest of the bread." I said before putting my head down.

"Yeah. Just take it easy." Tenma took the bread away.

One night I was coming home a little late because I got carried away at a friends house, when I walked in the house it seem awfully quiet.

"Hmm.. they must be in their bedroom." I walked into the hallway.

"Tenma? Cindy?" i called out.

No response.

"Dad?"

"Mom?"

No response.

I knocked on their bedroom door.

"Hello?" I called.

No one responded.

I opened the door slowly.

"You guys in here?" I asked.

I looked down to see the two of them on the ground motionless.

"What?" I knelt down near them.

I grabbed Cindy's arm and lifted it up, I let it go and it dropped down to the ground.

"No. no… NO!" I got up and walked backwards.

I put my hand over my mouth and finally noticed the devastation going on.

"No." I shook my head as tears came out of my eyes.

"No!" I let out a painful scream and collapsed.

"It's- it's all my fault." I cried.

"No." I whispered.

"NOOO!" I yelled.

With a sudden gasp I woke up.

"No…" I covered my face with my hands and sobbed, shaking my head.

"N-No!" I cried louder.

"Astro?" I heard someone walk in.

I shook my head as I sobbed even more.

"Astro?! What's wrong?" They walked up to my bed and sat on the edge.

I looked up at them and my eyes widened.

"M-mom! Y-you're okay!" I exclaimed with a smile.

"Oh. You must've had a nightmare." Cindy wiped the tears off of my cheeks.

I smiled as I sat up and hugged her tightly.

"You're okay." I whispered.

She gently rubbed the back of my head.

I was finally at ease and could fall back asleep again.

Sunday morning I walked into the hallway again and sat back at the same table I sat in every morning.

"Morning! Guess what day it is?" I asked as I sat down.

"Sunday." Tenma looked at me.

I gave him a blank face.

"You honestly need to upgrade your IQ…" I said to him.

"Pft." He stuck his tongue out.

"Well it's true…. you're always getting the stupidest questions wrong. Cindy, what day is it today?" I turned around and looked at her.

"Sunday!" She smiled.

"Pfft. You too! Ugh!" I put my head down in frustration.

"Fine, you know what… I'm gonna find someone that knows what today is, and you know who i'm gonna start with, Brianna!"

I pulled out my phone.

"Okay, hold up, gimme a sec… then I can prove you both wrong…" I said, looking through my contact list.

"Ah-ha!" I exclaimed, tapping on the screen.

I waited for Brianna to pick up the phone.

"Hmm… Astro?"

"Brianna!" I chuckled.

"Oh hey, what's up?"

"Do you know what today is?"

"Yeah, today's I think Sunday, no?"

"What?! You too!"

"Well what did you want me to tell you?"

"Yeah, but it's not just any Sunday!"

"Oh yeah, today i'm going over to Becky's, is that special?"

"No! I mean, yes Brianna, that's fine."

I looked at Tenma.

"This may be a while." I mouthed.

"Oh. Well, we don't have time to fool around. We have to go food shopping in an hour..." Tenma looked at me.

"Huh? Who are you talking to?"

"Uh.. no one- I mean, my dad!"

"Ooooohhhh! i get it now!"

"Finally!"

"Tomorrow is Monday!"

"UGh!"

"Brianna, be serious, what's tomorrow?"

"Okay okay, i'll be serious this time, promise!"

"Thank you."

"Tomorrow is Monday!"

"And it's also the first day of school."

"Which makes today…."

"The last day of Summer?"

"Finally!" I exclaimed.

"Oh I get it, adults these days… they just don't understand the struggle…"

"Astro… Go get ready..." Tenma whispered to me and tilted his head in the direction of the door.

"Wha?"

"Pftt. fine, I'll go get ready." I carried my phone with me to my room.

"So what's up with you?" I put Brianna off of speakerphone and talked to her on my way to my room.

I came back an hour later out of room.

"Ok. You're ready. Let's go." Tenma got up off the couch.

"Oh yeah, I gotta go Brianna, you should go get ready."

"Yes I know- yes, yes Brianna, Hear ya loud and clear." I said, nodding my head.

"Okay, you hang up…."

"Come on Bri, be a sport."

"No? Fine, you want me to hang up. No- your gonna hang up okay, hang up."

"Brianna?"

"Pftt." I put my phone in my pocket.

"We ready?" I asked.

"We've been ready." Cindy smirked.

"Oh."

The three of us got in the car.

Tenma drove off.

"So what we getting at the store?" I asked.

"Groceries."

"What kind of groceries?"

Tenma glanced over at Cindy for a second as she looked at him.

"You didn't make a list?" He whispered.

"I didn't think about that…." She whispered back.

"I left this part up to you… just this part…."

"I'm sorry. I didn't think it out all the way… I panicked a bit. And you know how I am when I panic…."

I tilted my head.

"Adults…" I whispered, I pulled out my phone and spent the rest of the car ride listening to music.

"We're here, Astro."

"Huh?" I pulled an earphone out of my ear.

"We're here."

"Oh, okay." I unclicked my seatbelt and got out of the car.

"Gee, I think my legs fell asleep!" I said, stretching.

"Wait a second, this isn't the supermarket, you lied!"

"But look at where we are."

"Hold on." I put a GPS on my phone.

"Says here we're at.. um… some place called Ocean Universe, whatever the hell that is…"

"Come on. You'll like it." Cindy rolled her eyes as she chuckled.

"I can give it a try?"

We walked up to the entrance.

Tenma walked up and got us our tickets.

"So what are we doing first?" I asked, looking down at my phone.

"What do you want to do?"

"I dunno…" I shrugged.

"Take a look at this." Tenma handed me a map of the place.

"Huh?" I sounded clueless on what was going on as Tenma handed me the map.

"We can go to a show, or rides. There's other things we can do, too."

"Hmm.. I dunno, I can't make up my mind."

"Come on, Astro. We took you here because it's your last day before school starts. Just show a little interest." Cindy looked at me.

"Oh now you figure out what day it is?" I chuckled.

"We knew what day it was…. We just wanted to surprise you… I guess its harder than we thought..."

"What?!" I facepalmed.

"Pffft… why am I so stupid…." I muttered.

We continued on our way walking around.

"This is fun, just walking around." I said with a smile.

"We should do at least one show, though." Tenma looked at me

"Ugh, but there's too many shows to choose from." I complained.

Tenma facepalmed.

"We can do more than one. We can do them all if you want."

"Are you sure we're gonna have enough time?"

"We'll fit in as much as we can."

"Mmm.. good thing I can't eat…" I chuckled.

"Yeah. Speaking of which, I'm going to have to run a test on your systems after school Tuesday. Just to make sure all my calculations are correct."

"Ahh you remind me of the professor….always taking samples before he makes the list…."

"This is a little different."
"How different?"

"Well, I'm not going to try and deal with your problems like he did. I'm actually going to fix them. Something he's probably too chicken to do."

"Hmm… that should be interesting."

"Do you think it'll be painful.." I said, shuddering.

"Shouldn't be. Trust me, I would never want you to be in more pain then you already are."

"Phew! No more needles for me!" I rejoiced.

"No seriously, because needles hurt like no ones beeswax though…"

"We all know needles hurt."

"Oh good, i'm not alone."

We passed by a gift shop.

"Gift shop!" I ran inside.

"Dang, I love these places!"

"Too bad I don't have any money…"

I looked back at Tenma.

"Fine…." He rolled his eyes.

I smiled.

After a few minutes we left the gift shop with a small bag in my hand.

"Explain to me why gifts shops are so expensive…" I said.

"They want your money in exchange for cheap trinkets." ((omg! Tenma! You and your sass today! ouo ~kate))

"Pfft… stupid…"

We spent the rest of the day walking around and getting snacks. And also going to a few shows, which were better than i expected.

"Mmmm… it's getting close to dinner… I should get a drink." I said with a yawn.

I rubbed my eye as we continued walking.

"D- do you know what time it is? I'm a little sleepy.." I yawned again.

"It's 4:30."

"Oh…. o- oh…. kay." well?

The more I walked the more droopy my eyes became, I was walking a little slower and leaning forward.

"...AH!" I woke myself up, but fell back asleep again.

"You ok there, Astro?" Tenma asked me.

"Hmm?" I slowly turned around and looked at Tenma with my sleepy face.

He smiled.

"Get on my back. I'll carry you."

I sluggishly nodded and made my way to Tenma and let him pick me up piggy back style.

I hung my arms over his shoulders and laid my head on his back.

We headed out of the park and went to the car to headed home. We came back home later.

I walked into my room again after taking a shower, I crawled into my bed and covered myself in sheets.

I heard a knock at my door.

"Hmmm, who is it?" I asked in a sleepy tone.

Cindy peeked her head through the door with a smile.

I could see Tenma standing behind her.

"Oh, it's just you guys." I chuckled.

They walked in.

"Man, Eighth grade…that too much for me to intake…" I said after they walked in.

"I'm sure you'll do great." Cindy sat on the edge of the bed.

I smiled.

"I just hope I won't get that same nightmare again." I sighed.

"If anything happens, we're right here to protect you."

I nodded with another smile.

She stood up and kissed my forehead.

"Goodnight." She said walking to the door.

"Night."

"Goodnight." Tenma walked up to me and ruffled my hair, then followed Cindy out the door.

I tossed and turned around until I got comfortable and went to bed.

(END OF CHAPTER ONE!)