Everyone always looked at him weird every time he had him on his hand. Whenever Robbie just had say something, he had him say it in place of Robbie himself.
Rex. Most people thought of him as only a puppet. To me, he's a lifelong friend. I found Rex in the theater in the 7th grade back when I didn't know where I wanted to go with Entertainment. But after finding Rex, I found my niche, acting. Until now, where I've discovered writing suits me pretty well too. Tori, Jade, Beck, Andre and Cat only know the mean side of Rex. I see his unrelenting support, his loyalty, his patience to hear my travails even when it bores him to tears (even though puppets can't cry.)
People always say that I'm a ventriloquist, just using Rex as an outlet or medium for my more controversial thoughts.
But, like all good times, things and ideas, his time has come. I'm driving for the first time since the accident, with the brace on my wrist. Driving to goodwill, to say goodbye to Rex.
I came to the conclusion that he was better off with someone who used him rather than me, because of two things. One, I hadn't taken him to school or used him in about 3 weeks. Secondly, the role of mentor had been given to the quartet of Beck, Jade, Tori and Andre. So, in fewer words, I don't need him anymore.
The voice that comes out is mine anyway. He was my voice when I had no self confidence, no self-esteem. Now my friends gave me that confidence, and with the optimism of talking to cat gave me, I'm fully ready to turn a new page and start a new chapter in my life.
Finally at goodwill. I proceed to the donations area and hand my friend over, saying that he's in good shape, and that they (Goodwill) could keep the proceeds, I don't need them. When I'm walking out I feel oddly relieved, like I just told someone very mean off.
The accident gave me a lot of new opportunities. Firstly, I got a new car (YES!) since the driver was proven to be at fault (wasn't hard to prove since she ran a red light) and I got a red Scion. Weird, I know, but it's new, which is better than my other options. Sorry, got off on a tangent. I got a new thought process. Looking back, I way overreacted. Yeah, it was a terrible thing to say, but I could of toughed it out. I let Jessica get to me, it was obviously a attempt to provoke me, and it worked. But I also realized how reliable my friends really are. I can't ask for anything better for someone as flawed as me, and I can't thank them enough for how they hung around in the waiting room for hours just to find out if I was ok. I can't imagine how horrible it was to see my car get hammered by that SUV. I hope I never have to.
Speaking of my friends, Tori's slow version of "Make it Shine". I hadn't heard it in FOREVER, so that made it that much more awesome. Man, that girl has a wonderful singing voice. I remember I was in the audience for her debut to the world. She looked so scared and out of her element. But whenever she and Andre sped up the song, she got into it and sung her way onto the path of superstardom.
Back at home now, and I can finally check my email. My parents have been keeping a sharp eye on me veer since I got out. They weren't happy with me, but they understood, or at least they said. My inbox is full of "Get well Soon Robbie" messages. Jade sent an E-Card with that message composed entirely of scissors. Too sharp for my liking, but it's the thought that counts. Tori simply passed on her parents get well wishes for me along with her own and Trina's. Beck simply sent a song that summed the same thing up. Cat, however took the cupcake. She sent a colorful, obviously handcrafted card with a gigantic bunny in the middle of the screen that when you click on it said "Get better soon Robbie!" in Cat's peppy voice. It came with an email that explained that no, she didn't do all that herself, but she did create the background and bunny. Her "Friend" animated it and attached her voice.
What a talented girl. Did I mention I still love her? Or is it that obvious. Oh well, Michael will move by the wayside eventually.