Matrix grunted as he pushed the bar away from his chest. He was benching 200lbs like it was nothing. Bob watched in awe as his friend barely broke a sweat. The only job more useless than being a guardian during a time of peace, was being Matrix's spotter. Bob stood at the ready even though he knew he wasn't needed. Originally, he had planned on spending the whole day with Dot, but she had been giving him the cold shoulder. When Matrix called asking if he wanted to go to the gym, Bob decided that some time apart might do them some good. Tensions were running high at home. Dot seemed to pick a fight over the smallest things, and Bob was foolish enough to take the bait every time. If they weren't giving each other the silent treatment they were yelling; there was no in between.
Bob sighed. The open house was getting closer and closer. Dot had already sent out the invitations, against his wishes. Now that they were committed to it he had to do his best to dissuade her from serving alcohol. Recently Dot had zero impulse control. An open bar could be a recipe for disaster. He still had time to change her mind, but he wasn't exactly the assertive one in their relationship.
Matrix sat up on the bench once he was done. Bob watched as he grabbed a towel to wipe the miniscule amount of sweat from his brow. He pulled a water bottle out of his gym bag and drank in silence. Bob could tell that something was bothering him. Matrix was quiet, but not that quiet. Usually the two would be able to find something to talk about. The uncomfortable silence was odd.
Bob watched as Matrix lay back down, posturing to do another set. He hesitated, just laying there. He sighed. Suddenly Bob had a hunch as to what was wrong.
"So that girl you wanted to ask out, did you?"
"Huh?" Matrix glanced up at Bob, he hadn't been listening.
"What's her name?"
"Who are we talking about?"
"The girl who has you so bent out of shape."
Bob looked down at him with a playful smile, but Matrix avoided eye contact.
"Doesn't matter," He grunted, "She doesn't want to see me anymore."
"Oh, I'm sorry." Bob took a more serious tone, "What happened?"
Matrix sat up and Bob took a seat next to him. Around them the sound of weights clanging and sprites panting filled the air. Even though the AC was on it still felt hot and musty in the large room. Bob was a little embarrassed that he had been sweating more than Matrix, even though he hadn't been working nearly as hard. He wiped the perspiration from his face as he waited for his friend's response.
"I don't know. Everything was going so well. Honestly, I'm clueless."
"Well, what did she say?"
"She said that we shouldn't see each other. When I asked why she just left. I feel like an idiot!" He threw his empty bottle to the ground in frustration.
"Don't beat yourself up, maybe it just wasn't meant to be."
"Maybe… If this was anyone else I'd agree with you, but AndrAIa's special. I don't know how I managed to mess things up so quickly."
Bob looked at the hurt in Matrix's eyes and couldn't help but feel bad for him. He had never seen him so upset before, especially over a girl.
"If you feel that way then maybe you should talk to her." Bob suggested.
"She made it pretty clear that she didn't want anything to do with me." He hung his head in dismay. Matrix wished he could have a do over; a chance to make things right.
"You know, I got rejected the first time I asked your sister out."
"Really?" Matrix looked over at the guardian.
"Yeah, I was going through a rough patch and I guess it showed. I practically lived in sweat pants when I wasn't working. She told me to ask again when I had a job; I guess I looked like a total bum."
"Ouch." Matrix suppressed a laugh, "that must have stung."
Dot was no stranger to having to deliver bad news. Even when they were kids she relayed information in the most concise way, even if it resulted in hurt feelings.
"Oh it did, but I was a fool for asking her out when I had just rolled out of bed."
"So what did you do?" Matrix asked.
"I got all dressed up in my nicest uniform and asked again."
"That's it?"
"Yeah, that's it."
"And she said yes?"
"She did." Bob said with a smile, reminiscing. Those days were the best of his life. During a time when he thought he could never fall in love, Dot was there to prove him wrong. He didn't know where he would be without her.
"I don't know, Bob. That sounds too simple."
"Sometimes the simplest answer is the best one. In truth, I just did what Dot told me to. She said to ask again, so I did."
Matrix paused, thinking back to the exact words AndrAIa used.
"I must be basic!" Matrix exclaimed as he stood. He had been so busy feeling sorry for himself he hadn't actually thought about what she said.
"What is it?"
"I have to go. Thanks for the advice." He said before quickly grabbing his things and running off.
Bob sat for a moment, not sure what to do with himself. After a nano he stood and smiled, glad to have helped his friend.
# #
Dot lay in bed, looking up at the ceiling. Despite sleeping all day she was still tired. Tired wasn't the right word; exhausted was more accurate. It sounded sad, but being sober all day was painful. Everything seemed pointless, and without her 17:00 binge drinking she didn't really have anything to look forward to anymore.
She heard the front door open and close. Dot rolled over. Was Bob going out, or returning? She had just woken up from her nap and was not in the mood for a fight.
There was a gentle knocking at the door and she buried herself under the covers in response.
"Dot, are you awake?" Bob spoke in a calm voice before entering.
"Unfortunately." Her voice was muffled from under the blankets. Bob sat next to her on the edge of the bed.
"Have you had anything to eat?"
"Yes." She lied, hoping he would just leave.
Bob sighed, laying down. In that moment he could feel a great distance between them, even though they were only inches apart. Bob tried to pinpoint the exact moment they had stopped being affectionate towards each other. He was drawing a blank. They still had moments of fleeting romance every now and then, but they were few and far between. He couldn't help but wonder if he was to blame. Was he not trying hard enough?
"...Dot, I know you hate me right now."
Dot held her breath, listening to what he had to say. Bob continued.
"Maybe I'm going about this all wrong, but I'm just trying to help. For the first time I don't know what to do. You're the one who makes all the plans, remember? Just please meet me halfway. That's all I'm asking. I'm completely lost right now."
Dot poked her head out from under the covers. She looked up, gazing deeply into his worried brown eyes. Dot realized something. She was too used to being in control of everything all the time. He was trying to help, and maybe all she had to do was accept it.
"To be honest, I'm lost too." She whispered.
"That's ok. I want to help, but honestly I went into this without a real plan."
"You don't say." She chucked.
"Maybe you should talk to Phong?"
"Talk to Phong… About what?"
"Everything."
Dot thought for a moment.
"That might not be a bad idea." She admitted.
Dot put an arm around him, and instantly regretted it. She pulled back and made a face. His sweat was all over her.
"Oh," Bob laughed, "I was just at the gym."
"Since when do you go to the gym?"
"Matrix wanted the company. Trying to keep up with him wasn't easy."
Dot threw a pillow over at him and he got out of bed and left the room, heading for the shower.
# #
Ray strut with confidence into the bar. Hexadecimal had empowered him with the tools he needed to solve his problem. With no hesitation he spotted where Mouse was sitting and walked over. She lazily leaned back in her chair, several empty beer cans laid out in front of her.
"What are you doing here?" Mouse asked, surprised to see him, "I was going to wait a few more days before coming to carve my name into your board."
Ray shuddered at the thought. Mouse didn't make idle threats. If he didn't pull through, he was certain that she would do exactly what she said. In a moment of impulsiveness Ray leaned in, pressing his lips against hers. The whole money fiasco wasn't the first time they had crossed paths. They were well acquainted.
She kissed him back for a second before pushing him away. Mouse jumped up, grabbing him by the shoulder and slammed his head into the table. The cans that sat in a neat row all tumbled over from the sheer force of impact. She wrenched his arm back, keeping him pinned against the table.
"What kind of game are you playing?" Mouse demanded, a knife pressed against Ray's throat.
To no one's surprise the hustle and bustle of the bar continued. Fights were such a regular occurrence that no one even batted an eye. Many of the regulars also knew better than to get involved with Mouse. The only change in atmosphere was that the bartender turned up the music in an attempt to drown out the noise.
"Your boss will get their money, ok. I have a plan."
"Do you?" Mouse chuckled, unconvinced.
"I do, and it's a good one too."
"If you say so." Mouse shrugged, reclaiming her seat. She waved the barmaid over and ordered two more beers. Ray pulled up a chair, taking a seat next to her.
"I just need a little more time."
"How much time, exactly?" Mouse raised a brow as she tucked her knife away.
"Not long, you know I'm good for it."
"I don't know if you're good for it, that's the thing."
"Just trust me." He placed a hand on hers.
Mouse sighed. If he was buying time to make a run for it, that would just make her job harder. She really wasn't in the mood to be chasing him around forever. He did seem pretty sure of himself, though.
The barmaid returned with the beers, placing them in front of Mouse.
"All right, let's let the drinks decide. If you finish yours first then you get yourself one month."
"And if you win?"
"I sharpen my katana and skewer you."
"Sounds fair," he laughed nervously.
"Ready?"
Ray nodded. They both cracked open the beers, drinking as quickly as they could. Ray threw his head back, sucking in the liquid like his life depended on it. After a few seconds he slammed his empty can down. Shortly after Mouse did the same.
"Ha!" He raised his hands triumphantly.
"Well a deal is a deal." She smiled, "You've got your time, don't waste it."
"I wont.'' Ray assured her. "Thank you Mouse, I really appreciate it."
Ray stood, about to leave.
"Oh, and Ray," Mouse cooed in a gentle voice, "Don't think about skipping town. You're confined to this system. Understand?"
"Of course."
He left and she smiled. No one could out drink Mouse, especially that surfer. He piqued her interest so she let him win. It didn't matter how much time he had, she was certain he wouldn't repay the debt. All he did was give her more time to think of ways to torture him when he failed.
# #
AndrAIa walked alone down the sidewalk. The street lamps that were lit did a poor job to illuminate her path, but she knew it well from memory. As usual she was beyond tired. Often she wondered how a job that involved standing in one spot could be so draining. That day she had been scheduled for an opening shift, but her coworker never showed up. As a result she was forced to stay until closing. Unfortunately that was a regular occurrence. She was already looking for a new job, but there weren't many options for someone with no education and no skills. The options were even slimmer since she needed something full time. Part time hours wouldn't be enough to cover her rent.
She stood in front of her door and struggled in the dark. It had been a long day and she was too tired to focus. She couldn't even remember which pocket her keys were in. After a minute of checking them all, she found them and unlocked the door. She stepped inside, accidentally kicking something that was on the ground. It slid across the wood floors.
AndrAIs sighed, turning on the light before shutting the door behind her. She kicked off her shoes and looked over at an envelope sitting on the ground. Someone must have slid it under her door. Usually the mail sprite just left her letters and packages on the front porch.
She picked it up and walked down the narrow hallway to her bedroom. There wasn't enough energy in her to change or even turn on the light. The second she was there she lay down. Her feet throbbed from standing all day. It was the weekend and the mall had been packed so it was busier than usual for her. She had the next few days off and hoped she didn't get called in.
AndrAIa held up the envelope, wondering what was inside. There was no address written on the outside, just her name. She rolled onto her stomach and reached for the lamp sitting on her night stand. Once it was on she ripped the envelope open. There was a holocard inside. The second she opened it a small hologram appeared, floating above the card. It was Matrix. She sat up as it spoke.
"Hi, AndrAIa…" His voice was slightly distorted from the recording, but still brought a smile to her face. She enjoyed hearing the sound of his voice.
She studied his face, trying to predict what he was going to say. AndrAIa had been so busy with work she hadn't acknowledged how much she missed him. Sitting there looking at the small holographic version of Matrix, emotions she struggled to bury came rushing to the surface. AndrAIa didn't want to admit that she missed him at all, but she did.
"Remember what I said the other day; about the war, and how when it ended the net seemed to turn black and white? Well, I think I see things differently now. I know we haven't known each other long, but I wanted to thank you. Thanks for listening, and sharing your smile with me. More importantly; thank you AndrAIa, for being kind and making me feel like I matter. Somehow you managed to bring colour back into my world."
AndrAIa took a deep breath. Her eyes were watering and she was trying desperately not to cry, but she couldn't help but be touched by his words.
"You said I was perfect, and that's why we couldn't be together. I'm far from perfect; I have a long list of regrets. My whole life I felt like I was just a sum of my mistakes. I never thought I could be better. I don't know why you don't think that you deserve the best, because you do. And I'm willing to try and be better for you, AndrAIa."
AndrAIa closed the card, the hologram disappearing. She couldn't keep listening, it was too painful. After the way she ended things, why would he speak so highly of her? She had been so sure of her decision before. It was for the best, at least that's what she thought. AndrAIa was just starting to doubt her decision. The longer she listened to his words the more she felt like she had made a mistake.
She took a few more deep breaths. Once she regained her composure she reopened it. Matrix had gone through the trouble of recording it for her, the least she could do was listen to what he had to say.
"I'll respect your decision not to see me, if that's what you really want. I just wanted you to know that if at any point you want to reach out, I'll be there. Even if it's cycles from now I'll wait for you, because you're worth it… Goodbye, AndrAIa."
The image disappeared leaving AndrAIa alone with her thoughts.
End Log