The rest of our vacation was actually… fun. No robots… although I'm pretty sure robots will be in the back of my mind for the rest of my life. We actually had family fun. We went to the boardwalk, antiqueing, mini golfing and I made a new friend. Mom says that I attached myself to Conner over our vacation.

That's not exactly how I remember it but we did start to sit at lunch together. Normally, I'd just find an empty seat but he waved me over a few times and suddenly I started to remember details about my classmates and telling my mom we should go and support Conner at his competitions.

It was nice and kind of weird. Not that long ago an old Eggman robot attacked Caleb and me. Then, there I was back in school, doing my homework at the café, going wherever I wanted on the weekends… dealing with problems that didn't involve technology trying to kill me and my family.

I remember one day, I went with my mom to the café. I was sitting at our kid's table reserved for me and my cousins waiting for Conner. I was doing the assigned reading for that week. Barely two weeks into the school year and already there was way more homework than any person should handle. I kept my book up towards my nose so that I could have a view of the door so I can watch anyone who stepped through the door. I heard the chime on the door several times before they finally stepped through the door. I waved to them and then they waved back. They walked towards me.

"Hi Annie."

"Hey Annie." Conner sat down across from me.

"Hey. Mom will be back at the counter in a bit. She's trying to find the reserved sign."

"Ooh fancy." She had a cheeky grin. We heard the chime again and she looked over at the door. A family walked in.

"Nervous?" I asked as Conner got set up. Textbooks should not be as heavy as the students.

Ms. Sandy made a sound. "A lot, it's been soooo long since I've even considered to date,"

"Hey, look I found it." Mom popped up from out of nowhere.

"Great, is it normal to want to throw up?" She made a weird face and stared at Mom.

"Yes, let's get some tea and I'll get a bucket ready… Maybe move you closer to the restroom." Mom grabbed Ms. Sandy's hand. "Have fun kids." They walked towards the counter.

"Wow your mom-"

"-is losing her mind? Yes."

"How are you taking it?" I knew this whole situation was out of reach for me to actually understand but I was there to listen to Conner and keep him company. He was my friend, it's the least I could do.

He tried to gesture with his hand. "I don't know, it's not wrong. I knew this day would come. It's… sudden."

"Yeah…?" I looked at him waiting for him to go on.

"It's always been just the two of us, you know."

"Uh-huh."

"And now…" He scoffed. "This, this is weird right? My mom is on her first date since my dad died with me in the same room."

"Uuuuuh, maaaayyybe." I didn't know what to say. Dating is something else. I was only eleven at the time. What did I really know about it? Then, again whenever my folks went out on dates we were always left with Uncle Tails and Aunt Cream.

"I thought so. The only thing that really makes sense is having the date here. It's familiar, a safe space and your mom is here for support."

"You think maybe that's why we're here too? It's a safe place and I'm here with you as your back up."

"No, she said it's because having me here gives her strength."

"Like she looks at you and all of sudden she's not freaking out?"

"Yeah, I guess." He responded. "It's like when I perform. When I get nervous, I imagine she's right next to me." He went on. "Sometimes I can find her in the audience right before I start."

"I didn't know you get nervous."

"All the time." He tried to smile. "You're always just a little nervous. No matter how long you do this for, you always get nervous."

"Even when it's just me in the room?"

He looked at me for a second. And then moved his book in front of him while saying. "Yes, even then. I can still make a noticeable mistake."

I happened to glance over at Ms. Sandy. I gasped. "He's here." He looked over. We saw a platypus take a seat across from his mom.

"Do you know anything about this guy?"

"Just that he's a science teacher at one of the high schools."

"Oh, they're laughing. Is that good?"

"I'm assuming, yes?"

He turned back around and took a deep breath.

"Need any help with math?" He asked.

I smiled a little. "Let me finish this first." I held up the book in my hand.

We heard a ringing. Oh, the wrist communicator. I put the book down and I pressed the green button on the screen.

"Hey Caleb."

"Hello Annie."

"How are you guys holding up?"

"Much better than expected actually."

"Princeton's that afraid of your dad huh?"

"Absolutely."

"Yikes."

"Oh yeah, Conner's here too."

"Hello Conner."

"Hello Caleb."

"Will you be joining us for the family sleep over?"

"That's the plan."

"Can't wait. This'll be so much fun. We're going to watch movies, eat snacks, play games and make smores." I paused. "Hopefully no one throws up."

"I think we'll be fine." Conner said.

"I need to go. I will see you both in a few hours."

"Later dude."

"Bye Caleb."

I waved goodbye and hit the red button.

"It's really cool how your Uncle personalizes all kinds of gadgets for you guys."

"Which reminds me," I pulled the wrist gadget out of my backpack. "Uncle Tails thinks you might like this."

"Oh no way, that's so cool."

"You can talk to any one of us at any time." After he wrapped the communicator around his wrist, I showed him how to turn it on. "See and there's a picture of us and all you have to do is touch the picture and-" A ringing came from my communicator. "Easy, right?" I said.

"This'll be great, we can talk when I go international."

"Exactly, Mom's got one for your mom too."

"Thanks so much Annie."

"Welcome."

We managed to get some school work done at some point. I did most of my homework yesterday since I knew we'd pretty much hang out.

After a little while we heard a squeal. Ms. Sandy's date was over and she was talking to my mom at the counter.

"Looks like girls night has officially started." I pointed with my pencil. "Do you think it went well?"

"Well it, it doesn't look like it was awful."

"They're giggling and smiling."

"Yeah."

"Oh there's Aunt Cream. We should pack up. Caleb and his family are never late."

"Yeah." He seemed sad somehow.

"You okay?"

"I'm feeling a little sick."

"Like you need a bathroom."

"No, I'm…" I looked at him. He sighed. "This is huge, isn't it? My mom dating. She wants someone in our lives and I might get a stepdad."

"Uh-huh."

"Everything could change. I mean, it's not exactly real but, it's here. And… I'll have to meet him… them… how long would this even take? How many will there be?" He started to raise his voice. He looked at me, kind of scared.

"I don't know." I looked at him. "My mom was head over heels for my dad and they didn't get together for the longest time."

"Will it ever happen?" He looked at me kind of sad.

I shrugged. "It might and it might not. Love is really mysterious. My mom never dated anyone and was all focused on my dad. My dad wasn't too crazy about my mom at first, but after a little while he fell in love with her."

"Yeah, when my parents met, my mom was interested in my uncle."

"Really?"

"Yeah." He laughed. "Some of Mom's stories are pretty funny."

We heard the chime again.

"And that's Caleb." I said. "Operation: Sleepover is a go." I threw my fist in the air excited.

… it was nice while it lasted…