Big Hero 6: The Art Thieves
Chapter 3: Meeting BayMax
"Today, you're unpacking. You can't run around the city every day."
I yawn and rub my eyes, sitting up in bed and nodding to what my mother has said. "Alright," I say, "I'll unpack today, but you know, it'd be fun to see the city again."
She shakes her head firmly. "No," she says, "you need to stay here and finish up. And don't forget to call your friends, alright?"
I nod and hop out of bed as my mother turns and heads back down the stairs. My cell phone is dead when I pull it out of one of the moving boxes, so I plug it in to charge. Meanwhile, I decide to start unpacking.
I come across a light purple unicorn plushie with a dark blue mane and tail, with streaks of pink and purple in it as well. She has a pink star on one side, and wings spread out across her back.
I smile, hug her close, and say, "I missed you. I'm so happy I found you."
I set her on my bed with one of my blankets and continue to unpack. I put away my clothes once I find them and step back after a few more minutes, surveying the room.
"Hmm...it's missing something," I say, reaching up to scratch my chin, "but what is it?" I look up at the bare, simply-painted ceiling; maybe that's what it is. "I bet a star and moon would look good up there," I say, making a frame with my fingers. "I wonder if I can find glow in the dark paint...maybe I'll put a sun over my window and a heart above my door, too."
The idea makes me smile, and I finish unpacking with renewed eagerness.
My mom comes back a little later on, and she smiles at my work. "That looks much better," she says, "and cleaner as well."
I smile back. "Mama," I say, "can I paint the moon and stars above my bed, please? And maybe some other things, too? Like a sun?"
My mother ponders for a moment, then smiles and nods.
...
"I wonder if Sakura is coming to the bakery this morning," Tadashi says, as he gets ready for school up in his room. "I wanted to show off Baymax."
Hiro rolls his eyes and grins cheekily, pulling on his shoes and grabbing his backpack. "You have a crush whether you like it or not," he says, "and you know Baymax is sure to pick it up."
"I don't have a crush!" Tadashi protests, shaking his head. "Come on, we're going to be late for school."
Hiro nods, and once the two finish grabbing their things, they head downstairs. Aunt Cass smiles and waves to them on their way out. "Have a good day at school!" she says.
...
I look out my window, fiddling with my iPhone, scrolling through my messages. I sigh heavily. "I really wish my friends were here with me," I say. "I miss them."
I sigh again, get bored, and head downstairs to my mother. "Hey, Mom, I'm going to the cafe," I say, grabbing my shoes and slipping them on.
My mother nods, and I head downtown to the cafe. The bells jingle when I push open the door, and Cass, wiping down the tables with a damp rag, turns around at the sound. "Oh, Sakura," she says, "good morning."
"Good morning," I say back, looking around. "Where're Tadashi and Hiro?" I ask, noticing that they're nowhere to be seen.
"Oh, you just missed them," says Cass. "They headed off to school, but they should be back before long. Would you like something to drink while you wait?" She sets the rag aside and dries her hands on her apron, already making her way towards the counter to get me a drink.
"Oh...sure," I say, sitting down at a table. "Thank you."
A few minutes later, Cass sets my drink on the table before me, and I eagerly take a sip. It's delicious.
"You know," says Cass unexpectedly, "you can call me Aunt Cass if you want."
I choke, surprised, and cough multiple times, heat rising to my cheeks. "W-What do you mean?" I say between coughs, while Cass only smiles. "I just met you."
Cass laughs. "Well, you like Tadashi, don't you?" she says knowingly, and I only blush harder in embarrassment.
"Only as a friend," I insist, hiding my red face behind my hands. "Nothing more, nothing less."
She rolls her eyes, not buying the story, but she doesn't say anything else about it. We talk for another good few hours while I sip my drink, until I hear the bells at the door ring. Tadashi and Hiro walk inside.
"Oh, welcome back, boys!" Cass says, smiling, and she gestures to me. "Look who came over!"
"Oh, hi, Sakura," Tadashi says, smiling. "I'm glad you're here! I wanted to show you something at my lab, if you don't mind riding over there with me."
I nod, excited to see more of the city and Tadashi's lab. "Sure," I say, "that sounds like fun!"
Hiro and Cass roll their eyes, and Tadashi and I ignore them, heading back outside, where Tadashi's moped is parked. I hop on the back while Tadashi takes the front, and we head off down the street, towards Tadashi's laboratory.
It doesn't take us long to get there, and as soon as we do, Tadashi parks the moped, hangs up our helmets, and we head inside. Already, I see dozens of models, partly-built inventions and robots, and everything fascinates me.
"So, this is your school?" I guess, still surveying my surroundings.
Tadashi nods. "Yep," he says, "and this here is my lab." He pushes open a door, and the two of us head inside. While I'm still looking around, Tadashi grabs a roll of duct tape off a table and approaches me, tearing off a strip of tape with a mischievous look in his eyes.
I back up, confused and concerned. "Um...what are you going to do with that?" I ask, pointing warily.
He suddenly sticks the tape to my arm, and rips it off just as suddenly, both without warning.
"OW!" I shout, withdrawing my hand, glaring darkly at him. "That really hurt! Why did you do that!?"
He smiles and steps out of the way, revealing a large, white, bubble-like robot standing a little ways behind him. I let my anger diminish and look at it with curiosity.
"Hello," the robot says, stepping towards me and putting out one hand. "I am Baymax, your personal healthcare companion. You have been hurt. Here, let me help."
I hold out my arm hesitantly, and Baymax sprays disinfected spray on my abraded skin. I wince, but only for a moment.
"You have been a good girl," Baymax says, patting my head twice. "Have a lollipop!" When he holds said candy out to me, I take it. "Are you satisfied with your care?" Baymax asks.
"Um, yes," I say, looking back down at my arm, which is already feeling my better. "I am satisfied with my care."
Tadashi comes to stand beside me while Baymax deflates into a tiny red box near the window. "He's going to help so many people once I get done with his programming," Tadashi says, almost dreamily. "He'll be the best nurse-bot ever."
I smile at the thought and step forward, looking at the other things Tadashi has around his lab. "I wonder what my school will look like," I say, more to myself than anything.
"What school are you going to?" Tadashi asks.
"San Fransokyo Arts Institute," I say grandly. "I want to be a great artist someday."
"Well, I think that's a great goal for you," Tadashi says.
I blush, but cover it up by saying, "Well, yours is great, too, so go for it."
He smiles, and we decide to head back to the cafe. When we walk inside, Hiro is sitting at one of the tables, munching on a doughnut. He waves a hand. "So, did you get to meet Baymax?" he asks, eyes falling on the abrasion on my arm.
"Yeah," I say. "He's one cool robot."
We talk for a while longer, but then I notice the sun setting outside and decide it's time for me to go home. I wave goodbye to Tadashi and Hiro and head out, all the while thinking about the events of today.
...
"Sooo," Hiro says smugly, reaching over to elbow his brother, "are you going to ask Sakura on a date soon, because you have a crush."
Tadashi shakes his head again, still in denial. "I don't have a crush," he says. "Besides, what do you know about crushes anyway?" He ruffles Hiro's hair, and Hiro groans.
"Stop playing with my hair already!" Hiro snaps.
...
As night falls, Tadashi finishes getting ready for bed. Hiro is already asleep, so Tadashi shuts of the lights and lays down, thinking about what his little brother told him.
He shakes his head. "I don't have crush," he says, rolling over and yawning. "Baymax didn't say anything about it."