Here's a fairly Rex centric chapter. I'm kinda sad and regretful that I didn't include more Rex earlier and this is my way of trying to make it up. As always, please thank MaybeWolf for his enormous contributions. This story would definitely not be the same without him. Here's chapter seven.
Walking into his grandparent's home, long shadows enveloped Robbie. He deftly navigated the darkened living room, and swung the door to his room open. Gritting his teeth, Robbie prepared himself for the barrage of questions Rex would no doubt have waiting for him. Recalling the night's events, Robbie resolved to tell Rex as few details as possible. Separation or not, he'd never live it down if the Rex found out about the fiasco at the theater.
"So how was the movie?" Rex queried before Robbie was even able to get both feet through the door. Robbie heaved a deep breath, and bit down on his lips. The moonlight had given Rex's eyes a predatory gleam.
"It was pretty good, I guess." Robbie admitted, turning towards his computer to avoid Rex's gaze. Robbie blinked a little as the bright monitor flashed in the dark room. Waiting as the PearBook slowly hummed to life, Robbie hoped the darkness would obscure the truth hidden on his eyes. Ever since they'd become friends, Rex could peer into Robbie's eyes for the briefest of seconds and tear apart Robbie's every lie.
"Really? Everyone says that it was amazing. Everyone loves superheroes." Robbie's shoulders stiffened as Rex's voice began to fill the room again. With every word Rex spoke, Robbie knew he was getting closer and closer to the truth.
"Well maybe I didn't okay?" Robbie said defensively, cutting off Rex as he went to speak again. Turning around, Robbie immediately recognized his mistake. That gleam within Rex's eyes was a supernova now. Robbie knew that Rex was only a few steps from figuring out everything. Dread sunk into Robbie's bones with Rex's next words. He'd been dreading them since parting with Tori.
"Have you been crying?" It was more of a statement than anything. Rex never really asked Robbie questions unless he was sure of the answer. It was one of the things that puzzled Robbie the most about his miniature friend.
"Dude, did you see another chick flick? I always tell you no good can come of seeing them, but you never listen." Robbie just turned away from Rex, nothing he could say would justify his tears to Rex. So, maybe he was a little more emotional than other guys, but that didn't mean he should be ridiculed for it. Unfortunately, he had been down this road before and experience told him it was an unwinnable battle. Minutes dragged themselves around the clock as Robbie continued to stare at his Internet-less computer, intent on ignoring Rex. If he couldn't win, he could at least try to stop Rex from winning.
"What did your friends say this time?" Rex asked, heaving an exasperated sigh as the last of his patience ran out.
"She was very nice to me. Said it was sweet." Robbie mumbled, still refusing to break eye contact with his computer. He wasn't sure why he even dared to speak. It would only ever lead to his conviction when Rex would inevitably use his own words against him.
"She? Just one? Who was it Cat?" Rex squawked, actually sounding interested in more than reminding Robbie of his failings. Mentally kicking himself, Robbie started to regret entering the conversation at all. It had been inevitable that Rex would lure the whole truth from him. Rex always had all of the answers to unlock Robbie's lies, it seemed. There was no hiding anything from him.
"It was Tori." Robbie murmured, hoping that fewer words would lead to a quicker execution. By now, he had learned to stop fighting the inevitable and just let the axe fall down. Rex would always get the best of him, as sure as the sun would rise.
"So you went to the movies with Tori and saw a chick flick and cried? Tell me at least it wasn't The Notebook." Rex chuckled, the accusation in his voice diminishing at the mention of Tori.
Robbie's silence was Rex's answer.
"Come on man, that's not even a romantic comedy. You can't even say you went to watch it for the jokes. What happened after that?" If Rex had been exasperated before, by now Rex was even more worked up. Robbie could feel Rex's opinion of himself fall further and further with every sentence.
"I drove her home because Trina was using her car, and then I came home. End of story." With those decisive words, Robbie finally ended a conversation with Rex on his own terms. For a few short moments, Robbie had a few moments of silence. His glory would be short lived. If Robbie had been dreading Rex's questions about his tears, then his following conversation was akin to being dragged into hell by the devil himself.
"Umm, we really need to talk." Rex's voice was alien. For once, the confidence that usually soaked his words was lost in the dry crackle of uncertainty. Robbie could already see where this was headed, and he would have given anything to delay it at all.
"Today's Sunday." The puppet elaborated after a heavy pause, finally dragging Robbie's eyes back to him. Rex lay limply on Robbie's bed, but the shadows from passing cars seemed to give him the illusion of movement.
"I know." Robbie mumbled, having trouble keeping his breathing steady.
"Tomorrow's Monday." Rex said again, unable to bring himself to finishing the rest of what he had to say. For once, the silence between the two friends wasn't comfortable. Usually Robbie found himself at ease when Rex was silent, but this silence was crushing. Each passing moment without either of them speaking seemed to leak more malignant thoughts into Robbie's head. Without Rex, he's nothing, from nowhere; he's no one at all. Just a ghost in a brightly lit room.
"I know." Robbie repeated numbly. The stench of defeat hung over him and wrapped its tendrils around him. Even if Robbie had wanted to move, he doubted that he would have been able.
"That means your grandparents are coming back." Rex's voice carried devastation in it's wake. If Robbie had been distraught before, Rex's words drained him of every ray of hope. Robbie found himself contemplating the future with the crushing embrace of pitch black depression constricting his thoughts.
"I know." Robbie muttered under his breath. His vision lost focus as he continued to stare at Rex. Swallowing thickly, Robbie lay down on the bed beside his best friend for the last time. He wished things would just come a little easier in his life, he wished for anything but this.
"What are you going to do?" Rex asked, as Robbie met his gaze. Peering into those big glassy eyes, no words came to Robbie and again silence hung in the air.
"Let's just go to bed." Robbie muttered, finding the will to say anything at all drifting away from him. As he dragged the blankets over his skeletal frame, Robbie himself wondered if he should bid Rex goodnight. The puppet had already turned over though. Robbie closed his eyes and waited for unconsciousness to claim him.
There was nothing left to say, there was just nothing at all.
For those of you wondering, this won't be the last time we hear from Rex. I'm hoping to do a future fic based on Matt Bennett's June 2012 video. Mostly it was the Matt and Victoria roller coaster rides that gave me the idea. Anyways thanks for reading. Feel free to leave a review. If you haven't already, please consider reading MaybeWolfe's Misery Loves Company. It's an epic story that's coming to a close, and it deserves every single reader it can get. Until next time.
