D.A.T.I.N.G.U.

Part Three

Number One wiggled to free himself from the robot hand, "Help someone."

"We've got you, Number One," The Kids Next Door jumped out as they lifted the safety shut off and ran to their leader. "Alright, we're gonna get you out of this, bud." Number Two said.

"Don't touch him!" Lizzie released the safety shut and charged toward him.

"Hey, why don't ya just back off, a'right! He broke up with you so get over it." Number Four said.

"Numbah Four, that isn't how things just work." Number Five tried to make him understand. "It's not that easy," she said softly.

"Well, why not? It's just a breakup. Come one, there are more things to look forward to!"

"I . . . you're right, but look,"

"No!" Number Four marched up to Lizzie, "You're an okay person!" Number Three and Number Two gave funny looks at each other as they tried not to laugh as Number Four spoke, "You're upset, we get it. But you didn't have to blow up and rip a piece of our tree house." Her crying began to stop and her breaths began to calm and his voice became gentle, "It's alright. I don't exactly understand how . . . being heartbroken is . . . but," He rubbed his elbows as he began to get nervous. "It's alright. It's alright to get upset. Just don't get all manic, okay?" His voice became rash again.

She sniffed with a smile, "Thank you."

"Don't mention it, but could you give Numbah One back to us. We kind of need him."

"Oh, I'm so sorry." She blushed. She ran to her robot and pressed the switch to release Number One from the robot's hand.

Number One took deep breaths as he collapsed to the floor. Once he steadied his breaths, "Good job, Kids Next Door. Let's continue our spring break." The Kids Next Door jumped and talked lively as they strolled back to their tree house and their robot manually shrunk itself back to a toy size and walked back with them. "Lizzie, may I have a word with you?"

"It's all fine, Nigel." She rushed, "What was that boy's name?"

"Uh . . . Number Four?"

"His name, Nigel. I don't need a number."

"It's um . . . It's Wallabee."

"Oh, that's perfect!" She clasped her hands and sighed as she dazed off dreamily.

"Lizzie?"

"Goodbye, Nigel. I'm going to go talk to my new boyfriend." She skipped back into the tree house to chase after Number Four.

"What . . . just happened?" Number One walked slowly as he retraced the day's events and calculated what happened.

"What's up, Numbah One? You seem . . . still not you." Number Five asked as she was leaning at the doorway.

"It's just . . . It seems that when me and Lizzie were together things were solid and we'd spend infinite days with each other, but now we're . . . done. It was a sham! Our whole relationship was a joke, Number Five. Now she's gone to Number Four."

"Mm! Mm! Mm! How selfish, Numbah One! You're the one who wanted to breakup with her, but now you're upset since she's moved on and happy."

"I . . . well,"

"Come on, Numbah One! You seen how coo-coo she gets when she's upset. Do you really want to take all her happy shines away again?"

"Well, no."

"That's right." She snapped. "So you know what you got to do?" He quirked a brow, "You've got to find your own new happiness."

"Are you telling me to move on, Number Five?" He raised his voice.

"Hey, hey calm down, Numbah One!" She took a breath, "Just think about it. Would you want to continue being with her or would you rather have a taste of what else is out there? Think about it. It's your choice." She slid through and passed the corridor until she entered her room.

'She's right. Number Five is right. What am I going to do?' He pinched on his nose and sighed as he relaxed his eyes and sat on the couch.

"Oi, Numbah One!" Number Four yelled at him.

"Oh my- My apologies!"

"Yeah, yeah, it's just . . . you know, move it?"

Lizzie chuckled, "Wally!"

"Yeah, yeah I'll see you two late." Number One sighs as he walked slowly to his room. 'Lizzie is happy. Number Four is a good guy. They could be great for each other! Why would I want to barge in and break those two apart? My life is going to be in shambles if I don't get over it.' He groaned in his pillow with frustration. "That's it!" He turned on his communicator and scrolled through his contacts up and down. After a few rounds, he reluctantly dialed a contact.

"Uh . . . hello, Nigel?"

"Yes, this is Nigel Uno. Number 362?"

"Yep! That's me! What could I do you for, Number One?"

"It um . . ." he scratched his forehead, "It's about our conversation earlier concerning your request. It turns out my schedule for this month has been cleared out or well not really, but tomorrow it seems that I'm free. Uh I was thinking if you had in mind, would you like to hang out?"

"Oh, definitely! I mean," she took a breath and relaxed her excitement, "Yes, Yes, I look forward to hanging out with you, Number One."

"That's good. That's good," he cleared his throat. "Anyways, what do you say about the beach?"

"What about it?'

"I . . . well I was thinking of meeting you there . . . on our date. What do you say?"

"Oh, well I . . . I think that's fantastic!"

"Really?'

"Yes, definitely!"

He cuts off the communicator after they end their plans together, "I'll see you in the afternoon then, Rachel."