AN: I'm so sorry for missing yesterday (or Friday...I don't think it was yesterday anymore...)! Mid-terms are next week, and things getting a little crazy. I'll try not to miss another day until this is complete, but for now, enjoy a double update (plus one more later today (Sunday)):3
A Drone Named Jeffrey
Chapter Twenty
Pet
"Alright, if you're keeping that thing, then we're gonna have to establish some ground rules."
I sat in my vehicular mode, headlights outlining Riley where she stood in the opening of the garage. She stared at the center of my hood with a frown. "More rules? There's nothing but rules around here!"
"Yeah, living with a transforming robot will do that. How else are we supposed to ensure you stay hidden?"
"Well, I've been here for seven and a half months and I haven't been found yet."
"Sure, you haven't been found yet, but you have freaked out four times because you thought that—what's the name?—Noisemaker or something. You thought his birdy thing was flying over us and nearly caused a five car pileup in the center of town. And what about that 'suspicious' yellow car incident?"
I sat in silence. "Yeah, well…at least I'm not a girl."
"Have you finally used up all your good comebacks?"
"No…I'm just saving them for a better occasion." I flicked on my brights and snickered when Riley flinched back, hand reaching up to cover her squinting eyes. "And what does that have to do with this?"
"Absolutely nothing. But my dad owns this garage."
"Then I'll just stay outside."
"He also pays your insurance."
"And why should I care about that?"
"His name is on your care title, which means he owns you."
"Oh, no. A piece of paper now dictates my freedom. Whatever shall I do?"
Riley stomped her foot, and I snickered even more. "Jeffrey! If that thing is gonna be your pet, then we need to make sure that if it attacks me, I won't get rabies and die!"
My engine thrummed, and the cat curled on top of me sat up long enough to glare at my windshield before unfurling to lazily stretch across my hood. "It's not a pet. I just have to keep it happy to make sure it eats the squirrels and birds."
"We haven't had birds or squirrels living in this backyard for weeks! In fact, we haven't had mice, lizards, opossums, raccoons, snakes, or grasshoppers either. That thing has completely destroyed our backyard ecosystem!"
"I'm getting this vibe of jealousy right now." I gently rocked back and forth, and Furball the Squirrel Annihilator yawned, showing its yellowed fangs. "Are you jealous of a kitty? I'll let you nap on my hood when you get cold if you eat the pesky rodents too."
Riley growled and turned away on the heel of her foot. I snickered as she stomped away and settled back down, engine humming to provide a warm surface for Furball to nap on.