2 Hours Earlier

"Oil can number 25...oil can number 26..." Jenny muttered to herself while tossing each empty can into a large trashbin. She normally didn't like to clean her room, but she was feeling rather down, and her other distractions didn't seem to be helping. Her mom suggested the idea, and while she didn't particularly like to admit it, her mother often had good ideas.

Suddenly, her built-in cellphone began to ring, shocking her and causing her to drop the bag. She sighed at the empty oil cans scattered all across the room.

"Sorry mom, at least I tried" she muttered bitterly before checking the caller ID.

"Brad!" She exclaimed, picking up right away.

"Jenny?"
"Yeah! It's me, of course...I mean... hi!"
"Uh...hi."
"Listen I'm sorry about all the phone calls! I-I didn't quite catch the news until it was too late and-"

"It's okay. Thank you for trying to check in with me, I-I really appreciate it," Brad stammered. He sighed. He hadn't spent much time talking to people other than family or hospital workers. He felt uncharacteristically out of touch with social interaction.

"You don't sound like yourself."
"Yeah I- I'm sorry about that...I've been so out of touch-"
"-You've been through a lot, you don't need to apologize. Are you okay?"

Brad hesitated to respond. He remembered his father's words.
You're going to be alright! I'm going to be alright! We're going to make it work, I promise.

"I'm alright. Or at least...I will be."

"Brad...I'm...I'm so sorry. I can't imagine how it must feel," Jenny lamented softly, feeling sorry for him. Empathy was not her greatest trait, but she was improving greatly at her ability to sense one's emotions regardless of the words they give.

"It's okay. Tuck and I are tough guys, we have family nearby, we'll make it work. But thank you. Like I said, it means a lot!"

"Of course, that's what friends are for, you know?" Jenny began to pick up the empty oil cans again, this time making a pyramid out of them.

"But...if you don't mind... I was hoping to ask you for a favor," Brad started, his voice trailing off. He looked at the tall walls and big space surrounding him. Having a larger bedroom had once meant freedom and sweet solitude to him, it was now starting to feel more like loneliness and isolation.

"Of course. Shoot."
"I know it's a little bit late but...do you think you could come over?"

Jenny checked flipped her eye mode's setting to check the time.

"Yeah I'd love to see you! Oh but- 9:30 huh. I'm warning you now it might be tricky to try and escape this house. Mom's been pretty uptight about curfew lately."

"Yeah well...once you get past that you shouldn't have too much trouble getting in here. After all, Tuck's the only other person home and he's asleep!" Brad stated, trying to bring a bit of enthusiasm in his voice. Sometimes jokes helped him cope.

"Brad, that was really in poor taste."
"I know...it was awful. But...yeah. Come over. I don't know what it is these days but trying to communicate through means of technology just doesn't feel...natural these days. Human. You get it?"

Jenny stopped in her tracks. Had Brad temporarily forgotten that she was a robot? She was all technology and no human. It wasn't big news - she didn't wear an exoskin so it wasn't a secret. He had known all of this since Day 1.

"Brad, you're really starting to concern me. Aren't you forgetting something? I'm a robot. Of course I don't 'get it'."
"Oh...right. My bad. I guess what I mean is I could use some face-to-face communication?"

Jenny notified Brad that she would head over shortly and hung up. Her suspicions were right, he most certainly wasn't acting like himself. And she was most definitely starting to understand the toll that was taken upon losing a good friend or family member.

She couldn't help but wonder how much she'd malfunction when it would be her turn to say goodbye.

"Stop thinking about it, it's many, many years away," she told herself and walked out of her room, shutting the door behind her.

"XJ9, where do you think you're going?" Dr. Wakeman asked strictly the minute she saw sight of Jenny. Jenny glared.

"Look, I understand that it's the last night of school and some kids may be having a party but-"
"Mom! For once, it's not some stupid party! Brad's not acting like himself. He needs someone to talk to. Face to face."

Dr. Wakeman pursed her lips.

"I know you're concerned about your friend, but-"
"But what? What am I supposed to do, let him wallow in his own sadness? Come on, mom. We're talking about the boy that always comes in bustling in here with a ridiculous amount of energy, ready to face whatever the day throws at him."

Dr. Wakeman nodded.

"You're right. I just don't know if he's going to be ready to talk quite yet," Dr. Wakeman paused, her hand on her chin. Jenny shook her head.
"He's the one who asked me, don't assume that I jump to conclusions without checking the scene first."

Dr. Wakeman nodded again, this time more sincerely, her expression downtrodden, but approving.

"Okay. It sounds like he needs a bit of help. I hope you two can help him move on, sort things out and all. Just remember not to come home too late."

"Yes of course!" Jenny exclaimed, before running to the door. She was about to step out when her mother shouted "Wait!"
She rolled her eyes. There was always a catch when it came to leaving home. What now?

"I want you to remember that I love you. Like a daughter. That's what you are to me, my daughter. Not just an invention. It would break my heart if I ever were to lose you. Please remember that," Dr. Wakeman piped, her tone softer. Jenny tried not to display her feelings of shock - it wasn't often that her mother spoke so quietly or sadly. She had always thought that her love was implied, not needed of any reminders.

"Of course. And you're my mom. I love you too...always," Jenny responded quietly before jetting off, her vision slightly blurred. She didn't understand why her mom needed to remind her that she loved her. All she knew was that she couldn't possibly fathom the day they'd have to part ways.