The first day back at Hollywood Arts after the Christmas break had a brass energy to it. The halls were filled with students buzzing about their holiday stories, sharing laughs, comparing gifts, and making plans for the new semester. There was an undeniable buzz in the air as everyone settled back into their routines—well, as routine as things got at Hollywood Arts.
Andre was making his way down the hallway, nodding to people as he passed by. He turned a corner and spotted Robbie near his locker, absent the usual sarcastic puppet perched on his arm. A small smile crept onto Andre's face. It was weird seeing Robbie without Rex, but it was also... refreshing.
"Hey man!" Andre greeted, walking up to Robbie. "No Rex?"
Robbie glanced up from his locker, a bit flustered. For a second, he looked like he wasn't sure how to respond. "No, he's ill—" he blurted out automatically, then stopped himself, shaking his head. "I mean, uh. No, I put him in the cupboard."
Andre raised his eyebrows in surprise. "You put him in the cupboard?"
Robbie fumbled with his locker, clearly nervous but determined. "Yeah. I, uh... I'm trying to stop." He smiled, though it was the kind of smile that seemed a little unsure, like he was still getting used to saying the words out loud. "He's just a puppet," Robbie added, almost like he was trying to convince himself as much as Andre. "Just a puppet."
Andre blinked, processing what Robbie had just said. "Good on you, man!" he said, his voice filled with genuine approval. He clapped Robbie on the back, grinning wide. "I won't miss that dude."
"Puppet," Robbie corrected automatically. "He's a puppet."
"I feel like I've woken up in another timeline," Andre said, shaking his head in disbelief, though he couldn't hide the grin on his face. "For real, though, it's wacky hearing you talk like that. You've had Rex glued to you since—what—forever?"
Robbie shrugged, his expression shifting as he thought about it. "Yeah, kinda feels like that, huh?" He sighed, leaning back against the lockers. "I dunno, man. I just realised... I don't need him like I thought I did."
"That's huge, dude. You should be proud."
Robbie smiled again, this time with more confidence. "Yeah. I guess I kinda am."
They started walking down the hallway together, and Andre could tell this was more than just a New Year's resolution for Robbie—it was a real change. The fact that he'd left Rex behind, even just for a day, was major. And from the way Robbie kept repeating that phrase—"just a puppet"—it was clear how much effort it was taking for him to break free from that part of himself.
"You talk to Cat and Jade yet?" Andre asked, changing the subject slightly. The reminder of the last night they'd all spent together seemed to cast a new kind of awkwardness between them. After all, Robbie had been the last to piece things together.
"Not really," Robbie admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. "I mean, I don't wanna make it weird, y'know? They're together. I'm cool with that."
"Yeah, but... I know it must've been hard to find out like that," Andre said, his tone more serious now.
Robbie shrugged, though his expression was tight. "It's fine. I'm just focusing on me for now. No puppet, no drama. Just... Robbie."
Andre smiled at that. "I like that. Just Robbie. You've got this, man."
As they approached the Black Box Theatre for class, the familiar sounds of students warming up for the day filled the air. Tori waved at them from across the room, Jade leaned against the wall with her usual nonchalant attitude, and Cat was spinning around in her own world, as usual.
"Let's just hope you can keep it up," Andre said with a wink as they headed inside.
Robbie smiled, feeling a flicker of determination. He had made it through the first morning without Rex, and it felt good. This was the beginning of something new—something real. And for once, Robbie wasn't just the awkward guy with the puppet.