When I finally got home, it was pitch black outside. I was sure my master would confiscate something of mine, maybe a foot or an arm. His only mission is to make sure I graduate, not that I was in one piece when it happened. Why couldn’t I just run away? I could take my musi and anything I needed and run away. But where?756Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2zMBYoWFiY
Isben sounds nice, but I don’t know their rules. Would they accept a runaway? Or even a Ro? They wouldn’t believe that I am a Ro, there are only Male Ro’s. There can’t be someone like me. Then how am I here? Does it have something to do with the dream I had this morning? How I can’t remember anything except a few years ago. Maybe that was when I was built. But even Ro’s have their stories, their past, they know who they were built by, their model. All I know is that my name is 2248. And that is my only clue from my past.
“You worthless hunk of metal!” Master Sam screams, “Where were you?”
“I-I um,” I stammer, looking for the right words, “I missed the bus, sorry Master-” I jump as Master Sam punches the wall.
That was supposed to be for me. He left a fist sized hole in the wall, and I shudder, thinking that was my warning. “This is your final warning 2248” He said,”if you are not home by five, you will lose your privileges.” He means, staying after school and seeing Cris and maybe even, walking. I gulp and nod several times, wanting his angry look of disgust to move away from me, “Good. You can go.”
“Thank you, Master.” I whisper and make a dash up the stairs towards my one area of privacy.
*
I lay in bed for what feels like hours, I only need an hour of sleep, so I can stay up till five, but I didn’t feel like sleeping. I was too scared of what might happen if I messed up. I would loose my only friend and right now, Cris needs me. I just need to follow the rules, be a good little Ro. And get through the next two months.
*
I pass by 436 a total of ten times today, he didn’t even acknowledge me. I didn’t mean to lie to him, I was doing what I was told. My name is Avai Lynn, born October 12, 4331, I’m 18, and a Senior at West Marin High. How can I explain that I didn't know anything about my past except for the one I was programmed with? But then I decide to corner him in the hallway, maybe now he will understand.
*
“I’m sorry 436, I was just doing what my Master told me.”
“And I must do what mine has ordered me. I am sorry 2248, but I cannot see or speak to you ever again.” I stood there, shocked as I watched him walk away. Why can't he speak to me? What did I do to make Master Brody hate me?
Class went by in a blur, I finished my homework and went through assignments like it was nothing. I went to Cris’s studio for an hour and finished another verse of my newest song, then finally took the bus home. This is how my schedule went for the next few days:
Wake up, get dressed, stay in school for eight long hours, then stay at Cris’s studio for as long as I can before I can take the bus home and stay up until three. Finally only sleeping for a few hours, then the dreaded cycle starts over. I would have been fine if I hadn't been asked that one question: Will you go to senior prom with me? I was caught of guard considering, no-one except Cris notices me. But this dude, who was a Cy, and was once a Fleshling, did.
“So is that a no?”
I blink, “What? Sorry. Can I get back with you later. I am really busy.”
“Um, okay?” He scratched the back of his head and walked off.
How could he want me to go with him to prom. I’m a Ro, unless, he doesn't know I am. I mean no one else knows my secret except Cris and 436. They think I am a Fleshling that's friends with a Cy. If I go with him, I risk getting my skin graft taken off and my secret out.
I asked Cris about it and she said I should, it's only one night. But I doubt my Master will let me go. It has nothing to do with my schooling but everything to do with me being normal. So he has to let me go. Its in my builder's will do he says. I must be normal, I must graduate and I must live.
“Master Sam?” I asked, knocking on the door that leads to his study. “May I come in?”
There was shuffling behind the door, he was being frantic, I could tell from the noise. He opened the door and looked down at me. His hair was bitter in places and his face was pale. Is he okay?
“What do you want.” His voice was gruff and filled with so much disgust I’m sure he would spit on me any moment now.
“I-um- I was wondering if I could go to Promanade Friday night. I thought that if I was normal, and it was something my builder wanted, that I could go.”
He didn't even blink as he thought it over. He had to say yes, but when he did I was still surprised. “Thank you Master!” I screamed and begin to text Cris in my head that I was going. And tomorrow, I can tell that boy, James, that's his name, that I can go with him to Prom. And it surprised me that Cris, just so happened to have his number… Curse her connections, how was I supposed to do this? Just text him? In person conversations are better but, it's better to tell him now than tomorrow. Hi James, this is Avai, the girl you asked to go to prom. I just wanted to tell you that I would love to go to prom with you.
Great! I’ll pick you up at seven. Just give me the address tomorrow.
Okay.
I know, I’m not very good at conversation. I’m not human after all. But how can I have feelings if I’m not human. My builder must have been a genius to make me, a girl Ro even. I’m the only one, at least, that I know of.
I stepped off the bus and onto the parking lot of the school, I had my master’s address tucked safely in my hoodie pocket. I pulled my hood over my head as sheets of rain bounced off the ground, drenching the entire city and my clothes. I run towards the double glass doors and fling the door open. Immediately engulfed in heat and shade, I peel my hoodie off and walk over to my locker. I stuck it in it, grab the note from the hoodie and stick it in my back pocket.
But before I could grab my English textbook my name is heard over the intercom. Why would the band and choir teacher want to see me? I walk across the building and towards the room.
When I open the band room door, five sets of eyes look back at me, two of them I recognize as James and Crystal.
“Why am I here?”
“I volunteered you to play your music at the spring concert.” Crystal says and my eyes widen.
“What!”
“I’m sorry, but you were so good and I didn't think you’d mind.” She was wringing her hands together now.
“You want me, to play in front of everyone at a concert.” Cris nods, “Your family are the only ones who have heard me play, I can't play in front of an entire crowd. That's insanity.”
“Please!” Cris pleaded.
“No, I’m not doing it.” I turn to walk out the door.
“You can get a scholarship.” The band teacher, Mr. Malo, informed me. I stop in my tracks. “Just play this once, it's even better if you have an original piece.”
I don't think I can do this, but Seniors get scholarships all the time, so maybe. And I could make something out of this. A music career. “Okay,” I said, turning back to the group, “I’ll do it.”
*
I spent the next week preparing for Prom, James was performing also in the concert. He reassured me everything would be fine. Crystal brought our dresses, the ones she made for us. Mine has a sweetheart neckline with beading on the front and ruffles that flared out starting from my waists and ending at my knees, the fabric was a beautiful navy blue. Crystal’s dress was the same but a soft peach color. How long had Crystal been working on this?
“These are absolutely gorgeous, how long have you been working on these?” I ask, admiring myself in the mirror. I had gone to Crystal’s house to get ready and James already knew where Crystal lived. They have been friends longer than I. I curled the ends of my hair and Cris put her hair up in pins. When we were done, Cris and I walked into the living room where James was waiting with two corsages. His messy blonde hair was styled in that boy band way, sort of like Shawn Mendes. And he wore a dark gray suit with a baby blue tie.
“For my best friend, Crista” He hands the flower bracelet to Cris who smiles at James, “And to my new friend Ava.”
“You gave me a nickname?” I inquire, taking the clear box from his outstretched hands.
“Yes, is that bad?” He asks as I open the box and slip the corsage on my wrist.
“No, not at all.” I said, moving over to the wall so Karen can take pictures of us. After several pictures, we are finally able to leave and head to Promenade.
Crystal and I sit in the back of James’s red Ford Taurus. We drive in silence, Crystal's leg bounced up and down and I texted her asking her if she was okay. She replied with a simple I’m fine. But I knew she wasn't.
She needs this distraction. To keep her mind off what she is going through, with her baby and that I’m sure she hasn't told the father or her mother. When James parks in the parking lot of the school, you could hear the music blaring from inside. Crystal and I get out by ourselves and we walk inside.
We walk into the gym and everyone is dancing as a DJ plays a band I didn't recognize. This wasn't music, it was all noise. The oldies are better than our modern music. I sigh, but no-one heard me from the noise around us. I walked towards the edge and sat on the bleachers. I didn't feel like dancing. I don't think this was a great idea.
Crystal noticed me and so did James, I felt the vibrations from the music in my chest, in my arms, in my head. I couldn't comprehend anything. This was too much. I ended to leave. I couldn't stay here.
Crystal and James walked towards me and asked over the loud music if I was okay. I motioned towards the door and they nodded. We walked out together.
*
“I can't comprehend anything in there. The noise is too much.” I said after I was free of the noise and was outside.
“We understand.” James reassured, standing next to Cris.
Cris was staring at a car that just pulled up, a tall muscular built teen stepped out of the vehicle. His black hair matched his eyes perfectly from a distance. And his skin was dark, but not as dark as the sky, but I could tell he wasn't as white as paper. Cris sucked in a breath, like if she moved an inch he would see her.
“Is he?” I ask Cris and she nods, not able to form words.
“Is he what? What's going on Crysta?” James inquired, confused.
