Rory reached up, fussing with her choppy black bangs. She didn’t know why she was fussing so much when she was just going to spend time with Elysia. She was…what was she? A friend? Rory supposed they were friendly enough, but did that automatically make them friends? Shaking her head of the thought, Rory moved to grab her bag.

“Done getting ready for your date?” Silas chimed from the bathroom door, and Rory turned to look at her, narrowing her eyes.

“It’s not a date.”

Silas rolled her eyes, pushing herself up off the door frame. “Sure. Keep telling yourself that.”

“It’s not.” Rory pulled on her bag. “I’m not even sure if we’re friends.” She muttered, casting one final glance at her reflection.

“Well, she sure seems to think you are.” Silas shrugged, turning to leave Rory alone. She huffed, trying to figure out what was setting her so on edge. “Rory!” Silas called. “Your girlfriend is here to pick you up for your date!”

“She’s not my—” Rory started before letting out a sigh. “Whatever. I should have just said no.” She made her way downstairs toward the living area, where Silas and Elysia were talking. Rory couldn’t help but notice that her cheeks were flushed red as she broke into a smile as her eyes landed on her. Rory smiled back, although it felt somewhat forced.

“Hi.” Elysia reached up, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “You look nice.”

“So, uh, so do you.”

“Okay. Gag. I’m leaving before you make me throw up.”

“Don’t choke on it,” Rory called, and Silas flipped her off.

“Are you ready to go?” Elysia asked, chuckling at their antics.

“Yeah.” Rory shrugged. “Whenever you are.”

“Then let’s go!” Elysia grabbed her wrist and pulled her out the door.

Rory watched Elysia’s back as she was pulled toward the transit line, her artificial heart skipping a beat in her chest. ‘Hmm. Strange.’

X x x x x X

The transit line was packed. Rory didn’t know why she had thought it wouldn’t be, given it was rush hour. A body collided with her, and Rory looked over as the person started. “Oh, sor—” His face fell when he noticed something about her. And his entire demeanour changed. “Fucking droid.”

“Hey—” Elysia started, only stopping when Rory placed a hand on her shoulder.

“Don’t. It’s not worth it.”

“Are you sure?” Elysia looked at the man who had moved further into the cabin.

“Yeah.” Rory shook her head. “Just let it go. It’s not worth the trouble.”

Elysia sighed, looking somewhat uncomfortable. “I don’t get what people's problems are.”

Rory shrugged, eyes finding an ad for ARTIFICIAL HEART ANDROIDS. Top of the line Droid bodies at top of the line prices. That she’d never be able to afford, no matter how much she worked. “Some people just don’t like different.” She tried to give a soothing smile. “And unfortunately, I am as different as they come.”

“Well, then it’s a good thing I like things that are different.”

“Good thing, yeah.” Rory nodded, smiling down at her. They spent the rest of the ride in silence, not sure what else to say. “When’s our stop?”

“Should be coming up. I hope you like bowling.”

“Wouldn’t know.” Rory shrugged as the tram came to a stop and the doors opened. “Never been.”

“Never!?” Elysia exclaimed, looking up at her as she pulled Rory toward the open door.

Rory shook her head. “Nope. Never. It’s my first time.”

“Oh my god!” Elysia grabbed her arm, shaking her body. “I’m going to pop your bowling cherry.”

“I’m happy you're happy.” Rory laughed, voice box stuttering slightly with the jostling movement. “But shouldn’t we keep walking?”

“Yes! Oh, I’m even more excited now!” Elysia pulled her forward, causing her to stumble over her feet as she was practically dragged behind the human. Once again, her artificial heart beat strangely in her chest.

X x x x x X

Rory stepped inside the bowling alley, which was located in a mostly empty strip mall, crinkling her nose at the smell that permeated the place. “What is that smell?”

“Ya know?” Elysia said, hands on her hips. “I’m not sure. Feet maybe?”

“Feet?” Rory exclaimed, brows shooting up and panic leaking into her tone.

“Yeah.” Elysia nodded. “Feet and stale beer.”

“I might be starting to have some doubts.”

“Don’t worry. It’s fine.” Elysia pulled her toward the front desk. “I’ll pay. Two pairs of shoes and I don’t know if my friends are here yet.” She checked her phone, looking over her shoulder waving at a group who was about halfway down. “There they are, so just the shoes.”

“Size?”

“Mine is a woman’s 6 1/2, Rory?”

Rory jerked back into the conversation. “Oh, uh, 9. Women's.”

The clerk pulled one pair out before asking. “We don’t have any nines. Is an eight okay?”

“Yeah. An eights fine.” Rory nodded, and the clerk set the shoes on the counter as Elysia paid. They grabbed their shoes, and she followed the human toward her friends.

“Are you sure eights are good? If you need a bigger size, I can make a fuss?”

Rory looked down at the shoes. It really wasn’t worth it. “Nah. I think I’m good, but thanks for the offer.”

A frown pulled at Elysia’s lips. “If you say so.”

“I do say so.” Rory huffed, tilting her head back.

“Yo Sia! Glad you could finally fucking make it!” A man yelled, and Rory watched as Elysia bounced toward the group of four. “What took ya so long?”

“I had to pick up a friend.” Elysia gestured to her. “This is Rory.” And then to the other four. “Rory, this is Zayne, Erin, Wade, and Wren. We met at Uni.”

Rory gave a half-wave. “Hey. I’m Rory. It’s, uh, short for Aurora, but I suppose you didn’t need to know that.”  

“I didn’t know—”

“Is that a fucking droid!?” Zayne yelled, leaning forward, his eyes wide with excitement? Curiosity? It was something, and it was directed at Rory. She didn’t like it. It felt wrong.

“No. This is Rory. She just introduced herself.” Elysia said, moving to sit next to Erin.

“No, but is it a droid?”

‘Oh. It. That doesn’t feel good.’ Rory furrowed her brows. She’d say it felt dehumanizing, but she wasn’t human, so she didn’t know if she could say that's what she was feeling. She just knew it felt wrong.

“She is my friend, and her name is Rory. Which I didn’t know was short for Aurora.”  

“Yeah, sure,” Zayne said with a roll of his eyes.

‘Just let it go. It’s not worth it.’ Rory thought as she sat down, putting on the bowling shoes. ‘It’s just not worth the trouble.’

“So!” Wren said, clapping her hands together as she bounced toward the podium. “How about we do teams of three, since there are six of us? Losers buy the winners’ food next time we go out?”

“Sure, but get ready to lose!” Elysia said, placing a hand on her shoulder. “I want Rory on my team.”

“I’ll put our names in the system.” Zayne shot over his shoulder as he moved to sit in front of the worn computer interface.

“What do we want to eat? I can go order us something.” Wade asked, jerking his thumb over his shoulder toward the food court area. “I could go for a pizza and some beer?"

“Beer is gross, Wade!” Wren said, sticking her tongue out in disgust.

“We can get a pitcher of soda as well.” Wade laughed, looking at the group who all seemed less then excited. “Oh come on, guys. At least pretend to care.”

“Pizza sounds good to me.” Elysia said as she walked over to Rory holding out her hand for her to take, helping her to her feet. “I can go order that for us? Pizza and maybe some mozzarella sticks?”

“Sure. If you want.” Wren said as she moved to look at the bowling balls. “Just get something everyone will like.” She looked up, giving Elysia a pointed look. “So no Hawaiian or BBQ pizza.”

“Boo you guys are no fun!” Elysia pouted before jogging off toward the snack bar, leaving Rory alone with her ‘friends’.

“So what are you?” Zayne spoke suddenly, spinning around in the chair he was sitting in. “Some kind of charity case?”

“Zayne!” Erin cried and Zayne held up his hands leaning back as he laughed.

“What!? Am I wrong?”

“You can’t just say stuff like that.” Wade said with a shake of his head.

“Oh come on,” Zayne let out a scoff, crossing his arms over his chest. “It doesn’t even know that we’re talking about it.”

Rory frowned not liking what was being said about her as if she wasn’t standing right there. She stood up and started to walk away.

“Where are you going?” Elysia asked, turning to look at Rory who was stopped in her escape attempt.  

“I’m gonna…” Rory started to say, pausing trying to come up with a good excuse before settling on one that just worked. She needed to get out of this situation. “Go to the bathroom.”

“Going to change your oil?” Zyane hollered, leaning forward hands on his knees. “I didn’t know they had those here!” He roared in laughter at a joke that wasn’t even funny let alone factual.

‘Droids don’t need to get their oil changed. We aren’t cars.’

“Zayne!” Elysia cried and Rory ignored them moving toward the bathroom. She stepped inside, taking in the sudden silence feeling a calm wash over them.

“Much better.” Rory sighed, moving to look at her reflection in the mirror, messing with choppy black bangs and pulling at them. “Why do I suddenly care so much how I look? It’s not like it even matters.” She splashed her face with some water before taking a moment to collect herself.

Rory walked out and back toward the group. She stood, watching as the group of humans laughed at a joke, but she couldn’t find anything funny in what had been said. She just felt so…othered.

Flexing her fingers, she really didn’t want to go up to them. Sighing, Rory walked up to the counter, taking the shoes off and placing them there.

Rory walked out the door, stopping when she realized she’d left her bag back there was well as her shoes. ‘Not worth it.’ She thought with an aggravated wave of her hand and began to walk home. ‘I should have just said no.’

X x x x x X

Rory pushed the door open, stepping into the dimly lit apartment. She stood there, not wanting to move and the events washed over her. Collecting herself she moved further inside stopping in the living room where her amá sat. “You’re back already?”

“Yeah. It…uh, wasn’t for me.” Rory rubbed at the back of head. “Turns out you have to have hand-eye coordination for bowling.” She let out a weak laugh that even she didn’t buy.

Her amá set her book down, focusing her full attention on her. “What’s wrong sweetie? What happened?”

“I just,” Rory shrugged. “Didn’t feel very welcome, is all. Decided to leave early.” She looked away, not sure how to describe the way Zayne’s comments had made her feel. “This one guy made me feel weirdly dehumanized. Kept calling me ‘it’.”

“And this was one of Elysia’s friends?” Her amá said, tone low and oddly threatening.

“I guess. I’m tired. I think I’m gonna turn in for the night.”

“Okay but first,” Her amá opened her arms. “A hug?” Rory allowed herself to be pulled into her amá's arms, burying her face into the crook of her neck. Her amá rubbed circles into her back. “It’s okay to be upset with the way you were treated. It was wrong of them to talk about you like that.”

“I just…I guess I thought since they were Elysia’s friends they’d be like her but they weren’t. It hurt and I feel like, like,” Rory stuttered, mentally grasping for how she felt. “Like I was lied to. I know it’s stupid—”

“It’s not stupid. You trusted Elysia and she broke that trust. You can be mad at her if you are. You can feel however you need to.”

“I don’t know if I’m mad. I just feel…hurt.” Rory pulled away, rubbing at itchy, yet dry eyes. “I really just want to lay down.”

“Okay. If you want to talk about anything, you know you can always talk to me, right?” Her amá gave her a pointed look.

“I know. Thanks. For listening.”

“Of course. You’re my daughter, no matter what anyone else might say.” Her amá huffed, and Rory laughed.

“Yeah. You’re my amá, no matter how much your nagging gets on my nerves.” Rory laughed only for her amá to punch her arm. “Ow. I’m being abused.”

Her amá shook her head. “Sleep well, Rory.”

“You too. Don’t stay up too late.” Rory stopped at the edge of the hall. “You’re book will be here in the morning.” Her amá waved her off and Rory rolled her eyes heading to her room. Ready to power down for the night and forget that today happened at all.