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The day Harpreet Chowdhury moved into her dorm room was the most underwhelming day of her life.
True, perhaps she had put a bit too much weight on it, half-imagining walking into the accommodation building and immediately feeling a sense of who she was. She'd struggled with that her whole life, hating that she was so frequently referred to as the Chowdhury's only daughter.
Only daughter. Daughter. Daughter.
She couldn't put her finger on it, but the inherent girlishness behind the word was uncomfortable, like an ill-fitting pair of shoes. The Chowdhury's only daughter had her picturing a solemn, sensible but feminine girl, dutifully awaiting marriage like the protagonist from a Jane Austen novel. Or so she assumed. Harpreet wasn't much of a reader, outside the realm of studying. She was going to college with plans to get into nursing. Just like her parents wanted.
Quietly, when she pictured a secret, vague future self that of course she couldn't possibly entertain, she imagined herself as a mechanic, fixing up cars. Her long, straight black hair cropped short, and a more assertive, sharp-witted version of herself, confidently instructing someone on how to maintain their car.
Ridiculous, obviously. She didn't know much about cars at all, despite her weird attachment to this image of herself as a mechanic.
Besides, at this precise second Harpreet was walking into the most expensive accommodation the college offered. Both her parents and grandparents had slowly added money to an account, the intention for it being a wedding fund. However, Harpreet's mother quickly understood that her child had little interest in dating, and that the money would have much better use going towards Harpreet's education.
She couldn't let her parents down. They had paid for an on-campus, shared accommodation, with a residential assistant. She would have her own room, and a shared kitchen and living room.
The best they could afford. She couldn't let them down. Despite how out of sorts she felt, like a child waiting to be picked up from somewhere.
That evening, there had been a knock at her door. Harpreet eagerly wrenched it open, hoping to see someone interested in being her friend.
"Hello," smiled an android. A KL900, according to the label on her uniform.
Harpreet stared. She couldn't help it. She'd never had an android speak to her before. She'd seen them around, spoken to them at stores, but never had a direct conversation with one.
"My name is Tabby," the android said, smiling kindly.
Tabby was honestly beautiful, in Harpreet's opinion. She wore the plain, grey Cyberlife uniform shirts, but her braided hair was long, hanging down past her shoulders.
"Uh…." Harpreet stared.
"I notice that you didn't join the other housemates," Tabby said, "on their trip out?"
Oh. That.
It seemed that everyone on their floor had decided to check out a local bar. But Harpreet felt exhausted.
"I'm… tired," Harpreet said lamely.
Tabby nodded. "What's your name?"
"Harpreet Chowdhury."
"That's a mouthful," Tabby smiled, "is there something we can call you for short? Just Harpreet, or-"
"Harps," Harps said, without thinking. She wasn't sure where it came from, somewhere deep inside. However, the second she said it, she knew it was right.
"Harps," Tabby repeated with a smile, "there's two other girls here, who didn't go out. I'd like for you to meet them, if that's all right?"
Harps found herself nodding. Tabby smiled, and took a step back, waiting.
Oh. Harps needed to follow.
"Also…" Harps said hesitantly.
Tabby immediately paused, looking at Harps expectantly.
"I'm… I'm not a girl," Harps said, stammering.
"Ah, got it," Tabby said, and her smile changed slightly. There was now a subtle crease in her eyes. The smile was so startlingly human and full of understanding, Harps felt herself stiffen.
That was weird. Androids didn't… usually do that did they?
Harps blinked. Androids are designed to say what you wanted to hear. Nothing more.
Tabby held open the door to the shared living room area.
As Harps entered, the two people inside looked up. Both had been on their phones, sat nearby but not beside each other.
They were both very skinny. Harps awkwardly folded their arms, self-conscious about their size.
"Girls," Tabby said brightly, "this is Harps Chowdhury. They also didn't want to go out tonight. Harps, this is Stephanie Ewane and Su Chung."
Tabby gestured to each girl in turn. Stephanie was a tall girl with hair in an almost identical style to Tabby's, whilst Su's hair was cut very short.
"I'll make some tea," Tabby said, "do you like chai?"
Harps's eyes widened in surprise. "Yes please," they said.
Tabby smiled as she left.
"She knows your food preferences," Stephanie said.
"I… what?" Harps said, as she slowly walked in and sat on the couch opposite Stephanie and Su's armchairs.
"The form you filled in, stating your food and drink preferences," Stephanie said, "they would have the android memorize them."
"Oh," Harps said, feeling silly.
"Androids take a while to get used to," Stephanie said. Her voice was very matter of fact, firm. There were also traces of an accent Harps was struggling to identify.
"Are you used to androids?" Su asked quietly.
"Yes," Stephanie said.
"An android dropped you off," Harps said, remembering. There had been one of the tall, blond household ones. He had been carrying a smaller child on his back, as well as helping Stephanie with her bags.
"Mhm," Stephanie said, "my mother was busy with work she couldn't get out of, so our android dropped me off."
"Right," Harps said. They scanned the girl's face.
"It's French," Stephanie said, "the accent."
Harps's face flushed. Had their stare been that obvious?
"Sorry," they said.
"And you?" the girl prompted, unphased.
"Uh… from Detroit," Harps said, "my parents are too, but my grandparents are from Delhi. In India."
"I know where Delhi is," Stephanie said, "I live in Canada, but we're actually French, not French-Canadian. We lived in France until I was twelve. I grew up in Couhé."
"And your dad's -?"
"American, but ironically he lives in Paris now. With his new wife. I don't know how he tricked a Parisian woman to fall for his shit," she said with a disdainful sniff.
There was something cultural there that Harps was missing. Were Parisian women known for being particularly sharp? Either way, it made them feel foolish.
"Right," Harps nodded as if they understood.
There was a beat.
"So, the android-" Harps started.
"Fluffy," Stephanie said abruptly, "I named him Fluffy when we got him."
"Why?" Harps asked.
"I wanted a dog, but maman said we needed the android. I refused to call him anything else," Stephanie rolled her eyes.
Harps felt cold. They knew androids weren't alive, and weren't any more sentient than a mobile phone, but hearing Stephanie talk about her android so callously made Harps uncomfortable.
"What are you studying, Su?" Harps said, desperate to change the subject.
"I'm d-doing film," Su said. As she stuttered, her cheeks flushed and she looked down.
"Cool," Harps said.
They all sat in silence, until Tabby returned with the tea.
Su stared at the washing up, piled up beside the sink. Every mug she owned was in that haphazard heap. She had finally managed to get it out of her room, which had gotten steadily messier and messier. Clothes on the floor, her desk covered in plates and bowls, and her bed covered in books.
It was time to deal with it. However, the burst of energy that had gotten her to move a fraction of the mess out of her room had now left her, and she was faced with.
This.
Tears pricked her eyes, and she let them fall, standing there feeling like a child. It was just washing up.
"Su?" Tabby's gentle voice filled her with shame and relief in equal measure. These past few weeks Su had grown to love Tabby's silent company, as the android often came and sat in the living space with her.
None of the other housemates did.
Su shut her eyes, unwittingly forcing more tears out.
"Are you all right?" Tabby asked.
"Mm," Su nodded, unconvincingly.
"Would you like some help?"
"No, I c-can wash up, I'm fine," Su tried not to stutter, but it came out anyway. She couldn't look at the android.
"It's all right," Tabby said, "let me."
It was so unbelievably stupid, to be overwhelmed by such a small chore.
"No," Su whispered, "I'm not a child, I'm… I can wash up. Please go."
Despite her insistence that she was fine, Su was surprised when Tabby actually left the room, and found herself crying.
She told the android to leave, and she left. Obviously.
Su began to fill the sink with warm water, tears still pouring down her face.
Do it. Just do it you useless-
"Move," Stephanie's bored voice was loud, and Su was so shocked she stumbled out of the way.
Stephanie added dish soap to the basin, and to Su's embarrassment, started washing up her things.
"S-S-Stephanie-" Su tried, but the other girl looked at her blankly.
"What is it?"
"I d-don't want you t-t-to do that," Su said.
"Then you should've done it. Can you get me my juice?"
Su knew what Stephanie meant. The jug of fresh orange juice that was always in the refrigerator. She had no idea where Stephanie got it from.
Obediently, she got the jug and started pouring Stephanie a glass.
Harps came in, carrying a brown paper back. "I'm making curry for dinner," they said to Stephanie, "do you want some?"
Stephanie pursed her lips. "Can you cook?"
"I can cook a korma. Not too spicy, so I think you'd like it?"
Stephanie made a snarl of disgust. "What makes you think I couldn't handle spice, andouille?"
"I don't know what that means," Harps said, "Su, would you like some?"
"I… I d-don't know, it's okay-"
"I have like a million chickpeas to use," Harps said, "you'd be doing me a favor."
"Let her finish speaking, jerk," Stephanie said, throwing a handful of dish soap bubbles at Harps and saying the word "jerk" with an over-exaggerated valley girl accent.
Harps yelped, but had the sense to look embarrassed. "Sorry Su," they said.
"It's fine," Su said.
"Great. Harps cooks, I wash, you dry and put away," Stephanie said.
Su obediently began drying without thinking about it. It wasn't until after she had gone back to her room, well-fed and sleepy, that she realized that Tabby had most likely orchestrated it all.
Stephanie searched desperately for a glass, her bottle of cheap wine open on the table. Unfortunately, it appeared that Su had taken her up on her offer to borrow things whenever she needed. Stephanie's glasses were all missing.
No matter. Stephanie took her jug of orange juice from the fridge, and added the wine to it. That's how desperate she was.
She had just called her mother, to tell her that she had done well. That she had gotten a job in the student support center, to help international students joining the college.
No one had answered, so she had video-called the family's tablet.
Fluffy had answered, sitting at the kitchen table doing homework with Stephanie's younger sister Ijlal.
"Hello Stephanie," he had said pleasantly. His mouth curved upwards into a small smile, but his eyes remained frozen, an almost sad look in the pale blue.
Before, Fluffy's eyes would crease whenever he smiled, and he had only smiled with one half of his mouth, showing a few teeth. It had been a goofy smile.
"Où est maman?" Stephanie said abruptly, trying to shake off the grief the memory brought.
"Your mother is out with a new friend," Fluffy responded in French, "and requested I do not disturb her unless it's an emergency."
With a sickening pang, Stephanie remembered old Fluffy, who would act confused whenever she spoke French.
"What are you saying?" he would say, his voice growing higher in alarm, "you're making weird sounds, Stephanie. I can't understand you."
She would laugh and say something else, still in French.
"Stephanie, you are not well! Should I call an ambulance?" Fluffy would pantomime panic, putting his hands to his hair and looking desperately for a mobile phone, as if he couldn't just call anyone he wanted from his own head. "Ma'am, your daughter speaks nonsense. It's all over for her."
"She's with her new boyfriend!" Ijlal shouted, abandoning the homework and crawling onto Fluffy's lap, the plastic baubles on her hair ties clacking together loudly.
"Great," Stephanie said, "well. Never mind then. I'm gonna go."
"Stephanie," Fluffy said loudly, urgently.
Stephanie jumped, staring at the screen.
Fluffy carefully put Ijlal back on her chair, and rose, carrying the tablet into the kitchen.
"Are you okay?" he asked. His blue eyes stared intently at her.
Fluffy.
"I…" Stephanie swallowed shakily, "I'm… I'm not sure."
Fluffy stared at her, searching her face. "Maybe we could-"
His voice abruptly cut off, and he blinked rapidly. His expression fell away, then he smiled that small, polite smile that he had before. The one that didn't reach his eyes.
"I'll let your mother know you called when she returns," he said, that same pleasant voice back.
Stephanie hung up, staring at her reflection in the black phone screen.
"Fluffy," she whispered. Oh god. For a second, it was like…
Stephanie had fled to the kitchen, looking for a drink. She rubbed away the tears that kept attempting to form. Fuck off.
She swirled the jug, feeling stupid that she'd ruined her fresh orange juice with shit wine. She brought the jug to her lips, and began to drink, knowing how ridiculous and dramatic it looked. Sticky juice and wine dripped down the corner of her mouth.
It tasted awful. She lowered the jug, hearing someone approach the kitchen.
"You don't need me to tell you that's a bad idea."
Oh. It was only Tabby.
Stephanie raised the jug again.
"Stephanie," Tabby said, firmer now, "stop."
Stephanie put the jug down. "Fine. Not because you told me to," she said. She wiped the juice from her mouth on the cuff of her sleeve.
Tabby tilted her head. "Want to talk about it?"
"Not really," Stephanie said, lifting herself up to sit on the kitchen counter.
Tabby opened a cabinet, and took out a large, metal water bottle that Stephanie had forgotten she owned. It was painted an ugly, bright orange color. The android offered it to her.
Stephanie shrugged.
With an eye roll, Tabby poured some of the contents of the jug into the bottle, securing the lid and offering it to Stephanie.
"Your juice, madam," Tabby said, in the absolute worst French accent Stephanie had ever heard.
Letting out a startled laugh, Stephanie took the bottle, and sipped it. It was only slightly better like this, but better nonetheless. She regarded Tabby carefully.
"You're gonna tell me to talk about what's going on?"
"You know I'm not allowed to tell you to do anything," Tabby said.
"You do, though," Stephanie said, "you told me to go and help Su."
"I asked, and you listened," Tabby corrected, "that's different."
Stephanie stared. "That was a politician's answer. Are you programmed to talk like that?"
"I like to believe it's my own unique personality but yes, I do have some programmed guidance on how to speak to miserable young adults."
Stephanie snorted, and looked away. Her mobile phone was discarded on the table.
"I wanted to tell my family I got a job. But my mother was busy with her apparent new boyfriend. Which is weird because she still talks about dad whenever she gets drunk. And I know my father doesn't care. He doesn't even know what college I'm in. He's never answered a call from me, and he takes days to text back. Too busy with Côme and Cammie. My dad's new wife, and Côme is my half brother," she added, as an explanation, watching Tabby's head tilt. Only immediate family would've been mentioned on the forms Tabby would've seen.
Tabby nodded, a sympathetic smile twisting her face, and for some reason Stephanie kept going.
"But maman didn't even drop me off at college. And she literally didn't care what I studied. Just… why can't they be proud of me?" Stephanie said, tears finally starting to spill, "I just want them to care."
She shakily inhaled, and took another drink from her bottle.
"Fuck them," Tabby said.
Stephanie gave a start. "What?"
"Fuck them," Tabby repeated, "who cares what they think?"
Stephanie stared in complete bewilderment.
"You already said that your father favors his new wife and baby. Your mother spends more time dwelling on the past. The only one actually actively focusing on your future is you. Don't bother taking their opinions into consideration," Tabby said.
She gave Stephanie a grin that could only be described as wicked, dimples appearing in her cheeks.
"You have new friends. And I imagine to get a job with the student support team, the students there have to like you. Don't be afraid to turn to them instead. I'm sure Harps and Su would be very impressed to hear about your job."
Stephanie felt herself smile back reflexively.
Then Tabby's LED spun blue. And Stephanie remembered Fluffy's smile, both before and after.
"Don't…. Don't do that," Stephanie said slowly.
Tabby tilted her head, apparently confused.
"Don't act…" Stephanie jumped down from the counter, gesturing wildly, "like that. It's… it's not real."
A look flitted across Tabby's face. Hurt.
No. Androids couldn't feel hurt. It was pretend.
"Leave me alone," Stephanie said, and she ran back to her room, water bottle sloshing noisily.
Harps was going stir crazy.
They were alone. At college, sitting in their room. They should be out, doing things. Not necessarily drinking like the majority of their accommodation block, but something. They had made the mistake of checking social media, and noticing that their high school friends were clearly much better at this college thing than they were.
Here, everyone used their pronouns, called them Harps and whilst that had felt beautiful and validating, it hadn't been this huge moment of realization that Harps had envisioned.
Part of them still felt like Harpreet, trying out a new nickname. More than that though, Harps was so fucking lonely.
That evening in the kitchen, when Harps, Su, Stephanie and Tabby had cooked and cleaned together, had been the best night at college so far. Even Stephanie's abrasiveness had felt more like a snarky but playful older sister, rather than mean.
It had also been the most they had ever heard Su talk. After opening up, Su rambled for half an hour about her struggles to find sources for a French movie called Chocolat from 1988, which was now buried underneath another film from the 2000s with the same name.
Stephanie had excitedly recommended a French video vlogger who frequently discussed old movies. It turns out Su also spoke a little bit of French. Harps tried not to feel jealous.
There was a knock on their door.
Tabby.
Harps couldn't answer. Sometimes, Tabby was a bit too uncanny. She felt too… human. Harps recalled Tabby knocking on their bedroom door to explain that Su was in distress.
"She's embarrassed, but she needs help."
"What should I do?" Harps had asked without thinking, forgetting yet again that Tabby wasn't human.
"People like to help, I've noticed," Tabby said, her gaze drifting to the side, "if I try to help, it feels patronizing, I think. Something cleaning up the mess, hiding it away," she bit her lip, and looked back at Harps, "but if a human goes in to help, it feels like an olive branch. A chance for Su to feel like she's on equal footing, especially if you split up the work."
Harps slowly stood. "So I should…?"
"If I reimburse you, could you cook dinner? I think they'd appreciate one of your curries."
"Stephanie, too?" Harps said, grimacing slightly.
The dismissive way Stephanie spoke to Tabby, and the humiliating name she had given her own android still rubbed Harps the wrong way.
"Give Stephanie a chance," Tabby had said, "there's more to her than you think."
There was another knock at the door. Louder this time.
Harps wrenched it open to see Stephanie standing there, in expensive-looking green silk pajamas, holding a bright orange water bottle. She blinked, surprised at Harps's force.
"Bad time?" Stephanie mumbled. Her voice sounded odd.
"I thought you were Tabby," Harps said.
"Ah. Well, I need to go and collect a package from the mailbox, and don't want to go alone," Stephanie said. Her American accent was slipping slightly, a soft French lilt creeping through.
"Are you drunk?" Harps said, finally noticing the slow blink that Stephanie had adopted.
Stephanie snarled, turning away. "Fine andouille, I'll go alone."
"No no, wait," Harps said quickly, "I'll come with you."
The mailboxes were situated outside the front of the accommodation building, a whole wall of tiny metal safes. When a delivery arrived, the student recipient was emailed a code to enter into the touchscreen.
Something about it felt exposed, away from the light of the accommodation building's entrance.
Stephanie sighed loudly, but waited as Harps pulled on a pair of clogs.
Harps half expected Stephanie to make fun of the shoes, but to their surprise Stephanie said nothing. It was then Harps noticed Stephanie's eyes were red, and the skin around them was puffy.
They paused, debating whether or not they should ask.
"What did you order?" Harps said instead.
"Book," Stephanie said, with a hiccup.
"What book?" Harps said.
"A film one from Celeste Starrie Sky," Stephanie said.
It took Harps a second to place the name. "Oh. That vlogger you recommended to Su?"
Stephanie nodded.
They walked out of the main entrance, and alongside the wall, Harps checking their surroundings.
Stephanie let out a small hiss. "Making me nervous, andouille."
"Sorry, sorry," Harps said.
They reached the mailboxes, and Stephanie took out her phone.
"Nice. Pajamas with pockets," Harps said.
Stephanie let out a snort. "Weirdo."
Harps looked away. "You're weird."
It was then, something caught Harps's eye. Someone running across the courtyard towards their accommodation.
"Su?" Harps said, loudly.
Stephanie's head whipped around, and they both stared as Su — in her unmistakable, bright yellow raincoat - ran towards their accommodation building.
The mailboxes abandoned, Stephanie and Harps both rushed back towards the accommodation building, getting there moments before Su.
"G-g-go!" Su gasped.
Without waiting for an explanation her two friends clutched at her frantically and they ran towards the main entrance.
A hand fell on Harps's shoulder and they let out a scream, shoving Su forwards hard, inside the building.
Stephanie, unsteady on her feet thanks to the alcohol and not expecting Su's weight to suddenly be shoved against her, shrieked as she fell, dragging Su with her. Her metal bottle clattered loudly across the floor.
Harps was breathless with fear, scrabbling at the doorway even as the stranger pulled them backwards.
Suddenly, Tabby was there, slamming her palm into the man's nose. With a howl, he let go of Harps and instead grabbed Tabby.
Harps quickly ran inside and turned around, attempting to close the door, but the man was pulling on Tabby's wrist, trying to drag her outside.
He was familiar. Tall, white, with dark hair. Harps struggled to remember where they had seen him before-
Su stood up, grabbing onto Tabby and trying to pull her inside. "J-Jake, stop please!"
Jake. He was from Su's classes, Harps remembered now. Weeks ago, Su had complained about being placed with him to work on a project.
"Let go, fucking machine!" Jake spat at Tabby.
"Please, hurry!" Harps heard Stephanie saying to someone.
The emergency intercom, to call security. It was on the wall just beside the door.
Jake seemed to realize how much trouble he was in. Changing tactics, he yanked on the door hard, and it slammed on Tabby's arm. To their horror, Tabby cried out as though she were in pain.
"No, please," Su gasped as Tabby stumbled forward, curling around her arm, and Jake slammed the door again, this time catching Tabby's face in it with a horrific crunch.
"No!" Stephanie screamed, raising her water bottle. As Jake opened the door again, ready to repeat his attack, she smacked him in the forehead with it, making a comically loud dong sound.
He fell backwards with a scream, clutching his face. Finally, Tabby was inside and Harps and Su slammed the door, the electronic lock automatically setting.
The only way to get in was with a keycard, which Jake did not have. The man turned and ran.
"Holy shit," Harps whispered. They looked at Tabby, and their breath caught in their throat.
Tabby was a mess. There was a deep gash across her cheek from where the door had slammed on her face, and her arm looked almost severed.
The door had a mechanism in place to stop it slamming on humans. It apparently didn't work on androids.
"No, non, non…" Stephanie whispered.
There was a knock on the door, and all four of them jumped.
Security. Moments too late.
The door slid open, and two identical security androids stepped inside. They stared almost straight ahead.
Stephanie recognized their model numbers, even before she had spotted it embroidered on their clothes. GJ500s. Not programmed to be sociable, barely operating outside of their functions.
"What happened?" one of the GJ500s asked.
Harps and Su both started to frantically speak at the same time, but Tabby raised her good arm, offering it to one of the androids. He reached over and took it, connecting with her.
"Understood," one said after a moment. He turned to look at Su. "Jacob McCary. Film and Media Student. We will inform the authorities. The police may come to collect a statement tomorrow. Please remain home."
"O-okay," Su said timidly.
He turned to leave, the other matching his movements.
"What about Tabby?" Harps said, breathlessly.
"Leave it here. It can wait in its room, and go to a repair facility tomorrow," the second GJ500 said, and then they both left.
The entrance hall was silent.
"No fucking way," Harps whispered after a moment.
Tabby winced sadly. "Harps-"
"No. We're going upstairs," Harps snapped. They took Tabby's good arm and put it across their shoulder.
Tabby looked down, blue blood trickling down her face.
"No, keep your head up," Harps said. Tabby obeyed.
Su nodded, and started to follow.
Unfortunately, Stephanie was silent as they walked. Harps had been banking on her making a shitty, sarcastic comment for the sake of normalcy.
"What happened?" Harps said.
"H-he showed up to our s-s-s-study session um. High," Su said, her stammer stronger than usual, "I d-don't know w-what on. I…" she swallowed.
"It's okay," Stephanie said, "you don't have to explain."
Su started to cry softly, and Harps regretted asking.
Tabby was unusually quiet. She kept her eyes down, but complied with Harps's request to keep her head up.
The gesture was so human it hurt.
All of this hurt. For the first time since meeting Tabby, the android had nothing to say. No advice or wisdom, just.
Silence.
"W-we could go with her to to a repair facility tomorrow," Su said, as they reached the kitchen, "it's just a scrape, they can just replace that piece, right?"
"No," Stephanie said dully, taking a drink from her definitely-not-water bottle, "it happened to the android at my house. They took Fluffy in after some guy threw a rock at him in the street."
Stephanie hiccuped loudly, and swayed where she stood.
"He only got a dent here," she continued, putting two fingers to the bridge of her nose, "but they completely reset him. Anything to do with their heads? They wipe them."
There was a faraway look in her eye. Only then did Harps realize how jarring it must've been for her, to have spent all that time with a person, for them to then just be reset.
"And Fluffy-?" Su started, but Stephanie shook her head.
"Gone," she said, "he came back blank. I couldn't… I couldn't look at him."
"They're gonna delete Tabby," Su said, her voice a mere whimper.
"No, they're not," Harps said loudly. They frowned, thinking hard and staring at the gash across Tabby's face. The synthetic skin rippled like water.
"I have duct tape in my room," Harps said.
"Fucking why?" Stephanie said.
"If I can tape up these gashes," Harps said, ignoring Stephanie, "we can repair you. Slowly."
Tabby frowned.
"What do you mean?" Stephanie asked.
"I've been… I've been going to the robotics department," Harps admitted.
"You take nursing," Su said.
"It was for a prosthetic limb class," Harps said, "but I… I kept going afterwards. I was already really interested in machinery before, and… and they have all this stuff about androids."
"I told you to put in for a class transfer," Tabby murmured.
"I will," Harps said, "and… I've been talking to some people. People who take robotics. I think we can ask them for help."
"Help?" Stephanie snorted.
"Yes," Harps snapped.
"Why would they help us?" Stephanie said.
"The robotics department of a college in Detroit?" Harps said loudly, "the home of the first androids?"
"I-if we can h-hang on unt-til t-tomorrow," Su said, "y-you could ask s-someone to 3-3…" she inhaled, cheeks flushing, but Stephanie and Harps waited, "3D print parts. This c-college has access to th-those Cyberlife files."
"The damage to your face is quite superficial, I think," Harps said, wincing, "it looks worse than it is."
Tabby nodded. "I believe it is," she said.
"And your arm is… worse, but that'll be easier to hide," Harps said.
"Easier to repair too," Stephanie said, "without a full reset." She looked hopeful now.
"We just have to hang on until the morning," Harps said.
Su's phone buzzed, and she took it out of her pocket. She stared in disbelief at it, putting it on the table. The other three of them looked at it.
December 21st 2037. Happy Winter Solstice!
Tonight marks the longest night of the year. Make sure to wrap up warm!
"What is that?" Stephanie asked.
"It's an app th-that gives me p-positive messages about each d-day," Su said.
"At ten at night?"
"I d-don't ch-choose the times, it's r-random," Su said, her voice getting louder.
"Whatever. I'm making coffee," Stephanie said.
"You could get some sleep," Tabby murmured.
"No," Stephanie, Su and Harps said in unison.
"We're taking care of you," Harps said, "like you do for us."
Tabby smiled, and a tear slipped out of her eye.
December 21st, 2038.
Su rocked on her heels, trying to keep warm. She could wait inside, but part of her was convinced that she had the wrong coffee shop. She had prayed that she wouldn't be the first to arrive, but as usual she was made to suffer.
Finally, ten minutes later, a familiar figure approached, brushing snow off of her shoulders.
"Tabby!" Su called, running forwards and giving her a hug.
"Su," Tabby said warmly, putting her hand on the back of Su's head and giving her a kiss on top of her beanie, "how are you?"
"I'm g-good!" Su said, "c-can we go inside?"
The two entered Sienna's, Tabby listening as Su chattered away, talking about her classes that day.
It had been a strange year. After Harps had — as promised — slowly started to repair her, Tabby realized that she was really different from other androids.
Until she wasn't.
"Deviation". Androids "waking up". Tabby couldn't recall a moment where she woke up. Maybe she stepped off the line like this.
She cared about her charges equally, but there was something about Stephanie, Su and Harps. They had become a family of sorts.
The end of their first year of college, the trio had moved into an apartment together, and Tabby had gone with them, becoming first of many androids to simply vanish, prior to the Revolution.
The Revolution.
Of course, Su, Stephanie and Harps had kept her hidden, having never formally announced that there was an android there. So once androids were free, they had to be upfront with what they were. And to comply with new laws, Tabby was now officially living with other androids in specific android accommodation.
The four hoped they'd all be back living together soon.
"Are you drinking bubble tea?" a voice said in disgust. Stephanie sat down, holding an espresso.
"They're good," Su insisted.
"No," Stephanie said, as Harps walked over to the table quickly.
"Why didn't you wait?" Harps moaned at Stephanie, loudly dragging a chair out from under the table and settling into it, "I started talking to the guy behind me thinking you were still there."
"Ah, making friends andouille," Stephanie said.
"Fuck off," Harps muttered.
Tabby smiled, taking a sip from her thirium latte and listening to her friends bicker.