AllFreeNovel
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“I know the app is extremely important to you, and all we want is for you to be successful with it. But we’re here.” She gestures to all of their faces on my phone screen. “Chloe, Ava, Liam, and myself. Your best friends. We don’t want you to miss out on fun and great memories with us because you’re so focused on your work. Remember how I started the book club because I was worried we were drifting? I just don’t want that to happen to you.”
My fingers freeze over the keyboard again. She’s right. I’ve been so consumed by the app that I’ve been pushing my friends away. I keep telling myself that I’ll make it up to them, and Mia, when I’m done with my app, but time is passing by. What if it’s too late?
“I guess a break won’t hurt,” I admit.
Lily’s gray eyes light up. “Really? Wow, it worked.”
Liam gives his sister a look. “Are you not aware of your persuasive powers?”
“Um, no?”
“You convinced Uncle Zane to put romance in his books,” Chloe reminds her. “He was a fantasy writer who barely put any romance in his stories. And now look at him. A major bestselling author because of his epic romance scenes. You have a gift.”
She beams. “Cool. Thanks.”
I shut down my computer. “Just for an hour, okay? I don’t want to fall behind.”
“My driver will take us to the party,” Ava says. “Be ready in ten, guys.”
We end the call, and I walk over to my closet. Are all my clothes in the laundry?
“WillowBot.” I turn to my two-foot, human-looking robot who’s cleaning my room. “Are all my clothes in the wash?”
“There is a wine-colored shirt in closet three,” she responds in a female voice. “However, it is one size too large for your body, which is the reason you placed it in closet three.”
“Oh, that’s fine,” I say as I head to the closet. “Better than being too small.”
Closet three is where I stash all my tech that is not in use. There are some clothes in there, too, because the closet I use for my clothes is the smallest one. I just have too much tech stuff and need to use the larger closets. How many clothes does someone need anyway?
“Ah, here it is. Thanks, WillowBot. Glad your systems are working flawlessly. As long as Mia keeps her hands off you, you’re safe.”
“Your sister, Mia Park, is quite fond of me,” she says as her hand transforms into a dustpan and she cleans some crumbs off the floor. “I do not think I am unsafe in her hands.”
“Have you forgotten how many times she dropped you?” I say as I change out of my sweats and into the purple shirt and jeans.
“She has a good heart, your sister,” WillowBot says.
“She does.”
“Where are you going?”
“To a party. A high school party.”
“High school party,” she says. “An activity adolescents partake in, usually on the weekends. There is sometimes underage drinking and drugs. Willow Park, I do not believe you should participate in this activity.”
I laugh. “It’s okay, WillowBot. Trust me, I have no intention of partaking in any of those activities. Thanks for looking out for me. I’ll be okay. And thanks for cleaning my room. Time for you to retire for the night.”
I pick her up from the floor and turn her off, placing her on my desk. If I come home and find her moved from her spot, I’ll know Mia touched her. Again. I tell her so many times that she’s not a toy, but Mia just loves her too much.
When I get downstairs, I find Mom and Dad sitting on the living room couch with the lights dimmed. One of Mom’s favorite science shows is on. It’s an old program she and Dad watch all the time, about people who have organisms invading their bodies. I used to be obsessed with it and watched it with them, too, but not lately. This app hasreallytaken over my life. It’ll be such a relief when I’m finished with it.
The thing is, though? My parents aren’t watching the show. Mom’s not gushing to Dad how amazing science is and Dad’s not freaking out about a man having a worm in his eye. Nope, my parents are making out like they’re the only ones in the house and aren’t worried one of their kids might catch them and want to puke her guts out.
“House, lights on,” I command.
The lights turn on.
“Come on, parents,” I grumble as I stand before them with my hands on my hips. “Do you want to see what I had for dinner tonight?”
