Naomi's point of view
"I bet Ricardo and Jeremy are the powerful androids," I said, pacing frantically in the empty classroom where I had dragged Benji. He sat on the edge of a desk, his eyes tracking my every move.
"You're crazy," he replied, his calm demeanor suggesting that my theory wasn't worth entertaining.
I stopped mid-step, disappointment bubbling up as I faced him. "Gaston Russo—Ricardo's last name is Russo, just like Jeremy's. That can't be a coincidence. Think about it! None of the other androids have caused any reactions with humans, but Ricardo does with me."
I stepped closer, but Benji's skeptical expression remained unchanged. "Okay, but you're the only one who's mentioned feeling anything. How do we even know if anyone else around him experiences the same thing? Russo is a common Italian name. Maybe he's just a guy with the same name."
"Gaston doesn't have kids. He's married to a robot, apparently," I insisted, frustration creeping into my voice. "And I've never seen those two boys before, but as soon as the android phenomenon becomes a big deal, they suddenly appear."
I rubbed my forehead, feeling the weight of exhaustion. Why couldn't he see it?
Nothing I said could break through his skepticism. These androids had only been released in January, and everyone was still adjusting to the whole phenomenon.
"I have a classmate who's an android," I told him, hoping to clarify my point. "Her owner wants her to be like a daughter because she can't have kids. She told me she's just trying to blend in and not be noticed."
"So?" he replied, unimpressed.
I rubbed my face in frustration and took a deep breath. "That means we can't just assume people are human based on their appearance. Just like Ashley, there could be others trying to blend in. Androids like Ricardo and Jeremy. What if they're trying to do the same? I doubt they'd flaunt their abilities. Look at their test scores—98 and 97%. They probably used some AI to get those marks."
"Sounds like you're just jealous they outperformed you on the test," he shot back, dismissing my argument.
I sighed, feeling defeated. "I give up. One day, I'll be vindicated. Know that you are the one who initially put the idea in my head."
As I opened the door, I caught sight of Jeremy and Ricardo leaning against the wall opposite the classroom, deep in conversation. I didn't want them to see me, but it was too late when I heard Ricardo call out, "Naomi!" Ignoring him, I hurried away, hearing laughter erupt behind me.
---
During the last period of the day, I sat alone in the empty classroom. Our biology teacher was on maternity leave, and they still hadn't found a substitute. With nothing else to do, I opened a novel I'd borrowed from the library, allowing the quiet to settle around me. Suddenly, I heard footsteps approaching from the hallway. My ears seemed sharper than ever, picking up every small detail—the scuff of shoes, faint whispers of distant conversations. Lately, I'd been overhearing things I shouldn't—wild, intimate secrets, gossip, and rumors no one intended for me to hear.
My heart leaped with joy as I gazed into Ricardo's beautiful green eyes. They were so vibrant, like a lush grassy field for two lovers to run through, laughing in the height of their love. Man, I really needed to stop reading so many romance novels. My stomach fluttered, and I couldn't help but take in his impressive build, his thick dark hair perfectly styled. If he really was an android, I had to admit, Gaston had a talent for sculpting robots. Too bad he wasn't nearly as good-looking himself.
"I knew you were weird, but I didn't think you'd be into sitting alone in classrooms, probably chanting demonic incantations," he teased.
"My teacher's on maternity leave, so it's a free period. Some of us actually enjoy our own company," I replied, turning back to my book, trying to ignore the rising annoyance and the strange electric sensations that surged through me whenever he was around. Whether human or android, he always had this effect on me.
"Okay, so you don't mind some company then."
"I don't need any company. I was fine alone," I retorted, my voice sharper than I intended. My heart scolded me for saying that, but I wasn't about to stroke his ego. He seemed like the type to brag to his friends and twist it into me hitting on him.
Ignoring my protest, he shut the door and sat beside me. I could feel his gaze on the side of my face, and while I tried to focus on my book, I wasn't reading a single word.
"Take a picture," I said, still pretending to read, my expression serious. He chuckled lightly, throwing his head back to rest on the table behind his chair, staring at the ceiling. I could hear his calm breathing. His laughter drew my gaze toward him, and I couldn't help but notice the strong, defined neck and prominent veins that made him even more appealing.
Maybe he is human, I thought, analyzing every detail of him. I didn't know; he looked too human to be a robot. No one could create such a perfect replica of a human using synthetic materials. Was I wrong? Handsomeness aside, I found myself questioning everything I thought I knew.
"Look who's staring," he said, still focused on the ceiling. A smile crept onto my face, and I felt my ears heat up while my cheeks burned like a furnace. The room suddenly felt hot.
"Are you going to the party at Brianna's house on Friday?" he asked, breaking the brief silence.
"I just heard she's hosting a party, but I doubt she'd expect me to show up," I replied.
"Why's that?"
"That girl has bullied me since I started high school. She's made my life a living hell. Plus, I never get invited to any good parties. I'm an ugly nerd, remember?" I explained.
He giggled—a sound I had come to love. If he were an android, Gaston must have paid attention to every detail.
"Brianna invited me herself. She didn't want Jeremy to come, but I insisted he would. She flirts with me every chance she gets."
It didn't surprise me. I knew Brianna would try to make a move on him. People like her got boys like him. Girls like me spent our time coding software, hacking into CCTV cameras for practice, and building miniature robots in our rooms while others partied and got drunk. Different personalities filled this school, and it was clear Brianna wanted Ricardo for herself.
"Brianna's hot in your eyes, huh?" I questioned.
"Yeah, she is. Gorgeous, but she's not my type."
I burst out laughing, the sound echoing in the empty classroom—music to my ears. For the first time, someone had said, "Brianna isn't my type." If she heard this, her pride would take a serious hit. I believed the two of them would make a good couple, despite my irritation.
"Why are you laughing?" he asked, confusion crossing his face.
"It's just unusual to hear someone say that about her. She has a beautiful face and body, but an awful personality. Maybe all the attention has gone to her head. She thinks she can treat people horribly."
"I bet most guys are after her for sex and nothing else," he said.
"How do you know? You just got to the school," I pointed out.
"A group of boys I get along with told me about her. They said she gets passed around among the boys like notes in class." A small giggle escaped my lips. "Maybe she wants to hook up with you."
"I'll see how hard she tries. If she succeeds, fine. If not… she gets nothing from me."
I fell silent and returned to my book, my mind racing with thoughts of whether I could ever be his girlfriend. It was foolish to entertain such ideas, especially given how different we were—android or human, we seemed worlds apart.
"Did you know they'll be selecting representatives for the Inter Schools Science and Maths Quiz next February? Get ready for some competition. I already told you I'm going to frustrate you."
I rolled my eyes and chuckled. "You don't scare me."
He leaned closer to my ear. "You're asking for trouble, feisty kitten." His hand brushed the nape of my neck, and his warm breath tickled my skin, sending shivers down my spine. After tormenting my nerves, he got up and left. Great, now I can't focus on my book. I grabbed my bag and exited the classroom.
He had already disappeared by the time I left. There was no trace of him in the hallway—how did he vanish so quickly? The tingling sensations faded from my body along with him. My phone buzzed, likely another notification from Campus Social about Brianna's party.
"Hello, Naomi," the notification read. It was a message from Brianna, which was odd. Normally, a message from her would be some sort of taunt, but today it was different.
"Hi Brianna. Are you calling to insult me again, but this time via text? It's pretty unusual for you to message me," I replied.
"I'm inviting you to my party on Friday."
Weird.
"Why?" I asked, skeptical.
"Nothing, just want to invite you," she replied.
"This is very strange, Brianna." This had to be a prank—a cruelly orchestrated setup that I refused to fall for. She probably wanted me to attend the party just to make a fool of myself.
"Girl, I'm being forced to do this. You know I wouldn't talk to a loser like you.
My eyes re-read the word several times. Did she say…forced?