“You have to tell him at some point,” Cleo said.

“I… I can’t. What if he doesn’t feel the same? I mean… He’s like my best friend,” Spitfire sighed.

She was sitting at lunch with her friends. A few others were there too. Adriana, a girl with the reddest most exciting hair you could ever see on a girl with a personality to match, Quinn who was quiet and reserved but all around pleasant, and Solara who had a brilliant blond hair and was considered one of the smartest people in the school. Well, next to Jett and Dane.

“Oh I see,” Solara said, “Scared of the friend zone? Don’t worry, it’s a natural fear.”

“Sol,” Adriana said, “Your psychology skills are probably not helping her.”

“At least she’s trying,” Quinn said, “All the rest of us have been doing is just sitting here.”

“We have to try something,” Annabel sighed, “I mean look at the poor girl.”

“I’m right here you know,” Spitfire said.

“She does look a bit head over heels for the guy,” Victoria said, “I mean with Prom getting pushed back that gives her a little extra time to ask him but not much.”

“Speaking of which, who are you all going with?” Dixie turned to face Adriana, Quinn, and Solara.

“I’m going with Riley,” Solara said smiling.

“Dane asked me last night,” Adriana said.

“Dane?” Everyone looked at her.

“Yup, Dane. Crazy son of a bitch. But… I couldn’t help but say yes. I mean, he’s the funniest guy I’ve ever met.”

“Yeah,” Spitfire said.

“I asked Tac the other night,” Quinn said with a sly grin.

“By asked you mean seduced don’t you,” Cleo sighed.

“Well not exactly but… I did corner him,” Quinn said with a blush.

“Wait,” Spitfire said, “SHE asked HIM out? You can do that?”

“Well yeah. Though you must not know how Quinn works. When she likes a guy she goes all out and holds nothing back,” Cleo said.

“Meaning she’s a predator when it comes to guys,” Victoria added.

“Hey, it’s not rape if he likes it,” Quinn grinned.

Everyone just stared at her.

“What?” Someone said.

A long silence followed before everyone burst out laughing. Quinn turned red with embarrassment but still retained a happy smile.

“Come on girls it was just a joke,” she said.

“Was it?” Solara laughed.

“No I suppose not,” Quinn said.

Everyone looked at her again before returning to their laughter. Spitfire’s gaze drifted over to one of the tables on the opposite side of the cafeteria. Jett sat tinkering with a small match box sized object. An arc flew across it and struck his arm. He looked at his scorched appendage before wiping off and continuing.

***

“What do you think they’re laughing at?” Dane asked leaning across the table with his head on his hand.

“Who gives a fuck?” I asked as a bolt of electricity flew across the ‘Match Box’ as Dane had put it and struck my arm. I rubbed the soot off of it before continuing.

“You don’t even know who I’m talking about.”

“Well the last time you asked you were looking at the trophy wives on the other side of the café.”

“No this time I’m looking at Spitfire and her friends.”

“Well in that case I don’t know. It is not my business to know.”

“Dude you really need to lighten up,” Dane said before turning to me, “Why don’t you find a date and go to prom? We could do a double date.”

“Who exactly is ‘we’?” I asked. Just plug this in and turn it on and… Got it!

“Me and Adriana. We’re going together.”

“Well you did always have a thing for redheads. But good for you, you both get along great.”

“Well what about you? Who do you have a thing for?”

“I don’t have a thing for anyone.”

“Come on dude, there has to be some girl out here you’ve taken a shining to.”

“No. You already know the arm is a turn away for girls. That and you know I’m asexual.”

“Oh please. Don’t give me that. Besides, girls and guys are actually starting to talk to you more.”

I pushed the battery in and turned the device on, “Dane, when have I ever showed interest in anyone? Of either gender?”

“Well you haven’t been around many people. You’ve purposely limited your contact with others. In fact the only people you’ve ever let become close to you are those who’ve earned your trust through vulnerability.”

“Jesus, when did you become a psychiatrist?”

“Adriana and I both take the class together. But you need to learn to become social. It’s unhealthy for a construct of any kind, android of human, to avoid others like that.”

“You know my reasoning for that. Paranoia is something I’ve learned to control but… it’s hard sometimes.”

“You’ve got to get over it sometime. I know what you went through was nothing compared to what happened to me but you have to start trusting others at some point. Why not start with Prom?”

“I don’t know…”

“Oh come on. Now that the football team won’t be bothering you, you shouldn’t have a problem if you show up.”

“Still. You know I haven’t taken romantic interest in anyone.”

“Come on, you don’t have to start dating anyone. You just have to show up. Attend, be social, hold a girl’s hand, I’m not making you kiss her or anything.”

I sighed, “I’ll tell you what, if some girl asks me, I’ll say yes.”

“Aw come on bro, that’s too hard.”

“Hey, take it or leave it.”

“How ‘bout this? I’ll accept that if you make me one of those match boxes.”

“No way! The ‘match box’ as you call it is even more dangerous than the football!”

“Dude, come on. You know I’ll keep nagging you until you say yes.”

Hmm… You know what fuck it.

“Fine, but the one I give you will automatically self-destruct if you use it inside a girls’ locker room.”

“Fair enough. So if you’re asked then you’ll go?”

“Yes.”

“Alright, now to find you a date.”

“You are NOT going to interfere with this.”

“Aw come on! There’s no way this is gonna work unless I help!”

“That’s the point,” I grinned smugly.

“Asshole.”

***

Spitfire walked back into the dorm. After the laughing fit at the lunchroom and various psychological lessons onto why he wouldn’t approach her and as to whys she should be the one to make the first move as to show she was interested in him.

She sighed. Prom was coming up soon; only about a week after the Halloween party which itself was a week away. And she REALLY, REALLY wanted to take him. He was all she thought about.

“Hey! Get back here asshole!” Jett yelled running into the living room. His arm was opened up and a small cannon like device was powered up.

A lamp in the living room fell over and Dane’s voice could be heard, “Dude! Put that thing away!”

“Give me that back! I’m not done with it yet.”

“What do you mean by tha- Ah Damn it!” He yelled. Near the window a spark, followed by a series of electrical arcs appeared. They lit up the room. In a flash of blue Dane appeared and fell to the floor, smoke coming off his body.

“I told you not to use it yet!” Jett laughed.

“What the FUCK was that?!” Dane yelled as he stood back up.

“I didn’t finish connecting the power supply. If you had listened and let me finish that wouldn’t have happened!”

“Okay,” Spitfire said rubbing her head, “What the hell is going on?”

“I made and perfected a smaller version of the football, and I made Dane one but he decided to use it before I finished making it! Serves you right too!”

Dane growled in pain before removing a device from his pocket. It was a rounded rectangle, with a small control pad on one side. He tossed it to Jett.

“Just fix that thing!”

“Fine,” he grabbed it out of the air and held it in his hands. He examined it before walking back into his room.

Dane rolled over, “Ah damn it that hurt!”

“So… Just how exactly did you get him to do that?”

“Long story. Ah! Can you just get me some painkillers?”

“You’re an android. Just shut that off.”

“Not all of us have the same level of control as Jett.”

“Ugh,” Spitfire face palmed, “Men.”

“Meh ittybittymymoney men. Just get the pills. God that fucking hurt.”

She walked over to the bathroom and returned with a bottle.

“Here,” she said handing them to him. He grabbed the bottle and popped two in his mouth.

“So I heard you’re taking Adriana to Prom,” Spitfire said kneeling before the android.

“Yeah,” Dane said standing up, “What of it? Oh, you find a date yet?”

“Well you’ve probably heard Ryan asked me.”

“Hey I wouldn’t have said yes if I was you either,” Dane laughed, “That guy was an asshole.”

“Was?”

“Well I’m not sure if he he’s coming back. Not after what Jett did.”

“Hmm.”

The door opened and Jett returned. He walked back into the living room and tossed a small object over to Dane.

“Here,” He said.

“Thanks. It won’t electrocute me again will it?”

“Not unless you walk in locker room filled with naked girls.”

“Relax; I’m not some degenerate pervert.”

“I’m not taking any chances with you.”

“Fine.”

The intercom came on. Principal Jenkins’s voice flowed into the room.

“Greetings Students. Just a reminder, in the theme of Halloween next week, there will be a horror movie marathon starting tonight and concluding on Halloween night. The first movie starts at 7:00 in the auditorium. Be there or be square. That is all.”

With that the intercom clicked off.

“Aw shit I forgot about that!” Dane said rushing to his feet and running to his room. He came back with a blanket and a comb and began to brush his hair, “Adriana and I are supposed to go tonight and…”

He turned to Jett.

“No. I’m not going.”

“Come on, you know you want to. Or are you chicken?”

“I don’t feel fear asshat,” Jett said.

“Come on, you’re welcome to come with us too Spitfire.”

“What’s going on?”

“I’m trying to get Jett here to be more social. And you are coming with us.”

“I thought that was my job,” Spitfire frowned.

“You dragged me into a dressing room with you half naked- aw god damn it.”

Spitfire blushed crimson. Dane looked from her to Jett and back again.

“Fuck. My. Life.”

“Ah ha ha ha,” Dane laughed, “Just what the hell were you two doing in there?”

“Nothing Dane. It is a long story that you don’t need to hear.”

“Jett, are you more human than you’re letting us believe?” Dane laughed.

“Shut up Dane.”

Dane tossed the blanket over his shoulder, “Was the view good?”

“Oh fuck you asshole!” they both yelled.

“Relax, I play, I play.”

He stood up and wiped his eyes, “You two love birds coming or what?”

“Ah I got nothing better to do,” Jett said putting his hands in his pockets.

Spitfire bit her lip, “I’ll go if Jett goes.”

“Cool!” Dane bounced and ran into their room and returned with a blanket, “Here, in case one of you gets cold. Cause you know they keep that place awfully cold.”

Jett grabbed it, “Alright, let’s grab some food and get going. We’ll want some good seats when we get there.”

***

Well the seats were good in fact. The auditorium was a large a room. The seats slopped upwards from the main entrances on the floors. What sat before the seats was a large stage. This time though there was a large screen where a movie was being projected from a projection and stage room that sat farther up behind the seats.

Jett, Dane, Spitfire, and Adriana were all sitting on the edge of the rows of seat.

“You were right about coming early,” Adriana said snuggling up to Dane, “These seats are great.”

“Thank Jett, it was his idea,” Dane said turning to the other Android.

“Cool idea big guy,” She said smiling.

Jett settled into his seat at the end. Spitfire was sitting next to him with a content smile on her face.

“Uh oh,” Dane said, “Here come’s trouble.”

Coming up the steps two girls. Both of them were tan. One had blond hair the other had brown. Both had pink lip gloss on and skinny jeans with shirts that only covered their upper torsos. The girls everyone was fawning over before Spitfire showed up. Girlfriends to the football players; the sorority sluts themselves;

Serenity and Crystal; and they did not look happy to see Jett.

The strutted up with an air of insolence and self-importance before stopping in front of the android who barely acknowledged their existence. They snapped their fingers in his face. He turned and gave them a death glare.

“Can I help you?” he asked.

“Yeah,” Serenity said with a heavy Philadelphian/Jersey accent, “You proud of what you did to our boyfriends?”

“You know you have had a lot of them in the past few years. Refresh my memory.”

“Danny and Chris you robot garbage.”

“Well one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”

“That how you think of yourself?”

“I wasn’t referring to me,” he said glaring at them with a look that could get a howler monkey to shut up.

“You worthless piece of shit,” Crystal said with the same accent, “You think you’re better than us? We’re from Earth! You know where that is?”

“I personally don’t give a fuck where you’re from. Now please move along so I can enjoy the movie in peace.”

“Oh no. You’re not shutting us out that easily. You’re gonna apologize to them.”

“And you’re gonna enforce that? Just what exactly do you think I did?”

“You beat up some defenseless football players.”

Dane sneezed, rather loudly and obnoxiously. It was enough to get their attention.

“I’m sorry but I’m allergic to bullshit,” he said.

“Excuse me?” Serenity said, “And just who the hell are you bleach boy?”

Adriana looked ready to kill them. Spitfire had a similar protective look on her face as well. Her fists clenched.

“A decent human being just trying to enjoy a movie with a few friends. But as you already know there’s two pieces of garbage making it a bit difficult to enjoy it.”

“Excuse me? We’re garbage? And just what are you and your ‘dates’? Some poor girls who couldn’t get with anyone else?”

“WHAT?!” Spitfire and Adriana both said.

“Just so you know I said yes to Dane because he’s actually a good friend with a great personality and not just a brick with a dick like you two enjoy.”

“I didn’t know you girls were stupid enough to believe every rumor to come out of the bathroom,” Spitfire growled, “So take your shit to someone who actually wants to hear it.”

“And just who the hell are you supposed to be? Robot boy’s slut?”

“You know it makes you look stupid when you use words you obviously don’t know the meaning of,” Jett said, “For example, you use of the word slut was incorrect. I do believe you mea-”

“Alright douche bag how ‘bout you shut up?”

“And that brings me to my second point. Douche bag. A lot of people toss that word around these days. Along with the word slut. Words like that get tossed around a lot. Slang, when overused can make someone appear stupid. So why don’t you two trash talking concubines take your poor vocabulary somewhere else to someone with an IQ below 50?”

“Ya know Danny was right about you robot boy,” Crystal said, “You’re just a stupid faggot with a high and mighty attitude.”

“Well I’d say that’s a matter of opinion.”

“Alright how ‘bout you shut the fuck up? Look at you. Got no SWAG.”

Dane doubled over in his seat, “Your grammar, it gave me cancer.”

“There’s that word,” Jett sighed, “SWAG. The English language isn’t properly equipped to describe the annoyance and stupidity of that word. The same goes with all the people who use YOLO as an excuse to get hyped up high on Mist.”

“Hey! Don’t bash YOLO. It’s a great philosophy.”

“There you go using words you clearly don’t know the meaning of,” Dane laughed.

“Whatevs.”

“Can you two please leave?” Jett said, “My doctor told me to avoid prolonged exposure to White Trash.”

“Excuse me? We’re White Trash? Just what would you call yourself robo freak?!”

They had a high nasally laugh.

Spitfire stood up, “Stop calling him that.”

“And what are you gonna do about it? Slut!”

“Stop Calling Him That.”

“He’s just a freak. Why do you care?”

“Because he’s a good person. And your meathead boyfriends weren’t defenseless. They were ganging up on him.”

SMACK.

It took Jett a few milliseconds to register what just happened. Serenity had smacked Spitfire. Spitfire herself had a dumbfounded look that quickly turned into one of rage and anger. In actuality they were lucky Dane and Adriana held her back. They were also fortunate that Jett got to them first.

The android jumped up from his seat and pinned the two girls to the wall by their necks.

He spoke in a deep voice. Deeper than his normal voice. Like several other voices were layered together and speaking at the same time .

“If you touch her again. If you so much as think of tapping her with your fingers,” the android said, “I will END YOU.”

“Is that a threat?” Crystal asked in her usual snobbish accent.

The android grabbed them and slammed them against the wall again. Harder this time.

“That’s a promise.”

He let them fall back to the floor. They stood rubbing their necks.

“NOW GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE.”

They didn’t speak and headed up to their seats.

Jett quietly sat down in his chair. Spitfire had calmed down sufficiently to be let down as well.

Finally Dane broke the silence.

“Dude,” he laughed, “I thought you were gonna kill those bitches.”

“I was considering it,” he said with a slight grin he turned to Spitfire, “I’m sorry.”

“For what?” she asked shakily.

“For not being fast enough. They should NOT have laid a finger on you. If they even consider doing anything like that again, I WILL- well I don't think I should finish that.”

Spitfire spoke but her voice was quieter than normal, “Thank you.” She gave Jett a smile.

“Always chivalrous to a woman but never afraid to choke a bitch eh?” Dane laughed.

“Always.”

The excitement died down. Spitfire sat a little closer to Jett. Students began to file in.

***

Well the movie was going well. A significant number of the staff and students attending had screamed at least three times in the movie.

The movie itself was The Ring. A 2002 classic horror movie.

Jett, unlike Dane, had not developed a sense of fear. The closest thing to fear he’d ever experienced is a mild apprehension.

The movie was at the point where Samara crawls out of the TV. Dane screamed and jumped into Adriana’s arms who laughed at his reaction.

This was the point where Samara shows her face to the guy and he dies. Spitfire jumped and got closer to Jett, holding onto his arm. She looked at his arm in her hands with a warm blush on her face.

She looked up at him. He seemed enthralled with the movie to notice her staring. She stared at him. His eyes were their normal sapphire blue. The color she’d come to love in her friend. She had to admit that he was a looker. But all that came second to everything else; his personality, his funny sense of humor, his antics, everything about him. Even if he didn’t have wings, she still liked him just the same; even if he could never fly with her.

But then another thought crossed her mind. She had to go back. Home. Somewhere where he wasn’t. This was his home, not hers.

No. NO. She wouldn’t think about that. She couldn’t.

It was kind of funny. Two months ago she didn’t even know he existed. Inwardly she sighed. If only she could tell him.

For now she snuggled up closer to him, pulling the blanket over herself.

***

Night time is always the best time to do anything. Especially for watching solar winds as they rushed past the station. The energized particles danced over the window. I always found them beautiful. The noise was a bit of a turn off but I could live with it.

Spitfire jumped awake in a cold sweat. She sat clutching the blanket in her hands while protectively wrapping her wings around her body.

I turned, “Is something wrong?”

She looked towards the window, “W-what is that?”

“This? Just the solar wind. Why?”

“It’s noisy. And…” She blushed and looked down, “I had a nightmare.”

Hmm. Spitfire? Having a nightmare? The Wonderbolt Captain herself? Why?

“Was it bad?”

She nodded, still looking down.

“Can you… Can you stay with me tonight?” She asked.

What?

“What? Why?”

She blushed crimson, “Because… I’m scared. And you make me feel safe.”

I looked at the Angel girl. An angel scared? I make her feel safe? Hmm, activate assessment protocols. Use available data and… here we go. The nightmare must have been so bad as to make her seek comfort. Yeah that's it. She's just scared and seeking comfort.

With me.

“Ah-alright,” I said. She moved over in her bed. I cautiously walked over to her bed and sat down on it. She laid down on her side.

“Well?” She asked.

“Well what?”

“Aren’t you gonna lay down?”

“I’m perfectly comfortable here thanks.”

“Well I’m not,” she gave a pout.

“Well what do you want me to do about it?”

“Hmm,” she sat up and put a hand to her mouth as if in thought, “How about this?”

She grabbed my shoulders and pulled me down onto the bed with her and began snuggling up to my chest with her arms wrapped around my chest.

“Uh this is…”

“Shut up and go to sleep,” she said closing her eyes and draping a wing over me.

“I, uh, okay.”

I had to admit, this was a comfortable position, even if the room was a bit cold. Soon I felt something poking me.

“Uh, Spitfire?”

“Yeah?”

“Why are you poking me?”

“Poking you? What do you…”

Even in the dark I could see the blush that burned across her face.

“Sorry,” she said.

“About what?”

“It gets cold in here sometimes.”

“Cold? What do you mean by… oh Oh!”

“Yeah.”

“Here,” I said reaching over to my bed and grabbing the comforter off of it. I pulled it over us, “Here, that should work.”

She blushed again, “Thank you.”

I wrapped my arms around her, “Good night Spitfire.”

“Good night Jett.”

***

Spitfire sat writing. Jett had awoken a while earlier she figured as the bed was empty when she awoke herself. She took the time after to get dressed and write a bit in her diary.

Dear Diary,

I’ve been trapped here for just over two months now but I have to say it hasn’t been that bad. I’ve met some great people here and made some great friends. Granted there are some people I’d like to strangle but it’s still fun here.

There’s a saying I heard a while ago. It said that one of the best feelings in the world is lying next to the one you love. But it also said that one of the worst is the fact they don’t know you love them. I never really realized how true that statement is. I mean, I’ve had crushes before but this… This is something different. I just feel so different around him. I just feel so free, so happy, so wonderful. I mean when I’m with him it’s like I’m flying again.

I just wish I could tell him all of that. I just wish I had the courage to tell him how much he means to me. Why did I have to fall in love here?! I mean, we’re not even from the same universe!

I just wish he could come with me when I have to go home.

She closed her diary and tucked it back underneath the mattress.

She looked herself over in the mirror. Once she was satisfied with her appearance she walked out into the living area.

Jett and Dane were eating breakfast. Dane had his head buried in a periodical, reading away between bites of eggs.

He looked up when Spitfire sat down at the table.

“Morning girl,” he said setting the paper down.

“Good morning,” she said sitting down at the table and grabbing some toast.

“So you find a date for Prom yet?” Dane asked.

“Who?” Jett and Spitfire both asked.

“Either of you.”

“No,” Spitfire said sadly.

“Nope,” Jett said smugly and resumed digging into his cereal.

“Why are you so happy about that?” Spitfire asked.

Dane sighed, “Because I’m trying to get him to go to Prom but he’s making it difficult.”

“How’s he making it difficult?”

“Well the terms of our agreement were that he would go to prom if someone asked him. But being the antisocial creep he is he’s avoided everyone who would even have a chance of asking.”

“And there’s nothing you can do about it,” he said taking a bit of his cereal.

Here it was. Her chance. It was right here in front of her. All she had to do was grab it. Spitfire’s heart fluttered slightly. Was she really gonna do this? Yes.

“Well what if I asked you?” Spitfire asked.

Jett immediately choked on his food. He stood up incredibly quickly and began doing the heimlich maneuver on himself. He managed to cough his food up before properly swallowing it.

“Eh what?” Dane half coughed half laughed.

“Yeah,” Spitfire turned back to Jett who was still coughing and holding his chair for support. She gulped, “Jett, will you go to Prom with me?”

Jett was still coughing and hacking up his guts, looking from Dane to Spitfire.

Dane laughed, “Well I’ll be damned. Looks like I win asshole. You are going to Prom with this lovely lady here. And there’s not a damn thing you can do about it.”

Dane stood up from the table and in an almost cartoon like fashion leapt for his room and returned with a tuxedo.

“Oh I am so happy I didn’t waste those 150 credits when I bought this!”

Jett finally recovered and slumped over the table with a defeated moan.