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Robbie was quite proud of the way the party had turned out. Not only had he been invited to Stephanie's fourteenth birthday party that year, he had also helped with the decorations and made her a dress. There was only one person at the party who didn't seem to be having a good time, and he was quite surprised as to who that person was.
Sure, Sportacus smiled and chatted, but every time he thought no one was looking at him, the elf looked sad. He also did far fewer backflips than usual, which under normal circumstances Robbie would have appreciated, but in the current circumstances it seemed like a desperate cry for help. While the others were singing on the karaoke machine, Sportacus slipped out of the party. And Robbie followed him.
He had already called for the ship's ladder when Robbie caught up with him.
"Hey Sportaflop, where are you going?"
"Hey Robbie. I’m going to the ship. It's past my bedtime."
"No, it's not. It's seven twenty, you're only going to bed at eight.”
“I'm kind of surprised you know that.”
“How could I not know with you bragging about it all the time?”
“I don't think mentioning it counts as bragging.”
“Trust me it does.”
“Okay Robbie, whatever you say.”
“So... why are you sad?”
“I'm not sad.”
“You are your usual self, and it looks a lot like sadness to me. Either you tell me what's going on, or I'll call everyone in to interrogate you. The choice is yours.”
“They're getting old Robbie. The Kids.”
“Well that's what happens when time goes by, is this a surprise to you?”
“No, it's not a surprise. I've been thinking about it for a while now. They're growing up and soon they won't need me anymore, but I still need them. You know, being friends with kids is so easy Robbie, you just play and help them and boom you're friends, with adults it's much more complicated, I've never had an adult friend, where I came from others seemed to think I was kind of weird. I had no friends and I don't want to go back to that.”
Robbie was silent for a few seconds thinking carefully about what he would say to Sportacus in that state, finally he said:
“Congratulations Sportaloser, you have a new world record: most idiotic words ever said by any person in the history of the universe. Really quite an achievement.”
“What?”
“They love you okay? That won't change if they're 8 or 80 years old. And even if they don't want to play all the time they'll still want your advice on things, and even if they don't need you they'll still continue to love you. And the other part is also stupid because you have at least one adult friend now.”
“Well I suppose I get along with the mayor but I don’t know if I would go so far as to call him a friend.”
Robbie took a deep breath and looked at Sportacus like he was an idiot.
“I was talking about myself.”
“Do you consider me a friend?” Sportacus said, his face seeming to light up more with each word.
“Ugh. Yeah. But I’m only admitting it because you sound pathetic and needy, if you tell anyone else I’ll deny it.”
“Okay Robbie.”
“Now let’s get back to the party, they’re going to cut the cake soon and I know you won’t eat it but you can sing happy birthday and give me your piece. Sounds good?”
Sportacus smiled.
“Sounds perfect.”