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The blaring sound of his morning alarm rang throughout the dark room. The blankets on his bed shifted and rolled off his bed as he sat up and brushed his frizzy brown hair out of his face. He reached over to the desk next to the bed and let out a groan before silencing the alarm. He sat quietly in the dark for a moment, taking deep breaths and rubbing his eyes.
After what felt like an eternity he finally swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood up. His feet landed on a pile of discarded clothes whose cleanliness seemed to be questionable at best. He awkwardly shoved the clothes to the side with his foot before beginning to shuffle across the room in search for a source of light.
Just before he reached the table on the other side of the room he noticed a small pair of yellow illuminated eyes staring at him from his desk. He paid it no mind as he made his way over to a table with various makeup and hair products scattered across it, he reached his hand over the table to the mirror that was hung against the wall behind it and pressed a small button on the side of it. The mirror’s edge flickered to life with a soft white light that lit up the room. He turned back around and stumbled over to the desk with a yawn.
Upon the desk was a small robot with glowing yellow eyes and black sockets. It resembled a wooden posing doll in its size and proportions but it wore a faded baby pink tutu around its waist along with a white rubber mask that had been scuffed and stained. The robot tilted its head to look up at him before tapping the side of its head with the stubs it had for hands. He looked down at the robot with soft tired eyes before gently reaching for the cord that connected to the top of its back and carefully removing it. “Mornin’ Bella” he mumbled before reaching his hand out to the robot.
Bella quickly scuttled into his hand, her stubs pawing at the beaded bracelets that adored his wrist as he settled her into his grip. With Bella safely in his grasp he meandered over to the bedroom door and pushed it open into a dark hallway.
His feet padded along the short and narrow hallway, his mismatched socks contrasting against the dark hardwood floor.
It didn't take long for him to reach the end of the hallway. He reached his hand out towards the wall and flicked a lightswitch on.
The room around him was instantly enveloped in a warm light, he flicked another switch and the room in front of him was illuminated in an instant. The rest of his apartment was modest and scarcely decorated, with plain furniture and simple appliances.
He gently set Bella onto the kitchen counter as he opened the pantry door and pulled out a box of cereal. He turned to the tiny robot as he poured his cereal into a small misshapen ceramic bowl.
“I finally got a call back from that job I applied for” he said to silent bot, his voice still grainy from sleep “Turns out I didn’t completely flunk the interview” he said with a soft chuckle “I’ve got my first training shift this morning, so you’ll be stuck with Greg for the day” he said as he shoveled a handful of sugary cereal into his mouth.
The bot crossed her arms and turned her head away in response, her internal mechanics softly clicking as she moved. “Oh come on, I’ll be back around four.” he said as he set the bowl on the counter with a soft clink.
Just before he could say another word the creaking of an opening door echoed through the hall beside the kitchen.
He turned his head to see a small and thin boy walk out from the hallway. The boy was rubbing his eyes as he stepped into the kitchen. “Mornin’,” He said looking down at the boy. The boy just glared at his brother with a pout.
“Come on Greg, don’t feel like talking?” he teased with a smirk. Greg mumbled something before he turned and headed towards the couch, “What was that?” he called out to Greg. “I said it's too early for talking Ayla!” Greg called out as he plopped down onto the couch and turned on the tv.
Ayla chuckled and looked at the clock displayed on the stovetop,
“Oh shit, I gotta get ready!”