2nd week

My eyes narrow as I watch my father and Markus laugh alongside each other. A game of chess was going on right in front of them, each of them enjoying their time together. Even if the outcome was almost always going to be the same... my father was enjoying himself. It was enticing, really. How my father goofed off with a piece of metal like an old friend. The looks he would throw to Markus, almost like those of a loving father to his son who was about to graduate.

Although, perhaps the weirdest thing was the ways Markus reacted. His brilliantly colored eyes scanned over the chess board over and over again. If I could see inside his head I was sure I would see every possible outcome of this one move he was about to make. He was a computer, of course. There was no way to beat someone that could do such things. That wasn't the weird thing. To be truthful it was expected. No, the weird thing came when my father would pause to think of his next move. This would take long chunks of time as he scanned pieces of the chest game not so thoroughly as Markus. His fingers would twitch in anticipation, Markus' stillness probably didn't help much. Yet, as I watch I see Markus sneak glances at my father. From the side where I stood I could see the small half-smile that seemed to stretch across his face without him even realizing it.

Markus was showing emotion. The android. Was showing emotion.

It was scary. At the sight I felt a shiver run down my spine. The creepiness was so much I almost turned away from the game. Or at least that's what I would like to think I was about to do. In truth I was too busy staring at my father's android.

The past few days had been enlightening to say the least. Markus, my father, and I had spent many dinners together. My father and I growing closer as Markus manages to worm his way into every conversation without much effort. The meals he cooked were finished off by people who truly enjoyed what they provided.

As the days past I began to find something weird happening. My father would sort of back off of conversation as Markus and I took talk to a new level. We would speak about topics i didn't think an Android ever could comprehend. After playing him a few songs from my music library I had found that he hated rock. Classical music tended to be his favorite, I even caught him tapping along to the beat here or there. His favorite types of paintings were similar to my father's. Copies and landscape paintings were lost on him. He also hates cooking deserts, something my father laughed at and retorted with a 'good thing I don't have a sweet tooth'.

Overall, my opinion on the android has changed. Drastically. No longer was Markus an enemy. Instead, I would consider him a friend. As my eyes scan over the stubble that never seemed to grow, the tan skin that was the perfect shade, the clothes that hugged him just the right way-

"I'm going for a walk." I suddenly say, turning on my heel. The sudden actions were uncalled for, sure, but necessary. When I had I began to admire Markus like a potential partner? I dig my nails into my palms as I take steps away from the chess table and the two men sitting down. I needed to get away. Perhaps reconnect with friends?

"Oh! Well, if you must take Markus with you. I wouldn't want anything to happen to you, my love." I almost curse the rumbled quality of my father's voice. The one man I didn't want to spend time with and I couldn't turn him away. What could I say to my father's request? 'Oh no I need to be alone to think about my sudden romantic interest with your Android?' Something tells me that wouldn't end well.

So, I force a smile on my father and glance back. Pushing as much of the unhappiness from my smile as I could I nod in thanks to him. Of course I could speak but there was no guarantee  it wouldn't come out snapped and rude, one thing I never wanted to be with my father. He deserved better.

"Of course father, thank you for the offer." My eyes catch Markus' as he stands and walks towards me. I let out a huff as I Hurry towards the exit. Losing him was not something easily done. He was an Android after all, he could keep up with any speed I go easily. I could try and bore him but that wouldn't work... the only option was to endure. Why did I have to?

I step towards the front door with my hand outstretched, fully expecting to have to pull it open. Markus gave me a sidewards glance as the door opened automatically. That was still something I had to get used to.

As I stepped outside into the fall weather I felt a pink blush rising to my cheeks. Markus had gone ahead, stepping a little to quickly for me as he headed for the non-automatic door of the gate out front. The dark and tall thing loomed at the edge of the property. It was the frail barrier that separated the world from Carl Manfred's.

Approaching the ominous thing, you would expect to be consumed by shadow. However it was a gate. There was no such luck. Most were left to admire the amazing designs of angels and demons fighting to the death on a rusty old gate that hadn't been taken care of in years. It hadn't always been rusty like it was now, of course. Leo had taken care of it when we were young. Every summer he would come out and do whatever he had to in order to keep it up and running. Years without that had been hard on the wall surrounding my home.

Markus pushed open the two giant parts of the gate with ease. He threw them outwards and to the side without much complaint before standing in front of one to hold it open. I watch as his hands even come to the front of him and clasp together like a true butler would. Or, well, what butler's from movies always tended to do.

"Why thank you kind sir." I nod to Markus as I pass him. A small giggle even escapes me at the thought of him holding a gate open for me. It was almost like a prince saving  a princess, except the princess is a broke young adult and the prince is an Android with no rights. Sounds like an interesting fairytale to me.

"Kind sir? I don't think I've heard that one before." Markus steps away from the gate to come walk by my side. The clank of metal sounded from behind us after only a few seconds, making me smile all over again. Once again I got the feeling of being a princess beside her prince.

"Well considering the majestic exit we just made I think kind sir fit perfectly." I smile before turning to meet Markus' eyes. I am rewarded with his amazing green ones lighting up the world around me. Once more I find myself being surprised by how humanlike Markus was. It was as if I was walking alongside an old friend. There were no jagged movements or faults. His eyes were normal and deep, holding secrets I don't think I would ever want to know.

"If you consider that a majestic exit I think you need better friends, Mrs. Manfred." Markus retorts, looking away from me with ease. It was almost shattering to know the connection I felt simply went one way. Granted what could I expect? No matter how well Markus treated me he was little more than a piece of metal.

My head drops forwards as I clear my throat. Our footsteps were in-sync with one another, allowing me to admire the difference in styles. His were perfect and clean down to a T. I was almost positive I could bend down and do my makeup with the reflection of my face in his black shiny shoes. Beside his, my shoes looked ratty. I wore converse that were years old, the white dirty and yellowed to the extent I questioned if they had ever truly been white in the first place. This was the difference between the rich and the poor, I assumed. Even the very feet we used to walk down our paths showed the world what to look for and what to ignore.

"Better friends? I think I would need to find friends first." I say in response to Markus's talk. My hands were wrapped behind my back, clasped together and pulling at each other's skin. I had always seemed to have a habit of that. Millions of times I had found myself pulling at dead skin from all of my fingers.

"That's rather sad, you know." Markus had stopped a few seconds before. I found myself having to suddenly stop and turn to watch the android. The LED on his head was flashing yellow. It seemed to do that a lot more around me than it did around my father. I guess there was just a lot more to learn from me.

"Oh no, it's not that bad." I fold my arms over my chest. It was fall and I had been in a hurry, no part of my brain had thought about bringing a jacket along. I had assumed the weather would be fine. It had been the day before, and the day before that, and the day before that.

"Are you saying you don't want friends?" Markus tilts his head, eyebrows furrowing in an almost confused manor. I found myself hoping it was just an act on his part. If it wasn't, well, I hate to think what the future holds for an Android that feels something. "That's absurd. All humans want friends."

"You assume too quickly Markus." I retort, stepping towards him. I stop only when I am inches from him. My hand reaches out and straightens our the side of his shirt, which seems to have been torn. One of my observations had came to the realization Markus was wearing human clothes. Rather it was unsettling or pleasing I had yet to decide. Either way it was different than most androids I had seen. "I never said I didn't want friends. I just... have to find them before I can make them."

Markus tilts his head at my words once more. The closeness between us didn't seem to affect the android at all. The pull between us was surely made up by a lovesick female. Obviously...

"Well then I'll be your friend."