Page 106 of Sporty Girls Don't Fall For Loners

“Maybe someone in Edenbury or Silverton will take him in,” Mia says.

“Maybe,” I muse.

Mia’s phone rings. “It’s my mom,” she says, then answers it. Charlie’s face appears on the screen. “Hey, Mom. Is everything okay?”

“Everything is fine. I’m sorry to bother you, but WillowBot insists on talking to you.”

“What? Okay.”

“She was pretty adamant about it,” Charlie whispers into the phone. “I thought about doing the ‘D word,’ but I don’t want to accidentally damage her.”

The “D word” is deactivating her. If WillowBot hears anyone say that word, she goes nuts.

Charlie rests her phone on Mia’s desk, where WillowBot stands. She’s about two feet tall and looks pretty similar to a human. As soon as she sees Mia’s face on the screen, her eyes light up in blue. “Mia! I am extremely happy to see you. How are you? Are you and your friends having fun at your sleepover?”

“We’re having a great time, thanks!”

“I can’t see them, but hello, Rylee and Zoey!” she calls.

“Hey, WillowBot,” we say.

“You all sound as though you are having a marvelous time. That is a very good thing. It’s important for children your age to engage in social interactions. Nowadays, people your age are constantly preoccupied with their phones and unfortunately, many kids lack developing social skills.”

“Yeah, we love hanging out with each other,” Rylee says, moving her face into the frame.

“Rylee, I see you now! Hello. And where is Zoey?”

I squeeze my face into the frame, too.

“Hello, Zoey! Yes, you all appear as though you are having a blast. Mia, I did not wish to disturb you or your mother—I am anticipating when Willow will update my program and make it possible for me to make calls on my own—but I wanted to wish you a good night. It has become our routine to wish each other good night every night, and I worried you would miss it.”

“Aw, WillowBot, that’s so sweet of you,” Mia says. “Thanks for thinking of me.”

“Of course. You are always on my mind, for I help take care of you.”

“Yes, you do,” she says with a smile.

“Are you eating too much junk food? I understand that eating a lot of junk food is part of the experience at a slumber party, but please make sure to eat healthy snacks as well, such as fruit, vegetables, and nuts.”

Mia glances at the potato chips and Cheetos and candy on the table. “Er…sure.”

“Wonderful. I hope you enjoy the rest of your night. Good night, Mia, and good night to Zoey and Rylee as well.”

“Thanks, WillowBot,” we say. “And good night to you, too.”

Charlie returns to the screen. “Good night, girls.”

After we wish her good night, she ends the call. Rylee giggles. “It feels like WillowBot is turning more human every day.”

“Not possible,” I say.

“Willow has upgraded her over the years to mimic human behavior and emotion, but she doesn’t really have any,” Mia says. “Sometimes she feels like a second mom. Or a police officer.”

I laugh. “Totally.”

“Okay, so who wants to watch a movie?” Rylee asks. “Oh, you just watched a movie with Kade, Zoey.”

I wave my hand. “That’s okay. I love watching movies with you guys.”

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