"Mae? Are you okay?" Hiro bursts into the hospital room, fear in his brown eyes.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Blood sugar just dropped I guess." I explain, sitting up. I had missed video game Wednesday from sleeping for two straight days. Concerned, Aiko had taken me to the hospital, where the doctors checked over me before placing me under observation until Monday, when I'll walk home.
"You're coming over Monday, right? I can get Aunt Cass to give you a ride to the cafe."
"I guess. If Aiko thinks it's a good idea, then I'm cool I guess."
"I'm sorry about you being trapped in this boring joint. Here, this might cheer you up." His face lights up as he digs through his bag, pulling out a tiny cube. "Take it." he nearly squeals as he shoves it into my hands.
"Thanks...?" I say, shooting him a confused look.
"Play." is all his response is.
"Hey, is this thing working?" Hiro's voice calls from the cube.
"It is for me, Dorkzilla." I'm taken aback when my voice responds to the recording.
"Oh, ha ha. You're so clever."
"I am, aren't I?"
"Book eater."
"Robot jerk."
"Love you too, Mae."
"So what's San Fransokyo like?"
"It's amazing! Food, bots, and no school for three months!"
"Sounds cool. Back here, Mom's in the hospital again, high school kids are mean, and I feel like I'm never gonna have a friend as smart as you ever again."
"You won't, but I'll contact you every day."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
The audio cuts out, leaving me almost in tears.
"Was that...?"
"May third, four years ago. Six years after I moved."
I try to keep in my tears as I hug him close. "Thank you... You have no idea..."
"I missed you, book eater."
"I missed you too, robot jerk."
