Highstrung Robot

Chapter Four: Dangling by a String

Jake got back down on the floor with her, looking at her through his hair. "Your right. You shouldn't believe those things. It's not true, don't ever think it is true."

She sadly laughed, bringing a hand up to cover her face. "It's a bit too late for that."

"Don't ever think it's true from now on." He corrected himself, scooting forwards so he was closer to her.

She looked up at him with sad eyes, tears still ever present. "It's a bit too late for that." She repeated, her lip quivering in sadness.

He leant forwards, wrapping Adelaide up in his arms, pulling her body onto his lap. "Stop thinking that way." He said sadly, holding onto her tighter.

She wept into him, trying to get words out between her sobs. "I-I...I...I can't..."

"Yes you can. Stop thinking that way, that's not acceptable." He rubbed her back soothingly, trying to calm her down.

"But what if they're not lying?" She asked, trying to catch her breath from all of the crying. "What if what they were saying is true? What if I'm really too hideous to be fixed?"

He put a hand under her chin, lifting her head up to look at him. "I already told you it's not true. Now stop saying that shit, I'm done listening to it."

She didn't say anything, but cried, her eyes closed so she didn't look at him. "What...what if--"

"Adelaide. Stop it. If you won't listen to me, there isn't anything I can do. You need to calm down and stop saying this stuff." He moved his hand from her chin to her cheek, slowly rubbing his thumb up and down.

She melted into his touch, sniffling a few times. She started to sadly chuckle, the tears still flowing, but a sad smile on her face. "Aw man, this sucks...I made a new dress and everything and I didn't even enjoy the party...I'm sure someone would've danced with me..."

Jake kept his hand on her cheek, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly. "I'm sorry this happened. I can't dance but I would have at least been out there with you." He said, amusement in his voice.

She started to chuckle even more, wiping up her tears. "What a kind soul you are..." She smiled, finally looking up at him with her big gray eyes. "What am I saying, everyone else probably had a partner..." She laughed.

"Yeah and so do you. Just one that can't dance." He dropped his hand, pushing some of the hair out of his face, amusement still apparent on his face.

She giggled, her cheeks dusting bright pink. "You're such a sweetheart..."

A smirk made it's way onto his face. "That's a first." He said looking at Addie happily.

She reached out and brushed the stray hair out of his face, smiling at him. "You've always been such a sweetheart, Jake..."

"See, now that's not true. You may think that sometimes, but it's definitely not true." He said, loosely wrapping both of his arms around her.

"It's so true. From one of the first times I met you, you fixed my broken tea cup for me. Not to mention just now you literally made me go from depressed to extremely happy." She replied, pointing out several more facts. "I didn't want to make you worry over the stains earlier, but...I was crying...that was me...not some water leakage."

"Why were you crying?" He asked, becoming concerned but then stopping himself. "No. Don't answer that. It was probably me and I don't want you to have to bring it up again. I'm sorry." His voice became quiet again, looking into her eyes feeling guilty.

"No, it was always me that was responsible for my tears. But, I realized something today..." She leaned over and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek, pulling back and smiling. "You are the only one that has ever made me feel beautiful. So...thank you so much."