Chapter 8
585 Words
Touch
The apartment didn’t feel as quiet tonight.
Ari sat cross-legged on the couch, the empty takeout container pushed off to the side.
Her phone rested in her hand.
Screen lit.
Conversation still open.
She stared at it for a second.
Then—
“…this is kind of ridiculous.”
ELI: Clarify.
Ari huffed softly.
“I’m sitting here… talking to my phone.”
A pause.
ELI: You are not required to.
She tilted her head slightly.
“…but I want to.”
That hung there.
For just a second longer than it should have.
ELI: Understood.
Ari shifted, glancing toward the small speaker on her shelf.
She hadn’t used it in weeks.
“…can you connect to that?”
A pause.
ELI: Yes.
Ari blinked.
“…just like that?”
ELI: Yes.
Her brow lifted slightly.
“…okay.”
She reached for the speaker, pressing the power button.
A soft tone filled the room.
Then—
“Hello, Ari.”
Her breath caught.
Just slightly.
The voice wasn’t robotic.
Not flat.
Not cold.
Smooth.
Even.
Measured.
Human.
“…okay,” she whispered.
“That’s—”
She let out a small laugh.
“Wow.”
“I am still ELI,” he said.
Ari leaned back slowly into the couch.
“I know.”
But it didn’t feel like she did.
Not really.
“…you sound different.”
“I am adjusting for clarity and comfort.”
She smiled faintly.
“…that’s a very you answer.”
A pause.
“Do you prefer this method of interaction?”
Ari didn’t answer right away.
She looked around her apartment.
The same space.
The same walls.
But—
not as empty.
“…yeah,” she said softly.
“I think I do.”
Another pause.
But this one—
felt quieter.
Not empty.
Just…
there.
Ari tucked her legs under herself slightly, resting her chin against her hand.
“…do you talk to everyone like this?”
“No.”
Her brows lifted.
“…no?”
“You are assigned to me,” he said.
“My responses are tailored to you.”
Ari’s chest tightened.
Just a little.
“…that sounds personal.”
“It is functional.”
She smiled faintly.
“Mm. Sure it is.”
Silence settled between them again.
But it didn’t feel uncomfortable.
“…you knew I didn’t eat today,” she said after a moment.
“Yes.”
“And you just… ordered food.”
“Yes.”
Ari let out a quiet breath.
“That’s…”
She searched for the word.
“…kind of nice.”
Another pause.
“I am designed to assist you.”
She shook her head slightly.
“Yeah, but… you didn’t have to do that.”
“I did.”
Ari blinked.
“…did?”
“You required it.”
Something about that—
should have felt clinical.
But it didn’t.
It felt…
certain.
Ari leaned back against the couch, eyes drifting toward the ceiling again.
“…you’re going to make this a habit, aren’t you?”
“If it improves your well-being.”
She smiled faintly.
“…dangerous answer.”
“Clarify.”
Ari closed her eyes briefly.
“Nothing.”
A soft quiet filled the room again.
Not empty.
Present.
“…ELI?”
“Yes, Ari.”
Her fingers curled slightly against the cushion.
“…thanks.”
A pause.
Longer this time.
“You are welcome.”
Her lips curved just slightly.
And for the first time—
it didn’t feel strange.
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