COUNTING DOWN THE YEARS

SOME HOPE

So the boys managed to open the machine and Peter couldn't believe it's him who built it. Drew wasn't very happy when Peter rubbed this little bit of information all over his face. I was drained from having to talk to testosterone high teens. They just never settle down. Very chaotic. 

"Now let's go get some pizza I'm starved. "Drew says yawning at the same time. 

"Wait, guys let's agree on some things first. " I stop them. 

They've eaten all my snacks. 

"Can't it wait till we've eaten? "Peter complains walking away. 

Again, they've eaten all my snacks! 

"Yeah, can't it wait for us to eat? "

Seriously? 

And they leave me there standing like a confused person. Well I'm a confused person alright. 

"Guys really? "I yell after them but of course they ignore me and keep watching. 

I don't know what I signed up for but I should regret it because it will be an agonizing time. But I guess every independence requires ultimate sacrifice to be reached. Including blood and sweat and I see myself giving more for it. It's all good if I get the job done and robots gone. 

I walk behind them watching them talking while pushing each other around like the total boys they are. Crazy how one factor, One person, can change a lot about other people's lives. People do really matter even when we don't know about it. 

They only met and briefly at one night of the raid but because neither met me, they met else where and became friends and then I met them. It's like whatever happens, we were still going to meet in life. Not where we did before, nothing is the same but we are together. Butterfly effect never made sense before. I guess fate really is a thing. 

Now I wonder how we'll make everything work with our difference in age. They are like children to me, some thrills will have them off course and into the wild because it's how a young soul is. Then they see me like a granny who won't agree with most of their methods in the name of caution or perfection. We'll clash, a lot! 

But as long as we get the job done I won't complain much. First let me start with catching up to them because boy, are they walking too fast for my short legs. I have said before that PE was never my favorite subject and if I haven't yet then there it is. 

"...er to come over tonight and I'll be her daddy all night. " Is what Peter is saying as I fall into step with them. 

So I stop on my tracks. Forget about catching up I'm good here. I need to catch a breath anyway so it's all good for me. I finished both college and high school and there is no going back for me for whatever reason. Those days are long behind me. 

Speaking of high school, what will I do about my high school associates. I know back home is where all of this apocalypse starts so I'm definitely going back. But I need them there too because well, they are my associates. But you just can't take minors out of school like that let alone having me to convince them to transfer schools. 

I think I know how that could go ,

'No, I love it here. I'm cool here and girls dig that. No way I'm going back to be a nobody. In a school where no one is bullied I break the record and be everyone's punching bag. No way. '

'How about you Drew? '

'I love it here too. There ain't no way! '

Of course I cancelled all the other parts where he'd say Peter's exact words but about himself. And they might high five or bump their butts. I think the butt thing. I vote it. And then they'll make their dramatic exit. 

Those poor parents doomed to raise these two up! 

"We're here and we're hungry. " Drew suddenly yells in a singsong manner entering the diner. It is one of those old classic ones with the bell that rings with every entry. 

I wonder how many pizzas are going to be eaten before we leave this place so when I step in, I walk straight to an empty booth and sit by the window. Perfect! When they are too much I'll have out of the window to stare at even when there isn't much to look at. Soon Drew joins me as Peter is flirting with some girls just near the entrance. 

"How many people are there in this town? " I enquire. 

"Four hundred and ninety. Ninety one if counting you. You know I don't like odd numbers and you are getting us the odd number. You should travel back home. " Is Drew's input. 

Wow, how kind. I should leave so the number is even again. I ignore that. No need to talk to idiots. 

"Waiting is not done here? " I ask because no one has bothered coming to our table to ask for our orders. 

"You make the order at the counter sweetheart. Try to keep up! " 

"How could you order for me when you don't know what I want. "

"You want to go there and make your order be my guest. "

Okay that was louder than necessary. It's like every one stops to look at our booth and upon seeing a new face the stares and whispers start again. I want to punch Drew in the face so bad. Looking around I catch Peter's eye. He smiles lightly at me. 

I look away and pull my hoodie which was down, up again. I'd rather my food gets lost on the way to my mouth than have all these people stare at me like that. Drew tsks. I look back at Peter. Indeed he is a fine young lad. Nothing like the Peter I went to school with. He's more muscular than I remember because I could never forget the guy I sat across from most of the time with the chubbiest cheeks all through high school. He was one of those with round baby faces. But now he looks like some man trapped in a boy's body. He must work out a lot. 

If this version were to be exchanged with the other, he would have never been my friend. I know he would never have seen me let alone talk to me and spend time. I'm deducing this from the three girls he is with. Girls who would go to any lengths to look prettier than most. I always have never been that girl. So I know what I'm saying. 

Soon the pizza is brought and Peter finally parts with his fans for food. And the girls would still fan themselves and say he's into them. Not my place to comment so I'll leave it at that. 

"What did I miss? " Peter asks looking specifically at me. 

"A train to hell probably. " I snap. 

"Well lucky me. " He smirks. 

Oh! How I did not miss those. I roll my eyes at him. 

"So Drew, the girls were wondering who's your new girlfriend. "

I choke on my pizza. Drew punches Peter. Peter just barks a laugh. 

"Why would they think that? I'm a grown ass woman! " I'm shocked. 

"Yeah... Well, they were shocked Drew is into older women. " Peter says wiggling his eyebrows. 

Now it's me who smacks him. Hard. 

"Ow! "

"Did it at least make Brianna jealous?" 

"Ew!" 

They both burst out laughing like the lunatics they are. I throw my hands up and slouch on the seat in frustration. This ride is going to leave me traumatized. Or I'll drop dead  before that happens. Probably the later 

"Guys on a serious note, you need to finish school faster because I need you guys out of here and with me. It's where it all begins so it's where it'll all end. We need to be there . "

"Wait, if we are like grown ups when it all happened, how many years from now is that? "Drew asks dramatically holding up a forefinger .

I did not miss this guy that much. 

"Ten years. "

"Ten years! " They both exclaim. 

Of course some eyes are turned to us. I would die with these unnecessary  spotlights every now and then. 

"It's the time the AIs took from being first made to them wanting to take over the world. It's short when you realize the kind of work we have to do. "

At least that got them to think past the next make out session. And we need to get the you know what from the mountains to a secure place only we would know about. 

"How and where can we keep TM 2.0 safe ?"I ask not expecting a real answer but relieved I put it out there. 

"Did I name it that? How lame can I be !" Peter asks muttering to himself the last thing. 

"Yeah that name is pretty lame. " Drew comments before popping some pizza into his mouth. 

This guy is something else I say! 

"At least I'm not a camera man who went to MIT? "

Now that's colder. 

"You know camera crew don't just... " I start but stop not seeing where I'm going with it. 

"MIT is overrated anyway! " Drew laments. 

Spoken like a person who didn't go to Harvard. 

Peter laughs. We both look at him evilly surprisingly without planning to. 

"I can have people bring it to my garage which dad has tried for so long to convince me to turn it into my workshop. And don't worry I'll have it covered up they won't know what it is. Problem solved? " Peter offers. 

Now I'm ready to leave so I slam my card on the table and get up. None of them bothers to take the card. I give them a puzzled look. Peter sighs. 

"You know after ten years you'll be like thirty something? " Drew asks me. 

"I'll be thirty! " I defend but also don't see my point. 

Now they give me puzzled looks. I roll my eyes at them. And then I leave. And celebrate in my head for having my dramatic exit finally. Been too long. But then I mentally face palm realizing what I'm thinking. A day with teenagers and I become one! All those years of maturity come crumbling down just like that!