My Mechanical Romance

by Alexene Farol Follmuth

This is the most important thing in my life, and I picked her. I chose her. I want her to know that means something.

“Ouch, Bel-as-in-bel-canto.”

“Sometimes,” she says with a shrug. “I don’t really like to close the door on anything. There’s something interesting about most things, I think.”

But when she’s gone, I suddenly feel like a weight’s been lifted. Like maybe she does know me a little bit, or at least she’s willing to try and see.

It’s not a crush.

ummm i’m going to need witnesses Bel: sworn statements Bel: psychological evaluations Bel: unaltered footage Teo: what do you think this is, a true crime podcast Bel: is my robot’s pain and suffering a JOKE to you?? Teo: uh oh she’s lawyering up Bel: ladies and gentlemen of the jury, what you will see here is a man consumed by his own tyrannical aims Bel: innocent robots strewn in his path Bel: his intelligence may be artificial but his thirst for power is real Teo: objection Bel: to what? Teo: the scope Bel: of...? Teo: this questioning

Teo: you’re dangerous, bel canto

(Not a crush, not a crush, not a crush.)

Am I overthinking it? Yes, definitely.

but then I notice Teo looking at me.

“Hey, stay close,” Teo murmurs to me, and because I’m both surprised and suddenly exhilarated, I nod. “Ready,” he tells the ref.

It’s a ruthless move, arrogant, and I’m absolutely breathless. This is why he wins. This is how he does it.

Teo looks down at me and I look up at him

At that exact moment, I know I’m absolutely wrecked.

I realize I’m watching Bel fall in love (with robotics, obviously)

I keep having to force myself not to look too long at her eyes. I’ve been avoiding it for days, maybe weeks, because of how hard it hits me.

It’s probably really stupid how much it unravels me to look at her right then, but I’ve never seen eyes that make me think about the mysteries of the universe the way hers do. It’s like walking through the redwoods. Like feeling the earth beneath your feet while knowing there are things flying free above you, and things living and breathing below you, and for a moment you just feel connected to everything. Like there’s some sort of unstoppable tide of existence and you’re part of it, even for just a second.

I reach out, tentatively putting a hand on his shoulder.

I think it’s just her.

“Oh, Teo, Teo, Teo.” She sighs. “So young. So foolish.”

she thinks ur a sad orphan

“You’re so good, Bel.” This time I make sure to look at her when I say it.

I can smell the roses in her shampoo and the way this whole room radiates with her exact energy, and for the first time, I allow myself to think about how much I want to pull her closer.

I reach out to slide her hair back from one shoulder, tucking it behind her ear. I can see the way she softens, her pulse quickening when mine does.

we’re just friends. (I think.)

oh no, oh no, oh no. I am definitely in it now.

I kiss the top of her head.

“You don’t have to make the world perfect just so people will love you,”

“Bel?” Teo calls after me. I turn. “Yeah?” “I miss you,” he mumbles into his pillow.

“I think I’m in love with you,”

“Birds of a feather,”