Like A Robot
The old man let out a sigh and looked at her.
Old Man At The Park
They were bullying you, Astria *says gently*
Astria Rodrigues (FL)
What does bullying mean? *tilts head while looking away*
Astria Rodrigues (FL)
Maybe they were interested in rocks that's why they were throwing it at me *staring at the rocks on the ground*
Astria Rodrigues (FL)
*stares at the ground and starts talking non stop*
Astria Rodrigues (FL)
Did you know quartz is one of the hardest minerals? *eyes lit up*
Astria Rodrigues (FL)
It can scratch glass and even steel!
Astria Rodrigues (FL)
Quartz is also used in watches, clocks, and electronics because it vibrates at a precise frequency when electrified.
Astria Rodrigues (FL)
This is called the piezoelectric effect—it helps regulate time in quartz watches!
Astria Rodrigues (FL)
Quartz also makes up 90% of sand on Earth.
Astria Rodrigues (FL)
Many famous landmarks, like the Pyramids of Egypt, contain quartz-rich sandstone. *talking happily*
Old Man At The Park
How do you know all of this? 🙂
Astria Rodrigues (FL)
I read in Father's books. His study is filled with books. *happy*
Old Man At The Park
Aren't you getting late for home? 🙂
Astria Rodrigues (FL)
*nods vigorously and walks away*
Old Man At The Park
*sighs* Such a innocent girl she is
She walked past the gates of the large mansion. Walking into the mansion quietly.
The mansion was huge and quiet. She thought maybe her aunt was not at home.
...
WHERE WERE YOU??💢💢 *shouts from the kitchen*
Astria Rodrigues (FL)
*flinches and looks at her*
Astria Rodrigues (FL)
(Aunt)
Mayra Maverick (FL Aunt)
Where are you coming back from??💢💢
Astria Rodrigues (FL)
*avoids eye contact*
Astria Rodrigues (FL)
Local park <mumbles>
Mayra Maverick (FL Aunt)
How many times do I have to tell you not to go out? *shouting*
Mayra Maverick (FL Aunt)
Do you have to parade around the fact that you're autistic??💢💢
Astria Rodrigues (FL)
*staring at the tiles*
Mayra Maverick (FL Aunt)
Are you even listening to me? *slams her hand against the table*
She blinked, her fingers tightening around the hem of her skirt.
Astria Rodrigues (FL)
(Listening? Of course, I was listening.)
Astria Rodrigues (FL)
(What was the correct response? A "yes" would be inaccurate) *thinking*
She had been focused on the way the light reflected off the kitchen tiles, the tiny geometric patterns shifting every time her aunt moved.
Astria Rodrigues (FL)
(A "no" would make her angrier.)
Astria Rodrigues (FL)
I heard the words *says carefully with a flat voice*
Astria Rodrigues (FL)
But I don’t understand why you are yelling.
Mayra Maverick (FL Aunt)
Because you never pay attention! Because you never act normal! <pissed>
Astria Rodrigues (FL)
(Normal. That word again. It's always frustratingly vague.)
Astria Rodrigues (FL)
I am paying attention now. I’m hearing your words at 72 decibels, and your hands are moving rapidly, which means you're upset. But I don't know what you expect me to do. *tries to explain*
Mayra Maverick (FL Aunt)
See? This is exactly what I mean! It’s like talking to a robot! *groaned pressing her fingers to her temples*
She wasn't sure why that hurt, but it did. A tight feeling formed in her chest, her thoughts slowing down like a buffering screen.
Her body wanted to move—rock, pace, flap her hands—but she knew that would only make her aunt angrier. Instead, she folded her arms tightly against her stomach, pressing down to keep herself still. Masking. That’s what people wanted, right?
Comments
Sweety Kumari
i have never read anything or any story like this and iam loving it
you are a great writer
2025-02-16
2
Nixie
I am wanna cry
2025-02-01
0