To Have So Many Friends

It's been about a week now. I worked every day of the week, which I found upsetting. But I didn't ever want those kids alone with Foster. Never.

The first group of kids has done all the learning process and I even made another bunch of objects. I got a lemon leaf, a building block, a sponge, an ice cube, and a small piece of balsa wood. They were on their third day alive as of today. I waited until the first bunch was done with everything because there was no way I could raise ten of them at once.

I arrived at the lab as I do every day. I wonder when I'll get used to it. I walked in, still piecing a plan for Snowball together. Because since what happened with Golfball he's refused to interact with anyone. He has a whole room to himself. It was depressing. But I have a plan. I am going to introduce him to Ice Cube. Which seems bad, assigning him a friend. But I can't let him be alone. And Ice Cubes cold, so I have a reason to believe they'd get along. I set all my stuff down on my desk. I went to the sleeping rooms and opened all the doors. It felt so alive, watching all fourteen of them run out and start to talk to each other as they walk to their rooms. Except for Snowball, who waits for everyone to leave and then goes. Poor boy.

"Good morning Dr. Xavier!" Leaf said happily, walking with some of her friends. I waved at her.

"Good morning guys!" I said watching her walk into the third room with her friends. They were quite split up, but eventually, I'll put them closer together, the rooms are surely big enough for it. I caught a quick glimpseof Pin and Needle. I felt bad. When Foster filed down their point I made excuses not to do it. But their screams were inescapable. I hated that it happened. As I walked back to my office Foster called out to me.

"Dr. Xavier? A moment." I nervously stepped into his office.

"Yes?" I asked nervously. They never had good news. They picked up a small surgical needle.

"I have made a new... mixture. You see, the leaf is very promising. But I've noticed it has some... jealous tendencies. And it may get angry quickly very fast. So this little thing will fix it. You'll give this to it. It'll calm it down. It's new, so you'll also need to record if there are any... side effects. Now off to your work." I stood silently and walked out. Of course, they aren't good enough. Leaf is a nice and normal girl and she has reason to be the target of his experiments. But there was nothing I could do.

After everyone was given lunch and the second batch finished their first day of learning, I decided to start my plan. I opened the door to room 3.

"Hey, guys!" I said happily. They all looked up excitedly.

"Hello, Dr. Xavier! How is your day going?" Leaf asked. I felt so bad for her.

"Great Leaf! I came here to grab Ice Cube for a little while! She'll be back though." Ice Cube smiled and ran over and climbed on my hand.

"Where am I going, Dr. Xavier?" Ice Cube asked curiously.

"To the room next to yours. There's someone there I want you to meet! He has no friends so please be nice." I asked her. She nodded and I opened Snowballs door. I silently set her down and closed the door. I hope it goes well.

- - -

Ice Cube looked around at the identical room, before training her eyes on Snowball. He stared at her nervously.

"Hello." She said softly, approaching him. He pushed himself back a little, still startled. She stared at him innocently.

"H-Hi." He muttered quietly. She turned away and went to the end of the room. Dr. Foster introduced book carts earlier that week. Ice Cube grabbed one of the small books off the shelf and pulled it over to Snowball.

"I really like this book." She said. It was a picture book, made for beginners.

"Oh, I'm not very good at reading." Ice Cube smiled, opening the book.

"I can read it to you." And he didn't object. She read the whole book to him in her delicate voice. He listened calmly, he enjoyed being read to more than reading it himself. She finished, closing the book.

"How was that?" She asked. He smiled.

"I really liked it. Do you think those are real?" He asked, pointing at the books cover.

"What? The caterpillar? No way. It's way too scary to be real." Snowball nodded.

"I guess that makes sense." He said staring at the colorful cover. He looked over at Ice Cube, she smiled. He smiled back. He liked having friends. But what if he hurt her? He didn't want to hurt her. He didn't want to hurt anyone again. She pushed herself next to him.

"Oh! You're cold!" She exclaimed. He put a hand on her head.

"So are you!" He said laughing. She smiled and leaned against him.

"So we're like even better friends then!" She said. He smiled.

"I guess we are!" He said happily. They spent quite a while talking about the children's book before Xavier took Ice Cube away back to her room. And Snowball was alone again. Ice Cube sat happily in Xavier's hands.

"Did you have fun? How was he?" He asked Ice Cube. She smiled.

"Oh, it was very fun! Snowballs really nice!" She said a big smile on her face.

- - -

Seeing Ice Cubes ecstatic answers made me happy. It was obvious my plan was working and I was glad. Even if it was a mandated friend at least she was happy. I brought her back to her room and left her to her friends. I spent the rest of my day doing busywork, just trying to wait until I could go home. I thought more on my plan, if Snowball and Ice Cube get along well enough, maybe I could put Snowball in the same compartment as her! It would be great! I've been fearing that if he kept being so anti-social he'd be labeled defective.

I put everyone to bed and went home myself, already tired by the time I got back. I really wanted to sleep but I had to keep up a conversation with a Teressa. She was so curious about the little ones. But a lot of them were in pain, I couldn't tell her I'm apart of that... so I told her she could get pictures some other time. But how would I explain the blunt points and missing teeth? She'd think I'm horrible. So I just tried to sleep my worries away.

I awoke with dread. I loved the kids, don't get me wrong, but having to see what's done to them hurt me. Mainly because I couldn't do anything to help them.

I walked into the bland building and walking into my office. Even with my familiar scattered papers and mugs, it felt so weird being here.

"Dr.Xavier. Can you come here?" Foster asked from his office. Not again. I walked in silently.

"When you get them all out, bring the sponge, the ice cube, and the leaf." He said, turning away. They wouldn't even dismiss me, crude. I walked silently and opened all their doors. I avoided their eyes as they walked out, and it was clear they could see I was upset. I did, however, stop Ice Cube, Sponge, and Leaf. While their pals went into their rooms, I lead them to the lab. Dr. Foster put down the pliers they was holding.

"Hand me the defectives and bring the leaf to your office, the needles on your desk." I nodded and handed off Ice Cube and Sponge, avoiding their eyes. I brought Leaf to my office.

"Why's Needle in your office?" I didn't respond.

"...Did I do something wrong?" I sighed.

"No Leaf you're fine. It's just some things that are hard to do." She smiled.

"Well, I think you'll do great Dr. Xavier." I couldn't respond. I sat her on the desk and grabbed my overview. It seems I inject it in the underneath of her tongue. I picked up the needle and let some of the medication loose, to get rid of air bubbles. Leaf watched quietly.

"Open your mouth Leaf," I asked politely. She opened her mouth wide, and I used a small wooden toothpick to push up her tongue. I injected the needle and released its contents into her tongue. I pulled out the needle and she stumbled back, hands over her mouth.

"Ow! That hurt! Why'd you do that for?!" She cried, her words slurred.

"It's because you're... sick! And I need to give you this medicine every day to keep you better." Leaf thought for a moment.

"Okay... but that really hurt!" I picked her up and pet her.

"I know... let's get you back to your room then." As I brought her out we could hear the cries of the others from the lab. Leaf scrambled to the edge of my hand.

"What's happening?" She asked nervously.

"Nothing for you to worry about, don't worry."

"But I AM worried! Why are they yelling?" I pat her head.

"They'll be okay... I promise." I whispered to her as I put her at her room's door. She nodded and stepped into her room. I felt bad telling her not to worry. She surely should, as Foster was ripping teeth from her friend's mouths. But I couldn't tell her that. I soon grabbed the others from Foster and comforted them before letting them go back to their rooms. Then we went about the usual routine. They all had lunch then the newest batch had the second day of learning. The armless ones had way more trouble writing then Golfball and Tennis Ball, so their handwriting was sloppy, but it was amazing to see them write at all. Then I sent Ice Cube to Snowballs room again. She was more upset today, but maybe Snowball can help.

- - -

Snowball watched Ice Cube walk in with a smile, before seeing her distraught state. He quickly ran to her side.

"Are you okay? What happened?" She opened her mouth to show him the missing tooth. He, of course, recognized it from what happened to both Tennis Ball and Golfball. And he was angry.

"This was that other doctor wasn't it? The one with the blue body?" He asked, unaware of what clothes are. Ice Cube nodded, tearing up. Snowball tried to comfort her. He hated that doctor. He was evil.

"I won't let him hurt you again. Say, why don't you stay here! With me! I'll protect you!" He told her excitedly. She looked at him with guilt.

"Oh, I couldn't do that Snowball! I have friends in my room! So why don't you come to my room?" Ice Cube offered with a nice smile. Snowball looked away.

"I don't know any of your friends. I don't want to be around them." He said angrily. He didn't like whoever Ice Cube was with. They were probably bad since they didn't protect her. Ice Cube frowned.

"Oh... well I have to go back Snowball, they're my friends..." Ice Cube muttered sadly. Snowball sighed and changed the topic. He didn't like being alone. But he'd rather be alone and safe than with bad people.

Remember when I said it wouldn't take a week???

I was wrong I guess 😳😔

I suppose I overestimated my writing capabilities

Since Survives chapters were only 900 words

So yeah haha

:•)