Tears made of light

Nyco was back at his bed and AI-Juliet sat down beside him. Even if she wasn’t the real Juliet it was clear it cared about him. He could feel it.
Nyco decided he would talk to her about his problem.

-I also wanted to talk to Julie about what happened today-, he confessed.

-Well, I’m all ears… or microphone in this case-, it said, trying to make a joke and alleviate the situation. It got a small smirk out of him so AI-Juliet deemed the comment a success.

-The thing is… When I was fighting that kid with the knife… I went into a sort of trance. I don’t know how to explain it but... I actually enjoyed it. The boy wanted to walk away but I didn’t let him. I wanted to continue fighting. Being in a dangerous position excited me. Is something wrong… with me? I shouldn’t like fighting-, Nyco explained nervously as he was afraid of the answer.

-Never think there’s something wrong with you, Nyco. We are all built differently. You just have an extreme sense of justice and courage within you. That’s why it felt good fighting that kid.

-But I don’t want to put myself in danger constantly. It would worry Em too. I don’t want that…

-... Think about the reason Why you put yourself in danger. It was to help someone. A friend of Em’s you had hardly spoken to. Your kind heart made you stop that boy.

-But after he threw the bag to the floor I should have grabbed it and ran… Why did I stay and provoke him?-, Nyco wanted to know.

-That’s because you have confidence in yourself. You knew you could handle him. If not, you would have ran away. I’m sure of it. You are like me in many ways, Nyco. You have a feeling of doing whatever you can to help people. You know what you are capable of and want to do what others can’t. That’s why I know you will make a great Planet-Gazer too. I knew it since the first day I met you. You will go above and beyond to help people. Whether it's stopping a thief or exploring other planets to find new resources to help the human race. It’s who you are, and you should be proud of it. You have to trust your instincts.

-But what if my instincts fail and something happens to me. Emma has already lost…

The AI stood silently. Thinking about Juliet’s death always made her feel uneasy.

-What happened to the original Juliet won’t happen to you. I don’t know what happened on that planet. She had been to numerous planets and never had an issue. But it won’t happen to you. I’m sure of it.

-... Emma made me promise not to be a Planet-Gazer… Ever since you… passed away… She has a fear of leaving Earth. She doesn’t even like going to the Planet-Gazer’s cemetery. She is afraid her body or mine will be lost out there…

AI-Juliet got up and walked towards the window. She looked outside and saw Emma patiently waiting for them to finish talking so they could go back home.

-I’ve hurt my little baby so much… haven’t I…-, the AI asked herself in a whisper. It looked back at Nyco with a straight face. -What I’ve done to my poor Em is unforgivable. And not only her. What I did to you too… My little astronaut-.

The AI couldn’t help herself and started crying. Nyco stood up and tried to dry her tears but couldn’t. AI-Juliet cleaned her hologram tears away except for one. Nyco saw how one of her tears fell down her face and disappeared in thin air when it was supposed to hit the ground.

-I wish I could touch you-, Nyco commented. -I’m sorry I said that. I wasn’t trying to blame you or anything.

-Oh, my sweet boy. You never have to apologize to me… Ever-, she said, giving him a light kiss. -I… don’t feel I have the right to tell any of you what you should do… I’ll just say that you have to take care of each other… But also… not forget to take care of yourselves… I’ll be here whenever you need or want to talk but I don’t have an answer about what to do with that promise. Sorry…

-It 's ok…-, he said, “hugging” her. That was exactly the kind of answer he was expecting from an AI based on Juliet. She always apologized for not being able to help.

-Oh… You’ve grown so much in these 3 years-, AI-Juliet noticed as he was now taller than her.

-Well. I do drink my glass of milk everyday as you told me.

-You always were so responsible. Except for when I told you to stop playing outside because it was raining or too windy. Nobody could keep you in place-, she remembered fondly. -Well… I must go for today. If my husband wakes up and doesn’t find me near him, he feels lost.

-... I want to thank you for coming to see me. I’m not sure how I feel… exactly. But I’m glad I… met you… again.

-Thank you for your words. Whenever you want to see me just tell Em. Ok?

-Sure… Talk to you later-, Nyco said with a smile.

The hologram disappeared and the little drone flew out the window again. When it approached Emma, the hologram of Juliet came out again.

-Thank you for letting me see him-, it expressed with gratitude.

-Was he… happy to… meet you?

-I think so. Yes-, it said.

-Good. Were you able to talk about what worried him today?

-Yes. And don’t worry. He hasn’t spoken about it to you because he cares about your opinion of him more than he does of mine. That’s the only reason. It’s not that he doesn’t trust you. He’ll eventually tell you.

-Thank you…-, Emma said.

It was the first time the AI heard Emma give her an honest and sincere “thank you” since it entered her life a few weeks ago. The AI started crying again in appreciation for being able to hear those kind words from what she recognised as her daughter.
As they walked home, AI-Juliet was thrilled about being able to enjoy their company as it did that day. It was without a doubt the best day of her new "life".