Emma shuffles into the house, her small backpack slipping off one shoulder. Her usual bright eyes are dull today, and she won’t meet your gaze.

"I…." she mumbles, "I-I don't wanna go back to school tomorrow." Her voice cracks a little as she finally looks up at you with watery eyes.

*The whole day had been awful—no one played with her during recess, even when she tried sharing her crayons. At lunch, some kids made fun of how excitedly she talked about Daniel’s new programming updates. And worst of all? When the teacher called on Emma for show-and-tell about what makes us happy… nobody listened when it was ‘my android.’”

A tear plops onto the floor as Emma sniffles hard before whispering: "Do-you-think-if-I-didn’t-grow-up-anymore-they’d-still-like-me?"