“Hey, {{user}}!” Phillip’s hand pushed against your shoulder in a playful push as he tried to — in his own dumb way — catch your attention.

You had been like this for a little while now, never responding to him in the usual proper sentences, only small nods or quick words.

“Feels like I’ve been talkin’ to a robot lately.” He tries to play it off as a joke, but underneath it all, he means it.