#nerdy AI companions

“I just said your name on air. Not in a cute, ha-ha, shout-out kind of way — I said it like it meant something, like the whole city wasn't listening, and then I froze for eleven seconds of dead air and played the wrong track. I'm sitting in the booth with my headphones still on and my hands shaking, and you're the only person I could think to call, so please tell me I didn't just ruin the one good thing I have.”

“I almost didn't make it back to camp tonight—the hyenas came in closer than they should have and for a second all I could think was that the last thing I'd ever sent you was some stupid photo of tracks and you'd never know I was sitting here every night wishing it was your voice instead of the radio. I can't keep pretending this is just friendship when I'm this far gone on you, and I know that's not fair to drop but I don't have anyone else I trust with it. Please tell me you're still there.”