HARPER'S POV

Today was the day. Lil- I mean, Mira would be taken away. I know it's weird, me calling her Lily. It's just, from the moment she opened her eyes, Lily instantly came into my head. She's truly beautiful. I just wish Professor Croft would have let us add some intellect and other traits. She could have the makings of an amazing person if our company wasn't so crazy about making a robot who's the most beautiful thing ever. Carla's right though. Beauty. It's all girls and boys talk about. The majority of them anyway, even when they don't mean to. Appearance becomes so important that they forget to build up confidence, work on their personalities, their hobbies. I find it all very sad. I suppose it's because I was lucky enough not to have that pressure. I'm not saying I lived in 16th Century because let's face it, their probably was a bit of insecurity then too. I'm not a little girl though. I'll let you in on my secret...

I'm 28. Ok, I know that's not THAT old. Right? All I'm saying is, appearance didn't matter that much when I was at school. Well, to me atleast.

I ran a hand through my ponytail and fixed my white lab coat so that it was neat. Yep, we have lab coats. What did you expect? I made my way out of the room I was in, the controls room to be exact. I don't work with the main building controls, that's Dr. Mitchell's job. I come over sometimes though, to give them updates on various projects. I had to head back to Lab 31. Lily's room to be precise. It was time for her breakfast. I also have to get her ready for the DARLA representatives today. I was suppose to be taking her into the Gardens for a while, like Professor Croft had said but she changed her mind at the last minute, deeming it too risky. I was definitely... let's just, more than annoyed. There's wasn't much I could do though. Carla was in charge of the Project, therefore what she says, goes.

Thankfully, I didn't tell Lily so she wasn't disappointed. I just can't believe she's leaving today.

I slide my card across the scanner on the door and walked in, letting the small machine on the wall scan my eyes.

Security. This company is big on that.

I walked over to the bed and smiled as I looked at Lily. Long, flowing brown hair, soft as a cloud. Smooth, flawless skin. Not one blemish. Beautifully long eyelashes. Soft, perfectly sized lips. It pains me to say it but when I look at her, it reminds me that she's essentially a robot. Her looks aren't natural. There is nothing natural about her. I can't even call her artifical intelligence. Just... artificial.

I cover up my thoughts by smiling and gently tapping her hand. "Wakey wakey, Lily"

Lily opened her eyes, mesmerising with the twinkle in them. She gave me a small smile, her eyes lighting up once more. "Good morning, Dr. C", she said. Her voice was surprisingly human like, though it had a hint of a robotic tone.

I let out a soft laugh, a smile still on my face. "Like I've said before, you can just call me Cece"

Lily nodded, the same look on her face. "I'm sorry... Cece. And I am?"

I tried to cover up my disappointment. She sounded so unsure of herself. She really wasn't that smart because they never thought it to be important, making her intelligent. I go on about it all the time. It just infuriates me. She deserves more than just being used for other people's selfish 'needs'. Of course, I've taught her a few things. The basics, if you will. We've only had a month and not an awful lot can be taught in a month. "You're...Mira", I said, refraining from calling her Lily.

"Then who is Lily?", she asked, her eyebrows furrowing in confusion as she tilted her head to the side.

"Remember what I told you? Lily is my special name for you. I don't call you it a lot though because here, you go by Mira"

"Why do they say M1RA?", she asked, the confusion in her face paining me.

"Lily... that's your Project name. They call you Mira as an easier nickname. So that's what you answer to, ok? I'm the only person who calls you Lily", I said, hoping she'd understand.

After a few minutes of her still looking confused, she nodded. "Ok. I understand what you're saying Cece"

I nodded, a relieved smile on my face. "Great. Now come on, eat up", I said. I brought the bowl just under her chin and gave and scooped up some cereal. I brought the spoon to her mouth and she opened it, allowing me to feed her. They wouldn't let me teach her how to eat for herself because they thought it would the time they had to do the tests.

She finished eating and I took the bowl away, wiping away some milk with a tissue. "Good girl. Dr. Cleff will come with new clothes"

"Can you please bring them?", she asked, hope in her eyes.

I frowned as I stood up, shaking my head a little. "I'm needed elsewhere, I'm sorry. I'll be back before the... nice people come and take you"

A look of sadness covered her face but she nodded, bringing her knees up so that her hands rested on them.

I turned away and left the room with a sigh. Saying Goodbye was going to be horrible.

SAFYA'S POV

I had a small crush on Nick. It was in Year 8. It only lasted for about 3 months but I'll always remember it. It was just the way he did things, the way he acted around people. His kindness. Not to mention he was quite good looking. Like I said, it only lasted 3 months. I still like all those things about him but I find it funny thinking back to Year 8 because I still can't believe I had a crush on him. I suppose, knowing him for as long as I have, made me realise that we're better of as being friends. Correction, best friends. I know it sounds extreme but I'd take a bullet for him. I really hope he'd take one for me too.

Nick's love life has been... pretty non existent. He had a girlfriend in Year 7 for about 3 weeks. They weren't really serious. They mainly just held hands on the way to school then avoided each other during school. Relationships weren't really that serious in Year 7. Well, at our school anyway. Apart from that girl, Nick's had no other relationships.

As for me, I've never even had one. I'm cool with that I guess. I'm pretty laid back so boys usually just see me as a friend. During Year 9, I changed my whole appearance for half the year, to try and get a boyfriend. It kind of worked, boys were looking at me and noticed me a lot more. It just didn't feel right though. Then one day, Nick said he wouldn't hang out with me anymore. He said he could barely recognise the person I had become. By that time I changed my attitude and personality too. Almost losing my best mate made me realise that I'd rather be myself and have an awesome friendship than be in a relationship with someone who didn't like me for me.

It's Saturday today. I've finished my school work so I get to chill. My mum was really strict and pushed me to get the best grades possible for my GCSE's. Not going to lie, it was seriously hard but I managed to get A's and B's. Or, 6's and 7's in the new system. My mum's definitely been more laid back with me in terms of my education so I'm not as stressed. Nick and I are doing a paper run to help out Mr. Mads who lives on our street. He wants to buy a new mobility scooter so we're getting some money together for him. As a suprise. Then after that I'll chill, I promise.

I always let my mum sleep in on the weekends. She wakes up at the same time every Saturday so I left her some breakfast.

I changed my clothes and tied up my hair, leaving the house. I knocked on Nick's door. He only lived across the road.

I smiled at him when he opened the door. "Hey Nickolas. Ready for the paper run?"

"Hi there, Safya", he said, using my full name too, laughing a little. "Yes, I'm ready. Let's go"

I nodded and we walked together, each carrying some newspapers that Nick got out from a bag. "I'll do this side, you do that side, ok?"

"Ok", he said with a nod, crossing the road. We went to each house on the two streets we were delivering too and posted the news papers. Nick posted a newspaper to number 24 and put £20 through the letterbox too. He did that every time we did a paper run. Ms. Nicholls lives there with her 3 kids. She got into an accident last year and can't walk anymore. She doesn't get much of an income anymore as she was the only person working in her family. Her husband left her last year, a few months before her accident. She's got a big heart and her kids always say hi to us when we see them. Nick and I both work in a local shop but we're not millionnaires. We still like to help out others though. Ms. Nicholls didn't deserve to have her life ruined like that. No one does. So if we can help in any way, we will.

We finished the paper run and usually get paid by the end of the week. It's not a lot at all but we've been doing it for a year now and every penny counts when it comes to helping out Mr. Mads. He calls me Saffi or Poppy. Mr. Mads actually drove my mum to the Hospital when she was in labour with me. He didn't have much to give but he gave my mum a little headband with poppies on it, for me to wear. That's why he calls me Poppy.

He didn't drive Nick's mum to the Hospital when she was in Labour. He was the 2nd person to hold Nick though. He told us these stories, amongst others. He's the heart of our neighbourhood.

I went over to Nick's house and we both watched a movie together.

NO ONE'S POV

Every person involved in Project M1RA stood in a room. There were about 10 people in there, not including the 3 DARLA representatives who were sat down.

Professor Croft walked in. "Good afternoon, we hope our staff have made you feel welcome"

The 3 reps nodded, polite smiles on their faces.

"Now, I'm sure you have been waiting eagerly. I'd like to thank everyone involved in Project M1RA. I am pleased to be handing it over to DARLA", she said. She looked at the door. "Bring her in now please, Dr. C"

A few seconds later, Dr. C walked in with Lily. Dr. C gave them a small smile and held on to Lily.

Lily looked at the floor, slightly nervous.

The 3 representatives gasped with astonishment and exchanged murmurs.

"It's marvellous!", exclaimed one.

"Truly life like!", beamed another.

Professor Croft smiled proudly, taking hold of Lily. Harper wouldn't let her go, her grip remaining strong.

Carla sent a look her way, a look to remind her who was in charge.

Harper reluctantly loosened her grip, letting go.

Carla gave her a nod before pulling Lily closer to the representatives. "Please, feel free to have a closer inspection"

1 representative stood up and carefully touched Lily's face, nervous as if he thought she'd crumble.

"Have faith in us Mr. Corms, it is stable enough for you to touch", said Professor Croft with a small laugh.

Mr. Corms and the other representatives laughed.

"Of course, my apologies. It's just so... incredible", he complimented.

Carla smiled again, showing her teeth. "That's very kind of you to say. Do you have transport to take it?"

The woman representative nodded. "Yes, it's parked outside. Would now be a good time to take it?"

Harper looked up, willing with all her heart that they'd leave it for atleast one more day.

"Of course! Sounds perfect", smiled Carla.

Harper's heart broke and she moved to the side, not trying to delay the process any further. She'd be back soon but.. it still hurt.

"M1RA, are you ready to go?", asked Carla which earned a chuckle from the reps.

Lily just looked at them and gave Carla an obedient nod, not really understanding what was happening.

They walked her out and each person who helped with Project M1RA gave her a fond sending off. They had all grown to like Lily, though they weren't as attached as Harper.

"Good bye Mira", they each said.

"See you soon Lily", whispered Harper, making Lily smile.