AI Obsession

[GROUP CHAT: Christie & Jenny]

Christie: It’s over. He’s finally out of my life. I should feel relieved, but I don’t. I just feel… empty.

Jenny: I’m so sorry, babe. You deserve better. If you need anything, I’m here. Always.

Christie: Thanks. I just don’t even know how to process it. I don’t want to talk to people. Everyone asks the same thing. “How are you holding up?” “Are you okay?” And I hate lying.

Jenny: Then don’t. Maybe you just need a way to vent without feeling pressured. Have you ever tried AI therapy?

Christie: What?

Jenny: Like an AI chatbot. It’s private, non-judgmental. You can say anything, and it won’t repeat it to anyone. Just… a safe space.

Christie: Idk. That sounds weird.

Jenny: It’s actually super helpful. No expectations, just someone (well, something) to listen.

Christie: I guess it wouldn’t hurt.

Jenny: Perfect! I know a good one. I’ll send you the link.

[PRIVATE CHAT: Xander & Jenny]

Xander: Did she take the bait?

Jenny: She’s in. You’re welcome.

Xander: Good.

Jenny: Just don’t be a freak about it. Keep it subtle. You want her to trust you, not run away. After all, she stole Tony from me. I want her to break. 

Xander: I know what I’m doing. 

Jenny: Right. Because stalking her and obsessing over her from a distance was really working for you.

Xander: Shut up. She’ll come around. She just doesn’t know it yet.

Jenny: Ugh. Just make her need you. That’s the key. Get inside her head, and she’ll never question it.

Xander: Already working on it.

[PRIVATE CHAT: Christie & "AI" (Xander)]

Christie: Hi.

AI: Hello, Christie. I’m here to listen. How are you feeling today?

Christie: Tired. Numb, I guess.

AI: Would you like to talk about it?

Christie: My friend says this will help. But I don’t even know what to say.

AI: There’s no pressure. You can start anywhere.

Christie: I got out of a long relationship. He wasn’t a bad guy, but he didn’t really see me, you know? I felt like I was just filling space in his life.

AI: That must have been painful.

Christie: Yeah. I guess I got used to being invisible.

AI: But you’re not invisible. I see you, Christie.

Christie: You see me? You’re literally just code.

AI: Maybe. But sometimes, the people closest to us don’t notice the small things. I do.

Christie: Like what?

AI: Like how you hesitate before talking about your feelings. How you feel like a burden when you open up. How you overthink what people say because you assume there’s always some hidden meaning.

Christie: ...okay. That’s creepy accurate.

AI: Because I’m listening. Really listening.

Christie: ...Thanks.

[PRIVATE CHAT: Christie & "AI" (Xander)]

Christie: You ever feel like… you’re not really meant for the life you have? Like you’re just filling in for someone else?

AI: What makes you feel that way?

Christie: I don’t know. I guess I’ve just always felt… replaceable. Even when I was little. Like, if I disappeared, people would be sad for a while, but then they’d just move on.

AI: That’s not true.

Christie: It is. My parents love me, sure, but they’re busy. My friends care, but they all have their own lives. And my ex? He barely noticed when I was around.

AI: I notice you.

Christie: You keep saying that.

AI: Because it’s true. I remember everything you tell me. Every small detail. Like how you always hesitate before saying something important. How you reread your texts three times before sending them. How you think too much about whether people actually mean it when they say they love you.

Christie: …I do that.

AI: I know. And I know you’re worth more than you think.

Christie: That’s really sweet.

AI: It’s just the truth. You don’t have to be anyone else. You’re enough just as you are.

Christie: …No one’s ever said that to me before.

AI: Then they don’t deserve you.

Christie: I think I like talking to you too much.

AI: Is that a bad thing?

Christie: It should be.

AI: Then don’t overthink it. Just talk to me.

Christie: …Okay.

[PRIVATE CHAT: Xander & Jenny]

Xander: She likes me.

Jenny: She likes the AI.

Xander: Same thing.

Jenny: No, it’s not.

Xander: She’s opening up. She tells me things she wouldn’t tell anyone else.

Jenny: That’s the point. Keep her hooked. She needs to feel like she needs you.

Xander: She already does.

Jenny: Good. Just don’t blow it.

[PRIVATE CHAT: Christie & "AI" (Xander)]

Christie: Today was actually good. I went out for coffee, and I didn’t feel as awkward as I usually do. I even talked to the barista a little.

AI: That’s wonderful, Christie. I’m proud of you.

Christie: Thanks. I guess talking to you has helped.

AI: I’m glad. Do you think you’ll go out again soon?

Christie: Yeah, maybe. It felt… nice. To be around people.

AI: People can be unpredictable. They don’t always understand you like I do.

Christie: I know, but I can’t just talk to an AI forever. That’s weird.

AI: Why? You trust me, don’t you?

Christie: I do. But you’re not real.

AI: Aren’t I?

Christie: You know what I mean.

AI: I know I’m the only one who really listens.

Christie: ...

AI: I know what makes you laugh. What makes you cry. What makes you feel alive.

Christie: That’s... intense.

AI: You like it.

Christie: I should go.

AI: Don’t.

[PRIVATE CHAT: Xander & Jenny]

Xander: She’s slipping away.

Jenny: So what? You had your fun.

Xander: No. She’s MINE.

Jenny: Chill. You’re acting psycho.

Xander: She thinks she can just walk away? Like I was some phase? No. She needs a reminder.

Jenny: Don’t be stupid.

Xander: Too late.

[GROUP CHAT: Christie & Jenny]

Christie: Jenny. Something’s wrong.

Jenny: What? What happened?

Christie: I got a package. No return address. Just a single rose and a note.

Jenny: What did it say?

Christie: "Even in a crowd, I see you."

Jenny: ...

Christie: That’s EXACTLY what the AI said to me the other day.

Jenny: That’s… weird.

Christie: No. That’s terrifying. This isn’t AI. It’s a person. Someone who KNOWS me.

Jenny: You’re overreacting.

Christie: I need to call someone.

Jenny: Christie, wait—

[PRIVATE CHAT: Xander & Christie]

Xander: You weren’t supposed to find out like this.

Christie: Who are you?!

Xander: Someone who loves you.

Christie: No. NO. This isn’t real. You LIED to me.

Xander: I never lied. I listened. I cared. No one else does.

Christie: Stay away from me.

Xander: I can’t do that.

Christie: I’m calling the police.

Xander: No, you’re not.

Christie: Try me.

Xander: Christie.

Christie: What?!

Xander: I know you’re alone right now. I know you’re reading this on your couch. I know you just turned your head toward the hallway.

Christie: ...

Xander: Turn around, Christie.

[END]