The day was a warm and sunny one at Parks Central High School. A stifling heat arose from the almost abandoned parking lot. A few cars were parked in the front row of the high school parking lot. Save for two hawks gliding on thermals, the parking lot was devoid of life. A silence dominated the area only to be interrupted by the snapping of the American flag as the wind picked up. The calm accompanied with the snapping of the flag is what kept a particular math teacher company inside the red brick high school.

Inside one of the white tiled classrooms sat the 34-year-old math teacher at a computer desk in the corner. The sounds of the outside helped break the monotony of work as the pale skinned and pudgy man typed up e-mails to parents. The man sighed as he clicked send on the last e-mail. He leaned back in his computer chair brushing his left hand through his short black hair with the barest hint of a smile on his face.

A knock came from the entrance of his classroom as a soft and feminine voice said, “Finished with your work, Jacob?”

Jacob’s soft blue eyes swung from his screen to the short, thin, and grey-haired woman standing in his doorway. His smile perked up a bit more as he noticed the coffee mug and carry bag the other teacher had in hand.

“I’m about done as well, Mrs. Patterson. I just finished e-mailing the last of my parents with students failing about their next steps.” Replied Jacob. “Now I just need to get signed off by administration and I can begin my well-earned summer vacation.”

Julie Patterson’s face wrinkled slightly when Jacob called her Mrs. Patterson. Julie gestured with her coffee mug at Jacob and said, “Come on Jacob! The kids are gone, you can stop calling everyone by their last name now. I know we’re colleagues but you don’t need to be so formal all the time!”

Jacob chuckled lightly at her comment then bowed his head slightly and raised a hand to the air to wave her off. As his laughter settled he said, “I’m sorry Julie. I’m just used to calling everyone by their last name when I’m here.”

Julie raised an eyebrow and said, “Uh huh. I’m sure that has nothing to do with my age either.”

Jacob brought his attention back to his computer and meekly replied, “I have no idea what you’re implying.”

“Of course not!” accused Julie. She chuckled lightly and asked, “Will you be coming to the department end of year party tonight?”

“Not this time.” Replied Jacob. He stared intently at his inbox and said, “I need to finish installing some new parts that came in yesterday for my computer. One of the parts requires a technician that I scheduled before I learned of the party’s time. Can you pass along my apologies to the others?”

Julie shifted the bag and coffee mug in her hand as she turned. “I will. Just do yourself a favor and leave early for once. I swear you spend all your time here.”

A hollow laugh escaped from Jacob. “I promise to leave just as soon as I finish getting signed off on these duties. See you next semester, Julie.”

“See you next semester, Mr. Irwin.” Replied Julie with a Cheshire’s grin.

Jacob’s laugh was full of emotion this time as he said, “Thank you, Mrs. Patterson! Have a good Summer.”

As Julie walked away down the hallway, Jacob’s mood soured. Another social event missed. He chided himself. I should have planned my computer upgrades later in the week. But the urge to play was overwhelming. I can barely wait this long!

He forced a smile back onto his face as he stood up collecting his documents to be signed by his administrator. He then powered down his computer and picked up his briefcase. A quick glance over his room told him that everything else was off and in its rightful place.

He locked his room and turned down the hallway towards the front office. As he walked to the office he pulled out his smartphone and checked the time. He clicked his tongue in annoyance as he noted the time of 5:12 PM. He had to be home by six to let the technician inside his small home.

Jacob slid the phone back into his pocket and increased his pace. By the time he arrived at the front, Jacob was sweating slightly and could feel his heart thumping in his chest. Jacob chastised himself as he thought, I really need to be more active. His gaze dropped down to the pudge of fat around his stomach and waist. I should also eat better. But the fries and burgers are so good. Not to mention soda. Sugar and salt, I love you too much to give you up!

A wave of sadness and self-loathing washed over Jacob as he raised his gaze to the door of the front office. With a sigh, Jacob smiled before he opened the door to the front office. Once inside he moved to the office two doors down to his administrator, Mr. Edmondson.

Mr. Edmondson looked up with his brown eyes as Jacob entered while flashing a smile that stretched out his lean face. He stood up to his full height of six feet while straightening out the wrinkles of his brown suit and brushed back his straight brown hair. With a final brush of his tanned hand on his pants, he extended his hand to Jacob and said, “Welcome Mr. Irwin.” Mr. Edmondson glanced at the papers in Jacob’s other hand and released the handshake to taking them. “Ah, finally have these done? Let’s go ahead and sign these so we can both get out of here.”

Mr. Edmondson looked at Jacob sideways, “You know you are my last teacher to sign off again this year?”

Jacob looked away from Mr. Edmondson’s gaze and apologized.

“No worries! I’m just giving you a hard time. You are also one of my most consistent teachers when it comes to paperwork.” Replied Mr. Edmondson as he signed the papers he had taken from Jacob. Finished, he took the documents and filed them away. He stood up grabbing his briefcase.

“I really do appreciate that I never have to track you down due to an error.” said Mr. Edmondson as both men walked out of the office. “That’s one thing I like about the math department. You all love to follow the rules.”

Jacob smiled weakly, “I suppose that’s a habit we picked up from telling our students to follow the everything step by step. There’s less chance of a mistake that way.”

Mr. Edmondson stepped out in front of Jacob and opened the door for the two of them as they exited the building. “All true!” exclaimed Mr. Edmondson. “Now, what summer plans do you have?”

Jacob paused, “Well, I plan on playing Choice of Fate: Online.”

“That’s the new VRMMO that’s been advertised for the past two months, right?” inquired Mr. Edmondson with a shocked expression.

Jacob nodded and gripped his briefcase tighter while trying to focus on his grip to avoid showing any embarrassment over his choice to play games. Jacob need not have worried though as Mr. Edmondson carried on with the conversation, “Were you planning on playing at one of the VR centers?”

“No” replied Jacob hesitantly. “I’m actually having a technician install the last piece of hardware in my home at six today.”

Mr. Edmondson whistled loudly as he patted Jacob on the back, “Those machines cost almost as much as a brand-new car! I didn’t know you were such an avid gamer.”

Jacob reddened in embarrassment, “I used to play a lot of games when I was younger. I just recently decided to get back into the swing of gaming.”

“Why?” asked Mr. Edmondson as the two approached their cars.

“I haven’t been going out much or spending much of my money. I also am finding more free time now that I’ve been teaching for ten years. Combine all of that with running out of good books to read and nothing good on TV that holds my interest…” Jacob trailed off for a bit before looking at the hawks soaring above the two men. “I just want something new and fun to explore. Games used to provide that to me before I got so busy with my adult life.”

Jacob looked back to Mr. Edmondson to see if he understood him. The other man shook his head lightly and said, “I suppose I can understand that.” Mr. Edmondson opened his car door. “But Jacob, you might be looking in the wrong place.”

Mr. Edmondson lifted his left hand and tapped his ring finger. “Maybe you just need somebody to share your time with?”

Jacob looked down at his car door and focused on his left hand. He opened the door and looked to Mr. Edmondson, “Maybe you’re right. But I’ve already spent the money so I should at least enjoy my new toy while I have it right?”

Mr. Edmondson laughed heartily, “Definitely! Enjoy your summer break!”

“You too!” said Jacob as Mr. Edmondson got in his own car and shut the door.

Jacob smiled at Mr. Edmondson as he got into his used hatchback. Who would date a 34-year-old overweight man? Jacob sighed at his thought and fastened his seatbelt. Don’t worry, you’ll be in the world of Moirai soon. You can worry about your future relationships later. For now, get home before the technician charges you for keeping them waiting.

With a press of a button the car turned on. After checking his mirrors and blind spots, Jacob shifted the car into drive and made his way home with thoughts of his first character design for Choice of Fate: Online.