I was there, lying on the couch and staring at the ceiling while singing a sad song. Ah, what happened to the happy lad a few days ago. Now, I only see a sad and burnt-out young man who looked like he just lost his pet hamster.

I walk a lonely road. The only one that I have ever known. Don't know where it goes, but it's only me, and I walk alone… I was even thinking of dyeing my hair black and growing my bangs longer, so it could cover half of my face. Some nose peircing might also be good. Sounds pretty emo right? What? Not enough? Maybe I should start my own poetry blog?Roses are red, Violets are blue, I have five fingers, The middle one's for you~ I think it's good, maybe it needs some polishing and proofreading though.

But, getting back on track. The next few days were shocking and every moment went by like a blur. My best friend’s leaving in a few days to live in another city three thousand six hundred fifty miles away. When I first heard it from him, my stomach churned so much that it made me nauseous. I’d never thought for once that one of my friends would leave to go to another city. Here's a toast for the good memories together. If there was a way he could stay, then it would be better, but it's a great opportunity for his family, so I can't complain about that.

Ah, we grow up so fast. Heck, maybe peter pan could kidnap me too and bring me to his island full of boys and stay young forever...why are they all young boys anyway? A pedo or a sexist? Meh, he's just a fictional character anyway. It even doesn't matter if he's got a kink or fetish since he's a character in a children's story.

Well that’s just how it is. You need to take every opportunity that life gives you before it takes it back, is what Mrs. Lane told me. I can’t do anything about it anyway and it’s not like we’re not going to see each other again. They’ll come and visit every summer and winter, I convinced myself. My best friend also tried to cheer me up, but he wasn't good at this sort of thing.

“Don’t worry too much! We can just meet up in the game when it releases!” said Dean, trying to console me. Well, there's that, but his suggestion did have a flaw.

“I think you forgot that its region based. You have your own zone where you start to play at. If what Jim said was true then you’re going to start at the Ulean server” remembering what my friend told us back then about the game. The server was divided into thirty six regions or zones, with two to three servers each. So the server he's starting is most likely in the middle of the world, while mine was at the south east.

“If the destination is too far, then we can just meet each other halfway” he wasn't giving up on that idea.

“Do you expect new players like us to cross over that long of a journey without dying?” refuting him. But my weird friend suddenly just punches the air a few times.

“Then get strong enough so we can!” exclaimed Dean.

“Let’s do this then. After we get our bearings in the game then we’ll talk about where to meet up. You fine with that?” he asked...well, that's fine for now I guess?

“Fine fine. Okay, I get it” I said sighing. Dean was patting my left shoulder smiling. It’s not like I’m an overly emotional type of person but parting with someone you knew for a long time is really heart rending.

I walk a lonely road. The only one that... I should really stop singing that thing. I don't even know what comes next after the first few lines anyway.

After that, we said our farewells to each other in front of their house. Aunt Jude was wearing her business attire as usual, discussed something with Mrs. Lane, while uncle Dustin was playing with Alana. Every one of us gave them a big farewell hug and wished them a safe journey, as they went inside the yellow cab.

Days passed by very quickly and it had already been a week since they left. With Dean gone, Jim and I were the only two left hanging out, talking about the game and our day to day lives with Luc sometimes coming when he’s free. Time flies so fast, summers almost over already and I’d have to start attending High school. I was homeschooled from age three to eight, then I went on to the local elementary school where Dean and Luc attended. Mrs. Lane drilled the importance of education while teaching me for all those years. Education blah blah blah, and future blah blah blah. The most fond memories I had when I attended school these past years was when I met my friends, when we leave the class when the school bell rings, and the most important one of them all, when they said the teacher was absent.

Although, I do understand why she drilled it into my head. As much as I’d want to stay here forever I don’t want to be a burden for Mrs. Lane that much and be independent for myself for once. Gotta face the world someday and I should be prepared when it throws heavy punches at me. Let's be real, Life isn't a lightweight, he's more of a heavyweight behemoth throwing fists of fury at everything it sees. Maybe a few biting and tearing of ears here and there also.

“J did you see where my math book is? The orange looking one, I think I left it in your room” said the tall girl, rummaging here and there in her room. Math...

“It’s in the living room under the table” I said through the hallway. Holding Alana with both of my hands while she was chanting 'Skewl!Skewl!Skewl!'. What a cute little thing she is, I just want to bring her everywhere I go and pinch her cheeks.

It’s 6:30 in the morning and we were preparing to head out for the first day of class. The twins preferred being homeschooled but Mrs. Lane was adamant that they go to the local elementary school next semester. And little Alana here is also joining them when they study here at home, only to practice reading and writting of course.

“Oh! Found it!” Tala said. Mrs. Lane then comes out of the kitchen, wearing an appron and holding a spatula.

“Guys, come and eat first before going out, okay?” ah, breakfast. The most important meal of the day next to peanut butter jelly time.

“"Okay”" we said simultaneously. All of us then sat at the table and ate the pancakes with cut upped bananas inside of it, and a jug of orange juice to the side. Mrs. Lane can really cook good stuff, she could open her own diner in the neighborhood and it would be successful enough even with all the restaurants here.

"Remember to watch were your walking and look both directions when you cross the street" she said, while washing the dishes in the sink.

""Okay"" we then went to our separate schools after finishing our breakfast. Tala’s middle school was to the west of our orphanage sandwiched between the hospital and the local market, while mine was near the pier. It was refreshing going to Highscool here, while feeling the crisp see breeze every morning. As walk up the hill, I see the metal gate of my school, adorning it's symbol of a seagull standing on top of a rock.

Well, here I go to the new semester. I enter the school grounds, while saying hello to the guard next to the entrance. The school buildings weren't tall, but it does cover a large ground. Half a kilometer for the main building, on both sides of it were the gym to its left with a pool at the back, and the field to the right for outdoor activities. Someone then pat my back as I entered the classroom.

“Mornin’ John” said Luc. He was accompanied by a petite tanned girl with black hair in a ponytail. She had sleepy looking eyes that made her small face look like she didn't get enough sleep.

“Heya John, long time no see” as she raised her right hand to rub her eyes.

“Good morning Luc, Karen” greeting them both.

“So, how was your vacation at the tropics?” I asked.

“It was fun. The sand was so white you wouldn’t even think that its sand and the local fruits there were so yummy! It’s a shame that we had to go back” said the tanned girl.

“You might’ve turned into a tomato if you stayed longer” snickered Luc.

‘She might really have turned into a walking tomato princess’ I thought as well, while suppressing a laugh.

"A very pretty tomato right?" she added, pouting with her thin lips and scrunching her small cute nose.

"Sureee" rolling his eyes to the side. We then went to our seats. It’s funny how most of my classmates from middle school are still together in one class but with the addition of a few transferees.

“So, Dean went to Nair huh. I couldn’t even say goodbye in person” she said, a little sad at the fact that she wasn't there when he left. There's always next time, but that would be in a few more months.

“Yeah, me too. I overslept and I missed his flight so I just texted him to have a safe journey” Luc took out his phone from his pocket and showed us the text message that he sent. ‘Hey, bro! Sorry I couldn’t get to see you off. See you next time though and have a safe journey. PS. Don’t forget my souvenirs when you get back ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)’.

Karen knits her eyebrows and frowns, and rightly so.

"You missed his flight and you're already asking for souvenirs?" berating him, but he only shruggs his shoulders at her.

"Why not?" well, good point.

The bell rings, a sign that class was about to start and the students went to their chairs. I was seated next to the window at the last row, with Karen to my right and Luc in front of me. The teacher then came in, greeted us good morning and started the lesson.

After a few hours of listening and writing in my notebook, it was finally lunch break. We headed to the cafeteria and bought some sandwiches. We would’ve ate our lunch there, but it was packed and no seats were available for us.

"Why is the cafeteria always so hectic?"

"It's a warzone in here I tell you. People are even fighting for their seats" I said, pointing towards a group of students to the side. The group that was standing was arguing that it was their seats and that the other group should stand up and leave. The other group didn't let up and gave them a glare and started spewing insults.

"What a bunch of kids, arguing over something so trivial" my petite female friend said. With no tables and seats available for us, we headed back to our classroom to eat there instead.

As we enter, we saw our red haired classmate who transferred into our class last year, eating a croissant. A quiet type who often speaks only when she can't convey what she means with hand gestures. She had bewitching orange eyes and a sharp nose. Her most defining feature was that she always wears this brown scarf around her neck that makes her wavy red shoulder length hair stand out more.

“Hey Lorel” said Karen, as we approach our quiet classmate that nods in reply to her greeting. Karen sat next to Lorelein, unwrapping her lunch while Luc and I sat at the two desks in front of her.

“So, did you hear the news about the Gift centers opening up in four days? It's going to be a grand opening, parade and sexy dancers in skimpy outfits!” said Luc in excitement. Both of the girls rolled their eyes at his excitement of watching women dance in revealing outfits. Safe to assume, my friend here is an open pervert, but not creepy enough, it was just to the degree of making you roll your eyes.

"And you ask us why you can't get a girlfriend?" Karen said.

"I'm a man you know, it's normal! I see sexy women dancing in skimpy outfits and waving their butts, I get excited!" he said defensively. Rolling their eyes again.

"Sureee, and that's why most girls stay away from you. It's because you're a pervert"

"I'm not a pervert! It's my body reacting all on its own!" I interrupt them before Luc questions his personality.

"Yeah, I only heard about it from Jim a few days ago" i replied after taking a bite out of my tuna fish sandwich.

“Did you see that trailer thing for ‘Beginning’? They had enough money to monopolize one whole channel with just a countdown timer for a month. Daddy told me it must’ve cost them a lot just for that” said Karen.

"It's a big corporation. Money isn't a problem for them since they have a lot of investors...or I'm assuming they have a lot" answered Luc.

“Then are you guys going to play it when it releases?” I said, looking at the three of them while I finished drinking from the bottle of water that I had.

“Of course! Why wouldn’t we be playing it? Although it might cost me, so I need to save up my weekly allowance and a few more part time jobs on the weekends for it ” said Luc while counting his fingers. Ah, it was a blessing that Uncle Dustin gave us one. Maybe I should write him an essay why he's such a great man.

“Daddy bought one of those Gift machines for me when I ranked top in the finals a few months ago” Karen was rich as well, not to the degree of Dean's, because they're wealthier.

"Rich people. Must be nice to have a father who owns a T.V. station"

"It's one of the perks~" she smiles. I then looked towards my quiet classmate and checked her response. Lorelein smiles and puts up her left hand, making a peace sign signaling that it’s a yes. I copy what she did and also made a peace sign. Quirky as she may be, it was fun interacting with her.

"Then let's meet up in a few days and see the parade!" Luc said.

"Sureee~ I think you're only going there to see the women though"

"Of course!" we then finished our lunch and the start of the afternoon classes began.

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Four days have passed since school started, it was nine o'clock in the morning. The gift machine was already installed on the second floor of the orphanage building next to Mrs. Lanes room. the machine took up half the space of the room with a few boxes here and there, it looked cramped. Mrs. Lane did say that we can only use it when all our homework was done and after we study on weekdays. The games official release was in three hours, so we had time to gather and see the grand opening of the Gift centers.

“Pawade! Pawade! We gona go see a pawade!” Alana was jumping up and down. She must be excited to see a parade again. It's been a while since there was one in the neighborhood.

“Careful dear, you might trip on something!” said Mrs. Lane while chasing after the little girl

“Also make sure to lock the door when you get out John” we were all going to the parade with Luc, Jim, Karen and Lorelein tagging along with us.

“Isn’t this too much just for a games launch?” said Luc, gazing at the mass of people gathered on the streets.

The parade consisted of large balloons with the logo of Grand Gift corp. on them. Fireworks were also being used much to the pleasure of Alana watching it. Floats with celebrities riding on them using T-shirt cannons to distribute a limited quantity of clothing with the games name and logo on them. Then the marching bands with dozens of dancers in colorful revealing outfits dancing. Alana was trying to copy the dancers but stumbles a few times in the process.

“I don’t think so, this is the first of its kind out there. An innovation to a new age of entertainment as you might say” said Karen as she looks at the floats. It really is the first of its kind, a full body immersion game. I look to the right to see that Tala, Didy and Dymo were missing. After looking around for a bit, I see them trying to get a shirt from the celebrities shooting with the T-Shirt cannons.

"Oohhhh~" Luc was concentrated on watching the dancers, wearing a wide grin as he follows them. Karen was looking at him as if she just saw a wanted criminal. I understand her displeasure, but that's just how teenaged boys are...I was also taking a few glances as well, just enough not to get caught.

"This guy..." sighing at what her friend was doing. Oh, I thought she caught me there for a second. I got to stop this now and keep my public image as the straight man.

We then followed the parade to where it was heading to. One of the Gift centers for the city, the largest one of them all. Spanning a total of two hundred and fifty meters wide and two storeys tall. Instead of looking like a normal shop, it looked like a mall instead.

After everyone had gathered, a person walked on top of a float in front of the entrance and delivered a speech. I couldn’t hear anything with all the chattering that’s happening beside me,

"There's too many people! I can't even hear my own thoughts! Hey, stop touching my ass!" shouted Luc. He finished talking and then he cut a big red ribbon in front of the entrance, accompanied by applause and cheers from the surrounding people. A lot of people went in to see the inside of the center. It was hard going inside, since there were only two doors that four peolpe could fit at the same time.

"Woah!" all of us exclaimed. It was amazing to say the least. Rows and rows of gift machines are lined up with four desks in front, where female clerks were stationed. They each gave us one rectangular black chip that's used to save our avatars. If we lost it, we can just remake a copy again for ten dollars. It seems that you need to get your measurements first before you can hop into the game.

There were a few rooms to the left of the front desks for measuring. The only ones who went to take their measurements were Karen, Luc ,Jim and me because there was an age restriction of fifteen years old and above to use the Gift machine. Lorelein said that she already took her measurements a while ago when she visited her mother in the hospital.

When it was finally my turn, I inserted the black chip in a slot near the sensor and it then scanned my body. I needed to be in my underwear for it to scan properly. A picture of my avatar appeared on a monitor right next to the scanner, where you can adjust your appearance to how you would like it to be ingame. I didn't change anything as I press the ‘OK’ button and the small black chip was ejected, but now it had gold lines crossed on it.

“We’re done at last! We waited for an hour and a half to get our measurements and the games already releasing in fifteen minutes” said Luc.

“Hey, Jim. Help me find some gift machines that aren't used” while looking around for an open slot.

“Sure, we should find two that are next to each other though” while squinting his eyes, standing on his tip toes to see through the sea of people inside the center.

"To hell with that, find some space next to a cute girl" ah, now I wish I could also come along with them...but my gamer instinct tells me that the game was more important than a cute girl.

“We’ll be heading back then. Lets meet up in the game later” said Karen. As she and Lorelein who was waving her hand as a sign of saying goodbye went out of the spinning door.

"Yeah, C'ya guys too" I said, waving goodbye at them. After a few minutes of finding Mrs. Lane carrying Alana in her arms sleeping and the others, we also went home.

Let's get this party started!

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On the second floor of the orphanage, we were standing in front of the Gift machine.

“This might be where you’ll have to insert the black chip in” I said while toying with the thing in my hands. Tala and Dymo were next to me looking at the manual for it, while Didy was looking through the glass of the gift machine.

"Then here goes nothing" hopping inside of it and putting the black chip in its designated slot. I closed the capsule like machine and waved at them. I turned it on and suddenly felt a tingling sensation behind my neck and I fell asleep, I then heard a buzzing noise, waking up inside a room where light was passing through a window. Bookshelves were aligned and a desk in the center with a beautiful woman sitting behind it. She smiled at me, but I wasn't attracted. The hair at my back went up as if my body instinctively sensed danger.

“Welcome stranger, what is your name?” I stared at this scarlet haired woman that it took me a few seconds to realize how yellow her eyes were. Peering into my soul like a lioness who found an antelope sitting in the open without a clue that it’s going to be dinner soon. Please don't eat me, I prayed.

A few seconds of starring later the woman then said “Stranger, its considered bad etiquette to ignore someone’s question and stare at her” while still smiling. I immediately snapped back to reality.

“Oh umm, my name is…?” I muttered.

What nickname should I use... or should i just use my real name? My real name for a fantasy game...wouldn't that be lame? I haven’t really thought about what i should call myself with.

Pondering on what name I should give her, the woman got up and went next to the window. She wore a red tight fit military coat that accentuates her figure with some medals sewn on her left breast. Black leather pants and thigh high black boots. Red, sexy and alluring was the things that popped up in my mind

After seeing her, I said my thoughts out loud.

"Red?” the woman turned around and smiled at me.

“Welcome Red”

Ah, shit.

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A few weeks after I arrived at Nair, Grand Gift corp. was holding a grand celebration in their main office. A hall was designated for the celebration with tables arranged in a semi-circle formation with three rows ranging from the outer half circle to the inner one, where the top and most important people of the corporation were sitting. My mom and me where seated in the middle circle. Dad couldn’t come due to certain reasons involving over stretching in a certain yoga pose when a dog surprised and mistook him for a water hydrant to pee on.

After all the guests were gathered, a bald man with almost no facial hair except for his eyebrows. He a scar on the left side of his face, from the earlobe going down to his chin. He walked up to the podium and began speaking.

“Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen, I am Hector C. Avem, the head neurologist and programmer of Grand Gift Corporation. I would like to formally welcome you all to this grand celebration for our new products successful release” A round of applause ensued. After ten seconds of it, the bald man silenced the crowd by raising his right hand. Scars could be seen when he raised it. This dude might have some seen some shit back then...or he might just be unlucky and fell down the stairs a lot.

“We would like to formally thank our benefactors who believed in us and in our pipe dream to make all of this happen. Along with the personnel that made this into a reality. If it were not for all of you, the Gift machine would only be a stack of papers sitting inside a box forgotten and thrown away” another round of applause came.

After some more flattery to the people inside the hall, Hector finished his speech with saying “ …and please remember our motto ‘We are the Gifts that keep on giving’ thank you all and have a pleasant evening” Oh, man. This shit's hella boring. At least serve the food while you're doing your boring ass speach!

Hector bowed and left the podium. Food was served after and the adults mingled with each other. Mom was busy talking with a few other people, asking her about dads programs and what not. I also saw Hector and an aged old man wearing a military uniform talking at the front most table laughing at each other’s words.

I wish I could play already. I twirled my phone in my hands, My measurements for the game were already taken a few days ago. I changed my appearance in the game to be a seven foot tall muscular man with a handle bar mustache.

'Remember, son. Facial hair is the most important thing for a man to have, next is his dingdong's size' using his thumb dad said, and used index finger to measure something in the air. Dad always talked about how a mustache will make you look manlier and get the ladies rolling in the palm of your hand, so I put one on me. I also thought up the perfect name for my character, the incredible, the manly, the handsome 'Bob McManlyHack'!

I just can't wait for when I get home!