Different IRL

Chapter 7

The original oil painting I bought from Luna's friend, Kiki, cost me six hundred, but it was worth it. It looks amazing over my gaming center. Looking around at my computer room, I have no regrets about not living on campus. I like living on my own free of roommates and in a house where I don't need to worry about upstairs, downstairs or side-by-side neighbors. I value my privacy above all else.

This is my first property purchase after having sold my gaming equipment, negotiating royalties and all that shit. It's an early twentieth century, English Gothic manor in need of renovation. It's been an ongoing project which is finally nearing completion. After graduation, I plan on selling the place. There's no way I'm interested in living anywhere near this college town no matter how quaint it is. I don't want to live in the city preferring the quiet of the countryside. For now, I'll remain where I am as I continue to finish school and build my gaming business.

Plopping myself down onto my couch in the living room, I drag out my phone. I really should get this bet completed so the guys don't ask me questions about it. It'll drive me nuts to have so much attention on me. Carter is a huge pain in my ass, I swear.

The app comes alive with dramatically drawn forest animals and little avatars running around in outfits any girl would call cute. My avatar appears to be in some sort of forest setting with about ten other avatars running around collecting coins and berries. This must be part of a goal along with conversations I can see happening.

Luckily for me, I've watched some anime and feel that I could possibly carry on a decent conversation. It's interesting because the conversations taking place do seem to be geared around anime rather than anything else. This tells me the people on this app are serious about the topic. That can be good and bad. I move to my computer room and decide to turn on one of my computers. If someone talks to me and I don't know anything about what they're saying, I better have access to information. I definitely don't want to be caught unaware. It's okay to not know everything, but to know nothing might send some red flags.

Google is up and ready to go. Now I just need a friend. All I need is one. That's it. I look at the other avatars, and I can see their names floating below their character. Should I just go up to a random person and start talking? Nah. I don't know what the hell to talk about. The anime I've watched are more horror based. Do these people know about Tokyo Ghoul or Death Note? An avatar in a frilly pink dress runs past me. Yeah, doubt it.

Biting my lip, my tongue runs over the metal ring playing with it as a little avatar with a black ponytail approaches me. Her name is Rose. Shaking my head, I knew it. I could have called myself Sally. Now I look like a super nerd with a name like Aela. Is Rose gonna talk to me? Holy crap. Here we go.

Rose: Hi!

Aela: Hi!

Rose: I'm Rose.

Aela: I see that.

Crap. I don't want to sound too much like a dude. Somehow I gotta channel my inner girl. Not sure how to do that, but whatever.

Rose: Lol. Aela is a cute name. Is it from Skyrim?

Aela: It is! Hbu? What's your name from?

Rose: Actually, it's not from anything. Lol. I just like the name.

Aela: Nothing wrong with that.

Fuck. I still sound like a guy. This isn't good. I need to friend her as fast as possible. I don't need her getting suspicious. Shit. Maybe friending her too fast is suspicious? I shouldn't be playing this game alone. Tyler's ass should be here with me. This is pathetic.

Rose: I can see you're new here. So, welcome.

Aela: Thank you so much! I'm kinda lost. Do you think we could be friends?