Ha-ha

Kayhal: Okay... So that was a semi-successful chapter. So you know the characters, kinda know what they're like... What else?

Chapter 2 – Trouble…

When the swirling sensation in my stomach had settled, I opened my eyes to find the headset way across the room and my mother standing over me. She smiled, and I could tell that she had just spun my chair around.

"Supper, bud. You weren't responding to steak… I wasn't sure if you were aware or not," she said walking to the door. I sighed then walked to the door with her, smiling. It was just me and her, dad left and my brother was killed in a gang fight. I suppose we were a bit of a broken family.

"Gee, mom. You mess up my game and you're shrinking!"

"Oh, you. Now get your butt down there or your food's going to be frozen at the speed you're walking."

Yup. That's us every night. Living life as though nothing was wrong.

I logged back on to find myself in the middle of the main center and a little boy stuck in my face. I wasn't sure what I had done, but by his face it looked serious.

"So, you ditch my friend and just leave him in a field all by himself." The boy was about my height, maybe an inch shorter, but he stood on his tip-toes so that he was eye level with me.

"Who's your friend?" I asked, completely out of it, not noticing what I had said.

"A little boy about this high… Your biggest fan, mister High-and-Mighty." There was something weird about this boy. He was a complete opposite from the others I had met. Then it came to me who she was talking about.

"Oh, him-"

"Yes, him. He was completely lucky I had my eye on him. He is so inexperienced at this game. I figured that having you with him, the legendary Player Killer, that he would have no trouble out there, and maybe earn a bit of experience. But no, you decide to log out right at that moment he needs your help. What have you got to say?"

"Why is your voice so high?" I asked, once again not realizing I had asked it.

"What, you think that I'm a guy?"

I nodded, waiting for the laugh, realizing that I was talking to a girl. She put her hands on her hips, then sighed.

"Geez… Don't worry, you aren't the first," she said, sounding as thought it was the millionth time she had been asked. "I was born with a lower voice, and into a more aggressive family. I guess it kind of rubs off huh? And plus my character was supposed to be a girl, but there was a competition that made my character different I guess. Sorry about earlier… Snapping and all… I just got… Worried. You understand right?"

"Yeah, I do."

"Good. I'm sorry if I continue on and on. It's just, I don't have many friends around and with my little brother on this game a lot, I don't meet many people I can talk to, you know?"

"Yeah… Kinda…"

"What do you mean 'Kinda'? Either you do or you don't, not-"

"Well, I don't have a brother any more," I said, putting my head down, remembering the times we had spent together and such. I looked up at her to find a sort of shocked but sad face. Then her face changed instantly to a more… More sympathetic look.

"Oh… I'm sorry… I never thought that might be why… Oh… I feel really bad now, saying what I did… What can I do to make it up to you? I know! I can help you train! You're not that strong of a player and you could use some help. Plus, I know so many older players that can help you and maybe someone that might be in the same situation as you. I mean, they might not be any help to you or anything, but it is good to know people that are similar to you. I can give them your-"

"No thank you," I said,

"What?" she said, once again putting her hands on her hips. She stared at me as though I was speaking an unknown language or had something on my face. Which I wasn't sure of.

"That's what I said. I don't want you to."

"Oh, I get it. A reputation, huh? Mister tough guy doesn't want a bunch of friends. Well… Hey! Where do you think you're going? Get your ass back here!" She didn't bother chasing after me, which was a good thing. I kept walking, not wanting to see her again, even though I knew she had my Member Address. I slung my sword over my shoulder, then walked quickly to the Chaos Gate.

"Spiral Staircase." The last thing I saw was the girls face, stunned and upset, and I was transported to what was another big adventure.