What is the meaning of life?
Is it to grow, find love and have children? To sleep at night with the love of my life by my side?
Is it to go to school, follow my dreams, and live a successful life? To always have enough to take what I want and to enjoy all that the world offers?
Or, perhaps, is it search the world for what makes me happy? To find meaning in this random, chaotic world?
Others have so many answers, but none have ever really appealed to me.
I left school at the ripe age of fifteen. My grades were averaged, as were my friends and family. Though, to me, they were the world. And so, with a big dream and hopes of impressing those I loved with my independence, I struck out on my own. Everything was great for a time. I was happy and we were always chatting, exchanging the stories we forged. The smiles and laughs we shared soon came crashing down as my dad passed away. One day he was working and the next he wasn't. It was world-shattering. There was just no warning. No one was ready, no one knew what to do.
The days of fun and laughter were over. Everything that made me smile no longer held that same weight. It all turned to sand in my hands, slipping through my fingers. Frankly, I didn't care and allowed the castle of sand to fall. Thus, I stood amidst the sand. What was the point of it all?
My mother was far stronger than me- she fought on. I looked to her, my shining sun in the cold, dark night. And slowly, but surely, my cold world grew just a bit warmer.
Indeed, the wold I thought uncaring and unfeeling regained that tiny bit of lustre again.
It was... beautiful.
--
I sat in my living room, TV bright as the sun. By my guess, it was close to midnight, maybe later, but I didn't care.
I clicked my tongue, an annoyed growl slipping from my lip.
Damn it! Almost had it!
I put the controller down, eyes gazing at the game over the screen. One lucky crit was all it took to decide that stage. I was a turn away from winning, but obviously, lady luck had other plans.
"Maybe tomorrow," I said with a yawn, rising up out of the couch. My stomach rumbled and my bladder squirmed. Time sure liked to rush by.
I headed for the kitchen first, plucking a quick snack from the fridge. I savagely tore open the granola bar with my teeth, feet carrying me to the toilet. Relief flooded me as the old lizard was drained. Just as I finished up, the tell-tell sound of my cellphone going off reached my ears. I wasn't done, however.
"Son of a-"
Who the heck was calling this late? I swear to god if it's air duct cleaning services again I'm a let them come and then send them back. Sure, the telemarketer's not to blame, but that doesn't make me any less angry!
Eventually, I do finish, wash my hands, and head back to the couch. I grab my phone from between the cushions and see a familiar name.
"Mom..."
She would, wouldn't she?
A small smile flutters onto my lips as I touch her number. The phone ring once, twice, and on the third, she picks up.
"Hey, mom." I greet the one person I love more than anyone else. "How are you doing?"
"I'm good, sweetie. How have you been?"
Time just flies by as we talk.
"Have you been eating properly? Please tell me you're not gorging yourself fon pizza anymore!"
"No! I learned how to cook!" Though, honestly, I only know simple meals. Still, it's a good start.
"Are you sure you don't need me to stop by and cook you?"
"Mom, you live like, thirty-five minutes away. I'm alright."
The constant pestering and smothering aren't something I hate. Honestly, it always brings a smile to my face. It just shows how much she loves me, and that's not something a lot of people can say.
"Are you still staying up all night playing those videogames? You should really give those up and find a girlfriend!"
My cheeks heat up at that.
"Mom, games are fine. And I doubt I'll be able to afford to have a girlfriend..."
"Really? I could send you some money if you want, and besides, girls are a lot more fun than games."
God, she always knows how to make me blush.
"There are all sorts of games you can play with them."
"Mom, please," I say with a whine. "Thanks for worrying, but I'm ok."
I turn back to the TV. The large "game over" on it is red as blood.
"Well, ok then. But, If you change your mind, I know a few girls your age that don't have boyfriends."
It's not that simple! Gah!
"Sorry, mom, It's about time I go to bed. Love you."
There's a small pause, followed by silence. Then, she finally speaks with a small chuckle.
"Alright, sweetie. I'll call again sometime this week."
"Love you!"
"Love you too, honey."
And like that, the call ends. I let out a yawn, dropping the phone on the couch and then take a quick look toward my bedroom. It's about twelve twenty.
Turning back to the TV, I pick up the controller and move the cursor up. There's still a bit of time. Maybe I can try some other game? Something fantastic and full of action. A JRPG, maybe? It's not like there's anything important happening tomorrow, just work. A quick check of my phone shows none of the stories I've been following have been updated.
Yeah, a quick gaming session and then I'll head off to bed. Now, what to pick...
Maybe a game with magic?
Life is boring and mundane. Stuff like that would never happen in real life; it's what makes it so much fun to play.
If I ever got powers, I'd honestly be happy just playing around with them.
But, stuff like that never happens.
It's just a dream.
