Olija is in his room, playing videogames as usual. “Take that Beau,” Olija says to his best online friend Beau Folopian. “How did you kill me!?” Beau screams through Olija’s headset. The two boys begin to laugh at the sheer stupidity of what transpired in the game. There is a knock at the bedroom door, but Olija doesn’t hear it because of the noise in his headphones. A louder knock occurs; Olija hears this knock. “Who is it?” Olija asks in a annoyed voice. Khalil opens the door, looks at Olija, and then smiles as he enters the room. “Who are you talking to?” Beau asks. “Oh, that is my friend… you remember Khalil, anyway I’m going to go for the night man, talk to you tomorrow,” Olija remarks, as he ends the call.

“What brings you over bud?” Olija asks, as Khalil smiles more and sits on the bed. “Just came over to make sure you weren’t dead, hadn’t heard for ya in a long time,” Khalil answers with a hint of sarcasm, “What’cha been up to?” “Oh I’ve just been trying to keep a low profile ever since… well you know, when Amanda played me and Robbie and almost broke our friendship,” Olija mummered. Khalil shakes his head, suddenly a ringtone floods the room. Mary is called Olija on Skype. “One minute bud, that’s Mary!” Olija chirped. Khalil shakes his head yet again, as Olija picks up the call. “Hi Mary, how are you!” Olija blurts as he waves at the webcam perched on top of his monitor. Mary grins heavily at Olija as she says, “I’m doing good, my day could’ve been better but that’s life I guess.” Olija shakes his head in affirmation as he continues the conversation, “Awe that’s true, I wish I could’ve been there to make your day better though!” Mary begins to blush but the whole mood shifts when Mary’s mom enters her room. “What the hell do you think you’re doing young lady, and who is that on your screen?” Mary’s mom hisses. Before there was time for Mary to answer, her mom continues, “Nevermind I don’t even care, you have homework to do, your room is a mess, and the principal just called me and told me you called one of your classmates a bitch!” Mary’s mom storms out the room, leaving Mary with no time to defend herself. Olija looks apparently concerned for Mary, then asks, “Are you okay, is everything alright?” “No, not really, I’m sorry I have to go now, it’s really hard to sit down and have a simple conversation with you, because you’re so far, I’m sorry,” Mary cries as she hangs up the Skype call.

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Olija looks over at Khalil, who is still sitting on the bedside. “Sorry to cut this short bud, but I’m not in the mood to talk now,” Olija sniffles. Khalil looks at Olija’s monitor, then back at Olija. Khalil stands up, says, “Keep your head up lil’ homie,” and then promptly exits the room. Olija stays in his chair looking blankly into space, soon after he stumbles toward his bed and passes out. While Olija is in his deep sleep, he recalls what happened over the skype call with Mary. “You’re so far, I’m sorry” keeps repeating over and over again in Olija’s head; a never ending loop of those lines overpowers his dream. Hours pass as Olija’s nightmare still goes on, until suddenly he awakes at 10pm. He is sweaty and breathing hard. He stares into the darkness that is his bedroom, and thinks to himself, “If I’m so far away, then I’ll just go to her, I have to be there for her, I have to show her that I care about her, and that I’m willing to do anything for her!” Olija looks further into the darkness, then gets up, puts on his coat and heads out the front door.