Friendship isn’t a term I use so lightly, but I think that this might be ok. The drive home we talked back and forth, the conversation not about all the dark thoughts that were plaguing my mind. Just normal school conversation. Even though I couldn’t offer much to the conversation, it felt nice to just listen to Trinity talk about her school life. It was so simple and she was getting so excited over things that really seemed so trivial to me, I can’t help but laugh.

“It’s not funny! I looked like an idiot in front of the entire class!”,

“Is that so?” I retort sarcastically, “It must be so difficult for you Trin.” I can’t help but make fun of her, she really is quite the clumsy fool. “Tr-Trin?” She exclaims nervously. “Sorry, is that too much?” I ponder, scratching the back of my head out of embarrassment. “No, no…Its ok!” she said, It was obvious she was blushing a bit. “No One's ever called me that but my dad so it just felt a little strange is all.” She smiled, “It's not fair though, I can’t give you a nickname, your name is too short.” Staring into my eyes her smile beamed so bright. I need to hold onto these moments, and make them last. Hold onto this friendship. I’m a teenager, maybe I can even learn to fall in love with Trinity. I wonder what she aspires to be,

“Not to bring down the mood Trin, but what are your future ambitions once you can use viruses sigil?”,

Resting her head onto her palm, she taps the top of her lip in thought, “I’m not sure, I didn’t think I’d get this far, I mean at least my parents didn’t.” I never really thought about it before, what kind of struggles she experienced? It might have aggravated me before, thinking about how easy she has it. Never really understanding how much pressure she could be under. “I mean, I’m strong but I'm not gonna compete in the Spirit Arenas or anything, but if I were to pick a career, I think I’d use my strength as a Teacher, and try to help people in your situation.” My eyes widened, Is she serious? Could she do it? The car's slight hum and bumps as we zoomed across the streets was such a strange experience. A metal box pushed by technology, that even the spirits have never touched. It feels so freeing, Something that humans have accomplished on our own. Not some brutish competition like Trinity mentioned before, The Spirit Arena. The name speaks for itself. A contest of strength between spirits, with nothing human about it. A legal bout of violence, where death is not such an uncommon phenomenon. Especially in the Lowest ranks where the rules are more loose. All for the ultimate prize of The World Throne, a spirit Item so powerful it allows you stand on equal grounds with a spirit themselves. Beings strong enough to destroy worlds. The car comes to a stop in front of my new home. I feel like I’ll never get used to the view. Large stone walls connected to a wrought iron gate, guards standing in front. Virtus is no joke. Fumbling with the seatbelt, apparently they need to be worn for safety, at least that's what Trin told me while we were driving. Tring is waiting for me at the gate, she's grinning and pokes fun at my inability to operate my seatbelt, as we walk towards the mansion. A man waits outside the front door, his face stern and serious. But his features were similar to Trinity's green eyes and brown hair, but he looks alot more tired…Trinity runs up and hugs the person.

“Hey dad!” That makes more sense, He hugs her back the exhaustion in his face seems to ease a little as he hugs her back. Over her shoulder he peers at me, the serious expression returning to his face. “Is this him then?” he asks, letting go of Trinity as he steps towards me.

I laugh a little nervously, “Haha, yep its me” my face unable to hide the nervousness. Why does this feel so scary…I mean facing death was easier than this. The father frowns, “Is this really who you want…” He looks over to his daughter, a concerned expression fills his face. “Yes dad, he may look weak but I’m sure there's something powerful dwelling within him. I can just feel it.” Little do you know Trinity, but the less you know the better, I feel a tinge of guilt towards my secrecy. I think my mind is already trying to subconsciously block out my actions. It feels like as more time goes on my mind separates itself from the events that happened. Like I'm a different person. “If you are what my daughter wants. You must be a special boy, You may as well call me Dad!” He pats me on the back, the impact pushing me forward. I’ve got large expectations, haven't I? Strong change of pace for me. He walks past me, his stride is confident and determined, his daughter following suit. I jog ahead to catch up with them. The house is so huge, so many floors each with their own styles. I wonder who lives on the other floors. Come to think of it, I haven't met any other of the Ventus family. Surely more live here right? Walking through the Foyer hallway, I ask Trinity “Where are the other family members? You guys have quite an extensive family. Don’t you?”She tilts her head backwards, “As you are probably aware, especially now that you know our family secret, we star in a lot of television dramas about romance like, “Putting up with the Ventus Family”. “Ah right of course!” I respond enthusiastically being fully self aware that I have never owned a television at any point in my life. Arriving back onto Trinity's floor on the house we use the house elevator, I still can’t believe how wealthy they are, the father walks into the main lounge. But I just want to take it all in, cause I get this off feeling this won’t last forever. Pessimism is the only way to survive in my shoes.

This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

Episode 14:

The lounge room has changed slightly, there's strange new technology attached to one of the televisions I recognise one of the symbols from what I’ve seen at school and heard from other students, “Fun Station” I think it’s called, Trinities mother is in the room as well and is noticing my eyes wander, she looks happy with herself.

“We have changed to accommodate the floor for any teenage boy of this era, including the new fun station model!”, I look blankly at her. “Are you not interested in games?” Her face makes me realise it must be unusual for a teenager to not be interested in these kinds of things, “Oh it’s not that I’m Just-uh”, “He’s probably just taking it all in he does come from a much poorer family!” Trinity interjects, thanks for the save. The mother apologises profusely, “It’s ok” I reassure her. I was also in a bit of shock as I’ve never had people care about what I might be interested in.

Trinity walks up next to me whispering in my ear catching me by surprise, “Ya know I’ve never seen you smile for this long before.” I can feel my face go red and she laughs, pulling me over to the centre of the lounge, “Unlike you I have played many video games!” She exclaims putting her hand onto her face in a manor screaming, I am incredible at games I laugh at her lack of self awareness. Her mouth opens almost appalled at not taking her seriously. “My bad, my bad.” I tell her still laughing slightly it feels weird to tease someone just for fun. She presses a button on the console and it turns on. It makes a small noise and lights come to life. While we are doing this Trinities Mother and Father are speaking to each other nodding they both walk up to us as Trinity hands me a small contraption with buttons on it, probably some kind of remote controller. The screen lights up as they begin talking.

“Listen as I'm sure both of you are fully aware that you must stay within 10 metres of each other for another 16 hours.” She tells us awkwardly, Amy shuffles her feet awkwardly again. I however don’t understand the issue, “I am just not sure if me and your father are ok with you sleeping in the same room together!” Everyone pauses. What? Why do we have to be in the same room? Maybe this isn’t gonna work out for me, we are not that close yet. Amy speaks up first, “It-it’ll be fine, he won’t do anything, right?” She looks me up and down covering her face with her hand. What in the ROMANCE, COMEDY bullcrap is this. There is no debate here, it's TEN METRES that's a moderately large distance, Her Dad talks next kind of stern, “I guess it will be alright if he tried anything I’d just have him killed, or worse.” He states bluntly his eyes piercing my very soul. Are they all insane, “Why don’t we just sleep in different walls on either side of the wall, I mean we have a full 10 metres.” I offer not willing to die over such a meaningless issue. “But what if we accidentally go too far to the bathroom and don’t tell each other!” Trinity adds suddenly, what is she doing? I thought she doesn’t want this either. “No, I like his idea.” Her Dad tells her sternly, “Just wake each other up when someone needs to use the bathroom.” Trinity pouts, crossing her arms. I don’t understand this girl at all. I mean if I had the opportunity for privacy I would take it with no hesitation at all. The conversation part at that point was thankfully not so hard to deal with, as we all ended up getting together to eat dinner and it was extravagant as always, far from the 2 minute noodles and cheap foods I’d been eating. Trinity was having a blast and afterwards we tried playing numerous Video Games and I got my butt whooped in every single one except for one, which was the only game you could win without having to have played hundreds of others, apparently it was called PlanetCraft 3 a strategic battle game which felt a lot easier to me than the games we played where we had to shoot each other relentlessly. We played a lot of those, especially after the PlanetCraft defeat. She was quite annoyed and wanted to regain her pride by stomping me In one called Civilised Warfare. It was still fun though, I promised to get a rematch with her one of these days. Preparing for bed and toilet breaks were frequent but weren’t that annoying for me, just following the other person, to wherever they have to go. It was almost midnight before Trinity wanted to go to sleep, after her beating me in OverSeen 36 times she finally got bored. Standing at the door to our bedrooms she stops me before I go in.

“Hey stop.” She tells me pulling at my shirt,“Whats wrong?” I ask her, She just stares at me expecting something. “...What?” She must’ve noticed my confused expression. “You aren’t going to say goodnight to me!?” She seems offended. “No.” I respond by continuing to walk into my room. She scoffs, pulling me again. I go flying into the hallway hitting the ground with a thud. “OMG I am so sorry!” she exclaims picking me up, “but you know it's pretty rude not to say goodnight to me. So I think you deserved it to be honest.” Patting myself off, “Fine,” I sigh remembering all the times Jason had told me goodnight every time he had thrown a party and beat me almost to death, the meaning of the words just hurt. “Goodnight Trin”. “Goodnight to you too!” She states triumphantly turning into her room and shutting the door. My shoulder slouch, It’s gonna be hard getting over what I’ve been through but I need to if I want to get back at that bastard. Jason.