The decision eats away at me as I slurp my ramen broth. I can’t remember the last time Maya and I spoke. I had kinda written her off as another one of my friends that decided to move on. She and I go back the longest, but I’ve come to believe friendships aren’t meant to last forever. Some of the older guild members talk about it all the time, how hard it is to plan things with their friends now because of work, kids, pets, etc.
Why did she pop back up now all of a sudden? And why didn’t she just text me? I sit at my computer desk, swiveling the chair from side to side with my phone in hand. I scroll through the list of friends who’ve mostly become strangers until I reach her name. My thumb hovers over the transparent screen, shaking slightly, my heart racing inside my chest as I press the call button.
Ring...Ring...
“Heeey bestie!” she shouts giddily.
“Hey...” I respond awkwardly. She’s as bubbly as ever. “I...ah...saw you called earlier. Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, I’m just stressed about my assignment. The good kinda stress.” She laughs. “We have to build our own pretend marketing agency, and I’m realizing how hard it will be to build one in real life.”
“That sounds awesome, Maya! I’m glad you’re enjoying your classes.”
“Thanks! I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed, like all I do is schoolwork and my work-study, though. I miss hanging out.”
Onto the real reason why she called. “Yeah, me too. I’ve been pretty busy with the guild, and some weird things have been going down in the game lately. Earlier, a big ass brute attacked one of the marketplaces on the outskirts of Osephis, and a new player is climbing the leaderboard suspiciously fast.”
“That sounds crazy!... I just wonder if playing the game pretty much non-stop for the last six years is taking a toll on you...”
I roll my eyes and pull up the guild chat on my phone, starting to tune her out. We’ve had this conversation many times, and I’m always left feeling like a bad friend. Yet, the dark circles reflected back to me on my sleeping computer monitor prove her point.
“I know you’re worried about me, but I’m doing good. Plus, maintaining good physical and mental health is part of my contract.” Even though I’m telling the truth, I know my sponsor’s idea of good health is bare minimum at best. There’s already some controversy surrounding the company after another sponsored player got hospitalized.
“Yeah, I know, but it’s been scientifically proven that humans need in-person social interaction. Without it, we often get depressed, and networking becomes more challenging the longer you isolate yourself.”
“That’s what some scientists believe, Maya. But how many studies have been done on SL players specifically? When I’m inside, it feels real to me. My guild mates are real people to me.”
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Maya pauses for a moment, and I worry I’ve upset her. “You’re right, Ev. There isn’t much data on that yet, but think about the numerous players who’ve been hospitalized because they spent too much time inside. I don’t want you to end up like that...and I really do miss you.” When she says “you” I know she means who I used to be.
“I know, and I miss you too, bestie... How about we hang out in the game for a bit and dick around?” I ask, hoping my offer is enough to take the attention off me.
“Pffft, I deleted SL ages ago. Let’s go out for drinks.”
“Eh, I’m not at all dressed for that. Plus, reinstalling would only take a few minutes. Come on, we can drink in the game.”
“Ugh, fine, since you insist. Especially since I don’t know the next time we’ll talk.”
“Thaaanks, bestie! I’ll meet you at our spot in 5.”
🌹 📖 🎶
I wait for Maya on one of the more secluded beaches of Azuhai, wearing an avatar that looks like me but more put together. The sun has already set in this part of Xylia, distant twinkling stars peeking through the clouds.
Shortly after I arrive, Maya poofs out of the fast travel stream, and we take a short trek up the beach. Our destination isn’t far, a gathering of rocks and boulders close to the shore. I hold out my hand, and a small, smooth stone appears. I press it against one of the rocks, and a portal opens. After we step through, it disappears.
Before us is a small secluded grove with a waterfall surrounded by various bioluminescent flora that create a bluish green glow. There’s also a quaint house, but we stop at the waterfall and sit on the bank with our feet in the water. I hold out my hand, and two apple ciders appear. After handing one to Maya, I lean back, crack mine open, and take a swig.
“You have these stashed away in your inventory?” she asks judgmentally.
“Hey, you never know when you may need to celebrate!”
“Mmhmm... So tell me about this newbie. Is he hot?” she asks nonchalantly as she opens her cider and takes a swig.
“Brooo.” I buss out laughing. “I don’t even know what he looks like. I just heard about him earlier. Let me pull up his stats.” I hold my hand up and open a small floating holographic screen. I type in “Somnus” and scroll through his profile. “Hmm... His armor is black and hooded, completely covering his face. Kinda creepy looking, like it’s moving. He uses a weapon I’ve never heard of, something called Echoes of Discord. He has no duel rank, but he did make it into Aethel’s book for breaking the record for the fastest growing newb. He’s not on my level yet but probably would give some of my guildmates a little trouble. Although most of his stat points are in Influence...”
“Hmm, so he could just be grinding a lot.”
“Yeah, but there’s kinda no point. This game has been around for ages. The hype has long died down.”
“True...but there are still new players discovering it. Do you remember the first time you donned the headset?”
“Yeah, I felt like I had been given a new life.” We get quiet after that, and take a swig of our ciders.
“I know how much this game means to you, Ev. I just don’t want to lose you.”
My eyes well up, tears trickling onto the rim of the headset. “I don’t want to lose you either, bestie.”
She tackle-hugs me, spilling her cider, and we laugh and cry together for a moment. “Let’s hang out in real life soon, okay?”
I pause, not wanting to agree right away. If Maya sees how I look now, it will worry her more. I wanna get my eating and sleeping habits in check before we hang out irl again. Before I can respond, a shiver runs through me as the air changes. I sense someone behind us. My first instinct is to turn around and attack, but I don’t want to scare Maya.