Hugging my pillow, I wipe my tears. School truly is a terrible thing. Not only do I have to pay attention to the teacher, I even have to do everything she says. Sometimes, she makes me run around for no reason, giving me a lecture on how fitness is important. Other times, she makes me write a sentence several times in a row, saying it’s important for penmanship. Just who did fitness and penmanship ever benefit? I for one never needed either and still managed to tame a volcanic cousin of mine easily.
Just today, my teacher started giving me work the others didn’t have to do. She said, “You’re special Winowna! You learn much faster than the others so I’m going to start giving you much harder assignments!” How can any sane person say that with a smile? Everyone knows that being special is a nice way of saying that you’re stupid. Everyone knows that you have to treat stupid people nicely. Why doesn’t she remember the second part?
Not only does the special status give me more to do, but it also ostracizes me from my classmates. So what it took me until seven years old to learn the dictionary? No one uses even half the words anyway! Even my teacher doesn’t use all of the words. One time on this day called Valentine's day, that comes every 365 days or so, my teacher, that seems to follow me every year, got a box of chocolates. Opening it, she pulls out the glassine cover and puts it aside saying, “the plastic coverings get fancier every year!” I get that they look fancy, but at least set a good example for those like me who are still getting used to the massive amount of random terms in the dictionary.
Hugging my pillow tighter, I start to tremble as the adopting family gets closer to my bed. Trying to look even more undesirable, I hide the pillow and pull out my ratty replacement blanket. Messing up my hair, I pretend to be sick. Coughing and sneezing at alternating moments, I watch as their shadows move past me. Sighing, I continue to act for a while longer until they leave the room.
Over the years, Sister Eshnai tried very hard to find the other kids families, but I just can’t seem to want to leave her. Some of the other kids are taken in by horrible people and are returned after just days. They tell their stories in the night when the sister is sleeping and describe horrible conditions while crying. I really hope Sister Eshnai can adopt me, at least she won’t bury me in the ground. Almost all the returned kids say they were grounded and couldn’t even breathe without getting in trouble.
*****
“Hey Winowna, will you be on tonight? The raid boss goes live at 9!” My friend screams across the hall at me. Looking around, I nod exaggeratedly at her. She wasn’t the best friend, but after failing to be adopted and then turning 12, the orphanage had to let me go. Good thing the sister knew a few people who I could work for. Not many of my classmates wanted to talk to the homeless orphan, but Chrissy seemed just happy to find someone to talk to. She might brag about her rich parents and how she can get anything she wants, but her heart is in the right place.
Walking through the school entrance, I swerve to avoid the crowd of kids and cut through the soccer field. School isn’t as bad as it once was, but the teachers just seem to have no life. I mean, who looks forward to class? The worst class is gender studies. Over the last thousand years, the word gender seems to have lost all meaning. I mean, the teacher reprimanded me for saying I am a girl. I tried saying I’m a former dungeon, and he actually gave me a thumbs up for my creativity. This world is a bit weird but it’s not bad.
Suddenly hearing several footsteps behind me, I glance back to see Michael, the school playboy. They say that he’s dated every girl in the grade besides a handful. Running, I abruptly stop when I find several of his lackeys waiting at the other side of the soccer field. The funny thing about this soccer field is that two games are played here. One is called football, and the other is also called football. I don’t see how it came to be called a soccer field but I never felt like asking. What if it’s like gender? What if you’re not supposed to call things as they are?
Sighing, I turn around. My philosophy teacher, another class I can’t seem to understand, always says that it’s better to face your problems. Wilbur also said something similar, he said to obliterate your problems. Too bad I can’t be like a superhero and just throw them away. I suppose that I could hijack a laser cannon and evaporate them. Thinking with my finger on my chin, I watch as Michael gets closer. Smiling smugly, he says, “Winowna dear, you love playing hard to get don’t you? How about this, You and I go out tonight? Of course, if you would rather spend time with everyone else, that's okay as well.”
Cheering annoyingly, the other boys do their best impression of an old gesture, a catcall. What really is with the people in this world? The past always seems to reoccur in their history. Just the cold war is repeated 5 times as new weapons advanced to cover worldwide destruction. Reaching out to grab my shoulder, I drop the arm touching my chin and grab his arm. Pulling him closer, I grab his head with my other hand and twist his hand behind his back. Pulling on his head, I climb onto his back and push off with my feet, earning a nice scream and satisfying series of popping and snapping sounds. Letting go, I land while transitioning into the boxing bounce step. It really is the coolest looking idle stance out of all of the martial arts I am learning. I just hope my current teacher doesn’t see this, getting a place to stay is hard enough. My current judo dojo trial lasts for another two weeks. That’s a month’s worth of food saved!
*****
Combing my hair, I pose sideways in the mirror. It really isn’t easy to get a job. Just a few days ago, my boss tried to hug me when he promoted me, but I refused. In short, he fired me. Sometimes, I miss the other world. Wiping a rare tear, I adjust my eyeliner. Sometimes I miss Regius. Now and forever onward, I will keep my promise. I don’t know if I loved you, but I know I can’t see you again. Taking a deep breath, I adjust my suit and pack up my makeup. I can’t just occupy the local fast food restroom forever now can I?
Exiting the joint, I call a taxi. Immediately breaking off the floating stream of traffic, a cab pulls up in front of me. Getting in I scan my phone and sit back. Jobs like driving and programming seem to still be steady, but why is it that cooking is only available to the best. I’d be happy about cooking and eating for the rest of my life as well! Checking my bank, I wince at the lack of balance. I only have enough to feed myself for another week if I want to continue to live in my apartment. Reaching into my bag, I Take out my pillow and hug it. If it wasn’t for the money I made in the game, I would’ve been on the streets long ago. Sadly, I ran out of free dojo trials to use two years ago.
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Getting out of the cab, I wave at the driver and walk up to the building. Stopping in front of the doors I look up. Ever since I beat up those kids in middle school, everyone has been kicking me out of jobs. Some kick me out after the first day, others kick me out of their interviews. It’s really been annoying. At one point, I put my trusty handgun to the employers face and asked him why, but all he did was say sorry and faint. People these days, they’ve got no nerves. Aside from whoever the revengers everyone talks about are, no one seems to be able to get anything done!
Sighing, I do a little hop and motivate myself to go through with the interview. So what if the employer rejects me? I’ll just go back to making money through games. Going through the revolving doors, I remember how I first struggled with them. Chuckling, I wave at the receptionist and head upstairs. She’s really a nice lady, she called me and even gave me a tour of the company. Hopefully, I can work here, it’s not really a terrible place. The best part is that customers can choose to live on site for free! I can finally say goodbye to the apartments. Heading up the levitator, I hold my miniskirt down as I float upward.
Reaching the right floor, I stretch my arms out and edge out of the levitation beam. Haphazardly fixing my hair, I make my way to the end of the line of applicants. Holding my bag tight, I wait nervously. Looking around, I find the typical job seekers. Watching the ladies with the well-done makeup and least tension with jealousy, I fiddle with my fingers. If I could, I would pull out my pillow and hug it for comfort but the last time I did that, some lady tried to frame me for stealing it from her. Since then, I only take it out when I’m practically alone.
As the time passes and my turn comes, I nervously tap my foot. Everyone prior to me was rejected. The only thing that I can probably do that they can’t is knock the competition out physically. Pushing the floating glass doors open, I marvel at the difference between my stone, poorly fitted apartment door and the floating glass doors. The difference between the rich and the needy really is huge. I mean, I don’t need and floating technology, but it just serves to show how far down the ladder I am. Slightly depressed, I shuffle up to the man behind the desk. High heels really are impractical. Just why do all high-end women wear them?
Sitting down, I wait patiently as the man seems to be reading something. Minutes pass as I watch him chuckle at times and smile at others. Curious, I slowly get up and look over to his side of the desk. Seeing his tablet flashing with images, I slowly lean further. Almost entirely on top of the desk, I find him watching cartoons. Frowning, I huff before getting up and leaving. Sister told me before I left that cartoons are tools the rich use to brainwash us. I refuse to give in! Just before I exited the room the man calls out to me. “Winowna Warper. No family. Very little experience. No financial support. Reports of very high understanding of mathematics as well as science but none in social topics. Also, has several accounts of violence. Above all, is despised by an affluent family known to be based in this city. What makes you think you will land a job anywhere near this city?”
Freezing, I realize why no one was hiring me. It’s that Michael's fault! I knew I should have obliterated him! I just didn’t have any way to hijack a laser cannon. I still don’t but a laser pistol should be doable. Not looking back, I reach of the handle when it disappears. The man in a slightly playful voice says, “No need to leave, I’ll hire you right now. Your salary will be half a million credits annually and any and all expenses related to the job will be footed by the company. Your first job is to get rid of a certain Michael and his family, at least from this city.”
Beaming, I turn around, startling him with my sudden change in attitude. Walking back, I say, “Boss! All I need is a laser cannon!”
*****
Wiping my eyes, I step into the shower. I really miss the castle baths, I was 19 when I met him and now I’m 19 and he’s not here anymore. Turning the hot water cascade down my moderately long hair and down my face, I sob. My tears wash off with the water, but my feelings keep coming back. Exactly nineteen years ago, I was as happy as possible, and now I’m nineteen again in another world without him. He gave me his family name and tricked me into becoming his family, but now I can’t see him again. With the way technology is advancing, it’ll be another thousand years before humanity will be able to warp to other planets.
Slowly relaxing my body and controlling my feelings, I enjoy the feeling of hat water and soapy technology cleaning my body. I can’t believe they used to use this technology to clean cars. Stepping out I pause to let the A.I. blow my hair dry and wipe the water off. Closing my eyes, I focus on enjoying the feeling. It’s just another day, forget about the past! Just don’t hug anyone!
Stepping into my closet, several robotic arms descend and dress me in a slim black tank dress. Twirling, I frown as the dress hem hugs my thighs. The bigger and longer dresses really are better. When you twirl, the fabric fluters and expands outward. Shrugging, I leave the closet and exit my room.
Pulling out a cigarette, I put in in my mouth. Sucking the tip, I relish in the sugary taste. The flavor change from strawberry to watermelon and back as I descend down into the lobby. Putting my best mean look on, I act surprised when several workers jump out and say, “Happy birthday Winowna!” Smiling as the cigarette turns to lemon flavor, I walk towards the center of the crowd. The boss is waiting for me with a cake decorated with elaborate designs and a number 19 candle. Gesturing for me to blow it out, I happily comply. Temporarily taking my cigarette out, I blow hard on the candle before putting it back in. It’s on my favorite flavor, green apple!
Cutting the cake with my boss, I refuse the congratulatory hugs like always. Coming closer, my boss tells me to meet him in the car when I’m done and promptly leaves. Smiling wryly, I watch his back as he leaves. He’s socially awkward, just like Regius was. Controlling my emotions, I smile at my coworkers before taking a slice of cake with me as I escape to the getaway car. Sitting next to my boss, I throw my cigarette out into the trash can and start eating the cake.
Watching me while smiling, the boss says, “Why don’t you try a real cigarette? You’re old enough now.” Sometimes, my boss can be as stupid as the others. Resolutely shaking my head, I say with cake still in my mouth, “Real cigarettes are bad for you! Only the fake sugary ones are okay!” To make my point, I stuff a much larger portion of cake in my mouth. Swallowing, I smile contently. Curious, I ask, “So boss, what’s my job today?” Smirking, he says, “Just wait Winowna, I’ll take you somewhere cool.” Clapping my hands together, I sit deeper into my seat cushion. Watching the fancy buildings pass by I wait. Throwing a concerned look his way, I watch as we pass by the outskirts of town and enter the nature reserves.
Starting to panic, I look at the boss suspiciously. Seeing my look, he says, “Last time, you randomly left and let a stupid dog eat you. Now you realize you have no awareness?” Chuckling, he waves me off and signals for me to wait. Nervous but still anticipating something amazing, I stare slack-jawed at the biggest waterfall I’ve ever seen. Getting out of the car, the boss leads me towards the edge of the viewing platform and turns back at me. Kneeling down, he pulls something out of his inner pocket. Rubbing it against his suit, he opens it and asks, “Will you marry me?”
Taken aback, I stare at him in horror. Marrying means hugging and hugging is not allowed! Wilbur told me plenty of things about marriage and one of them is to never take it lightly. Crossing my arms I say, “I’m sorry boss, but I cannot! I have someone I like already!”
Warping his face in disbelief he suddenly slaps his head. Signaling for the guards to turn around, He starts clawing at his neck. To my horror, the skin starts coming off. Scratching off all the skin from his face, he starts to furiously rub it. Covering my eyes I start to tear up, why do I always find trouble? Reminding myself that Regius isn’t here, I get myself ready to fight. Bouncing on my toes, I put my fists up. Boxing by far has the coolest looking fighting stance that I’ve learned. Just when I throw my first punch, I see his face. With some shreds of his previous skin still hanging off, his face matches Regius’s exactly. “Now will you marry me? I did promise that you’ll be the only one for me.” Tearing up, I lose strength in my legs and start to fall. It’s really real this time, isn’t it? Catching me before I hit the ground, my knight in shining armor finally rescues me from this strange world. I guess I will have a happy ending.
Hesitating, he asks, “Assuming you will marry me, where do you want to go for our honeymoon?” Wiping my tears, I snuggle up to his chest and say, “I saw some cool vintage novels last year. Can we go to some wuxia worlds?”