How We First Met

I met Liz in third grade, after dad had died mom decided that it would be best to start anew and without any more though we moved to this small suburb. I remember it like it was yesterday, the first day at a new school with no friends was a bit much for my still-developing mind to handle, the moment my mom had left I curled up into a small ball in the corner of the schoolyard and began to cry, by that point it seemed that I was constantly in tears. I couldn't not think of my dad, his smile and wave as he got into that cab kept resurfacing whenever I didn't distract myself and on top of that I had to move my entire life to a brand-new place where I knew no one. I was just sitting there sobbing when I heard the pitter-patter of footsteps coming towards me. The sound slowed as it got closer and closer but I did not want to acknowledge whoever was there.

"Do you want to play house with me?"

A melodic voice rang out. At the time I was confused but slowly lifted my head. Upon looking up I saw a girl standing in front of me, she had black hair, green eyes, and a white dress on. The dress draped down to her knees and upon further inspection, she even had little white shoes on to match. Surprisingly, I said yes.

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It wasn't until a year later that I saw a chubby little boy enter the same yard that I had come to know over the course of the past school year. He seemed a bit distressed as well but he was barely keeping it together. He looked around but ultimately cowered back towards the same corner I cried in on my first day. As I was sitting there examining the boy, I noticed that Eliza, who I had finally gotten used to calling Liz was walking over to the boy as fast as her little legs could carry her. I hurriedly went to catch up and we both approached the boy sitting in the corner, he didn't seem to notice us until Liz spoke up and introduced us.

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It was so simple back then. Compared to those days I feel quite overwhelmed. Who would have thought that by my sophomore year of high school that I would have killed a man, committed arson, become an "operator", and had been shot all within a week? I sure as hell would have never guessed. Not only that but now I have to explain this to my friends who I don't even know will understand. Sigh, there is no use thinking about it now, all I have to do is ensure I survive until tomorrow. I don't think my mother could handle another death.

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School passed in a flash and it was time to leave. As I neared the gate of the school, I noticed two figures rushing up to me. We awkwardly greeted each other and began walking to my house. "Guys, do you promise that whatever If I tell you something that you don't expect would you mind not freaking out and just hear me out." I managed to express the current dilemma on my mind just as I was near my front door. I paused and turned to my friends to get their answers. Upon looking back I noticed that Nathan was smiling and that Liz had this determined look on her face. I nod my head and slot my key into my front door.

After walking in my friends followed me into my room where they placed their bags. "Still the same huh" Liz commented as she walked in. I jumped at this chance at conversation and replied "Yep, I tend to stick with things I like. Besides, it hasn't been that long since you guys have been over, has it?" Nathan turns to me and responds "It's been about half a year." I awkwardly laugh and let my friends make themselves at home. "You're going to want to take a seat for this one." I sit down on my bed, Liz sits in my chair, and Nathan sits on my futon facing towards me.

While trying my best not to think about it I grab the hem of my shirt and yank it upwards revealing to my friends the bandage wrapped around my chest just under my rib cage. Liz blushes and Nathan has this look of shock on his face. Without giving my friends any time to ask questions I begin to explain. "Over the weekend I was shot in the stomach. I can't really explain it so I need to show you something." While my friends are both still speechless, I reach down and pull a big black case from under my bed. I open both latches with a snap and pull from it my gun case. I pull my handgun from its foam bed and while making sure not to paint it towards my friends I show it to them.

Liz seems startled but waits for me to explain. "I downloaded a game that allows me to take a mission in which I can gain money in order to buy military-grade items." I turn the case towards them and allow them to see my full loadout and included ammo. "This handgun is one of the items I was given in the beginning. During the first of these missions I was shot and in turn, was forced to kill a man." I began to pack up the case once more and slid it back under my bed.

While doing so I just let what I said set in. My friends at this point seem to have no words. Both of their jaws are practically touching the ground. Liz quickly notices this and covers her mouth but Nathan is completely stunned. It takes them a while but Liz finally breaks the silence and solemnly says, "Is that true, but why, you didn't have to do that mission, shouldn't you have just deleted it?" I shake my head and reply, "I'm sorry but I couldn't, when I questioned the ability of the system it pressed a gun up against my head, literally. From what I know I have a few days between each mission before I risk 'termination' as it calls it." Liz is dazed but her expression quickly turns to anger and she shouts at the top of her lungs "You idiot! Why?! Why did you put your life at risk like this?! I can't believe you would do something so stupid! Nathan back me up here!"

Nathan finally seems to snap out of his daze but gestures for Liz to stop, "This is insane, I- what can we do to help" Nathan begins to say something but halfway through comes to a realization and changes his mind. "You have to be joking, not you too!" Liz yells once again after realizing what Nathan is referring to. Nathan seems to snap and anger fills his face. He turns to Liz and screams "LOOK! What's done is done! Either we sit here and do nothing while he risks his life or we do everything we can to help him! Are you saying you would rather just sit by and let him kill himself without doing anything!!" Liz hangs her head and there is a long bout of silence, regret begins to show on Nathans's face but after a moment she breaks the silence.

"I-I-I understand" For the second time today Liz begins to cry. She turns away from us both and sobs. Nathan and I look at each other and aren't quite sure what to do. I decided to take initiative and get up I walk over to her pausing behind her I pat her back hoping to calm her down. I quickly realize this action achieves the exact opposite effect of what I wanted as she screams "DONT TOUCH ME." I slowly step back and return to my place on the bed.

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After a while, all we can hear is sniffling before she slowly turns to look at me and with tears still in her eyes says, "I w-want to j-join you too"