Games We Play

Chapter One: School

Disclaimer: SAO does NOT belong to me!!!!

Since day one of high school I've been bullied, picked on, teased, you name it! School has always been rough for me but this year has crossed the line. One time when the athletes were getting ready for a game, some idiot got the bright idea to shove me into a drum case for fun. If it weren't for the coach stopping them and benching the jerks, I would've been stuck in there for a week! During most of my classes I even hide in the library so I won't get pushed in the halls. The only thing that's kept my sanity in check is my daydreams. When I can't stand the hardships of the day I will slip into my own little world and stay there until someone decides to notice me. Maybe I'm overreacting, I don't know anymore.

"Hey, geek!" Justin, one of the idiot athletes who was benched, called out,"you going to class? Don't forget your books!" As he walked past, Justin knocked my journals across the hall floor. "Whoops!" His friend, Mason, scoffed and kicked my stuff farther away. It may be surprising but this is one of they're nicer days. All I did though was look down. Listening to their laughter, I crouched over to collect my things as they went to fifth period. I could feel the hot tears weld up in my eyes but I bit my lips to hold them back. I couldn't show weakness here, especially with everyone looking. Instead, I stood up and went to the library. "Good morning, Lacey," Ezra, the librarian and my older cousin, greeted,"were the boys picking on you again?" I nodded,"Yeah, but please don't worry!" I added quickly. Ezra looked puzzled,"Are you sure? I can tell the principal for you." She said. Alarmed, I raised my voice without realizing it,"N-no! That's okay!" I exclaimed. Ezra was the only adult aware of my problems but didn't know how bad they had gotten, to her, it was only minor teasing. "Alright," she sighed,"but tell me if it gets worse." I let my body relax,"I will." I lied and went to my usual place. Awhile ago when I started coming here, Ezra had found a small door that lead to a room for storage and made it into a place for me to hide from the bullies. It had a pretty tall roof, a window near the floor, a chair for me and a collection of some of my favorite books.

The best part was that nobody besides Ezra and I knew about it! She just told students and other teachers that she kept torn books in there. This is one of the reasons why she was my favorite teacher. Ezra was very young, she probably was about 30 something so she still technically wasn't an adult and understood me. Occasionally, she'd bring her baby, Geo, in and I'd play with him for a bit.

I sat down in the low chair and decided to draw today instead of read after pulling myself out of my thoughts. The only thing I could draw free hand was eyes. I don't know how I got started on eyes but somehow I did. Letting my pencil skim across the paper, I drifted off into a daydream. I always imagined myself in some random anime with the coolest powers and craziest life. In my dreams, I had no problem making friends or standing up for myself, unfortunately, I was nothing like my fake self.

A couple hours later I went back to class. It was 7th period so I had nothing after that and the could go home. I listened in on the boring things my science teacher was dragging on with when I felt my pocket vibrate. Luckily, my teacher hasn't heard and continued on with his lecture. I quickly pulled out my phone.

'Are you logging on tonight?'

It was from my online friend, Emily. The new Sword Art Online game had come last week and we both were excited.

'Yeah! u?'

I replied.

'Yep, I can't wait! What's your ign?'

The 'ign' or in game names were needed for each players avatar.

'Lisa'

I had got the L and A form my first name and the I and S from my last name.

'Cool, mine's Lauren'

As I was about to reply back, I heard someone walk up to me. "Miss. Isume," my teacher, Mr. Carson said,"no phones in class." He held out his hand and I gave him my phone. When he walked away, I could hear laughing, my face was hot with embarrassment.