Virtual Friends

Prologue

Checking my shortcuts once again, I make sure that everything is in its normal state, position, and order before starting the stream.

"Good evening everyone!" I announce into my microphone with as much enthusiasm I can muster. "Before we start the normal schedule, I have an announcement to make!..."

At this, I take my mouse and open a donation window I had minimized before the stream. "...We've finally reached our target goal for the face reveal/vlog to Disney! I owe a huge thank you to everyone who donated, I am so very thankful for this opportunity! ...now, shall we get onto the stream?"

Two and a half hours later of questions, gaming, joy, and excitement in front of ten thousand people, I end the stream and pick up Sage who just hopped into my office. "Hey there buddy, how does a visit to mom and dad sound?" I ask the snowy white rabbit while spinning in my chair.

At this Sage perks his ears up and I let out a laugh. "I just reached my goal to go to Disneyland for a vacation, so you will have to stay at mom's for a week." I explain as I rub his head with my cheek. "I'm sorry that I can't take you with me, but I'm pretty sure that Disney's staff wouldn't want a bunny hopping around in my room while I'm gone."

After I finish telling Sage what's going on, I pull out my phone to check if there are any flights to Orlando that I can make it to in the next few days. Since I had already planned for this milestone a while ago, I have had my bags half packed for a couple weeks. The last things for me to do now are to finish packing and get Sage to mom and dad who are about two hours away... in city traffic.

This will be great.

"Mom, It's me." I call while knocking on a large red door, Sage too busy trying to hop around in his carrier to notice. Dad is performing in a hotel right now so mom should be the only one home.

Within a few seconds the door opens to reveal my mom with her silky brown hair down around her shoulders and a smile on her face. "Liri, here to drop off Sage?"

I nod. "Yep. Thanks for agreeing to take care of him, I know we planned this getaway for a while now but I still feel bad for dumping him on you guys like this. Especially since you guys can't come with me." I state while picking up Sage's carrier and handing it to mom.

Mom just gives me a warning glare. "Liri, we know how much you worked to get to where you are, and even if we don't really care for your career, we recognize the effort you put in." She replies. "You deserve this. Go have fun, and be careful."

"Thank you mom, tell dad I love him when he comes back from his performance." I add as I turn around. "My flight is in four hours so I should start to head over. You know how New York traffic can be."

"I will, take care Liri." Mom confirms with a smile as she closes the door.

Watching as the door latches, I Turn on my heel and pull out my phone to check the time. After making sure that I still do have four hours left, I get in my car and leave my parents driveway.

It takes a few hours in rush hour traffic, but I finally reach the airport with a little over an hour and a half remaining. "Finally! I made it!" I exclaim, throwing my hands up in the air to stretch. "It felt like I would never have gotten here."

After I stretch out my sore muscles I turn around and grab my suitcases from my trunk. "Right, I have my bags, my wallet, my keys, and phone." I list out. "Anything else I'm forgetting?" I ask myself before checking my car once more to see if I missed anything.

Finishing my inspection, I don't find anything I missed so I shrug and close the hatch. "That's everything I guess."

Pulling my suitcases behind me, I stare down at my receipt and memorize the information while heading towards security. Seeing the guards from my peripherals, I stop and put my receipt away so they can inspect my luggage. After they found nothing confidential in my bags they urge me to go through the scanner and again, nothing to be alarmed about there so I'm allowed into the airport.