Scratches // DNF

Chapter 7

Dream, George and I met online. It's hard to remember the details since it was so long ago, but we were most likely playing some kind of game. We were young and lonely children, all wanting someone to talk to. So we listened.

Friendships formed, others came and went, but those two were my constants. We talked until our mouths grew tired and our jaws turned slack. These conversations eventually strayed away from games and into daily life. I didn't meet them for years, yet they were my best friends and knew more about me than any friend I had in Texas.

They were both slightly older than me. As they reached maturity, George got a job and Dream went to college. I felt my age was chaining me to my home, forbidding me from visiting my friends and forming a life as they were. I often forgot that I was only a child during this time; adulthood was approaching, I just had to be patient.

When I applied to college at eighteen, I didn't think twice before submitting to the University Dream attended in Orlando. It had been decided for a while by that point - we would finally live together and simply exist within one another's company.

We were each at such different stages in our lives, it might have seemed strange to some to move in with each other. But we'd grown up together and after a little while it began to feel like I was living with family.

George began his degree as my second year of study began. He was older than I, but had decided he'd had enough of his job and wanted to explore the world of computer-science. Around the same time, Dream graduated and began searching for gigs as a musician.

After a couple years I finished my degree, but I never had the opportunity to attend my graduation. Dream and George went as planned and watched as a picture of my face was shown on the board on my behalf. In factuality, I did attend. I was sitting by their side, only they had no knowledge of that fact.

During our years online and as roommates, each day solidified the feeling that I'd found friends for life. I met and dated a couple of people in college, but nothing serious came of anything. I didn't worry; I was still so young after all. I thought I had the rest of my life to find my person - why rush?

Dream and George on the other hand... Well it wasn't like they never dated. Occasionally one or the other would go out on a date with someone they met, but nothing seemed to ever extend further than that. They wouldn't dare bring anyone home and danced around the subject with one another, never giving more than brief details. Sometimes Dream would talk to me alone about a date he'd had. He would say little more and his eyes seemed distant while he talked. He appeared distracted, zoned out, as if he didn't truly have much interest in what he was saying.

It wasn't like they were short of options. I can think of countless times when I was sitting with one and a stranger would approach us, clearly showing interest. They would act oblivious, and I always wondered if it was ignorance or a play to be left alone.

After my death it was no different. One night at the bar, a week or so after the blackout in the apartment, the oblivion made another appearance. Dream was playing his music and George was serving drinks as per usual. They'd been working for a little while by this point, so were more comfortable and knew the routine. George had learnt his lesson and actively avoided Dream at work, as if frightened of what might spill out of Dream's mouth whilst others listened.

George finished serving a regular and turned his attention to a woman of similar age, sitting at the bar with her head in her hands. Dark brown hair tumbled like a curtain around her downturned head, its length reaching her waist and concealing her flowy dress. As he made his way over, she looked up to reveal sad, wide eyes. There was no doubt she was beautiful, but her sadness made her appear so vulnerable in a bar dominated by men.