How The Internet Ruined My Life

Chapter 1: The Gates of Hell

I think it all started on my 16th birthday. I remember the day like the back of my hand. My bed comforter was a bright purple and I bundled myself in it since it was very cold in my house morning. I heard foot steps all around the house letting me know my parents were wide awake and were aware of the important day. Unlike most teenagers, I loved my parents. Maybe because when they had me they were around the age 17 and they had managed to stick together just for me.

I sit up in my queen sized bed and rub the tiredness from my eyes. The foot steps suddenly came closer and closer to my room. I should have expected what was coming. In a matter of three seconds both of my parents are going to be squeezing their heads through my door and shoving a delicious pancake breakfast in my face.

Just as planned, I see the familiar faces with food on a tray. It happens every year, and I never get tired of it.

I can feel a smile form on my face. They sing the traditional birthday song and give me each a kiss on the cheek.

I thank them both, being so grateful and soon my dad pulls a huge box behind him. I sit up quickly still holding onto my pancake tray.

"Here's your birthday gift, we just couldn't wait till you got home from school."

I look at them and I just knew what it was. I've been asking for it since I was 14.

My own laptop.

It was a mac book pro.

I was already in love. My dad hands me scissors so I am able to cute the box open.
The feeling of it in my hands was unbelievable.
You must be thinking "Aria, you are such a weirdo. It's just technology"

But it wasn't "just technology" it was the start of a new world.

And here I am, almost 2 years later. I'm just about to be 18 (I was born in May, such a late bloomer compared to my friends) and I still have my laptop from sophomore year.
By this point it's been through complete hell. Being on many road trips and being dropped a couple of times, it still managed to survive.
But it's my senior year and I couldn't be more than glad for high school to finally be over.

I no longer will have to face sitting alone at lunch and having no one to talk to.
And by "friends" from when I earlier mentioned, I meant my internet friends.
Yes, all 5 of them.
Julie, Lance, Mandy, Brett, and Max.
We've been together in this little group for two years now. About 4 months after I got my laptop.
It all started on this website where you could socialize (obviously) but with random people. And when I met Mandy, it kind of brought me to the rest of them.

We're all in the same grade and because of these 5 people I was able to pass my AP physics class and just advice in general. We just helped each other through everything.
You're probably thinking "um, Aria.. Stranger danger duh"
It's 2015. I think we're over that now. Friendships depend on the internet now.

But right now I just left hell aka school.

While I'm walking out to the parking lot I get a view of the football field. Where I am able to see all these sweaty guys tackling each other for practice.

I then get caught looking at them because I hear someone call my name. Which was odd because I don't talk to anyone here.

"Hey Aria! Why don't you take a picture?"

I didn't even have to look to know what face was matching the bitches' voice.
Ashley Burden.
-Basic cheerleader
-Slut
- and also the dumbest person alive. (I'm being honest, I think I lose IQ points just by listening to her)

I can hear all of her friends laugh with her but I just ignore and get in my car.

Once I pull into the drive way I can see that my parents are out. Either at work or out to dinner. So that meant ordering pizza for myself tonight. But I'm not complaining.

I unlock the front door with the key my mom gave me when she informed me she was going back to work.

Once I set my bag on the kitchen counter, I retrieve the hand written note my parents left me.

Dear Aria,
You're father has a business trip that will last up to three days, we've left money near the fridge so you can go out and get yourself some food. Be back soon! We love you so much.
Love, your parents

Well that answered everything. I head over to the fridge and take the money.
They left 250 which was probably too much but they always make sure I never run low.
I head up my staircase and grab my laptop from my desk and set it on my bed.

Logging in, I can see my friends are already home from school. They all live in the United States, like me. Max, Julie, and Mandy all live near me. While Brett and Lance live in farther states.

Max: Finally Aria is here
Lance: Damn girl, drive faster or something
Me: Calm down, I'm sorry I have a life
Mandy: Ruuudeee
I look at each of their icons. They are all pretty good looking.

Max is the tallest of us all by what he's told us, saying he's 6' ft. He has short brown hair that goes in a quiff with the use of gel and basically has a clear face.

Lance is the opposite. His hair is blonde and shaved with a slight 5 o'clock shadow and is very slim.

Brett is kind of the middle. He's has olive skin and bright blue eyes. His dirty blonde hair falls slightly in his eyes giving him a beach boy affect. You can tell he's from California.

Mandy has long, but curly red hair. She has a few freckles here and there but she makes them look good. Her eyes are a shining green and she is already working on her summer body.

Julie has straight platinum blonde hair and clear skin. You could probably mistaken her being Brett's sister but she's just not as tan. She's skinny with some curves and I envy her the most.

And with me, I'm just brown headed with brown eyes and an olive skin tone. Pretty normal if you ask me. And I'm tiny. You could probably mistaken me as a 12 year old if we're being honest.

Julie: My mom keeps nagging me to do my laundry so I'll be right back guys.
Brett: I'm hungry
Me: well I'm about to order a large cheese pizza, just for myself.
Brett: um share?
Me: naahh
Mandy: when we all meet in real life we're definitely going to eat pizza and watch movies.
Lance: Mandy how are you online? Don't you have a guy waiting for you?

Lance is the joker I guess you could say, but he's also pretty jealous of Mandy's boyfriend at the moment.

Mandy: grow up lance.
Lance: nah I don't have to grow up until I get that diploma.
Max: righhhht
Aria: What if we all did meet up though?
Brett: we've talked about this. We can't do it unless you guys have money for mine and Lance's plane ticket.
Aria: We could figure it out. Don't be so negative.
Brett: I'm not being negative. Just realistic.
Julie: okay I'm back
Max: hello back, I'm Max

And now you know what I've been dealing with for the past two years now.

But I've always been curious to meet them all in real life. Would it be the same as online?
Or
Just completely awkward?