Game Over: Life's Over

Kids

I kept thinking about telling Soleil what was going on. I knew she was only asking because she was in the same situation as me and wanted to share experiences with me so she wouldn't judge me. But I didn't know her well enough to trust her with private information just yet.

I was still glad to have someone in my life who considered me their friend. Losing Alex was hard, especially during a time in my life when everything was being taken from me. We still didn't know each other very well just yet but I was hoping we would get closer. I needed someone who wasn't a parent figure in my life to talk to. Someone my own age.

I laid back on my bed and stared up at the ceiling above me. I wasn't sure what to say to Soleil about what was going on with me. I wanted to be honest with her but I was scared to death to tell her what was going on with me.

Maybe Theo could tell her for me like he did with Eric and Mom.

I covered my face with my hands. Having Theo tell her was more pathetic than telling her myself. It was a cowardly move and I didn't want to do that or be that type of person. I needed some amount of dignity.

Before I could even think of what to say, my phone vibrated beside me on the bed. I glanced down at it and saw a message from Soleil.

You should come to the playgroup tomorrow. I can introduce you to some friends of mine.

The thought of being around more people like us scared me. I wasn't sure what to expect and I almost felt like I didn't belong.

But I knew I did. That much was obvious.

Will it be obvious that I'm new there? I texted back.

Maybe to the caregivers but I don't think the kids would notice. We're too busy playing to notice who's new and who isn't.

Kids? I thought she said they were people like us?

Yeah, like you and me. What am I supposed to call us?

But we're not kids. Not really.

So? Anyone who plays with toys is a kid in my mind. Maybe she was on to something.

Ok. Send me more information. I guess I'll try to come.

Yay! You're going to love it.

I wasn't so sure about that. We'll see.

I promise it isn't as bad as you think. You'll have fun. I mean, I'll be there so I know it'll be fun. She sent over the address and reminded me to make sure Theo had his I.D. on him when we got there. I was hoping it wouldn't be the most embarrassing thing I'd ever done.

---

Theo was eager to take me to playgroup with Soleil and the other 'kids' who shared our condition. I knew he wanted me to embrace who I was and give in to everything happening to and around me. Maybe he thought this would be a good place to start.

All I wanted to do was see Soleil again. Sure, I wanted friends who wouldn't judge me. But I was okay being on my own if it meant I could save my pride a bit. I wasn't sure I was going to like playing with a bunch of kids who weren't really kids and were only playing because they had a mutation that altered their brains to make them think it was normal.

Theo came out of my room with a backpack slung over his shoulder. He walked around me as I was tying my shoe and stared down the steps. "Are you going to introduce me to that girl today?"

I rolled my eyes. "Not if you're gonna embarrass me in front of her."

"That's my job."

"Says who?"