The Real RPG of Life Series: Memoirs of Friendship [FIN]

Chapter 8: Acceptance and Parting Ways (Natasha)

“Hey Tasha!” Saja calls me out as I was about to leave the dungeon. I stop from walking and stood still waiting to what she needs to say, “Just wait for a while. I promise you, I’ll give you back your blade!”

I turn my head towards her and the others, “Okay. I’ll be waiting.”

I continued walking when I stop again from my track and look at them, “Penn, Eri... look after her, okay?”

“O-of course!” Sheska replied.

“You can count on that, Nat!” Claudette gives me a thumbs up.

“Thanks.” I continue to walk out of the dungeon. Once out, I noticed the time from my NET clock. I immediately logged out and went back to the real world. Opening my eyes, I could see my mom and dad looking after me from the backseat.

“Welcome back, Natasha.” My dad greets me. It kind of feels awkward having someone welcome you back when you just went into a virtual online gaming world.

“I-I’m back.”

“Geez, going online while we were driving towards the restaurant. You’re turning into an addict, young lady!” my mom scolds me.

“Now, I’m guessing she has her reasons. Besides, we just got here in the first place.”

“Well, let’s leave it at that. I’m getting grumpy because of my stomach.” We all left the car and entered the restaurant to have our planned family dinner. I quite enjoy my night together with my parents, part of it might be because I feel relieved that I don’t have to fear my own past. My past with Sara is resolved, but somehow, it still feels lacking. All these years of harboring this ill feelings for her made me think of things I’d never thought I’d think without the help of my friends.

While driving home, I drifted my thoughts back to the fact that we have to move soon. Speaking of which I still don’t have any clue to where we might be moving.

“Dad, can I ask you something?”

“What is it, Natasha?” my dad looks at me while we were in a complete stop during a red stoplight.

“Where exactly will we be moving?”

“Oh that’s right you still don’t know.”

“Do you actually call where we will be going ‘moving’, dear?” my mom interjected.

“What are you guys talking about?”

“Nat, we’re just going back to our old house. You know, where you met that young girl from before. What was her name..?”

“Eh? We’re going back to where Sara is?”

“Right, Sara. That’s the one.”

“Yes, I got transferred somewhere near there and I thought, ‘We might as well stay to our old house’, though it might need some good cleaning.” My dad answered my question.

I felt a rush of mix emotions stirring up inside of me. I was confused and didn’t know what to do with the emotions I have right now. As we got home that night, I lock myself in my room, lying at my bed without even changing my clothes.

As I lay there quietly pondering in my own thoughts, I soon received a message.

[1 new message: Unknown]

A complete stranger somehow got access to my NET address. I know I never gave up my address to anyone but my friends and people from my class. Out of curiosity, I open the message.

[Hey Tasha. It’s me, Sara. Sorry to bother you, I just got your new address from Chris. Listen, can we talk tomorrow? Are you free or do you have plans?]