Trapped in the Sims (complete)

Part 4

I'm sitting on Melissa's bed deep in thought when there's a knock on the door and Kyle walks in. His eyes show no expression as he emotionlessly gestures to the bed I was sitting on. Do you want me to move it? I nod - yes - and move out of the way as Kyle sets out a camp bed on the other side of the room. As he works I notice his movements are smooth, but programmed, carrying out a task programmed for him. I realize my movements weren't constrained in this way, meaning I am still human. I may look like a sim, but I still have basic knowledge and actions of a human. In essence, I am free to do whatever I want, while there is only a limited database of the actions these sims can take out. But I must be careful not to do anything out of the ordinary, or the sims around me will notice I'm different. That would not be wise until I figure out a way to get out of here.

"I'm done." Kyle looks at me blankly, beginning to walk out of the room. I wish he would smile, all these blank faces and dead eyes are making me uneasy. I consider stopping him to ask him something, just to make contact, but I refrain myself. Give it time. Instead I briefly try out the camp bed, noting with pleasure the softness of it. It's not my bed at home, but it'll do for now. It defies belief that only a few hours ago I was at home eating my breakfast normally, when now I'm in such a bizarre circumstance. I almost laugh at the absurdity of it.

While I wait for Melissa to come back, I look around the rest of the room, taking in the features that I'm so used to seeing on the computer screen. The bed we always use for our teenage sims as its so modern and classy, our custom content wallpaper, the small ornaments on the desk. I see photos on the walls and lean in to see them. There's one of Melissa's family photo, them all smiling at the camera with their arms around each other. Then a picture of Melissa with two friends, two girls a similar age to her. One has short blond hair and grins at the camera cheekily, the other with long black hair, lots of dark makeup and white powdered face, looks very gothic. The last picture on the wall is a picture of Melissa and a boy. It is taken in a photo booth I can tell, there are four pictures around each other. They have obviously taken funny photos as in one the boy is grinning widely and Melissa is pulling a face. They have their arms around each other. The boy is quite good looking in a way, short brown hair and deep brown eyes with what seems like a friendly smile and an easy personality to get along with. A boyfriend? Maybe?

I suddenly wonder what expansion packs are included in this version of Sims and rack my mind for what packs Hannah has included in her game. Seasons, I know that, and Generations too. University, I got her that for Christmas, and Pets. Any more? I can't remember. More than that, it feels like that memory is blurred, floating just out of my reach. I frown slightly, but before I can ponder on it any more there's an excited giggle outside and the door is flung open. I turn expecting to see Melissa but see her younger brother, Matthew. I smile at him, enjoying his infectious happiness. His smile is radiant as he grins at me.

"Hi there! My name's Matthew but my friends call me Matt or Matty. You can be my friend if you want? I love having lots of friends." He is very bubbly and almost tumbles over his words in his hurry to get them out. I laugh and shake his outstretched hand.

"Nice to meet you Matt. Though we did already meet at tea time."

"Yes I know but I wanted to meet you again. Your name's Rachel isn't it? I know a teacher called Rachel, she's nice. Hey, would you like to meet my imaginary friend? His name's Sunny." He gestures to the empty space beside him. I remember that Generations includes having imaginary friends and smile at the cuteness of it.

"Well it's nice to meet Sunny too. Are you best friends?"

"Oh yes. He was my very best friend ever since I was young. We understand each other really well. You're nice for liking Sunny as well. Not many people like him or believe in him and Sunny and me, we get really upset. Kyle says that imaginary friends are for babies and some of my friends in school say that I'm babyish because of Sunny. But you don't think that, do you?" I feel sad because of this little boy's dreams, knowing that not everyone will accept him having an imaginary friend for long. But I put a smile on my face.

"Of course I don't think that. You and Sunny are just fine, and don t let anybody tell you otherwise." His face changes from sad to radiant happiness once again in an instant.

"Wow thank you Rachel! You're really nice, and you can be my second best friend after Sunny if you want."

"I'd be happy to." I love little children, and Matthew is the cutest one I've ever known. Especially because I made him so cute. He skips a little on the spot and I giggle. His blue eyes are so warm and friendly, and I ruffle his blond curls out of impulse.

"Lots of people do that, they say I'm cute! Am I cute, Rachel?"

"You are very cute, Matty," I tell him, smiling.

From downstairs a voice comes up the stairs.

"Matthew? Did you get the coloured pens you needed? You need to finish this homework before bed!" It's the voice of his father.

"Yes Daddy! I'm coming!" Matty looks at me and his face breaks into an even bigger smile than before if that's possible. "I came up here to get some pens, but I just had to come in here and meet you. I'm glad I did, you're really nice. Bye!" He waves and skips out of the room. I smile at his adorableness. *Not a word but okay*

After a few minutes there's a sound on the stairs and Melissa comes into the room, her pretty face lighting up when I smile at her.

"Hey there Rachel. Sorry it took a while, just had to finish my homework. Did Kyle set up the camp bed okay?"

"Yeah it was fine. I had a look around while I was waiting, some of these photos are really nice! Who are these people?" I gesture to the two photos that I don't recognise, the girls and the boy. Melissa points at each of them in turn as she speaks.

"This is Francesca, but everyone calls her Fran or Cessy. She's really bubbly and nice, you'll like her. This dark gothic looking girl is my other best friend, Emily. She's nice too, but a little less outgoing than Fran. And this," her face breaks into a smile and she giggles slightly, "is Adam."

"Is he your boyfriend?" I ask her, smiling. She shakes her head a little too quickly.

"No of course not. We're just friends. He hasn't asked me to prom or anything. We just hang out together." I see in her face that she wishes it was more. I giggle and lean in, forgetting that I barely know this girl.

"But..." I prompt. Her face colours and she looks embarrassed.

"Nothing! We're just friends! Hey... have you seen the Spring Festival? It's in Central Park and it has roller skating and water balloon fights and its really fun! I go there with my friends a lot." I note this clumsy attempt to change the subject. I remember the festivals from when we play on seasons.

"Do you go with Adam?"

"Yeah, we had great fun last time we went." She goes even redder as she realizes what she's just said. "Not that it was a date or anything! Obviously." I laugh, and she laughs too, hitting me with a pillow. I join in, forgetting that the pillow fight is programmed into the Sims and just having fun for a moment or two, whacking each other with pillows. When we finally stop, falling down on her bed exhausted, we both laugh again. When we've finally stopped, Melissa's face is full of joy.

"I love this! It's just like having a sister!"

"Me too!" I confess. "So?"

Her face falls for a moment, then she goes pink, smiling slightly.

"Okay so maybe I do like him a little bit. But I'm pretty sure he likes Tanya and..."

"Ask him out!" I interrupt. "From what I've heard you two have great fun together. You'd make a great couple."

"Thanks for the advice. You've been a great help. And I might, you know. I might just ask him out one day."

I smile. "Good luck! I'm sure he'll say yes."

She smiles back. "I love having you around. Even though you've only been here for like, a few hours, it feels like ages. It feels like we've known each other for years. Like sisters!"

"Me too," I answer, flopping down on her bed next to her and smiling, feeling in that instant complete. "Me too."

Hope you liked this chapter, I had great fun writing it! Next one coming soon. Comment and vote! Please? Izzy