The Love Game

Chapter 1: First Day

When I finished breakfast and walked outside my house, it felt rather nice. I had grown accustomed to hearing the Meridian army fire away with guns every time I stepped outside for school. Of course, I had lived in a fort, so I was safe, but many of the other students could not say the same. A handful of students died every week. Not on purpose, of course. Even though they attacked our armies, the orcs had made it clear they wished to keep civilians safe. It had turned out most of the Meridian soldiers were the ones doing the shooting.

Not that it matters. What matters is that when I walked outside my home, it was lovely. Almost quiet, even. There were birds chirping, and kids in the neighborhood walking out of their homes to go to school, too.

When Meridia had fallen, we'd caught word from a friend of ours who was serving in the military. In fact, they had been there when Armade Sofle-- yes, the grand empress herself-- was shot in the head by an orc soldier. Of course, we did have heirs, but they were shot too. Meridia's still in chaos from their deaths. Lucas never really said it out loud, but it was more of an unspoken thing that we went to Sarycoza for a more stable place to live.

Lucas won't admit it to us, but he's curious on where Roan- his ex-wife and my actual mother- is now. We were told from our military friend that she's in northern Sarycoza, having a good life in Bijou or Artrais. But nobody is actually sure. All we know for certain is that she is a tailor these days.

I climbed into the bus, thanking my lucky stars I'd made it on just in time. I of course would regret making it on time later. When I looked around the bus, I was not impressed by the obnoxious behavior and weird pink skin some of the students had. A lot of them were oddly skinny. For the first time ever, I felt relieved Sophie was with me so we could sit together. We found a somehow empty seat and sat there.

I knew the drive to school was long, so I took out my journal and began writing. Before I could even start, though, I was quickly pointed out by a girl with short, brown hair. "Look! He has a pink diary. I think it sparkles, too!" the girl giggled, as did her girlfriends. It didn't help that Sophie joined in on their laughing. I frowned, writing with my pink feather pen dejectedly.

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As soon as I stepped into my Sarycozan History class, I instantly felt happier. Elliot was in my class! I'm sure Sophie would be happy to know Elliot was in the school, and she could pursue her love of him. I immediately sat down in the empty seat by him.

"Elliot! You go to this school? How exciting. Do you have a new phone? You have to give me your number so we can start talking again," I immediately began chattering away. It was still passing period after all, so we had time.

Elliot turned to face me, sighing. "Yes. I do. I can write my number on a piece of paper later," he was not his same self as he continued. "Oh, you're here, so I'm assuming Sophie's here too, right? I don't recall her... Dying. You'll have to give me her number."

I immediately picked up on Elliot's sadness. Thoughts raced my mind. I didn't like seeing one of my best pals upset, so I just had to ask. "Elliot, is everything okay? You don't seem as chipper as you usually do. You would have made a joke by now," I looked at him in confusion.

Just as Elliot was about to confide in me, the bell rang, and our teacher rose from her seat. Her skin was light blue, but none of the students seemed put off by it. I remembered the students with pink skin from the bus and guessed some Sarycozans were just alien-looking.

After she gave us a long lecture about how Sarycoza is the greatest empire ever, the bell rang. Me and Elliot had been exchanging unamused glances the entire time- after all, Meridia is, or was, the best empire ever. When we left the class, a few older students had apparently been waiting to spill the beans.

"You got Ms. Goretz?" a kid in a loose shirt asked. I blinked. It was a stupid question.

"I just came out of her classroom. Of course I have her for my teacher."

The kid narrowed his eyes as his two friends snickered. They didn't look like the snickering type. They looked like the type who would smile and just not laugh at all. The loose shirt kid rolled his eyes. "Yeah. Okay. Well, good luck with that. She's a bitch. We heard she went to an anti-LGBT protest last summer, too. A student saw her there," they reported.

This was a lot of information to take in. "What's your name? Why do you know this stuff?" I questioned. Elliot checked his watch and bid me goodbye, walking off to his next class. The loose shirt kid looked at me like I was dumb.

"Maven. I thought you would know something as crucial as that already. I am basically the main event of the school. The cream of the crop. There is nobody better than me," he smirked, brushing some hair out of his eye. I did not believe this for a second. Magic Mike was the cream of the crop in any situation, but I let it slide.

I checked my watch. I nearly spat out the cereal that wasn't in my mouth as I saw that this kid had taken up his time. I hardly had any time to get to class. I would be late to my second class ever. How lame. I pushed past Maven and his two twink friends, going to my next class.

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As I went home in his blue skirt, I couldn't help but feel disappointed. I hadn't made many friends. I was sure tomorrow would be different. I blushed as I got on the bus to go home in my tiny skirt.

a/n how are u feeling rn. next chapter there will be spicy hot (o////o ewe... owo o//w//o!!!) drama i promise.