Stay True

by C B Jean

  After another cup I end up getting dressed into a pair of faded jeans and an oversized pastel yellow hoodie that reads “I’m a Gamer Girl” and a kawaii emoji face, a gift from one of my followers. Tacky right? I still love it nonetheless.

  I am feeling the minimal effort right now and decided to only smear on some clear lip gloss and call it good, leaving my hair down to air dry on the way.

  I throw on my fav pair of sneakers, make sure to grab my keys, wallet, and moms ring. I never leave home without wearing her ring, it’s the only thing left of her they were able to find.

  I jump into my car and speed away to the game store where I’m picking up my new XR helmet and my game ‘Horizion’. Soon I’ll be playing this game and streaming away making big bucks from my followers. Video games are life man.

  ∞∞∞

  The minute I get home I am unboxing the flip out of this thing and setting it up in my bedroom. They recommend you play it lying down with your house locked. You could be playing this thing and have someone break into your house and you wouldn’t even know it.

  The XR helmet is more like a pair of goggles with a screen in the lenses that wrap around your head more than an actual helmet. I was reading reviews where a guy played one of these for the beta and end up not leaving the game for two weeks. Nothing to eat, no bathroom breaks. Nada. He got so enthralled in the world that he forgot to take care of his real body. He was in danger of dehydration and slight malnutrition and spent another week In the hospital recovering.

  Also recommended to set alarms to get up regularly. What a dumb dumb.

  I make sure my house all set up and locked running around giddy, no appliances turned on and I’m good to go after I text my Dad. He knows how excited I am about this and I can’t wait to tell him about it in a few days when I see him, it’s all I ever talk about.

  REMI:

  Going in! Wish me luck!

  DAD:

  For sure thing kiddo! I love you! Don’t forget about Thursday at Matilda’s Café. I hear she’s making her special lemon bread just for you.

  REMI:

  You know I’ll never miss brunch with you if she has my special lemon bread! I swear, she is always flirting with you constantly when we go there. Not that I’m complaining or anything, you need it. I’ll be telling you about my vow to stay celibate after the last date I had and how I’m getting a cat. #childclownster #newchild #catnames?

  He replies back within seconds with the poop emoji and I giggle.

  I throw on my big tee again so I’m comfy with my workout leggings feeling the need to cover up, and push the start button on the side of the helmet as I get comfy in bed. It starts up and I log into my player account. I am so excited I am practically jumping with joy.

  I’ve decided ill play it for an hour or two, get some sleep and stream tomorrow when my followers will be up and about. Right now, it’s just me time.

  The screen lights up in front of my eyes and asks if I’m ready to play. It has a built-in microphone and the command is voice activated.

  Here we go.

  “Ready to play!” I say and close my eyes.

  Suddenly I’m no longer in my bed lying down.

  Chapter 3

  REMI

  I blink my eyes open with disbelief. I’m now standing in a tiny town which reminds me of a main towns square. It looks like an old village, the buildings are made from wood and stone, others in tents. I see other people walking about, soldiers parading the streets in their armor and weapons while the civilians walk around buying food and selling. There are people riding horses down the streets! I see shops for blacksmiths, an inn, a market, stables and so much more. It feels like I got sucked into a time travel machine into the dark ages, there is absolutely nothing modern here, other than bright, blue holograms I see at various points. I feel so much lighter and filled with endless energy. Everything is more vivid and clearer here. I look down at my hands in awe as they look exactly like my real ones and then they touch my face.

  “Flip I can actually feel that touching me?!”

  I take in all the signs and sights spinning around until I can feel myself getting dizzy.

  “Oh, my flip, this is so unbelievably real.” I could really stay here forever. Scratch that, no I can’t.

  “Set alarm two hours from now.” I say and a control bracelet on my arm blinks and lights up in acknowledgment. I guess that’s how I access the main menus and inventory. Good to know to log out or else I really will be stuck in here. There weren’t a lot of game play reviews that the creators put out for the public, just tutorials and hints for the game along with content we should be expecting. It was rumored to even have dragons and unicorns in the game, along with other magical creatures. They really tried to limit videos of the actual game being played, to increase the hype and surprise. It’s more of a learn as you play type thing I guess. I did manage to get a few insider hints as I’m quite popular in the video game industry and a few tricks up my sleeves.

  I look at myself, noticing how I look exactly how I do in the real world, only I’m wearing hunting leather pants, a corset vest that’s holding my breasts up and black leather boots. Even my mother’s special silver ring is on my finger. Causal wear for a game with swords and magic I guess. I wonder if there will be females wearing skimpy outfits such as magical bikinis that covers minimal area but has maximum protection. Another example of girl gamers being sexualized, as some men actually talk about this sort of thing with their buddies, a lot of female characters in games are dressed this way as to “increase the player quota and entice them.” Talk about double standards.

  I take a moment to walk around the town square, absorbing everything I see. There is a big welcome banner above the town saying, “Welcome to Horizion!” Then I really look at the holograms, hints and instructions telling players how to do certain actions and lots of little shops for players to buy items with coin around the market. There are already a ton of people here just in the server and its not even 6:15 in the morning.

  “This is crazy.”

  Up ahead there is a crowd of people running around one of the holograms and I walk closer to see what the fuss is about. When I get close enough without touching anyone, I see what’s going on.

  “Four player mode only?! The flip does that mean?” I bark out confused.

  A girl with dirty blonde hair next to me looks at me like I’m dumber than dirt.

  “It means you only get to play the game and leave the town if you have four players in your party. It’s designed that way, so you don’t get slaughtered to pieces in the game and work together with your preassigned clan with different abilities.” She huffs at me, clearly annoyed.

  Flip, I didn’t know that! what am I going to do?!

  I don’t even have one friend to play with let alone three others! I touch my bracelet and look at my friend menu to see all the other major streamers I know are already teamed up. And I’m stuck here in a party of one. I run around frantically trying to find anyone to take me into their team. Every time I try to ask someone to join me, they scurry away to join someone else’s party.

  “This blows.” I grumble out. I walk over to a nearby bench after half an hour of failing, trying to get into a group with no avail, and slump down onto it to watch everyone who has been coming in meet their parties or get asked to join. Why did I even buy this game if I can’t even play it?

  Maybe I can return it and get a refund. My channel will for sure take a big loss as I can’t even play the one game that I have been hyping over for months.

  “Ugghhhh” I just want to scream in frustration. I palm my face in my hands trying to hide from the world. I want to cry but I won’t, I’m better than this. This is just peachy, flipping fantastic. What am I going to do?

  “Hey if you need a party to join, we are down one player and would love to have you, if you’d like.” A voice in front of me states surprising me from my pity party. I squeak out in surprise and jump as I hear the voice close
by and end up falling on butt onto the ground from the bench I was sitting on. I just realized, I can feel that in my tail bone, and it hurts. Good to know.

  As I’m rubbing my butt, my eyes catch a pair of boots in front of me and my eyes follow them all the way up till I’m looking straight up in the sky with my mouth wide open.

  Holy hell. I’m staring at an actual god. And I feel like a bug under his eyes.

  In front of me in all his basking glory is a man who Is well over six feet tall. Scratch that he might be close to seven foot. Dark blue eyes gaze back at me and he has the audacity to have the outline of a smirk on his face. He has a perfectly modeled, chiseled face over tanned skin. Dark black hair sweeps across his forehead making me think of the Clark Kent haircut. His hand reaches out to me and I’m too dumbstruck to do anything else besides keep staring at him to grab it. He pulls me up, with a bit too much force as I fall straight into his chest. Never once do our eyes glance away. It’s like he has me in a trance and I don’t dare look away like I’ll miss something important he has to tell me. He smiles wider at me making me breathe again and getting oxygen into my brain. I inhale his musky scent, it’s like honey and tobacco. Then I realize where my hands are. Right on his hard chest practically gripping his shirt like I’m hanging on for dear life and I’m being touched. My mouth parts open in surprise and I realize I’m still locked in his muscular embrace as my body is pressed up to his. I push off his chest to get some space in a panic and end up falling right onto my butt. Again.

  “Ouch” I wince as I start rubbing my butt again. Mr. Clark Kent kneels down in front of me trying to hide his smile. I glare right up at him and scoot back, daring him to laugh at me. He doesn’t. His eyes flash from playful to lustful, and just as fast as it came, it was gone.

  Did I imagine that?

  “I’m sorry Baby Blue, I didn’t mean to scare you, but I did try to help you and you fell again on your sweet bottom on your own accord.” He teases and smiles that sinful smile again at me with those perfect teeth of his and I forget to breathe again. Is this what meeting the human equivalent of superman is like?

  I clear my throat trying to keep down the ache in my lower stomach and rub my thighs together. I should be frightened of a total stranger who touched me but im turned on more then anything. Freaking hormones. I gotta get laid.

  “Excuse me my name is Remi, not Baby Blue, and I didn’t ask for your help in the first place.” I glare at him again and he laughs in a sexy chuckle clearly amused at me. I can feel my panties turn wet instantly. Gods what is this man doing to me?

  “My apologies Blue.” And his teeth gleam white at me again. Oh, holy saint Mary, I cant look away.

  “Didn’t you say something about me joining your party?” I ask trying to stay on task. My heart flutters at the thought that I might actually have a chance to play this flipping game now.

  “Ah yes, it seems we are one player short and you looked sad, so I thought I’d ask…. but if you would rather not no worries…” He breaks off at the end with a dramatic sigh and starts to turn around.

  “Wait no! I mean, um yes. Yes… I’d love to join your party if you’d have me.” I manage a small weak smile back at him. This is the most communication I’ve had in months face to face other than my Dad let alone with a hottie Mc body like this fellow here.

  His eyes light up and I am glad I accepted to be able to see that reaction.

  “Perfect! Welcome to the team Remi! My name is Killian.” His voice is deep and smooth making swoon at it. He offers me his hand to pull me up off the ground. I flinch away suddenly at the motion and stand up myself wrapping my arms across my chest protectively.

  His eyes flash with hurt and confusion as I study him, but it vanishes in an instant returning to his smiling self. I brush my pants off and look back up at him. Why is he so damn tall?

  “This way and I’ll introduce you to the rest of the team.” We walk over to a secluded area underneath a big oak tree where I see two other figures standing over there talking amongst themselves. As we walk Killian clicks on his game bracelet, sending me an invite. It comes up and I accept greedily. As I look down at my own bracelet I manage to completely ignore where I’m walking to and end up walking into a tree. Or what I think is a tree. I recoil away as I look up and of course is Greek god number two. His facial expression is unamused and for a second, fear comes across my face.

  “Baby Blue, do you end up falling into everything?” Killian laughs at me.

  I send him a frown and look back up to who I have walked into taking a couple steps back, getting ready to bolt if needed.

  He is just as tall as Killian but a million times scarier but just as handsome.

  His blonde locks are shaved on the sides of his head and he has a military cut, short and buzzed on the top. It looks like golden sunlight shining from the top of his head, deep contrast to his sour expression. On the sides of his head he has tattoos that look like dragons fighting each other and I got to say it looks bad ass. His arms are crossed but deep ribbons of veins and muscles threaten to pop out of his tight shirt. He is entirely beefed up like he works out for living, as if he’s a smaller version of the hulk. He is covered in ink, every part of his arms and I can see them come up to his neck. Even his knuckles from what I can see are tatted. His skin is dark and golden like he spends all his time outside. He is very handsome, even with his shady mood. I smell the danger from him as comes off in waves, but also something like warm leather and peaches, something that gives me a feeling of protection. Safety. His eyebrow is pierced, and his green eyes stare into me, adding to his appearance and making my panties wet. Gods help me. He is staring right at me like he’s going to eat me up. My face pales. Am I scared or more aroused?

  Killian gives me a funny look as if he caught me checking out his buddy. My cheeks flame red.

  Killian utters “This sour brute here is Luke and this is Jackson, our captain.” Gesturing to the other man next to him.

  My gaze turns to the other man who must be Jackson.

  Jackson gleams a smile at me and offers his hand as I drink him in. He is dark and dreamy. His skin is the color of creamy chocolate, surprisingly I smell whiskey and smoked wood radiating from him, I just want to eat him up. His high cheekbones show off his dazzling smile and black eyes, his white teeth a hard contrast to his skin. He too is covered in hard muscles and his hair is buzzed that is almost too short to his head and has a tasteful five clock shadow that is cut with sharp lines that aren’t doing any favors for my exploding ovaries. His lips are what draw me in the most. Big and full I want them to smother mine. Wait. Did I just think that?

  Who the hell are these hot guys and what am I getting into? I feel so meek and small standing next to these hunky men.

  “Um... hi, I’m Remi” I manage to cough out quietly with my own smile holding my arms around me. All three of them staring at me makes my heart beat a million times and I think it’s going to come out of my chest. I almost have the sense to run but decide against it. They make me think of Marines, army dudes by the way they stand and present themselves.

  “So how did you guys end up in a game like this... I mean you seem a little out of your element?” I ask Killian softly, trying to break the silence.

  “What, you don’t think we are into video games too Blue?” He replies, and I grind my jaw in irritation. He has got to stop with the pet names.

  “I just mean you don’t look like nerdy, geeky kind of guys, more like the trained soldier type.”

  Jackson captures my gaze and laughs.

  “Well Remi,” he says my name while rolling the R with a glint in his eye and it makes my heart flutter. His voice is just as creamy as his skin. “It is true, we may be a tad bit out of our element, but we wouldn’t miss this for the world.”

  Luke grunts in either annoyance or agreement, I can’t tell. He must not be much of a talker.

  I give them an all once over glance again, arms crossed over my chest, seeing this is what I�
�m going to have to work with if I want to beat this game. Got to do what you got to do.

  “Well should we start out today or meet back here tomorrow so we have the full day to plan and get started?” I suggest.

  Killian smirks at me “Well I have some errands to run in about an hour, but I’m free all day tomorrow, that work for you Blue?” I let it slide as I’m eager to get started either way now that I’m finally in a group.

  “Mmhm.” I nod.

  Killian nods to Luke and Jackson and they nod back in silent agreement as well.

  I’m so giddy about finally starting, now that I have a party I can get out of this town and can go off on my own right? I don’t really need them with me every step of the way. They might just slow me down, I work better solo.

  Killian gives me one last dazzling smile and touches his bracelet to log off. He pulls up the menu as I do at the same time. I click the log out button… only nothing happens. I click it again. Harder. What? I look up to Killian and he has a face of irritation on his face. He is having trouble as well.

  Then I notice the noise of the other players in the game behind me running around and yelling franticly. I turn to watch the commotion. I catch the sentences in bits.

  “Can’t log out.”

  “What is going on?”

  “Is it a glitch?”

  “…fix it soon...”

  “Oh flip… the other players are having trouble logging out as well.” I turn back to the group of ragtag men by me feeling sick and panicky. I am totally freaking out at this point.

  Jackson steps up and puts his hands on my shoulders. I recoil away from the touch hugging my arms to my chest again taking a step back and he draws his hands back to his side. He frowns slightly at me then turns to gives a side eye to Killian communicating something I can’t decipher between them.