Notice to the reader: In this story, you will be seeing events through the eyes of someone with a mental illness. In this particular story the main character hears voices even when there is no one around. This is not a story to make fun of those with mental illnesses; however this is a story to bring awareness to those who live with them on the daily. Thank you for your understanding and support.

Just three more days till summer vacation.

Hi. I'm Alexirae, but I normally go by Alex. I'm currently a junior in high school trying my best to tolerate the last three days. Now why are we required to come these last three days is a question I have been asking.

See, normal people will use these last three days to say goodbye to friends or make summer plans. But no, not I. I don't have any friends.

Some say I'm antisocial, but that's not fair, I'm just different. I stand at 5'10 so I'm taller than most girls. I like to wear black. No I'm not gothic, just different. I love video games and I run for fun. I like my clothes baggy because they are comfy and I keep my hair wild because I'm the main character of my life.

To everyone else I'm this dorky quiet loner. I am the weird kid, and that's okay. I've been the weird kid as long as I could remember.

I hear the whispers. They don't hurt anymore.

As the bell rang to end the day I quickly grabbed my things and darted out the classroom. Today will determine how the rest of my summer goes.

Infinity Quest gets released.

To my knowledge Infinity Quest is the first multiplayer role playing game. New game quest released the first of every month. To be able to start my own quest in June. I needed to get the game today.

So, I decided to take a short cut to the store.

As I rounded a blind corner which led to a back alley I ran straight into another person. Not any person. Lachelle.

I wouldn't say Lachelle is popular but she is a bitch. Like, bad bitch. That bitch. The girl that will skip class to smoke. The girl that talks shit to your face and you let her because if you try to defend yourself you'll get burned. Every school has a Lachelle. La-bitch.

Stupid me though right. See I reacted way before I knew it was Lachelle. As one of my hands slid around her waist, my other hand grabbed the back of her head. In case I fell on her I wanted her head to be protected.

Only we didn't fall.

I ended up pulling Lachelle into my body. I held her against my body for a little too long. This is a very awkward position to be in, in an alley, with a borderline stranger.

I closed my eyes as I quickly let go. I knew something was coming. An ass beating of some sorts. I believed the rumors.

Lachelle didn't disappoint either.

I felt horrible burning sensation in my left arm. That's when I realized two things. One I still had my arm wrapped around her waist and two, she was putting her cigarette out against my bicep.

I am horrible with names but Lachelle is a name I made sure to know. For safety reasons. "Lachelle." I whined. I watched as her eyes widen. She opened her mouth like she wanted to say something.

Then I heard the theme song to Infinity Quest coming from my pocket.

Ah yes my 'don't be distracted alarm'. I am required, by my mother, to have alarms set to keep me focused and on track of the day. My mother believes I have memory issues, but if you ask me I am just easily distracted.

The alarm reminded me that I have a game to buy. So, I quickly ran past Lachelle. I'm sure she'll just beat my ass later.

As I ran into the gaming store I experienced my first real heart break. "Sold Out!" I cried.

Of course it's sold out. Why wouldn't it be? I forgot to preorder it. I forgot to go to the midnight release.

"Alex." I turned to see the store owner frowning at me. Yes I come in here that often that I'm on a first name basis with the store owner. "Hang on Jim, my world is ending." I said being my over dramatic self.

Jim is used to it. I'm not sure where our friendship started but I spend a lot of time here working for community service hours. Jim is like the father I never had. He is a little taller than me but he's an average built with his full dark beard. He is a tiny bear if you ask me.

"Alex!" Jim yelled again breaking my train of thought. Jim was holding up the a game. 

"Infinity Quest!" I screamed. I lunged for the game and basically ripped it out if Jim's hands.

"Are you good, evil or neutral? Cool third party." I began reading the box. "Obtain your quest and complete your mission, but be warned if you die you'll be banished to the training ground. What no do overs? Separating the boys from the men I see." I continued to chant as I jumped around the store.

"Alex!" Jim yelled. I looked over at him. "What happened to your arm?"

I looked at my arm and saw the burn mark that Lachelle gave me was bubbling over. "Not sure." Telling Jim isn't going to heal the burn or change the past. There's no need for him to worry.

I walked up to the register and tried to pay for the game. Jim raised his hand up to stop me. "Listen Alex. You literally done so much for me for nothing. So, I wanted to give you your birthday gift early. Since your birthday is practically a month away and the game came out today."

"Jim this game is $75.00." I don't know why I'm telling him this like he doesn't run the store.

"I'm just saying we are even. Happy Birthday kid. Use that money and take someone out to celebrate. I want to see pictures." Jim laughed.

I tried my hardest to hold back my tears. This was seriously one of the nicest gestures ever. "Thanks Jim. Can I have a hug?"

Jim frowned. "No Alex. That's weird."

Yeah I get it. I'm not your kid. There's a thirty year age different. You're a male. I'm a female. It's a little weird. 

My alarm went off again. Get home.

I quickly ran into my room to start the process. Need to make a list. Snacks. Chips, doughnuts, soda. Where is my gaming chair?

"Alexirae?"

I turned to see my mom. "Hi mom. Have you seen my gaming chair?" The search is back on.

"Alexirae what happened to your arm?" My mom asked me. I looked at the burn mark again.

Strangely it didn't hurt that bad. "Not Sure." Sometimes I can use this memory thing to my advantage.

"Why didn't you call me when it happened?" My mom questioned with concern.

"Infinity Quest just came out mom. Priorities." I knew she wouldn't understand. Plus I don't want to start a war with Lachelle. She's a bitch when you bother her and that's exactly what I did today.

"Well go get that cleaned up before you get lost in your games." My mom ordered. "You really need to get a life outside of virtual reality."

I couldn't help but laugh. I tried. I've been trying for years. I even joined the track team. I just have a hard time making friends. "Okay mom." I said with a smile. "I'll try."

I spent all night in the training ground in Infinity Quest. I learned that each Quest is you being assigned a stone that you must locate. Sounds easy enough, but there is a stone you have to defend. The thing, there is an unknown amount of stones with an unknown amount of players. There are so many different decisions you can make in the game and just like my mom said I lost myself in the game.

Featured art by my artist Paris.