READER'S POV

Hi, my name is (F/n) (L/n). I'm 21 years old and I'm an art student. I've always loved art ever since I was little, my mother even joked that I had a creative streak when I was a toddler. She also knew that I would purse my career in art as I got older. She was right about that, after improving my skills I started to take an interest in digital drawing during my highschool years. Thanks to this, I've been creating amazing fanart and some originals here and there. I even started to get some new inspirations after I started playing Baldur's Gate 3.

I love the storyline and the characters and the graphics are amazing too. Especially when you can decide to play as the hero or the villain along with the scenarios like persuading Shadowheart not to kill Nightsong and rebel against Shar or let her kill the Nightsong and become a dark Justicer. There are other choices and scenarios like this in the game but, I don't want to give anything else away. You can also romance any character you want as well. My personal favourite is Astarion, sure he seems distrustful towards my Tav at first but, once you progress through the story and depending if you're romancing him or not, you see a different side to him. This also includes the decision on whether to let him complete the vampire ascendant ritual or not.

My mother once told me that I've always been creative when I was little and she could see that I had a career in art and she was right. I would've said my dad agrees with her but, he and mum are not together anymore. They divorced when I was about 3 or 4 years old. At the time, dad told me that he was going away for a while and he won't be living with me and my mother anymore. However, I found out the truth after I got older. Turns out he found another woman who is younger and prettier than my mother. I was angry for a while but, I was still happy with my mother. She's my superhero and my rock. It was just the two of us for a while until Mum met Derek.

Derek is my mother's boyfriend and they've been together since I was 16. They met when Derek brought his son, Owen, to the hospital for his diabetic check-up at the children's ward where my mother works. According to her, she said something clicked the moment their eyes met. I told her that it might have been love at first sight. My first meeting with him though, was a bit of an embarrassing one. A pipe burst in one of the classrooms and that meant school was cancelled for the rest of the day but when I got home, I caught Mum and Derek making out on the couch. It's a funny story now but that wasn't something a 16 year old should see.

Anyway, aside from that embarrassing moment, we tried again and Derek brought Owen to our home and long story short, we got along really well. Especially Owen looks up to me and he's even started calling me big sister. We may not be related by blood, but I always wanted a sibling and we get along really well. Since then, the little family of two became four. Derek hasn't popped the question yet but, I hope he does. Mum deserves a second chance after everything that idiot man you call my father put her through.

A few years later, Derek and Owen moved in shortly after I graduated highschool. I was happy when this happened because I don't have to worry about my mother being alone after I started college. I always make sure to face time the three of them when I get the chance and I also try to visit them too whenever I don't have classes or upcoming projects going on.

All and all, my life has been amazing. But little did I know, something unexpected is about to happen to me that's about to change my life forever. It all started like any other day at college. I woke up early, got changed into my jogging outfit which consists of a (f/c) vest, sports bra, knee length jogging pants and (f/c) running shoes. I jogged around campus while listening to my favourite music or a podcast.

I made it back to my apartment building and did some cool down stretches before I went inside. I would've stayed in the dormitories but, I prefer to have my own space. Derek was the one who helped me find this place when I got my acceptance letter. Plus, I work part-time to pay off some of my tuition fees and the apartment building is close to the café where I work.

On top of all of that, my best friend, Mia, also lives with me. She was looking for a place as well and we met in the same apartment. Learning that we are going to the same college together, Derek was able to negotiate a deal with the landlord. The deal was that if we were to live in the same apartment, he suggested splitting the rent 50/50. Realising how cheap the rent was going to be, our eyes lit up and we agreed instantly. 

It's been great having my best friend living with me. Nice to have a familiar face on campus and not having to share a room with a stranger. Anyway, I got back to the apartment and went for a shower after that long jog. Once I was done, I went into my bedroom and got changed into my (f/c) tartan shirt, black t-shirt underneath it, a black choke-collar necklace with a crescent moon, black smartwatch, (f/c) jeans and brown combat boots. I blow dried my hair and tied it back into a ponytail. 

I looked at my reflection in the mirror and smiled at my appearance before I gathered my supplies for classes today such as my laptop, pencil case with pens and pencils, sketchbooks, my phone and my purse. I doubled checked to make sure that I have everything I needed before going into the kitchen to make breakfast. I made pancakes, bacon, sausages and coffee. I poured a cup for Mia and then I headed for her room. I opened her door to see her sleeping at her desk with her papers scattered on her desk. No surprise that she was pulling another all nighter again. I walked towards her and gave her shoulder a little shake.

"Wakey-wakey. Rise and shine sleeping beauty," I told her before Mia groaned in her sleep.

"Mia, wake up. Your breakfast and coffee are getting cold," I told her before held the mug close to her face and then she sniffed the scent of the freshly brewed coffee.

I watched Mia sit up and yawn before she moved her head a little bit to get rid of the creaks in her neck.

"Morning already?" She asked in a tired tone.

"Yep, here you go. I made sure to make it nice and strong for you so you have plenty of energy this morning," I told Mia before she took the cup and sipped it.

"Hmm...thanks mate."

"No problem, buddy. Now don't fall back asleep and get some food inside of you. You're gonna need the energy," I told her before she stood up from her seat and stretched.

"Thanks (Y/n)," Mia spoke before I left her room so she can get changed. I sat down at the table and ate breakfast.

A few minutes later, Mia emerged from her room and sat down to tuck into her breakfast. She smiled in satisfaction when she took that first bite. I swore I heard her moaning from the taste.

"Oh man, you cook the best breakfasts ever!"

"I had a good teacher," I smiled proudly.

I wasn't joking about that part. Growing up without a father, my mother was the one who taught me how to be an independent woman. She taught me how to cook some yummy meals and a few baking recipes too. After meeting Derek, he also taught me some recipes especially foreign ones when he went aboard for work. I tried to teach Mia how to cook but, it was no good. She cooks so bad that she might be the only woman that I know who can make horrible meals that tastes like rat poison.

"Speaking of your mother, how are things between her and Derek since you moved here?" Mia asked as she sipped her coffee.

"Things have been going great between the two of them but, Owen misses me a lot."

"Can't say I'm not surprised. He misses his 'big sister'."

"Yeah..." I smiled when she called me that. It feels so nice to be called 'big sister'. It's like a dream come true but, I don't want to jinx anything. Derek still needs to pop the question before I call Owen my little step-brother.

We finished our breakfast and grabbed our stuff before we left the apartment to go to our classes. Mia and I arrived at the college building and we went our separate ways. We maybe going to the same building but, we're studying different courses. While I'm studying an art course, Mia is studying a business degree. She wants to start up her own business but, she hasn't got a clue what she wants to do yet but, she told that she'll cross that bridge when she comes to it.

***

A few hours later...

After classes were over, I got back home and did some cleaning around the apartment, prepped dinner and then I started playing Baldur's Gate. I'm in the middle of the Githyanki Quest but, instead of getting the crest, I chose Astarion to grab the Blood of Lathander mace to set off the trap,  make a quick escape out of the building with my tab and two of my companions before the timer ran out. After the explosion, I went back to camp and brought Astarion back to life before I interacted with him.

"What in the sweet hells were you thinking?! Activating that lance! I was RIGHT THERE!! Gods! do you have any idea how much that hurt?" He spoke while having a small tantrum. I couldn't help laugh at his reaction.

"I'm so sorry..." I chuckled before I selected one of the dialouge options that's my personal favourite.

'I thought the mind-flayer parasite protects you from the sun?'

"Well, apparently there's a limit. Somewhere between a nice summer's day and the FULL CONCENTRATED POWER OF THE SUN!!" Astarion yelled angrily before sighing. "Now shall we go? or do you have any other chaos to unleash here?"

I snickered at his reaction because it's still hilarious. I swear he acts like a child in some of the cutscenes.

"Laughing at Astarion's reaction again?" I heard Mia ask as she entered the room, with a tired look on her face.

"Yeah. I can't help it, his reaction to being lanced is hilarious," I grinned before I watched Mia lay down on my bed.

"Hehe, I can't argue with you there..." Mia spoke softly.

"Tired?"

"Yeah..."

"Fancy a game?" I asked as I held up my ps5 controller. Mia sat up and smirked after that tired look disappeared from her face.

I switched profiles and let Mia have a shot on Bladur's Gate 3. Right now, she's still on Act 1 and she's trying to defeat the grymforge giant.

"Ah! how do I fight this thing?!" Mia asked with a worried look while I chuckled.

"Don't panic, there's a reason why I told you to set your characters first. Use your misty step and then teleport near the hammer," I instructed her and she did as she was told.

To beat this thing, you'd have to use the hammer two or three times. Mia followed my instructions and I cheered her on.

"That's it, you've nearly got it..." I told her before she controlled Gale to misty step to the lever that uses the hammer and then bang! she got it.

"Yes!!" Mia cheered with a grin and I laughed happily before we high fived. Suddenly, we heard someone banging on the wall next door.

"Hey!! keep it down in there! Some of us are trying to relax in their homes!" We heard Mrs Rogers, our next door neighbour yell.

"Sorry, Mrs Rogers," I shouted back before my phone started ringing and it was someone face timing me. I looked at the screen to see its my mother.

"Got to take this, excuse me."

Mia nodded her head before I left my room and went outside on the balcony and sat down on the chair. I pressed the green button and then Mum's face appeared.

"Hi Mum."

"Hi sweetie, did you have a good day?" She asked with a smile.

"I did. Art class went well today my lecturer was impressed with the latest project I've been working on."

"Well, that's good to hear. How's Mia? I hope you two are behaving yourselves over there."

"We are and Mia's good except she's been pulling all nighters again."

"Good grief, she's a workaholic, just like her father," Mum shook her head before I noticed that she's wearing her nurse's uniform.

"Uh speaking of which, are you doing another night shift again?" I asked with a frown.

"No...maybe..." Mum mumbled and I chuckled a little.

"And here's you saying overworking is bad for you."

"Hey! don't start with the lecture with me, missy! that's my job!" Mum warned me which made me laugh.

"Lauren, is that big sister?" I heard a familiar child's voice.

"Does that voice belong to a certain angel I know and love?" I asked with a smile before Mum turned the camera around and then Owen's face appeared.

"Hi big sister!"

"Hey Owen! how's my little man?" I asked with a smile.

"I miss you. When are you coming home?" Owen asked with a pouty look.

"Hopefully, I'm going to try and visit this weekend. I might even take you to that amusement park you've been telling me about," I smiled.

"Really?!"

"Yep, but I need the green light from Derek first," I told him.

"I can't wait to see you. I miss you so much. I don't like it when you're far away from home. It's not the same," Owen pouted which made me giggle.

"I know buddy but give it another year, I have completed my degree and then I'll be home before you know it."

"It feels so long though...but, you better promise to make this weekend fun!"

"I always keep my promises, Owen," I smiled before I heard the door opening and close in the background.

"Daddy's home! Daddy! look who's on the phone!" Owen shouted happily before I watched as he grabbed the phone from Mum's hands and then I laughed as he ran over to Derek.

"Hey Owen! don't snatch!" I heard Mum shout in the background before I saw Derek's face appear on the screen.

"Hey kiddo, how's our favourite college girl?"

"Doing great thanks, Derek. Mia and I are loving the apartment and view is great too," I said as I showed off the afternoon scenery behind me.

"Glad to hear it. I hope you and Mia are behaving yourselves and not having parties over there."

"Of course not. We're behaving well," I told Derek before I heard Mia shouting.

"Oh come on! how hard is it to beat the monsters of the shadow-cursed lands?!"

"Except for one or two occasions of frustrating video game battles which will cause some yelling and disturbing the neighbours a little," I told them which made him and Mum laugh.

"Good grief, you two and your video games. I regret buying you that PS5 as a housewarming gift now," Derek commented.

"Oy, don't say that. It's a great stress reliever especially for Mia," I told him before Mum picks up Owen in her arms.

"Well, don't go playing too much video games, you know what it does to your brain. Plus, you two have projects you'll need to complete as well," Mum warned me.

"We know Mum," I smiled at her.

"As much as I like to chat a little longer, I need to get to work. I'll speak to you again tomorrow, sweetie."

"All right, have a good night, Mum," I told her as I waved bye to her and I watched her place Owen back down and then she left.

"I should get going and make Owen his dinner."

"Hehehe, all right, Derek. Before you go, is it all right if I took Owen to the amusement park this weekend?" I asked him.

"Of course. Just remember not to let him overeat. You know what happened last time," Derek warned me.

"That wasn't my fault! He might have eaten a dodgy hotdog before we went on the rides!" I spoke with a frown which made Derek chuckle.

"I'm just giving you a fair warning. Also, don't forget to bring his-"

"Insulin pens in case the pump runs out and check his blood sugar levels at lunch time," I repeated what he always tells me whenever I take him somewhere.

"Apologises."

"Hey, I don't blame you for reminding me. Don't worry, Derek, I'll watch him like a hawk," I told him.

"Good. I'll see you later kid," Derek told me before we waved bye and then we hung up.

I got up from the chair and went back inside before I walked into the kitchen. I had a look in the fridge before I heard Mia coming in and asked, "So what's for dinner?"

"Well, the vegetables will need to get used and we've got some noodles leftover from yesterday. Why don't I make some stirfry?"

"Yes!" Mia smiled before I got to work on making dinner.

Yep, life in college is going well for me. However, my life as a college girl is about to change forever the next night when I was kidnapped into another dimension.