(Abuse content warning - this was written in my dark days)

Magic.

It's an art that isn't very popular for the reason of science being more dependable, and holy crap is it tough to learn. But it has the potential to be stronger than science does.

Science.

The most relied on topic since 2006 whenever the first of the space races found our little planet.

Some people believe that science can solve everything. I mean, after all, it did make what we like to call our high society the popular and powerful thing it is today.

My father is even a part of the high society, the leader of almost everything going on. In the old times, you'd call him a 'President' I think.

But the government has fallen. It fell whenever the Space Inhabitants found us and claimed Earth as their own.

"Space Inhabitants". "Space People". "Space What-Ever-Fits-Here". Such creative names for aliens, aren't they?

Anyways, they mostly let us rule ourselves as one massive country.

The Earth hasn't had a war since the Rebellion of 2021.

But, we haven't really progressed any either.

My name is Lincoln, if I had friends I'd imagine they would call would call me something else. But I have none. But if you ask my father he'll say I have many friends. Only problem: I've never met them.

Co-Workers offering money to be seen with the one and only mess up in the system.

You might even call me an outsider.

I just say mistake.

That's why I prefer to vanish into the computers.

Online, I can be someone unknown. I prefer it that way. That way that nobody looks at me differently or thinks that I'm a freak.

Or should be put down. There are those too.

I met some people recently, online of course, but they live in the same city I do. They want to meet up.

My parents would be thrilled.

Until they find out it's about magic.

Father hates magic. Mother is too scared to stand up to him, so she does too.

Even if she is the one who taught me the sport.

My friends and I have been talking for a long time now, enough for me to use my secret laptop Mom bought me a few months back to do a background search on them.

They both check out.

Only one of them might recognize me. I've been steering clear of the news casts lately though, so none of them know I changed my hair.

The hair my father now hates. He wants me to shave my head.

Like hell I'll let that happen.

Now, if Mom had wanted it, I would've gladly done it. But she's the one who suggested different colored hair.

So I'm keeping it.

My computer dings from across the room to inform me of a new message, I spin and roll my chair over to it.

It powers up and I take a moment to adjust the brightness setting before opening the chat.

A message from the only female, Violet Benedict/BloodyWizardCupcake807, in our group pops up.

BloodyWizardCupcake807: Hey! We all still going tonight?

A smile spreads across my features in this dark room. Both of my parents are still going to be out. Dad for work and Mum for shopping with friends.

'AbaqBaeidana: As far as I know, yes. What about Kyle?

Ah. 'AbaqBaeidana, otherwise known as Steven Barton, is a very strange character indeed. The one I am looking forwards to meeting.

It's probably worth saying that his name translates from Arabic as "stay away".

I type a reply,

KÿlęSønavoñ2019: I'm still free. Just waiting for the sun to go down now.

BloodyWizardCupcake807: Whew, so I'm not the only one dying from the suspense.

'AbaqBaeidana: Same. I didn't think I would be this uptight about it.

I lean back in my chair as I watch them talk. There isn't anything I really need to say at the moment. They seem to be simply passing time until they bring up my family.

BloodyWizardCupcake807: Did you hear about George Kennedy? Rumor has it that his son is in some sort of old timey "Boot Camp".

'AbaqBaeidana: I heard about that. They say he was just wanting to get rid of his son because of some family fall out.

BloodyWizardCupcake807: Yeah, and he won't tell anyone where he sent him off! It's amazing they've been able to hide him this long.

I roll my eyes and mutter,

"Helps when you don't leave your room." But I didn't know that was the excuse my father used. How interesting.

'AbaqBaeidana: You know, I kinda feel bad for the guy.

BloodyWizardCupcake807: Me too, can you imagine the life he has to put up with as a father of somebody like Him?

'AbaqBaeidana: No. The son. Can you imagine how horrible it feels to be completely alone in the world? If the only people that show interest in you are the ones who want to use you? It's such a lonely lifestyle to be stuck with.

BloodyWizardCupcake807: Woah, I didn't know you could type that much.

Neither did I. I didn't know that Steven actually cared about other people, and I know that sounds harsh, but it's true.

'AbaqBaeidana: Why did you think I was talking about Mr. Kennedy?

BloodyWizardCupcake807: I don't know. A lot of people think that we should all feel for the dad for having such a useless son. He will forever be known not as our current prominent businessman, but as the father of the "Outsider" in the community. Like he has to be put behind a tab.

Ouch.

I knew that the public saw me as bad sometimes, but being called useless by a friend really hurts more than I thought it would.

KÿlęSønavoñ2019: Can we move onto a different topic? I don't really feel like debating politics right now.

BloodyWizardCupcake807: *shouting* He llllllliiiiiiiiivvvvvvvveeeeesssss!!!!!

'AbaqBaeidana: Sorry Kyle, I guess we are both just really passionate about politics.

Gee, I hadn't noticed. There is a sound of a door closing downstairs and I jump as I look at my locked door. I need to move fast.

KÿlęSønavoñ2019: Hey guys, gotta go. Should still be there tonight.

BloodyWizardCupcake807: Alright.

'AbaqBaeidana: Ok. Stay safe.

Stay safe? Where is that coming from??

I don't have time for this. Quickly, I close the computer and tuck it into my drawers with everything else I shouldn't own and wave my hand to magically morph the drawers into the wall. Before the door gets unlocked I'm laying in bed under the covers again.

"Lincoln? You awake?" My Mum gently pushes the door open and peeks in. I sit up,

"Mother? I thought you were out with friends." She smiles gently,

"Your father told me that he wouldn't be home tonight, so I wanted to come check on you one last time before things got serious." I can't stop the smile spreading on me.

The only thing they will most likely "get serious" on is having a second cup of tea maybe with extra sugar if they want to get "the party on".

"Mum, I'm good. You go have fun with your friends." A flicker of pain passes through her features at the word 'friends',

"Are you sure? I can always stay home with you..." I roll out of bed and walk over to her,

"I'm positive. Plus, Dad wouldn't like it if he found out about you choosing me over 'the actual people out there'." I'm quoting words from the last argument we all got into.

She nods,

"You're right. Have a good time and try not to eat all the food." I force a smile now, she doesn't know it's been a long time since I've been able to eat from the house.

Dad made sure of it.

We hug and then she walks back out the door. I stand at the top of the stair balcony and watch her walk away.

This night will be the first night I will be out in a while. I have to be sure I'm hidden.

I get to go meet my newfound friends, let's just hope they stay that way.