Hey guys, my name is Aria. I’ve got a bit of a crazy story to tell, but I’m going to let the story speak for itself. But first, I must tell you a few things about me that you’ll need to know in order to understand some parts of it. I’m eighteen years of age, and a Senior in high school. As for my physical appearance, I’m one of the taller people in my grade, and I have blonde hair with blue eyes. And to start this story off, I’ll begin where everything started going a little bit weird.

~At school, 4th period~

It was in 4th period when we took our seats after coming back from lunch. For this final semester of school, I was seated next to my friend, Jonathan, in 4th period.

“I’m really tired today, I’m not in the mood for work this afternoon.” I said.

“Well, maybe you could get an energy drink before clocking in.” Jonathan said.

“Yeah, I could. Thank you for giving me an idea.” I said.

“No problem. How did you do on the Social Studies quiz this morning?” Jonathan asked.

“An A.” I said.

“As usual, because you’re smart. I barely got by with a 73%.” Jonathan said.

“That’s better than failing.” I said.

“True, so thank goodness I didn’t fail it or else I’d be grounded for a little while.” Jonathan said.

“You’re lucky, you only get grounded by your parents if you don’t pass. As for my parents, they’ll ground me if I make anything below an 80% on any sort of assignment.” I said.

“That’s rough, but also sort of easy for you since you’re smart.” Jonathan said.

“Why do you think I got to be as smart as I am now? I’m only this smart now because of that rule. If my parents never made that rule, I’d probably still be in middle school or Freshman year.” I said.

“Now that I think about it, I probably won’t get too far in college applications. Most of the colleges in our area require a higher grade level than mine. But luckily, there are two or three that would accept me.” Jonathan said.

“That’s good, at least there’s one that’ll accept your sorry grades.” I said, teasingly.

We both laughed.

“True, but what should my major even be?” Jonathan asked.

“I don’t know, what kind of career are you aiming for?” I asked.

“I wanted to be an actor or movie director, but I don’t know about that.” Jonathan said.

“Okay, I myself don’t know what kind of major you’d need for that, but you could probably google it.” I said.

“Alright, well, I’ll do that now then. I’ll just complete my math work and then do some research on it.” Jonathan said.

So, for the rest of the class period, Jonathan and I just worked on our Math. And afterwards, Jonathan did his research while I just did some reading.  After class ended, the bell rang and everybody went off to their next class. But, since nothing really interesting happened throughout the rest of the school day, I’ll go ahead and fast forward this story to later in the afternoon once I get home.

~At home~

After getting home from school, I set my school bag down and immediately got ready for work. After getting dressed in my uniform and such, I went back out to my car and drove off to work, leaving my school bag behind in my room.

~At work~

For work, I’m currently one of the people who runs the drive-through window at a fast food restaurant. But, after college and whatever, my ideal career would be acting. I wanted to be an actor, just like my friend Jonathan. So, in school, Jonathan’s research resulted in a list of colleges we could apply for in order to get a proper major for an acting career. But, either way, I went straight to the window after clocking in for work. The first couple of orders that came in were quite easy, so I got them done quickly. But, as it got closer to five in the afternoon, there began to be a lot more orders being made in the drive-through. But, there was one that came a few minutes later in which effected me in a way.

“Hello, may I take your order?” I asked.

“Can we have just a moment to look over the menu?” the customer asked.

“Of course, tell me when you’re ready to order.” I said.

A moment later, the guy spoke again.

“Alright, for myself I’d like a number 1 with a Coke. And for my sibling, he’d like a number 6 with a Sprite.” the customer said.

“Alright, is that all for you this afternoon?” I asked.

“Not yet, can we please get two milkshakes?” the customer asked.

“Alright. Is that it?” I asked.

“Yes ma’am.” the customer said.

“Alright, your order is a number 1 with a Coke, a number 6 with a Sprite, and two milkshakes?” I asked.

“Yes.” the customer said.

“Alright, your total will be told at the next window.” I said.

Then, just a few seconds later, the car pulled up to the window for their order. And after them paying the total, I handed them their beverages.

“I’m sorry, it’ll be just a moment for the food, we had to make a new batch for the stuff you guys ordered.” I said.

“That’s alright.” the guy said.

So, there were a few minutes of silence while the batch of food was being made.

“Hey Alan, you think she looks cute, don’t you?” asked the costumer’s sibling.

“I mean, she does look cute, but sure?” the customer asked his sibling.

“I dare you to do this.” the customer’s sibling said.

The customer’s sibling then handed him a piece of paper with some writing on it.

“Alright, bet.” the customer said.

So then, a few moments later, the batch of food was ready.

“Here you go, sorry it took so long.” I said.

“That’s alright.” the customer said once more.

Then, the customer checked their bags of food just in case to make sure everything was there. But, after checking the bags, he just set them down in the back seat on turned back towards the window, in which I had already closed. He knocked on the window, trying to get the attention of somebody inside. So, having noticed the knocking, I opened the window again.

“I’m sorry sir, did we forget something?” I asked.

“No, not at all, I just wanted to know if I could still order something else while I’m still here at the window.” the guy asked.

“You sure can, what would you like?” I asked.

“Can I add two ice cream cones please?” the guy asked.

“Sure thing, is that it?” I asked.

“Just one more, sorry.” the guy said.

“That’s alright, and that is?” I asked.

Then, in the next moment, I heard the customer ask for something that wasn’t even on the menu.

“And for a final thing, may I get your number?” the customer asked.

Not knowing whether I heard him correctly or not, I asked again.

“I’m sorry, can you repeat that?” I asked.

“I asked, can I get your number?” the guy asked.

“Um, that would depend. How old are you?” I asked.

“I’m eighteen as of right now.” the guy said.

“Okay, what’s your name?” I asked.

“My name is Alan.” Alan said.

“Alright. Here are your cones, and have a good day you guys.” I said, handing the customer the two cones and a slip of paper containing my phone number and name.

Before pulling away from the window, the guy’s sibling looked at him an punched him in the arm as a teasing movement, as if to congratulate him for getting my number with what he thought were such low chances. Then, after receiving the cones and paper, the customer pulled away from the window and drove off. After a few more hours of work, I finished my hours and went back to my car in the parking lot after clocking out. Having checked my phone once I got back into my car, I saw that I had one message from an unknown number.

“Hey Aria, this is Alan from the drive-through. I’m the one who asked for your number, and my brother was in the passenger seat. Message me back once your hours are up.” the message read.

So, having followed his request, I messaged him back saying, “Hello Alan, this is Aria, I’ve just got finished with my hours if there’s anything you’re wanting to discuss.” I said.

It took a few moments, but then I got a response from Alan.

“Hello Aria, there actually was something I wanted to talk to you about. See, the only reason I ever asked for your number in the first place was originally because my brother dared me to. But, now having your number, I think we may be able to become good friends if you’d accept it.” Alan said.

“Sure thing, I accept.” I said.

“Okay, thank you. But, do you by chance have an account on Snap Chat?” Alan asked.

“I sure do.” I said.

“Okay, I wanted to ask so that possibly I could get your user. Could I?” Alan asked.

I accepted, giving Alan my Snap Chat user. A moment later, I got a friend request notification from Snap Chat.

“That’s your bitmoji?” I asked.

“Yeah, me and my friend from school were messing around with out bitmojis last night trying to make the funniest looking outfits or whatever and I guess I forgot to change mine back to normal.” Alan said.

“Well, do you just want to go ahead and switch over to talk on Snap Chat then?” I asked.

“Sure.” Alan said.

I then closed out of the messaging app on my phone and went into Snap Chat. Clicking on Alan’s name, I began to type.

“So, what exactly was it that you were wanting to discuss with me?” I asked.

“Well, to get straight to the point, I wanted to ask if you could come spend the night at my house so you could get to know me and my brother better in person. If, of course, it’s okay with your parents.” Alan said.

“I’ll ask them.” I said.

I closed out of Snap Chat, and went to text my mother. Asking for her permission to spend the night at Alan’s house, she allowed me to. After gaining permission to spend the night at Alan’s house, I went back to the Snap Chat message system to inform Alan of it.

“My mother allows it, but I’ll have to get my things before coming there. And so that I know how to get to your house, could you meet me in the parking lot of the restaurant? From there, I’ll just drive following behind your car to get there.” I said.

“Sounds like a plan, but what about your father’s permission? Do you think you’d have to ask him too?” Alan asked.

At that moment, my heart fell a little bit.

“My father is no longer with me, he died in a crash when I was younger.” I said.

“Oh, I’m sorry for asking. Well, I’ll go ahead and drive over to the parking lot now and wait for you there.” Alan said.

“Alright, goodbye.” I said.

“Goodbye.” Alan said.

I then turned my phone off and took my keys from my pocket, turning them in order to start my car. I then drove off for home, where I got a bag of my stuff prepared for the night. And since it was a Friday night, I didn’t have school the next day, so I left my school bag behind. After gathering a bag of my things, I got back into my car and went back to the parking lot to meet up with Alan. As a source of protection, I brought pepper spray with me just in case anything shady went on.

~Back at the parking lot~

Once I got back to the parking lot after leaving from my house with a bag of my things, I parked my car on the opposite side of the lot from Alan’s. After seeing Alan getting out of his car, I got out as well, but made sure to keep my pepper spray in my back pocket.

“Hello Aria.” Alan said.

“Hello Alan. So, in order to get to your house, as I said in the messaging system, I’m just going to drive behind your car to get there.” I said.

“Alright, let’s get going then shall we?” Alan asked.

We then got back into our cars, and I drove behind Alan’s to get to his house. Once pulling into the driveway of a house, I got out as Alan came up to my window.

“This is the house.” Alan said as I rolled my window down.

I then got out of my car, bringing my belongings with me. I made sure to keep my keys hidden deep inside of my bag, and my pepper spray in my back pocket.

“Just so you know, I am armed with pepper spray in case you decide to do anything to hurt me. And if you think you can catch up to me, then think again when I tell you that I’m on the track team for my high school.” I said.

“Chill, it’s not like I’m going to do anything to hurt you, I just thought we could get to know each other better in person than over text.” Alan said.

Alan then directed me inside, and to a room where his brother was sitting in a chair while playing a video game on his console.

“This is my brother, Eli. Eli, this is Aria, the girl who’s number you dared me to ask for when going through the drive-through today.” Alan said.

“Nice to meet you, Aria.” Eli said.

“Same towards you. And just to your acknowledgment, I will not hesitate to pepper spray you either if you decide to do something to me.” I said.

“Alright, chill, you’re fine.” Eli said.

“Just saying.” I said.

“Either way, you two wanna join? I guess Aria can pick a game if she knows any of the ones we have.” Eli said.

Then, I was told about multiple of the games that Alan and Eli owned. I ended up choosing a game that I knew that had a requirement of building and survival skills. After having played one round of the building skill part of the game, we paused for a quick break.

“Hey, you actually look kind of familiar, what school do you go to?” Alan asked.

“I’d rather not say so I’m not giving out my personal information.” I said.

“I’ll say mine and you tell me if they’re the same. Mine is Care View High.” Alan said.

“Oh, okay, that’s my school too. But you don’t look familiar to me at all, so we must not have any classes together.” I said.

“You do seem a bit familiar to me, I must’ve seen you pass through the halls a couple times last semester. Either way, you’re a Senior, right?” Alan asked.

“Yes, and I assume you are too since you say you’ve seen me in the halls.” I said.

“Yep, but Eli here is done with High School already. He was planning on getting signed up for some colleges, but he decided he wanted to wait and make a little more money first.” Alan said.

Eli then grew a look on his face as if he had just remembered something quite important.

“Hey Alan, you know what you could tell her about?” Eli asked.

“What?” Alan asked.

“The Game.” Eli said.

“Which game? What skill base?” Alan asked.

“No, not A game, THE game.” Eli said.

“Oh, that game. I don’t know about it, are there any other female seniors in it?” Alan asked.

“Yeah, there’s one.” Eli said.

“Who’s that?” Alan asked.

“Chelsea.” Eli said.

“Right, okay then. Do you think I should tell Aria about the game?” Alan asked.

“It’s your choice technically, but I think you should.” Eli said.

“Alright.” Alan said.

Turning away from his brother, Alan faced me.

“Aria, as my brother has suggested, there is this game I wish to tell you about. But, I guess you don’t have to listen to me if you don’t want to.” Alan said.

“Go ahead, what game?” I asked.

“So, there’s this secret game that is held and events within it are held on a regular basis. Sometimes they’ll be each day, week, month, year, or whatever. But, it can be no longer than a year between each event. I can’t explain much about it to you unless you pass the requirements to join the game. This is a physical game, and not just some digital video game. So, if you’re wishing to know more, you’ll have to join it and pass it’s requirements.” Alan said.

I had no idea of what Alan was quite specifically describing, but I took a bit of thought to it before asking my next question.

“Okay then, how do I join this game?” I asked.

“You and I will have to talk to Chelsea on Monday. During lunch, find Chelsea and I near the far corner of the cafeteria’s entrance. We’ll usually sit there, and since you want to join the game, we can discuss it with you at lunch.” Alan said.

“Okay then, I guess I’ll join you guys at lunch.” I said.

“Alright, but don’t tell anybody else about it.” Alan said.

“Understood.” I said.

“Let’s go ahead and get back to the game now.” Eli said, picking up his controller.

So, for the rest of the night, I just played some video games with Alan and Eli until it came to be later in the night. Once it got to such a late point in the night, we logged off and went to bed after taking showers.

~Monday – At lunch~

Since nothing interesting happened throughout the weekend, I’ve fast forwarded this to the lunch period of Monday morning. Once I got my tray, I looked near the far corner of the cafeteria entrance, but couldn’t see Alan nor Chelsea. But then, Chelsea came up behind me, then directing me to where Alan was seated.

“So, Alan tells me you wish to join the game?” Chelsea asked.

“Sure. I was just wanting to know more about it, but I guess I can’t unless I join it, so yes.” I said.

“And you’ve been told this is a physical game, and not a digital one, right?” Chelsea asked.

“Yes.” I said.

“Alright then, grab something from your tray and take it with you. As for everything else, push it aside a bit to make it look like you ate some stuff. Throw your tray out, and take the one item with you. I need for you to wait a moment after I leave to ask to use the restroom. After making it out of the cafeteria, meet me in the restroom.” Chelsea said, then leaving to throw away her tray.

After Chelsea threw away her tray, she went to the restroom. And following a few moments behind her, so did Alan and I. And yes, of course, we went to the appropriate bathrooms. Once making it into the female’s restroom for the Seniors hall, I found Chelsea standing by the sinks.

“Alright, since there’s nobody in here, we don’t have to whisper. In the stall closest to the window, there is a tile stone you must turn. After you turn it, it will glow red in the areas that your fingerprints touched it. Then, a glowing red circle will appear in the center, where in which you must place the thumb of your dominant hand. You go first, and then I’ll go directly after. You’ll be transported to a large room, where in which you should see Alan. Wait for me by Alan, and then I’ll continue to explain about the game.” Chelsea said.

I then entered the second closest stall from the window, and turned the required tile stone. As Chelsea said it would have, it glowed red and then a circle appeared in the center. I placed my thumb there, as directed, and was then transported somewhere. But, for some unknown reason, I couldn’t see anything but an empty, white tunnel. I was floating, couldn’t move, and couldn’t see anything but the color white as I headed down the white tunnel. But, as I saw a brighter red light than from the glowing tile in the school restroom stall, I knew I was coming to the room where Chelsea said to meet, because where else would this have led me?

~The End~

That’s the end of part one. Would you guys like a part two? What are your questions about what is to come next? Or you may be asking, what is to even happen next? Well, wait for a part two to find out.