Gamer Girl by Mari Mancusi Read Free Book Online

idea what
I had to go through every day. And yet she would, time and time
again, insist it was my fault I had no friends. As if I wanted
to sit alone at lunch and be picked on when I was just trying to
learn.
    "Go to
your room," she said in an oddly calm voice.
    "Fine.
Gladly." I ran upstairs, taking the steps two at a
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    time, slamming
my bedroom door behind me. I threw myself on my bed, tears coming to
my eyes and sobs racking my body. It was so unfair. Life used to be
great. I had friends, I had a real family that wasn't split apart.
Now what was I left with? Nothing but a broken home and a broken
life. I didn't even have anything to look forward to. It wouldn't be
until college that I'd have even the remotest chance of bonding with
another human being.
    If only Mom
would forgive Dad for whatever it was he did and get back together
with him. We could move back to our old neighborhood. I could return
to my old school and be with my friends again.
    Yeah, right. So
not going to happen. Needed to give up on that fantasy, pronto.
    After indulging
in a few more moments of self-pity, I glanced over at my computer and
then at my clock radio by my bed. It was nearly five o'clock. I was
supposed to meet Dad in the Elf Tree Cafe. Maybe I'd tell him what
happened. After all, he was usually a lot more sympathetic than Mom.
Maybe if I asked him really nicely he'd figure out a way to pay for
me to re-enroll in my old private school.
    So I logged on
to Fields of Fantasy and selected my character. Allora smiled
gleefully, as if she were happy to see me. At least someone was. Too
bad that someone didn't really exist.
    I gritted my
teeth, determined not to let my frustration ruin the game, and
sauntered off to the Elf Tree Cafe. The thatch-roofed bar was cozy
and quaint, with wooden benches
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    and tables
scattered about, bearskin rugs covering the dirt floor, and a roaring
fire blazing in a stone hearth. I sat Allora down by the fire and, on
a whim, ordered her a mug of beer from one of the big-breasted
computerized bartenders, hoping Dad didn't choose that moment to walk
in. Though in my defense, the drinking age for elves may very well be
different from that of Americans. And the bartender did serve
her without asking for an ID.
    I scanned the
virtual bar for some sign of my father, but he was nowhere to be
seen. Getting impatient, I typed in an instant message to
RockStarBob. Maybe he was running late, having had to swing by a
troubled village to slay a dragon or something. But my message came
back as undeliverable. He wasn't online.
    I glanced at my
watch. Ten past five. Maybe he got stuck at work. I'd hang out a
little longer.
    By five-thirty
I was about ready to give up. RockStarBob had still not logged on.
This was great. My own dad standing me up. Just the ending I needed
to my already crappy day. It figured. It just figured.
    I started to
log out of the game, but then reconsidered. He wasn't going to show
up? That didn't mean I shouldn't play. Maybe I'd gain a few levels
while I was waiting for him. Then when he did get home, he'd be all
impressed by my progress. Besides, what else did I have to do while
stuck here in my room waiting for Mom to calm down?
    So I guided my
character out of the bar and through the town until she reached its
gates. A burly computerized guard
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    standing watch
warned Allora that she was not yet powerful enough to venture out
into the world on her own, but I ignored him. Probably just a scare
tactic to get rid of the noobs. Allora knew three spells. She was a
tough girl. She could handle herself. Roar!
    Argh! Not three
seconds after she'd left the safety of the town, three wolves jumped
my poor elf, viciously attacking her, shredding her gown, snapping at
her legs. I clicked on her spell book, trying to get off a fire spell
to stop them, but they kept interrupting her cast with their snarly,
angry bites.
    She fell to the
ground with a high-pitched scream. Dead.
    Luckily since
this was just a video