Episode 3

"Hello!?" he insisted.

I did manage to salute him. But it was difficult to spell even some letters. It was the first time I experienced this issue. I was really wondering what was going on with me.

"Mike, umm, this is Cory. Do you remember me, from Dawn's party?"

"Oh hey, yeah of course I do. You were in fact one of the only persons who talked to me. What's up? Can I help you?" he asked me.

Why was it so strange to receive compliments? First, Matthew said I was a very kind person, now Mike said I was one of the only persons who talked to him. It was weird to be the good guy every time, but nice at the same time.

I, then, had to have the courage to ask him for a walk so we can talk about the game. It was weird – I didn't want to seem like dating him, but maybe I wanted to!?

"Umm, Mike, I've tried Conquer" I started.

"Excuse me?!" he said. He soon realized what I was talking about, it was unnecessary to explain.

"Right, the game I was telling you!"

"Exactly! Umm, I managed to reach level 110, but now I have some questions. I was wondering if we could have a walk in the park and talk about it. Are you free this evening?!"

"I am free right now!" he said. "Let's meet in Central Park at Christopher Columbus' statue at 6 PM."

"Alright then. See you there, and thanks." I said.

I've looked at the clock. It was half past five PM. I went to dress, but what to dress with. I finally put a black T-shirt and left a message on the bar for Gabe:

'I am out for evening. I'll be back soon. I hope you are fine – Cory.'

I've hopped on the stairs down and quickly got out of the building. I was a bit late. It was fifteen to six, and I still had to walk a bit till I would have got in the park. On the way my mind flew to the last evening when I logged into Conquer.

I've met Matt again and I was very enthusiastic to talk to him. For a matter of fact, he was anxious to talk to me too. We haven't talked for weeks, because I was at my aunt's place.

"Hey Cory. How have you been? I haven't seen you in awhile!" he said.

"Yeah, I am afraid I couldn't log into Conquer. I wasn't home for the past week, and I've been a little busy as well" I replied.

"I see. Are you okay anyway?!" he asked me.

"Yes, thank you. I am okay. What about you? Are you fine too?"

"Not bad, not bad – but I thought a lot about you. Even though we talked a lot that evening, I never asked you where you from, you know?"

He was right. Neither I did.

"New York City." I've quickly replied.

"That can't be true. I am from here as well."

Could that be possible? We could have met but never knew who we were. Unfortunately our conversation ended soon because my internet connection dropped. The only things we said to each other after that were: "Maybe we'll meet sometime." His answer was: "Yes, of course. I'm looking forward to it."

Maybe that's why the next day I really wanted to call Mike. Because it happened as he said. I've met someone in the game who was nice, and apparently he was from New York City as I was too.

Eventually I've arrived in Central Park at 5 past 6.

"I'm sorry I'm late. It took me awhile to dress. I couldn't find something better to wear." I've apologized.

Mike looked at me, at my body. His look was weird. I felt scrutinized in detail. But I've checked him too. He was wearing an interesting mauve T-shirt and some shorts. His T-shirt was reminding me of something, but I was unable to remember at that moment.

"Don't worry; you look great!" he quickly answered. "I like your T-shirt."

My black T-shirt was giving me a mysterious feel. But Mike seemed to like it. Once again it was strange to receive a compliment.

We've talked and talked for the next hour, more than I ever talked in a day, probably. He gave me some tips and even offered to help me if I needed it. Somehow we were both on the same server – Dream. Was it a coincidence?

Maybe, but I've learnt coincidences are only relative things. If we believe in them, they happen. Maybe it was the destiny. Or maybe it just happened.

"Mike, I've met a guy in the game and we've become friends." I said. "You were right; you can meet very nice people in the game. But there are greedy, nasty people as well."

"Of course they are!" he said. He then turned to look me in the eyes and asked me if I thought the game is perfect. He didn't wait for my answer and continued: "The game it's just a game. You can make friends, but the reality is still the same, even in that game. You can't change people's behavior. Also you can't trust them all. Anyway, what about that guy?"

He was directly looking into my eyes. I felt like being an insignificant part of a huge universe. Lately I've been thought many lessons of life. His eyes were cutting me in pieces.

"You're right. You can't trust them all." I quietly said.

Then I told him about Matt, and how I started to think of him while I wasn't playing the game. Everything was so strange. I never felt like that ever before. I never told someone about my feelings the way I did there, with Mike.

He looked at me and hugged me. "It's okay, you'll get used with it."

To be Continued...

-- By Techno --