Maria entered the corridor with two of her friends by her side, as usual. She walked toward her locker to retrieve her journal. But something unusual caught her attention. Inside her locker was a gift box. Surprised, she paused for a moment, wondering who could have left it there. She anticipated something exciting—perhaps a bracelet or some other expensive gift from someone who might like her.
With a mixture of excitement and curiosity, she eagerly opened the box. Suddenly, a jester's joker popped out, causing her to shriek in shock. The unexpected prank sent her stumbling backward, and she fell to the ground. The laughter of her classmates around her filled the corridor, and Maria's gaze immediately darted toward the source of the mischief. There he was: Asher Dobrev, the villain of her life, laughing with his group of friends like he'd just pulled off the greatest joke in the world.
Furious, Maria scrambled to her feet and marched up to him. "What the hell is wrong with you? What kind of joke was that?" she demanded, stomping her foot in anger.
Asher flashed a mischievous grin. "I thought I should give you your lookalike. Besides, at least I didn't put any allergy-causing powder in it," he teased.
It was his revenge for the prank she'd pulled on him two weeks ago when she'd sprinkled an itching powder on his clothes before his swimming practice. Pranks like this were a part of their routine at school—a never-ending cycle of mischief between the two of them, dating back to primary school.
Maria didn't waste another second on him. Without saying another word, she turned and walked away, her face flushed with fury. I hate him with all my heart, she thought, gripping the strap of her bag as she headed to her car.
_
Later that night, Maria lay in bed, scrolling aimlessly through Instagram. Bored and restless, she tried to focus on her books, but her mind kept drifting back to something else—the game. It was a virtual world where she could escape into a different life, one she loved and craved to live. She hadn't played it in two weeks, taking a break to focus on her studies and stop losing herself in a reality that didn't exist. But now, the urge to return to that world had become irresistible.
She sat up in bed, feeling the weight of the decision. Her fingers hovered over her laptop, and in a moment of weakness, she opened it, the familiar glow of the screen pulling her back into the life she had been trying to forget.
_
Asher's sleep was shattered, his mind still reeling from the fight he had with his father earlier that evening. His anger simmered beneath the surface as he tossed and turned in bed, unable to shake the tension. Frustrated, he pushed himself out of bed and walked toward the door, desperate to escape his thoughts. Just as he reached for the handle, his phone buzzed.
He quickly snatched it up, his eyes lighting up with excitement. After so much waiting, finally—MJay had texted him. Her message was a reminder that she was online. His smile deepened as he read the notification. MJay was his gaming pal, and the one person he'd been hoping to hear from. The game he was unlike anything he'd ever played in his life, and he made sure to keep it hidden from his friends. It wasn't a game that was widely known in his town, and its unique nature kept him from sharing it with his circle.
He opened the message, feeling a thrill in his chest. It was for Dobrax, the name he used in the game. Three weeks ago, he had proposed to the Queen of Pensaio, his favorite player, asking if he could become the leader of her royal guard. She had always intrigued him, and their bond in the game had grown stronger, though they had never revealed their true identities to each other. They had both agreed it was better that way—the anonymity adding a layer of mystery to their connection.
In the game, the roles of Queen and King were incredibly rare and special, reserved for only a select few. Most players, like him, were stuck in developing roles, working hard to level up and forge alliances to climb the ranks. But Asher, or rather Dobrax, was still in the role of a mere guard. Even though it was a step up from a basic role, he couldn't help but feel a little impatient. But with Queen by his side, things were bound to change.
_
Maria had finally replied to Dobrax's text, the one where he had requested to become the leader of the royal guard. She had always admired him. He had been instrumental in helping her build her kingdom strong, and over time, they had shared countless conversations—mostly about kingdom affairs in the game, but sometimes, they veered into more personal territories. She had never opened up to any other player the way she had with him. There was something about their exchanges that felt different, more meaningful. It was why she had decided to step away from the game for two weeks, to clear her mind. She didn't want to get too attached, yet she found herself drawn to him more than she should as a mere player. The thought of him becoming her right hand, of having to speak with him even more, was unsettling. It would complicate things.
She couldn't help but wonder what he was like outside the game. Was he married? A student like her? She had never asked him these questions; their conversations had always revolved around likes, dislikes, and in-game strategies. But despite that, he lingered in her thoughts, in a way that made her uneasy. So, she had made up her mind to decline his request. It was for the best, she told herself.
With a heavy heart, she picked up her phone to send him a message, explaining why she couldn't accept. But as her fingers hovered over the screen, something unexpected happened. Without her own intention, without fully understanding why, she found herself typing the word "yes." Her mind was lost in a haze of uncertainty, and before she could stop herself, she had approved his request. She had no idea what had just happened or why, but it felt like a decision made in absence of her own thoughts, something her heart had whispered before her mind could catch up.
_
Maria dragged herself out of bed, her eyes heavy from a sleepless night. She had spent hours immersed in her favorite online game, chatting with her in-game friend Dobrax until the wee hours. His excitement was palpable when she promoted him from Royal Guard to Leader of the Royal Guard. He thanked her profusely, and she couldn't help but smile. She felt a sense of satisfaction, having built and managed her virtual kingdom.
_
As she sat in class, Maria's eyelids drooped, her lack of sleep catching up with her. She regretted her all-night gaming session. During lunch break, she stumbled into the cafeteria, craving a black coffee to revive her. That's when she saw him – Asher, the boy who seemed to take pleasure in her misery. He stood beside her, ordering a black coffee as well.
Maria couldn't resist taking a jab. "What happened, loser? Did your dad kick you out of the house? You look like a homeless person." Asher rolled his eyes, unfazed. "I'm too happy to talk to you, ugly duckling. And if you don't know, you look like someone locked you in the basement for a week."
Asher's words cut deep, transporting Maria back to a dark place. Memories of her mother locking her in the basement as punishment during her parents' fights flooded her mind. Before she knew it, she had thrown her coffee at Asher, cursing him loudly.
Asher's eyes widened in shock. Why was she so offended when she had started the insults? This was exactly why he disliked her – she couldn't take a joke. Maria turned to storm off, but Asher was quick to retaliate, splashing coffee onto her hair.
In an instant, they were at each other's throats, shouting and arguing like children. Their commotion was interrupted by the principal's stern voice. "Maria and Asher, I want to see you both in my office – now!" The principal's eyes narrowed, a testament to the numerous complaints she had received about these two.
Maria and Asher exchanged a venomous glance before traipsing to the principal's office, their anger and resentment simmering just below the surface.