"I still remember those days when we were still together. Some might say it was madness, some would be disgusted, some curious and some baffled. To us it was pure and innocent love, A love that was forbidden in more ways than one but who can say how love should be? Is it not love when two people cherish and care for each other? Well you can be the judge of possibly the best and most memorable summer of my life. And I'm happy I spent it with my most beloved cousin, Lara." 
This is the story of me Phoebe and my cousin, Lara. 
I have sky blue eyes with a pair of light brown eyeglasses and short messy brown hair I was also really short even for a girl. I was on my senior high school years at the time, nothing special as I was a pretty average at academics. I was on the music club back then. Those were fun times when I used to play the piano and the guitar when the main guitarist was not around. If I'm not busy with piano and academics I also enjoyed playing online games. I was pretty much the average introvert. My cousin Lara on the other hand contrasts me, she has long wavy reddish hair with light brown eyes, she was athletic but she still managed to keep the curves. As for academics she usually gets straight-A's and she used to do choreography for the dance club at their school. I'm surprised we got along so much back then. Anyway, our story begins on a hot summer day, the heat rays were visible when looking at the road, I was staying over at my cousin Lara's house in the country, it was a humble 2-storey house with an attic that was used for storage. They had a mango tree on their backyard which we absolutely loved climbing as kids. We also used to have a fort, our pretend fantasy place where everything we say came to life. It was our special place and who could forget all our silly games and bets? Long story short we just had a blast but that was already way back and as of now I'm no longer sure if we are as close as we used to be back then.

A Romantic-Comedy , Slice of Life story about a girl named Phoebe and her forbidden love with her cousin Lara. The two, after being separated for such a long time, meet again when Phoebe's parents go on a trip and decide to leave Phoebe at the care of her Aunt and Uncle.

Actually I  dont like to study but I have to open the book every time when the exams are close. I dont score really good grades in my exams but no one can beat me in something called as video games.

I was not a professional gamer but I had a YouTube Channel called as 
Masato gaming, not many subscribers, just 100K but we were a family. I didn't like to stick to one single genre of games. I played and uploaded as many games as possible. 

I not only played games but also created a few. I once worked for a gaming company called as Obisoft.
But they removed me for being too young and making an adult game. The very next year Obisoft released the same game but changed the creators name.

The latest game which I made is called Masato's Dream. Being an Otaku, Gamer I've always wanted to get transported to another world. This game has the same concept. But only one person in the world can play this game and that's me cause this game is still unreleased. 

And i dont plan on releasing it until I'm 20. Ok I haven't even introduced myself

Hmmm I'm Masato Peke, I am 16 years old, I wanted to become a gamer but my parents didnt approve my idea. They wanted to make me a engineer or doctor like all parents want their kids to be. I have the same dreams like an Otaku, getting transported to another world, being popular, having a harem. 

Even though I am quite popular, all the girls in my high school think that I'm already in relationship so no one approaches me. I hate to confess that in my 16 years I was rejected by 20 girls. I am still a Virgin and never had a girlfriend in my life.

My Literature examination was the next day and I hated reading Shakespeare. 
I had the exam of his story called as 
'The Merchant of Venice'. The story was a comedy with tragedy but I found nothing funny about it. The main problem with Shakespeare is not his stories but his references. he gives atleast 2 references in one paragraph. 

Keeping Shakespeare aside, my mom turned off the wifi so that I would study without getting distracted by the computer. I think that this is the worst way to stop a kid from using his computer. But then there's no other way to control a child. 

I it was raining outside. A thunderstorm shouted my mother. The ceiling of our house started leaking. The water fell on my laptop. I ran to save my laptop. 
But I was too late the laptop exploded and I Masato also died while saving my laptop.

After having a cute pick with those kids. Nick hand him over the keys of their room. When Sam and Marco reached to the room their luggage was already present. As soon as Sam closed the door of their room. Marco stripped his jacket and jeans and throw them at the corner of the room. On the other hand, Sam what just saw he was thinking he has gone in the past and in front of him 18 years Marco is standing.
"Don't you have any shame behaving like a kid", shouted Sam.
" I was tired of wearing those tight clothes".
Sam then sit down on the sofa and saw Marco was already on the bed checking out the menu, he was deciding the dinner.
"Sam do you need something special for dinner".
" I am not particular".
Then he ordered the dinner and before the order arrives he went for a shower. He started singing songs loudly. 
Meanwhile, Sam was still sitting on the sofa he was not getting disturbed by Marco but his loud voice was reaching to him and Marco also left the door little bit opened he want his sing should reach to Sam's ears. Sam was familiar with all these types of trick always conducted by him. He was not getting angry on him now but when he just overdo it Sam always used to shout on him or scold him every time.
Marco's mischievous mind always thinking about how to irritate Sam when he has nothing work to do. When they were kids they always played together Sam was never interested in play game, he generally used to read a book on serious topics at his early age he never liked fantasy.
Marco always loves to play games and he always involved Sam with him. His effort was too strong and effective that just under six months Marco was able to create interest of games in Sam's heart.
But every reaction has the equal and opposite reaction, Marco then also able to had got the interest in reading books. As Marco childish heart he learned to read novels his first priority was to a romantic novel. He only read the books which Sam like because of the high recommendation of Sam.
 At begging it was too difficult for Marco to read a book properly so Sam was one only in the entire school who used to read them for him. It was because of Marco's mind who always used to create so many questions for the read and others always believed that if the author of the novel himself answer him will get confused and dumbstruck.
Sam has good knowledge to reply to Marco's logical questions. So he recommended Books to Marco for reading them and on the guidance of Sam and books, Marco became clever enough like Sam. And after then, Sam gets too much exotic he read the novel he was advised by his student Marco.
Their friendship was just too strong due to sacrifices by both of them like for Marco, Sam adopted games in his life and for Sam, Marco adopted books in his life. They have many reasons for their true friendship. Sam was one who used to be quiet and not even laugh much. But due to Marco's behavior, he always used to have a smile to his face and his all joke and trick was the enjoyment for Sam.
And Marco never opened himself that much towards someone except Sam. 
But soon enough a happy dream came to Sam became a nightmare of his life form which Marco was unsuccessful to take him out.
He was just stuck within a nightmare someone else imagined and Marco was only one who knew the complete story of that unwanted event. That event stole his majority of Sam's happiness and enjoyment.

Justice will appear to bare its fangs.
#Action

It was almost 10 am when I finish making the cake. As far as I know, the kids will really get mad at me. And I don't even want to see their angry faces. After all, it's my birthday I want everyone to be happy and I don't want to be the one to be the cause of their anger. To be practical I like kids but sometimes they are just too annoying. 
 
"Good morning, the cake is ready for your highness," I said. I straightened my back and bow my head with elegance, common aura seen on those loyal butlers I've watched with a historical genre on television.
"Good morning sis Beatrice, you mean that we can eat the cake?" Anna asked. 
"Yes, if that's what you want your highness," I said with a bright smile on my face. 
"Thank you, soldier, you are dismissed," Sam said. He tried to produce a very deep voice but in his disappointment, only a childish and silly voice come out.
"It's my honor to serve you, General," I said. I tried to retreat and let them enjoy their feast. 
"This cake is spectacular sis Beatrice," Ivy said while looking in the cake with eyes like that of a hunter waiting for its prey.
"It's so fluffy," Luke said.
"It melts at my tongue," Anna said with delight.
"I love cakes!!!" Sam said trying not to act too childish.
"It's a good thing that children like cake Beatrice." Sis Kate said.
"I'm really glad they like it," I said.
  The kids enjoy their time consuming the cake, but in a blink of an eye, only a mouth full of icing and empty plates are to be seen.
"Sis Beatrice, can you read a story for us?" Sam asked.
 He then handed me an old book full of dust and spider webs. I remove the dust and webs and to my surprise I yelp.
 "What the matter Sis Beatrice?" Anna asked.
 "There's no problem it's just that I was wondering where did you get this? I remember that we don't have this book and how on earth did you arrive on handling this old tatter book?" I said with a somehow ridiculous voice.
"Oh! We find it in our basement, you see we were playing hide and seek. And I find the basement the best hiding place and I stumbled to this book. It looks pretty so I took it." Sam said with innocence in his eyes.
"The basement huh? But as far as I know, I didn't see any existing book there since last year. How on earth did I skip this book? It looks fancy though hardbound supper thick and looks so antique." I said while I scan the book.
"Since its settle can you read it for us?" Ivy asked with excitement. I can tell that they can't take it anymore. So I read it.
"The title of the book is the Cinderella and the Seven Hunter." 
"Wait, sis Beatrice it's not related to snow white and the seven dwarf is it? Cause they sound too familiar but the word hunter instead of dwarf and Cinderella instead of snow-white? " Aira asked. Aira is one of the elder children in the orphanage and she's on the ages of curiosity, aka puberty.
"Well I don't have any idea, I just read the title." 
"That's no fun, Big Sis. " Aira said in a very disappointed tone she could create.
 I turn the page but I found out that this book is so so so mysterious. There's only one page with words and all the remaining page is blank. And maybe because of the frown and aloof expression I made the children surrounded me and turn to look at the book.
"Hey, why is it all blank except for one page?" Nicholas asked.
"I see, there's an underlying mystery surrounding this book!" Aira said in a very triumphant and smug face that tells you just by looking that tells, I guess right, aren't I? It's really hard to handle children in the puberty stage. Now I know the feeling of Sis Kate when she's chasing me when I try to sneak to play in the forest.
"Since it only has one page and there's no story let's do our chores children."
"tsk no fun!!"
"Hmph"
"Sigh"

 "Why do you look so pale dear Beatrice?" Sis Kate with a mark of worriedness in her beautiful face. 
"It's nothing sister," I said trying to maintain my composure.
 Why I look so pale well, finding out that the book and the plot are somehow similar to the story narrated by that handsome man I met. Linking all the information and data I've gathered I can now conclude that I'm their prey. Yikes! Just thinking about it sends shiver into my spines.  And why hunting game? There are so many games like card games otome games any games that don't shed violence. Yup, you got that I don't like violence even though I sometimes use it in dare times well. Do I have a choice? In a world of reality, you have to be strong to face and cope up with all the problem toss in your ways. Is it the game where my heart is their very motive? First of all, why me? I have nothing to do with people called hunters." I've started to have this frightening feeling, it was like there is a very dreadful event that will happen tonight when I turn 16. Well, worrying will not lead me to something so I just try to focus my mind on what's ahead for me. Besides, I don't want everyone to worry about me. This thought suddenly came into my mind, I wonder why I thought that it's true. And why is it affecting me so much? Do I believe what he told me?

...........
The sun is started to hide its beautiful ray as the night started to swallow everything and the brightness of the moon illuminate. The people of the world are unaware of the dreadful event that will happen on this day under the moonlight, as the countdown of apocalypse is starting to move on its way. The protagonist of this story is trying to live her own life at peace and that peace will be the destruction of everything. She will be the one who will end the contract, a contract for the fascination of a demon who is on his deep slumber waiting for the excitement of his return. And the seven hunters who desire the power to rule and destroy everything. 
.........…
"The moon is shining so bright it looks beautiful, but it sometimes gives me the vibes that something bad will happen," I said not knowing when I got such thought.
"What do you mean by that Beatrice?" Sis Kate asked.
"It's nothing sister," I said.
"I notice you were spacing out and not being yourself, tell me do you have any problem?" Sis Kate said this time I'm sure that she knows that I'm worried about something. 
Sis Kate knows me more than I know myself, after all, she raises me for 16 years.
"I do Sister Kate, someone told me that there are seven hunters that are after my life," I said trying not to sound frightened but there's hoarseness in my voice.
"After your life? Why? Did you know them? Or did you do something that will make them upset and to the point of killing." Sis Kate asked this time she looks startled. 
"I don't know the exact reason but I'm not sure if I can trust this man," I said.
"This man you mean the man you met at the road?" Sis Kate asked.
"Yes, sister," I said. 
"As far as I remember you said that he was wearing black clothes?" Sis Kate said trying to remember all the full detail of my story.
"Yes, he also has black hair and eyes and a gorgeous man," I said, with sarcasm (but he's gorgeous).
"You mean that man?" Sis Kate said while pointing her finger in my direction.
"What? Sister Kate." I said trying to regain myself from confusion. 
As I was trying to understand the question I've heard a very deep and familiar voice behind me.
"We meet again, miss," He said with a smile in his face.
"Huh? Why are you here? Wait did you follow me? Are you a stalker?" I said trying to stay alert, I sense that I can't trust this man. And why can sis Kate recognize him right away? That he's the man I met on the road. This whole situation is so suspicious.
"I'm sorry if I have startled you, but I didn't know it's your birthday." He said trying to sound gentle. 
"It's been a while, Sister Kate." He said. 
"ohh the gorgeous man you were talking about is mister Sebastian." Sis Kate said with a smile in her face as she great the stranger.
"You know him?" I asked.
"Yes, he is one of the sponsors of our orphanage. Thank you for all of your help mister Sebastian." Sis Kate said.
"The pleasure is my sister Kate, I wanted to help those in need." He said with dignity in his face.
"That's very nice of you sir," I said trying to sound grateful but I also try to hide my annoyance.
"Is this young Beatrice?" He asked.
"Yes, she becomes a very refine and tomboyish lady." Sis Kate said with a chuckle in her voice.
"Wait, you know me?" I asked. 
"Beatrice, Mister Sebastian is the one who brought you here in the orphanage." Sis Kate said.
"Then what is the hunting game you were talking about?" I asked with curiosity and I want some answer this time I thought. 
"Your turning 16 this year am I right?" He said.
"Yes, in fact, I will turn 16 this very moment. I was trying to ask you what you mean with the hunting game." I said impatiently.
"Then it means it's your last reincarnation, and this is the start of the beginning." He said with a crooked smile.

"Pardon, I don't quite follow you. And please don't try to avert my question." I asked now with anger in my voice.
"You will understand when the time comes and that time is tonight under the moonlight." He said as he tries to look at the moon shining in us.
"Wait, I can't take it anymore," I said with anger.
"You don't have to know, because you will understand eventually. What time is it?" He said trying to sound convincing. 
"Quarter past eleven." Sister Kate said.
"Wait, what will happen if the clock struck at 12?" I asked. And now I can sense that they know something both of them and it's related to the hunting game they were talking about, included the seven hunters and their prey.
"We have 15 minutes left." He said, trying to avoid my question.
"15 minutes left? Wait I'm so confused I demand an explanation." I asked as I try to make an action to show my anger.
"The brightest moon will be illuminating tonight." He said as he stares at the sky.
"Huh?" I said.
"For now, I want you to relax and enjoy your time. And stare at the brightest moon you will witness for your entire life" He said.
How can I enjoy my time? When I've found out that the man is associated with Sister Kate and the fact that he knows me. 
What will happen? I've had this vibe that something bad will happen. I hope it's not, I wanted to end this day so that tomorrow will come. Is tomorrow will ever come? Or I'm hoping for impossible, I felt that I can't trust anyone because I can sense that they are hiding something. 
The brightness of the moon illuminates the land as if it is the gate that will open the path to another parallel world.
"It's time." He said.
"Time for what?" I asked.
"Beatrice…" He said.
"What?" I asked.
.
.
.
.
.
....
(Dead silence)
"Don't scare me," I said. 
"HAPPY 16TH BIRTHDAY." He said.
"Ohh, Do I suppose to say thank you for your greetings or thank you for scaring me," I said.
 I thought something bad would happen but I think I'm wrong. 
I felt a sudden vibe as I turn 16. 
A sudden struck of lightning shone at the sky and at the same time I feel a sudden heat that slowly engulfing my entire body. My chest feels hot, as if it was burning and a feeling that something is trying to unleash within me. 
"What is happening? Sister Kate, Sir Sebastian."
"It's the official start of the apocalypse" Sister Kate said.
"Sister Kate?"
A parallel light is shone at the center of the sky as it tries to reach the ground as if it's calling on something….. Something that is not supposed to be awakened. And to my surprise my body starting to glow as if I'm being taken away, not my physical form but inside of me.
"The illuminating light that surrounds your body is the signal to all the seven hunters that…" Sis Kate said.
"It's the official start of hunting game," Sebastian remarked.

Her name is buried and forgotten in the people's mind, a beauty that cannot be describe, a passion never been seen. She is Louise Carolina Alberta an English aristocrat. Her story can be heard in the mouth of all the witness of her dreadful end. She who fall in love in the wrong man, he who refuse her love. She who will give everything and him who will always by her side but can only be seen in the shadow. A legend pass down about a young girl who fall in love and an apple. An apple that is the mark of her end, and the start of her journey in different lives.  
  In 21st century a young orphan Beatrice Mary Victoria is bound to this story. When everything changes in the full moon of her 16th birthday, a mysterious man named Sebastian told her that her life is in danger because the 7 hunter wants her heart to gain the power and ultimate immortality.
  
  What will happen to Beatrice? 
  Who is Sebastian?
  What is the relationship between Beatrice and the seven hunters? Is it more than hunter and its prey? Or something     
   Much deeper?
   Is it related to the legend about Louise Carolina Alberta? 
 Who is the seven hunters? What is the relationship of this legend to the present?
Genre:
Mystery, Supernatural, Adventure, Action, Suspense, Romance, Fantasy 

  
Inspired from Cinderella and the poison apples (Vocaloid),Seven Deadly Sins. This is my first time writing a novel but I will try my best to improve and the update will also be minimal because I'm not a person who just write and do not reread her work . I reread my work for like 20 times but sometime often ignore the problem and also I'm still in University and my beloved companion, Calculus is making me busy. Forgive me if I have some grammatical errors, spelling, punctuation and the likes. After all English is not my first language but I will cope up with my lack and seek for improvement. This novel is intended to test my writing skills and also to seek other's opinion so don't hesitate to complain. I really like to add some question to hook interest and curiosity (as you may observe in my description). And the title kinda resemble snow white and the seven dwarf though but Beatrice is much more valiant and really resemble an independent woman who knows when she need help and when she didn't. JUST ENJOY! XD
 
 Reference:
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mipU2LVoyBA
  

  Copyright Disclaimer under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.

Six years ago there was a 12-year-old 7th grade boy named Phil. Phil was an odd peculiar young man who loved to stay indoors, was a book worm, and always wore a nice suit and dress pants to school. However, the thing that made him strange wasn't his reclusive nature or his taste in dress which was fancy enough for the other kids at his school to consider it an offense against taste and decency, but rather the title he gave himself: the world's #1 child psychologist and philosopher. 

Phil was a kid who was hopelessly fascinated by psychology and philosophy. In fact, he had seen many of the great psychological and philosophical works from decades past. He had studied the psychological findings of Carl Jung, analysed the novels of Dostoevsky, had gone over Nietzsche's Beyond Good and Evil with a fine-tooth comb, and had watched mass fucktons of Neon Genesis Evangelion. In his eyes, the knowledge he possessed made him more than worthy of his self-proclaimed title, and he was very proud of it. In fact, he was so proud of it that when people asked him for his full name, he would tell them his full name was "Phil-the-Philosopher".

Now, Phil's pride in his title was akin to someone taking pride in coming in third place in a three-man race. Like, how many children who are both psychologists and philosophers do you know? Yea, I didn't think so. It was stupid in a similar way to a title a certain moronic incel would later give himself.

However, Phil's title wasn't enough for him. He had a dream to one day become the world's #1 psychologist and philosopher PERIOD. And he was trying to reach that goal by opening up a clinical practice at his middle school where kids could come to see him and receive psychiatric treatment. His clinical practice kept him very lonely, as most kids thought it was some kind of scam. Though, It did attract some pretty interesting characters. And one day, a very interesting character walked into Phil's life.

He was a certain moronic boy who had an addiction to video games, anime, and had zero experience with the opposite sex. 

His name: 

Raymondo McDonald

Yes, he was not the supreme nice guy Raymond McGregory.

Raymondo McDonald was a kid who was hopelessly addicted to videogames, and loved to hang around hoards of nerds. However, despite this, Raymondo actually had some experience with lifting and was a tall buff guy with an intimidating aura surrounding him. Because of his terrifying aura, Raymondo soon became the king of the nerds, and he even got his pack of nerds to refer to him as "King". King wanted to be E-famous and was scared of losing his position at the top of the nerd hierarchy, so he became a highly competitive gamer. In fact, he was so competitive that he gave himself a competitive edge over his opponents by buying shittons of in-game items with real world money. And he got his money by working it off his mother's credit card. King was able to get away with his thievery for a very long time, but one day his mother found out about his unlawful spending. This of course lead to a fight between King and his mother, and King argued that his unlawful spending was justified because of how important his gaming "job" was.

After their argument King decided to go to Phil's clinical practice to have him analyse the situation and tell him how to deal with his mother.

And now here King was with the world's #1 child psychologist and philosopher ready to provide some of his philosophical wisdom.

After listening to King's story Phil said, "Well first we should break your problem down. First, I'm going to use Freudian Psychoanalysis to see what your desire to become a top tier player in video games says about you."

Phil then closed his eyes and said, 

"Your drive for competition shows that you wasted your youth playing video games, watching anime, had no or very few friends in school, never had a girlfriend, and was bullied by other kids and now tries to feel loved and superior to others by beating another kid's lobster mage with his rodent warrior in a game made for children. Though deep down you know that your video game achievements will never fix the psychological issues caused by your unfruitful youth nor will it ever fix your feelings of constant regret for not having lived life to the fullest. Deep down you know you're wrong and your mother is right."

King's blood began to boil.

"Shut up pal. Tell me some real psychological advice or you're going to end up being the one who's going to need to see a psychiatrist."

Truth be told, Phil was a guy who had a hard time running a successful clinical practice in large part because he was a little too honest to his patients about what he thought of them. 

Going back to our little playground psychologist and his unlawful patient, Phil looked completely bored when he heard King's threat and responded, "Ok, let's begin the next step of our psychoanalysis: Archetypes. Archetypes are developed elements of the collective unconscious that were originally thought up by the psychologist Carl Jung. It's believed that everyone can be categorized as the physical embodiment of a different mythological entity. And using my knowledge of the Jungian archetypes I deduct the you are of the magician archetype."
  
"The what?"

"The magician archetype. People who are befitting of the magician archetype will try to justify anything they do with a delusion like,"I'm sure if I just win one more game my mother will love me!" Suffice to say, these people have a gold medal in mental gymnastics. Because of this many believe they are evidence of a massive flaw in our education system. They do have a great talent though. That talent being that they have the ability to bend over backwards and shove their head so far up their ass that they can see their colon. Perhaps that's why you reek like my grandpa's cat's ass."

King's blood became steam.

"If you don't say some real philosophical wisdom, I'm going to open up my own clinical practice were I remove people's spines and you're going to be my first customer."

"Ok, I'll dispense all of my wisdom. One of the big reasons you play games is to find meaning. And meaning is constructed incongruously in an intersubjective meta-dialectic, entailing all immediate corollaries that that obviously implies. But crucially, the construction itself entails the ontological end in itself: meaning is a physicality but also a transcendence. In other words your desire for gaming is a transcendent value that metamorphosizes into a totalitarian value above dominion. God's dominion."

"Can you please say that again in a language that I can actually understand?"

"あなたは激しい小さなゲイの小さな触手でヘンタイモンスターの大きな雄鶏を吸うのが大好きです."

King thought, (I'm not that much of a weeb, baka hentai!)

King's face tensed up, and he started walking towards Phil with his fists clenched, looking like they were clubs that were ready to annihilate anything that happened to smash into them.

King said, "Oh, look at the time: it's time for you to pay a visit to Dr. King."

Phil was starting to get nervous.

"Hey pal, I've finally thought up some simple advice as to what you should do. You should stop your gaming addiction and apologise to your mother. As much as it might look like you are being loved and have fame as a competitive gamer, in the grand scheme of things no one cares about how good you are at video games. Seriously, no one gives a shit. Your gaming "job" will get you nowhere. It would also be pretty miserable if you became a professional gamer. Do you seriously want to stay cooped up in your room, hacking away at your children's video game for twelve plus hours a day? Hell, I bet your current gaming situation is hindering your ability to make friends outside of your nerd pack. Go get a hobby that doesn't involve consumption and stop bothering people with this nonsense. This is not philosophical wisdom: this is common sense."

Phil's words made King's veins pop out.

King said, "That's it! I'm going to kick your ass!"

"Is it you who kicks ass? Or is it ass that kicks you?"

King started running towards Phil.

Phil said while shaking, "Hey pal, uhhh- ummm- be careful with what you do with those clubs of yours. You aren't looking very befitting of the magician archetype right now ya know…"

King continued his stride towards Phil, and just before King's fist collided with Phil's face, a voice shouted out, "Hey, Wait! Don't hurt him!"

King halted his assault and turned to see where the voice was coming from. He noticed that it came from a boy in the distance. 

The mysterious boy quickly ran towards King and Phil and said, "I know he's mildly to severely retarded, but please don't hurt him. It really isn't his fault. He just has a really severe case of autism. I promise."

King turned to Phil and said, "Do you know who this punk is?"

"Yes," Phil responded. "he's my best friend: Raymond McGregory."

Raymond had been listening to the the two of them this entire time. Raymond knew of King's situation and his appointment and had a bad feeling about it. He decided that he would watch them and step in if anything bad were to happen. Though, on his own Raymond was too much of a shy and nervous kid to stand up to King, but Phil's presence managed to push Raymond out of his comfort zone. That's just the kind of friendship they had.

King turned to Raymond,

 "Well, I'm sorry, but this guy pisses me off so much that I need to take his spine."

"Wow," Raymond responded, "talk about needing to grow a backbone."

King had finally reached his limit.

"Ok, that's it! I'll have to make room for two appointments, and when I'm done with you two, you guys will wish you just stayed in the waiting room!"

King raised his fist once more and prepared to strike.

Raymond and Phil both went through the five stages of grief as the Grim Reaper himself was about to take their souls (and spines).

But in the trepidation, Phil got an idea. He remembered that King's mother was going to pick him up soon, so if he could just stall King out for the next couple of minutes, he could get through this encounter unscathed. And Phil came up with a plan that could do just that.

Phil said, "Hey Raymond, I don't think he knows that thing. Do you think we should tell him?"

King stopped in his tracks and had a look of confusion on his face.

Raymond responded, "What's that thing?"

"You know, that fact about him that's so embarrassing that it would make the manliest of manly men's faces turn red. That thing that everyone knows about except him."

Raymond responded, "Oh yea, that thing. But I don't think it'd be a good idea to tell him. Like, everyone who merely glances at him knows it. It would simply be too much of an eye-opener for him."

Raymond had instantly figured out Phil's plan. The two of them were on the same wavelength.

King had the face of pure terror.

"What…. What is it about myself that's embarrassing and everyone knows about it except me?"

Phil responded, "I don't think we should tell you… it's pretty traumatising."

Raymond added on, "Yea, it really wouldn't be a good idea. Doing so would be like opening pandora's box."

King had the face of absolute terror.

"PLEASE TELL ME."

Phil responded, "Ok, but don't say we didn't warn you."

And then Phil and Raymond both yelled at once,

"YOU SUCK AT VIDEO GAMES!"

A PTSD shock went through King's body. His mind shattered. It was as if he had just figured out that his reason for living had been a lie all along. His life seemed meaningless.

Phil and Raymond continued to both talk at once,

"You're a fraud. Nobody thinks you're hot shit. You're nothing more than a big fish in a small pond. Everyone just follows you because they're scared of you. And your mother never loved you in the first place!"

King's mind became that of a feral animal: frantically thrashing against the walls of his mind. Contemplating its own existence.

Raymond and Phil then alternated dishing out mental blows.

"King? More like Burger King!"

"Ohhhh! He's going to need some aloe vera with that burn!"

"Nah, I take that back. He's no king. He's a clown!"

"Yea, we better start calling him Ronald McDonald!"

But it seemed as if King's mental distress became rage, and he charged at the dynamic duo.

Phil thought, We're done for. Oh my god. My dream will never come true!

Raymond thought, We're done for. Thank god. Might as well end it all before things get worse!

King charged at Raymond and Phil. The two of them braced for impact, but King ended up running right past them.

Raymond and Phil looked behind them to see where King had gone to, and they saw him hugging his mother, who had arrived just moments prior. 

King was crying, and everyone around him could hear how much of a girly man he was. 

Upon seeing this, King's mother had the oddest look of bafflement on her face.

She asked King, "What did they do to you sugar bear?"

"Wah heh wahh…. They told me I suck at video games and called me Ronald McDonald."

King's mother thought, (Wow, these guys insulted my son and I didn't even have to pay them.)


King went on to say, "I'm sorry mom. These guys taught me that I wasted so much time and money on games that I'm not even good at, and that these games are actually hurting me socially. I apologise so much for fighting with you. I promise I'll stop my degenerate ways."

King's mother thought, These guys are kinda awesome.

King's mother looked at Raymond and Phil and said, "Thank you guys so much."

Phil responded, "No need to be so thankful. This is all in a day's work for an intellectual such as myself."

"I'm curious, just who are you two?"

Phil bowed his head and said, "I'm Phil-the-Philosopher: the world's #1 child psychologist and philosopher."


And Raymond added on, "And I'm Raymond McGregory: the world's ummm…. I'm the world's #1 assistant to the world's #1 child psychologist and philosopher!

The two looked at each other, chuckled, and walked off into the distance.

King's mother watched them walk off into the distance and thought, (Wow, who knew special ed kids could be so cool!)

***

Towards the the start of his seventh grade year, Raymond met Phil. Phil was being picked on by a bunch big fat bullies, and Raymond couldn't just stand there and watch it happen. So he decided to jump in and save the day: and he did. After his heroic triumph over the bullies, Raymond befriended Phil.

Their bond was something special. They were always together. They loved to face-off against other teams in P.E. (unsuccessfully). They loved to copy off each other's homework. They loved to sit together during their lunch break and tell each other dick jokes. The two of them had many fun misadventures that made them laugh, cry, and smile. However the thing that grew their bond the most were the ways the two of them were painfully alike. Raymond was a loner who had a hard time talking to anyone, and Phil was a psychologist who had a hard time getting anyone to talk to him. They had complimentary inadequacies. They were lonely together.

Their friendship went strong until their eighth-grade graduation where they both had to part ways. Phil had to switch schools, and with the two of them being as socially inept as they were, they weren't able to keep up their relationship and their friendship vanished as if it never existed in the first place. 

***

I tell you this story because the man standing in front of Raymond in this present moment, in a den of amusement, is none other than Raymond's childhood friend: Phil-the-Philosopher.

18 year-old Raymond McGregory considers himself to be one of the nicest guys out there and a true dominant male. However despite his supposed accolades Raymond is single by choice…... of others, and the only relationships he’s ever had are with his left hand and his couch sleeve. One day the “tfw no gf” is felt strongly within Raymond, and he decides to hatch out a plan to get a girlfriend. But his plan falls apart when he comes to the realization that in order to get girls to fall for him he has to actually talk to them. This isn’t an easy task for Raymond as he suffers from extreme social anxiety. On top of that he’s a massive nerd, not very bright, delusional, and is honestly the kind of guy that would get fourth place in a three-man race. Later Raymond comes across a group of people on the internet known as "Incels" who seem to be in a similar  position as he is, but their views on the opposite sex and society seem very wicked. However they say they can help Raymond. Will Raymond seek help from these sinister people or will he try to keep a heart of gold?

Furthermore, can Raymond get girls to love him despite not being able to talk to them? How much control does Raymond have over his plan? And How do you  fix a moronic incel? Find out all of this and more in this dark satirical romantic comedy filled with nice guys, deep philosophical underpinnings, and strong gay undertones.

This webnovel can also be viewed on Royal Road Legends:

https://www.royalroadl.com/fiction/18749/how-to-fix-a-moronic-incel

EXTRA PHASE - I'M A GOOD TEACHER BUT I CAN'T DISCIPLINE MY LOVER


It's been a week since we last came here in Brightmore Town, and I can safely say that we are quickly adapting to the surroundings. In fact, both Rikkun and I can imagine ourselves living the rest of our lives here in peace. We have blended in this town perfectly and mimicked their lifestyles. We also met different people and made friends with them.


Among our new friends in this very village is Heffy, a local teacher here in this town. Heffy is a dropout college student who once studied in Heightsburg, but for financial reasons, she was forced to stop. She's one of the first people who made friends with us since she is not so different. I mean, she already had experience in meeting people in big cities, so she was easy to go along with.


Heffy teaches six kindergarten children. She's doing it all for free because of her heroic principles, and she had this push-cart as her mobile classroom. Her push-cart contains all the essential items for teaching such as blackboards, erasers, chalk, crayons, papers, and piles of recycled papers.


When I saw her determination to teach the children, I couldn't help but be touched. Her willpower in teaching is to be commended, so I decided to have the Brightmore Shrine classrooms to be her workplace. Heffy was happy when I let her borrowed the classroom so from then on, she and the children hiked to the shrine had their classes there.


However, there was a problem.


<>


It's the supposed first day of their classes here in the shrine. Rikkun and I prepared the classroom to be used, and everything is neat and tidy. We even decorated the place with balloons and toys so that the children would be happy to have this as their learning place.


Everything was supposed to go well. The six children managed to attend to the shrine on time. But one person is missing… It's their teacher. We waited and waited… but she didn't come.


"Where the heck is Heffy!?" Rikkun groaned. "She's the teacher, and she's now an hour late!"


I looked at the clock in the classroom. It's already ten, two hours before lunchtime. Their classes should have started but Heffy is nowhere to be found. I lowered my face to talk to one of the kids in a mother-like tone.


"Hey, cute girl… Where's your teacher?"


"U-Um, we went here with Teacher Heffy but she disappeared… Like whoosh!" The kid told her story with an explosive hand gesture.


"W-Whooosh!?" My eyes opened wide. 


"Yep yep!" The girl cheerfully smiled.


"Rikkun…" I looked at my lover, and he looked at me. Now I'm worried about Heffy.


"I think the girl might just be exaggerating. You know that idiotic kindergarten teacher. She might have lost her way." Rikkun said.


I wish Rikkun was right.


However! There is one more problem! Without a teacher, the kids will be wasting their time here! They must study so that they won't turn into an idiot like me! 


Since I already had a lot of nursery books prepared in the classroom, I might as well become the teacher of these cute kids! I have experienced teaching children before! I used to teach little Gate Guardians back in the Kozukata Shrine!


"T-Tiara… that determined pumping motion and excited look on your eyes… Don't tell me you're going to play teacher?" Rikkun cringed. My lover really knows me well.


"You're right, Rikkun! I'm going to teach these kids! And you're going to help me!"


"Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat…" Rikkun asked with unenthusiasm.


<>


 It's been a while since I last taught children of their age so I started in a basic method, which is storytelling. While the kids assemble in the classroom and sit on the tatami mat, I sat on the teacher's seat and told them the storybook my mother had written. 


The book I told is a fairytale adventure that involves a normal human soldier falling in love with the dragon queen. It took about an hour for me to finish the book but the kids seemed interested enough that they all paid attention until I finished.


"... and then, the dragon queen threw away her crown and lived with the knight in peace… the end~" I said in a jolly tone as I closed the book.


"Woooow!" ,  "The knight is awesome!" , "The queen is awesome too!" Those are the words the children said. It makes my heart filled with joy that they stuck their ears to hear the story up to the end.


Suddenly, one of the kids raised her hand. "Teacher Tiara! Teacher Tiara! Please tell us another story!"


"You want another story, big boy?" I asked with a cheerful smile as I browsed throughout the compendium of kiddy books.


"Yes! Yes! We want a story about how babies are made!" The second kid followed up. "I want to know how we are made!"


"Pffffffft!!!" 


I almost puked my breakfast. I never would have thought that these kids are already curious about that thing! I need to calm these kids for good. 


"W-Well, when a man loves a woman, a stork delivers-"


"Eeeeeh, that is a lie, Teacher Tiara!" One of the smarter kids shouted. "My father cooks storks, and we did not found any baby inside!"


T-They kill and eat storks!? Just how absurd is this town! Moreover, I want to try it too! What does it taste like!?


I was dumbstruck, trying to process my thoughts and formulate another excuse about this vulgar topic on hand. I have to make a story that will keep their innocence until they grow up and learn the truth in this evil-tainted world.


Suddenly, the kids started to swarm to Rikkun who is just there on standby. They started to pull Rikkun's hand as their curiosity dominated their mind. "Teacher Ric! Teacher Ric! Where do babies come from!?"


"In the vagina," Rikkun answered without any brakes!


"Ooooooh…" The poor children finally had their lightbulb brightened.


In an instant, my fist flew off towards Rikkun's nose, blasting him out of the classroom! 


"Kapwachack!!!" Rikkun cried.


"YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE ANSWERED THAT!!!" 


<>


It's already afternoon. Since it's almost summer, the children are already soaked with sweat. There are no electric lines here, so we can't even rely on air-condition or electric fan. Good thing there is a small lake on the backside of the shrine. The lake supplies water to the small waterfall that flows into the river of the Brightmore Town, so we expect that the waters there are cool enough to refresh the children.


From being a teacher into a caretaker. I did very well in interacting with the kids. I let them soak into the water and they started swimming and playing games. Since they are kids, it is inevitable for them to play around even in a hazardous manner.


"Hey, don't run around the lake! You might slip!" I sermoned the boys who are playing tag.


"Don't throw the stones to the lake! You might hit someone" I sermoned the others who are playing skipping stones.


"Don't recklessly jump unto the water! The rocks may injure you!" I sermoned to the kid who was about to take a dive in the shallow lake.


I held my chest and sighed. Being a caretaker of these energetic kids stress me a little, but I'm used to it. The kids here are surprisingly obedient and not so stubborn. I think I'll become a great kindergarten teacher… or even a mother.


Speaking of kid's stubbornness and being a mother... 


I heard a familiar shout near me. I also heard sets of footsteps as if somebody is running towards the lake.


"CANNONBALL!!!"


Rikkun dived unto the lake and made a big splash, big enough to blast a tsunami that made everyone soaking wet. The worse victim is me since I'm the one nearest to his crashing site. I've not changed to my bathing suit yet, and now my shrine maiden dress is all wet.


"Ahahaha! That was fun!" Rikkun laughed. The children laughed too.


"Ahahaha~" I laughed too… all while materializing my gauntlet Weapon Gem. Slowly, I went to the lake and approached Rikkun.


"W-Wait, Tiara… W-What are you going to do with that gauntlet-" Rikkun's voice cracked as if he was already begging for mercy?


"DISCIPLINARY ACTION!!!"


<>


Two hours before the sunset, Heffy finally made her appearance in the shrine. She is filled with twigs, branches, and even rocks on her hair and clothes that made her look like a survivor of the jungle. 


She said that she slipped when trekking this morning so she rolled all the way to the foot of the mountain. Unfortunately, since there's no more guide to the place she had fallen unto, she was lost in the woods and had to climb the rocks just to return to the trail. It took her a whole day in the process, so when she went to the shrine, the kids have already ended their classes with me.


"Goodbye Teacher Tiara! Goodbye Teacher Ric! We'll see you again tomorrow!" The kids waved their farewell to us.


"Goodbye! Take care!" I cheerfully waved my hand as I see them off the horizon.


Ah, teaching kids is so fun. I want to teach them another time, but I think that would be impossible. Not at least when Rikkun is around.


Seriously, Rikkun is a perfect bad example for the kids.

Since the beginning of time, the world has been the slaughtering ground of the Eidolons; mysterious beings from a parallel universe that contaminates the mind of the people to commit deadly sins. In an ambitious struggle to put an end to this evil corruption, warriors with extraordinary abilities; the Gate Guardians relentlessly fight these monsters.

One day, Alaric ceases to become a regular high school student - He becomes trapped in the crevice of dimensions and suddenly attacked by an Eidolon. Coming to his rescue just in time is a Gate Guardian named Tiara, his weird new classmate. 

So now, he is stuck with this clumsy maiden who swore to protect him from these extradimensional monsters! 

A wacky romance between the two will start to unfold!

But unbeknownst to them, a much darker force lurks in the shadows that will lead to Tiara’s brutal murder...

This is a song of love.

This is a song of hope.

This is a song of laughters.

This is a song of tears.

This is the Song of the Frozen Soul.

Ria opened her eyes slowly when she heard Emma's voice. Her eyes were bloodshot red. Its been years since she last thought about it. Only when she came to Italy, She thought about her whole story with Ren. "Whoa! Ria! You look like a monster with red eyes.", Emma exaggerated to make the kids laugh. 

The kids gave her a cold shoulder, while Varun stood from his seat and touched Ria's cheeks. Ria looked at the little guy's worried face, she played with his hair and tickled him. The little guy then let out a laugh. Diya was still sleeping in the window side seat. She gave both of her kids a kiss in the cheeks. 

Varun was told by Ria that he was, the man of the house from the moment he started talking. The guy always protected Diya and he spoiled Diya by giving her whatever she asked. Ria gave everything equally to the both of them. Diya was always beside her brother. The next one after her mother whom she listens to was Varun. 

Ria carried the sleeping Diya in her shoulder while Emma carried Varun. Ria simply had a backpack as her hand luggage. They don't have to switch the flight as the same flight will go to C city in I country. Ria first went to a nearby cafe, she ordered cappuccino for her and soft desserts for the kids. 

Emma ordered a black tea and a mint sandwich. While they were waiting for the order, Varun looked at the magazine in the table and said, "Papa!" The magazine cover showed a young man in his twenties who was awarded as the Best Entrepreneur in the world. Ria's heart stopped for a second when she heard Varun. Emma choked on her own saliva and looked at the magazine on the table. 

Hearing Varun's voice Diya jumped in Ria's lap in excitement and she asked in a sleepy voice while rubbing her eyes, "Where ish hee?" Varun smiled at Diya and said, "Nott here, in the book" and pointed his finger to the magazine Emma was holding. 

Diya struggled out of Ria's embrace, she walked to Emma and pulled the hem of her skirt. Emma bent down and picked Diya then showed her the magazine. After Diya saw she hugged the magazine and gave it a kiss. Then she said, "Papa looksh like brother" 

Ria was still stunned and thinking how did she forget the fact that they knew! She thought apart from the photos she had shown them they won't recognize him in other pictures. Who would have thought those guys see their fathers pic in the internet with the tablet they have. 

So they even know how their father looked at yesterday night's bussiness meeting. They don't know what was the meeting about and all, they just searched his name and found his pictures that is all. Diya plays games and always attentive with the tablet while Varun draws and colours the drawing. Ria knew about their interest and always helped them with a head start. 

The kids were always with her during business meetings so to avoid them from running here and there, she thought they should do something valuable. Actually they are giving up their own enjoyment which was crucial for the little kids at their age so she thought she need to compensate them. Their IQ is completely on a different level from the other kids of their age. 

Varun can draw anything he sees with prefect accuration and colour it, like a photograph. But the only drawback is he can only draw one component at a time. Incase of a flower vase he can either draw the vase or one of the flowers in the vase. Which is a barrier he can overcome with time and during  growing up. 

The quality of his drawing in the computer and in the paper doesn't has that much difference. He is familiar with all types of colours, paper types, pencil types. 

When coming to Diya, she plays with computers. She is the World's first 2-yr old kid to clear all the levels of "Dungeon World", which is the number one difficult game in the world for this year. No one will believe that, if you say that kid plays the most difficult games online and she is ranked within top 10 in each. 

Likewise due to age factor, she is not that great and all but compared to her age kids she is awesome. These two little kids has already finished their studies related to primary level. Ria has been running around the world to get inspiration and exposure so she always kept her children busy with innovative things. If they does something out of curiosity then she will buy them books and instruments regarding it. 

They are currently at the peek of grasping information from the surrounding as a result gaining much IQ. Except their childish pronunciation, they are fluent in english and Tamil*. Ria has taught them about morals, values and how to respect elders.

Looking at the Ria who is in a daze, Emma shaked her shoulders. She came to the reality and said to her kids that, "Okay kitties! listen. When you see your father you should not talk to him or say anything to him. Just ignore him." On hearing her they looked confused but she continued, "Your father didn't come and meet us right? So we will punish him okay?" 

The kids thought about it for a while then they answered "Okies" Then Emma gave her a questioning look. She told in french, "You can't keep them away from him for so long. According to what I heard from you about him, he definetely won't let you and the kids be alone again." 

Ria replied to her in french saying, "He will never ever know about them. I don't plan on telling anyone whose kids they are." Emma smirked and said, "Who do you plan on cheating? They are his copies." Ria have her a glare, then stood up and said in english "I have to make a call" 

She walked out of the cafe, picked her mobile and called Lucy, "Hello", the other one of the phone was so excited and she said, "Yes, Ria! What is it? Have you considered coming here?" She didn't reply to Lucy, she said, "I'm on my way, I am currently in Muscat. I will reach by noon." Then she hung up the phone. 

To Emma this behaviour was normal but to lucy it is a shock. Her once sweet sister, hung up on her twice. She stood there in awe.....

Love between two hearts!!!
She loved him with her all! 
He loved her with his all! 
Still they couldn't get their happy ever after!
He met her after 3 yrs of gap but not only her alone along with her two companions..... 
Their life changed after that incident!

Yuuki told Ryujii about the first play, she wants to plan the first play as soon as possible. Ryujii thought for a while. The two then parted ways to return to their respective rooms.

On his way back to his room, a kid playing with his video game console in in his way. He bumped into Ryujii. "Watch where are you going, uncle!" He said. "What a bold brat..." Ryujii thought. He walked past the kid and then thought of something. He looked at the game he was playing. He went to the vending machine and bought a soft drink and presented it to him.

He tried to persuade the kid to show him the game, and he did it. A role playing game in which the player is the hero who will defeat the evil demon king. The game itself is interesting, but the plot is too common for stories.

He said his goodbyes to the kid and returned to his room. He sat down and begin scribbling on a piece of paper. He is trying to write a script, but to no avail. So he decided to write a short summary of the story. He's already asleep before he noticed it.

Kaori entered his room and saw him asleep on the table, she laid him down on his bed and covered him with his blanket. She noticed that he was writing a story, she tidied up his table, then left the room.

Morning, Ryujii woke up on his bed. Looking at his table, the papers that made a mess on the table were stacked together, the table was tidied up by someone. "Did anyone entered my room last night?" He wondered.

Completing the story summary, he gathered all the members via Raine. Yuuki is the first to arrive after Ryujii. The two are excited for their first plans as a drama club.

The club members gathered together. Each of them are nervous about the first play. Ryujii decided to tell them about it. "Fellow club members, I'll present you the first story we will work on, pass this around to understand the general idea of the story." Ryujii said, then he passed it to Yuuki.

Yuuki bursted in laughter. "Demon King and human princess falling in love?! Hahaha..." Yuuki laughed, so as everyone. Ryujii is red faced. "A-At least, I tried you know?" Ryujii responded.

The members quieted down and started skimming the story summary, although they seemed unimpressed, but they still voiced out their thoughts about the holes in the story. The club then had their meeting in the cafeteria. The story was made into perfection that no one in the club dislike it anymore.

Kaori shows up, and asked about their exploits today. "Hey sensei! Please look at this!" Fuyuko said. She passed it to Kaori, and gives out a big grin. It seems like everyone is looking forward to see Kaori's thoughts on their masterpiece.

"It seems like a good one, but the setting is a bit odd, just like video games huh?" Kaori commented. She continued to give harsh comments until some of the members are sobbing. She then noticed and sighed.

"Ryujii, when you first wrote this, do you think we can actually do it? The costumes and all sorts of things we need in this play." Kaori asked. "I dunno, but I think it is possible if we can get proper guidance from you, sensei. Please take good care of us, sensei!" Ryujii said while bowing. "Please take good care of us too, sensei!" The others bowed as well. 

It's so embarrassing that Kaori had no choice but to agree with their wishes. The members are all excited that they began acting like a bunch of spoiled kids. She sighed and then dismissed them.

On her way back to the nurse's office, she bumps into Dr. Hiro. "Miss Kaori, how  are the kids doing now?" He asked. "Thanks to them, I have to play along with their drama club, I suppose I need an extra paycheck." Kaori said with a troubled face.

Dr. Hiro chuckles a bit and then smiled. "It seems like you are doing well helping them. Good job." he said.

Kaori blushed slightly, but quickly regained her composure. "A-Ah... It's nothing compared to you, Dr. Hiro." Kaori responded. Dr. Hiro closes in and whispered. Kaori's face became from red to pale.

After saying what he wants to say, Dr. Hiro walks away, leaving Kaori alone standing in shock. "I'll have to make the play work, at all cost..." She murmured to herself.

Ryujii, a delinquent student who has hated his own life from the beginning, until he met a girl, Yuuki, who is always cheerful and outgoing who asked him to watch twilights together every evening. What will happen when two exact opposites meet each other?

The school year came and went. Me and Brooke text almost everyday. She knows I'm into her and i know she's into me, just haven't found the right time to actually declare anything like a relationship but things are well with her. I've been back in Tampa for almost a week now but today is the day I meet my little bro. For further clarification its not my real brother, It's a mentor program where kids who don't have a lot going on or don't have a great support system sign up to meet an older figure who should set a good example for them. I decided to sign up out of boredom and curiosity. Fresh out of the shower I walk over to my closet and put on a gray pair of joggers with a t-shirt and a black windbreaker over it after that I throw on my New Balance shoes and leave my condo. 

Walking in downtown Tampa always puts a smile on my face. It has this calming effect on me. Seeing the buildings touch the sky, endless baseball posters and murals everywhere, but what makes Tampa the best is the people. Like any city they are super diverse and it's refreshing with each new conversation. As I walk deeper in the city a two story rec center comes into view, that's my destination. I wonder what type of kid I'm going to meet. 

Once inside the building I talk to the lady at reception.

"I'm here for the big brother program."

"Sign in and all the way down the hallway to the left is where you need to go." 

I sign in and embark down the hallway. Once I walk inside there are a few older guys my age and a few kids from around 10-12 in age. I walk up to one of the adults in the room and give him my name. He tells me to wait a second as he looks over a paper on a clipboard before calling out a name. 

"Brayden Fletcher." A kid around 5 foot walks up. He's wearing hand me down clothes and a local little league baseball cap he also has white skin. He has a buzz cut and when he smiles I see that he is missing one of his front teeth. I flash him a sincere and warm smile trying to come off as friendly as possible. When he gets to me I put my hand out to shake his.

"I'm CB Williams, nice to meet you Brayden." Without saying a word he reaches his hand out and shakes mine. After getting somewhat acquainted we sit down next to each other with one of the adults to go over the ground rules of the program. We meet on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. If we want to hang out more we have to discuss it with the kids parents. Must bring the kids back home by 9:00 Pm any later and again we have to discuss it with the parents. No smoking, drinking, or inappropriate conduct around the kids. After the meeting we get some one on one time with the kid to talk. I decided to start the conversation with a question.

"How old are you man?"

"12."

"Oh nice! I'm 16. What are you into?" 

"well.. I like video games, and running, and I really like baseball." My eyes lit up when he said baseball. We had to fill out a questionnaire before entering the program so i assume they match kids and mentors accordingly.

"I really like baseball too. I go to a baseball school in Ohio." I chose to simplify the school by just saying baseball school to make the connection easier. 

"Wanna go to the batting cages?" I bring up. He looks at me and nods his head. I get up and tell the instructor the plans and he gives the go ahead. After we exit the building we walk and talk on our way to the nearest batting center where I learn more about Brayden's life. He is raised by a single mother who works a lot and they live in one of the poorer neighborhoods in Tampa. All in all he seems like a good kid. 

Once we get to the batting cages i put a 20 dollar bill in the machine to get quarters for the cage. Each quarter is 5 balls. I give him half and tell him to find me when he's all done. 

After I spend all my quarters I step out of the cage and start to look for Brayden. I see the little playa talking to a couple girls his age by the softball cages. I roll my eyes and laugh at him as I walk up. 

"Yo Brayden." He looks at me and waves me over.

"This is CB." He says as he introduces me to the girls. They look at me and whisper something to each other and start giggling. Brayden gives me a scowl as if i'm cramping his style. I put my hand on his shoulder and say.

"C'mon stud, lets grab lunch." He waves goodbye to the girls and comes with me. 

"You get the digits at least?" 

"No one gets numbers anymore man. It's all about them snapchats." I guess i'm old fashioned when it comes to that stuff. I don't use social media at all. I have a snapchat but that's only because Jorge forced me to get one for whatever reason.

I laugh at Brayden's snapchat remark "Where do you wanna eat little man?" 

"There's a sandwich shop that my mom takes me too all the time just right up the street." 

"Sounds like a plan."

We get to the sandwich shop and place our orders. Brayden grabs some crinkled up bills from his pocket but I touch his arm and stop him. I give the lady at the cash register the total for both and we make our way to a booth. As we sit down I hear my phone start to ring, it's Brooke.

"Hey, whats up?" I answer

"Just bored, wanted to see what you were up too." 

"Not much, I got to meet the kid i'm mentoring we were just about to eat lunch." 

I flash Brayden a smile when I bring him up. He looks at me confused and asks 

"Ohhh is that your girlfriend." 

"Kinda" I reply to him with a laugh

"Kinda?" Brooke chirps in on the otherside of the phone.

"You wouldn't agree?" 

"Hmm I guess kinda is better than nothing." I can basically hear her smile through the phone. 

"Hey our food is coming out can i call you back tonight?"

"Alright CB, talk to you later." I hang up the phone and look up to see Brayden already digging in.

"So what did you mean by kinda?" Brayden asks.

I shrug my shoulders before I give a reply. "We both like one another. I just haven't made a move yet." He looks at me and pretends to understand which is fine, it means I wont have to explain the situation any further. 

We spend the rest of the day at my place playing video games. He talks about girls in his class and I tell him about my first season at 100 Oaks and how it's been less than stellar. After one of the games I take out my phone and open up the camera.

"Lets take a pic to remember the first day we met." Brayden gives a big smile showing the camera his missing tooth. After the picture I realize it's getting late and decide I should walk him home. As we make our way closer to his house we start walking to a bad part of  Tampa. We get to one of the housing projects and Brayden tells me that it his place. I give him a fist bump before he turns and runs inside. After I see him get inside I pull out my phone and and send the picture I took earlier to Brooke. Like the wise Ice Cube has once said "Today Was a Good Day." 

I'm CB Williams and i guess you could call me a bit of a baseball fanatic. I don't know where my journey will take me but i'm excited to find out.

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