1 Vivian Satel
Stepping out onto the rooftop, her golden hair blowing into her face, Vivian Satel began to peek around. The rooftop was covered in vegetables and fruits to be harvested by the gardening club.
Making sure to make little noise, Vivian prowled her way forward between the plants stacked up around her, as well as above her.
Her bright blue eyes lit up as she saw a hood pulled over someone's head. They were hunched over, writing in a notebook. Their voice came out in soft bursts, eliciting a soft smile on Vivian's face.
Making her way closer, Vivian stood behind the hooded figure. She squatted down a little, placing her head just above theirs.
"Hi Viv. Can't talk, trying to write notes. Damn flower won't grow properly."
Vivian rolled her eyes.
"How long?"
"Heard the door swing open."
"Soil?"
"Moist."
"Leaves?"
"Green, none dead."
"Sunlight?"
"...it's uh... too close to the ground."
Vivian smiled.
"Just like someone else."
Popping up, the hooded figure threw back their hood. Her face was soft and cute, framed by long black braids. Her glasses were foggy, square-rimmed bifocals, and hiding her green eyes from the world.
"I know I'm not tall, like some people, but at least I don't smack my head on... dammit. You're not that tall."
Leaning a little lower, Vivian grabbed the girls hoodie and pulled the zipper a bit higher.
"These things need to stop growing."
She blushed, hugging her chest tightly.
"Don't tease! It's not like I wanted them this big! I'd rather have small ones, like yours- ehm... sorry."
Vivian unbuttoned her shirt, showing gauze wrapped tight.
"Yui, I'm binding them. You don't even know if they're actually big or not."
Yui was bright.
"St-stop! What if someone sees?! Do you know how hard it'd be for you to get a boyfriend if you looked like a pervert or a lesbian?"
Vivian's smile faded. Buttoning her shirt back up, she turned on her heel, her skirt fluttering in the wind.
"I am, so there's that."
She walked off, leaving Yui on the rooftop.
-
Hours later, Vivian was alone in her room. She had taken off her school uniform, as well as her bindings. Currently a sports bra, showing off her somewhat bountiful chest, and gym shorts kept her comfortable as she laid on her bed.
Grabbing her phone, Vivian lit up the screen and found her messages between her and Yui.
["How's the studying?"]
She waited a while, putting her phone down when Yui didn't respond.
'I'm such an idiot. I've met her parents, so should I even be surprised if she doesn't want to talk to me anymore?'
DING
Vivian looked down, grabbing her phone with swift hands. She nearly threw it in her haste as she opened the message.
["Fine. Going to bed. Night."]
Defeated, Vivian sighed and placed her phone on her breasts.
"My fault."
She closed her eyes, waiting for her heart to stop hurting.
DING
["I'll see you tomorrow, right? We didn't hang out today."]
Vivian looked at her phone, twirling her hair with her fingers.
["Sure. We can hang out some tomorrow."]
["Good. I have to talk to you about something. It's better in person."]
Vivian felt her smile crack, worry and fear spreading in her heart.
'Are they making her give up on being friends with me? She wouldn't do that, right? We've been best friends since we were kids! Come on Viv, sleep! Just sleep it away!'
-
The next day, after class, Vivian went back to the rooftop garden. No longer sneaking, she made her way between the rows of vegetation quickly. She wanted this all done with quickly, hoping for a better outcome than what she was thinking.
Spotting Yui, her hood slightly back, Vivian just stopped and stared. From her perspective, she was looking at an angel immersed in their desires. She had a small smile, her heart throbbing for the girl in front of her.
"Yui..."
"You're here."
Yui looked up, her eyes focusing on Vivian. She stood up, her head reaching Vivian's shoulder.
"Can you tell me what it's like? Liking girls, I mean."
Vivian tilted her head.
"Well... it's the same as liking boys. Isn't it? It can be the way they smile, their eyes or their scent. Something cute that they do, or whatever. It can get complicated, especially if you like a girl that isn't like you... so it's lonely."
"Hmm. I don't see why my parents are against it. Love is love, plain and simple. Sure, some things cannot and should never overcome certain boundaries, but there's no harm in liking a girl. Thanks Viv, just wanted to check with you."
She left, a smile on her lips. Vivian just stood there, punching herself in her mind.
'Of course the studious nerd of my dreams was just curious! Stupid, stupid! Why would she stop being your friend? Why would she... want to be more?'
Vivian sighed, trudging her way back home as the sun continued to set.
-
Nearing her home, Vivian looked up at the stars. Her hands were set in her jacket pockets, barely being held inside of them.
"This sucks. Can't I find a decent distraction?"
Her eyes set on an alley, instantly shaking her head.
"I'm done fighting in the dead of night. I'm not a delinquent anymore!"
She continued walking, making her way to a pawn shop.
'Was this place always here?'
She went in, her fight or flight silent. Most of the shop was empty, although a white box was sitting on the counter. Behind the counter was an older man, his eyes fixed on Vivian.
"I know my shop is a little barren, but might I interest the young woman with a VR headset? One of the original five hundred thousand set up for Relian Online."
"Neat, but expensive. That game came out two years ago, but the player base is insane. No other MMO could compete, let alone mimic the way it played. No way you'd give something that amazing up when the next set are being sent out next year. Should easily quadruple their players."
The old man laughed heartily, pushing the box closer to Vivian.
"I'm an old man. I don't need to play video games anymore, not when I'd rather sleep. Go ahead, take it. How's about... fifty?"
"Fifty dollars for a three hundred dollars headset? That's more than a steal, but uh... am I being scammed?"
He laughed again, pushing the box closer.
"Worry not. Give me twenty, then you can go. What's inside is worth at least twenty."
Vivian was cautious as she left her money on the counter, quick to leave with her purchase.
'Lucky me. I only had thirty in my pocket!'
-
Making her way home, Vivian opened the door to her apartment. It was dimly lit, brightening as she flipped the nearby switch.
"Another night in this damn apartment."
Plopping down, Vivian began to strip off her clothes. First her jacket and uniform shirt, then her skirt and bindings.
Rubbing her chest, Vivian rummaged in her dresser and found a pair of shorts and a clean sports bra.
"Ah. Comfy."
She sat back down, opening the box. Inside, she was shocked to see the real deal. The headset was sleek, almost like a motorcycle helmet. The visor reached the nose, tinted incredibly dark. The silver of the helmet glinted in the rooms dim light.
"I guess... I practically just robbed that poor old man. Well at least he was insistent on giving it to me! Hehe... I should probably try this out."
Vivian carried the helmet to her room, the box in her other hand. When she sat down, she dug into the box and found the chip for Relian Online. Plugging it in, she laid back and slipped the helmet over her head.
"Thank God this thing isn't dangerous. Those old ones fried people's brains!"
She blinked inside of the helmet, sighing softly as she hit the power switch.
["Welcome to Relian Online."]
Vivian realized she wasn't laying in her bed anymore.
--
Thank you,
JScott and croix!
