As the avatar of a young male turned gray and the text changed to: "To be continued..." turned the clock to 2:49 am. A heavy breath with the sound of a tear fell. The room that is filled with darkness and sounds of peaceful dreams also has mixed thoughts and feelings of a young adult.

The stars don't bother to appear on the dark blue sheet, which couldn't become a tool for her to distract from the voice of her heart. A small voice came out of those dedicated lips, it wasn't a sound of happiness, yet it often represents the happiness of a person. And it didn't take long until her real world eventually left the stage for her dreams. 

—
It is 4 pm. Emma's eyes are glued to the texts that are in front of her. Her mind was hiding somewhere which led her to a break. As the screen turned black, her reflection showed itself up. Dark eyes that have some black blush underneath, a pair of lips that are missing their natural color, and of course, some clear lines shine on her cheek that came from her eyes. Her feelings are eating her alive with thoughts of him.

"I know it sounds so crazy, but I think I fell for him.." Emma's finger stopped for a few seconds until it touched the blue button on the keyboard.

"It's alright, I do fall for fictional characters too. It's nothing wrong with you." The girl on the other side of the screen quickly changed to the writing version and then became the old one again as her text appeared on the screen.

"Thank you for understanding me, I don't dare to tell anyone else."

Time flies fast, and Emma's phone screen turns black again, but she couldn't get that young male out of her mind.

"Aleck Widerbow. If you were mine, I could change everything.."
"Aleck. If you were real... I would be so happy..."
"Just if.."

—

It's 10 PM, and Emma doesn't keep her eyes off the black screen as her brain tries to analyze and calculate her thoughts.

"Am I crazy to fall for a game character? I have never been like this before."
"He makes me feel so comfortable and warm, a safe feeling that I want to feel from someone that couldn't give me.."
"He is such a poetic person, such a kind and gentle person. I love his Italian accent and he is such a handsome loving Pisces male.."

The screen lights up, the same picture shows itself in front of her, and the same actions happen. Many drops of crystals fell from her beautiful brown eyes, which now are aching because of the amount of salt water she lost because of this young fictional man. It seems like it was an unwise decision to check on him, even though she knew that he won't have any new updates. Despite that, she can't unsee the thing she saw, unfeel the feelings she has for him and unthink of him.

Maybe fate led her to this. Maybe she truly fell for this untouchable man...
Maybe she wants him to be real, maybe she wants to feel his true love...

Feeling dryness in her throat, Emma made her way to the kitchen. She felt like she was blind until the faint moonlight pulled her eyebrows together for a few seconds.

The water gave her a weird feeling, why does this liquid give her the illusion that it has sparkles inside? And why do her footsteps sound so far away?

..

A beautiful sound made her view start to show its details. It took a few minutes until she accepted the truth that she in any possible way, has switched to another reality.
It seems like no one is around her, some leaves land on her head and their color helps her to determine that it is autumn here. As she stands up and takes back her balance, she wears nothing else but a pair of pajamas. At least the weather doesn't treat her health so badly.

Everything feels very realistic, from the branch she picked up, to the leaves she took earlier, even the flower smells very good and the water fountain water is touchable. She loves the coolness of the water when it touches her hand.

Is she in a lucid dream? But how?

It doesn't take long until a city appears in front of her. Many people with fashionable and classic clothes passed by her, but none of them seemed to be aware of a teenager with messy hair and a pair of pajama clothes.

The smells of newly baked croissants and hot chocolate from a coffee shop nearby made her stomach speak. Right, she should have eaten more this evening and listened to her mother's words. Now she has her consequences.

"Questa signorina, ha bisogno di aiuto?" A young woman, around 25 approached Emma. Helped her to get back to the situation by lending a hand on her shoulder.

"Excuse me.. what did you say?" Emma shyly asked as she had no idea what this beautiful woman just said to her.

"I am sorry, no English, no English." The woman seems to realize that Emma can't speak her language. Immediately got away, leaving little Emma in a silent panic alone. Emma has no choice but to move forward, hopefully, will find someone that can help her.

As she reached the end of the road, it was already dark here. She has tried to come back to her reality, but it seems like her eyelashes are sticking to her skin with 502 glue. And by some miracle, her eyes don't feel any dryness at all. Which is unusual for these big dreamy eyes.

Finally, she found a corner outside of a hotel that could give her a rest. At least she has a pair of warm pajamas and a pair of sandals. Emma's face created a sad smile, grateful for what she still has.

"Questa signorina, questo non è un posto dove puoi seder. Andiamo a casa." An old man with a cigarette in his mouth came out from the entrance. Emma got a cough because of the disgusting and unhealthy smell as well as its gray smoke.

"I'm very sorry, but I have nowhere to go." The man stared at her for a few seconds, then he called someone out. The name is somewhat familiar, but her mind wasn't ready to analyze it,

"Quello che è successo? Signor Winston?" A warm voice sounds like a melody approached her ears. It's when she looked up.

It's him.

It's Aleck Winderbow.

He does not look like the one in the game. Because he is a real human here, but somehow he is even better looking.

He looked back at her, their eyes reflecting each other.

"...Can you speak English?" After a half minute of staring at each other, Emma finally started the conversation. Her first real conversation with Aleck Winderbow.

"Oh pardon me, young lady. I was just.. oh yes I can speak English. Why are you here this late? It's cold. Your, parents, are surely worrying about you." Aleck bent himself down to sit on his feet face to face-with Emma. She can feel how fast her heart beats as his face zooms into her view.

"I don't know how I can get back home. I have no idea what to do. I just..woke up here like this.." Emma lowers her voice, it seems like it is about to crack.

Aleck stared at her for a few minutes, maybe to analyze her honesty. Then he stands up, and Emma sees a hand in front of her.

"If you don't mind and believe me, let's get inside. We can discuss inside there how I can help you. It's cold outside." Emma nods quietly and takes his hand. Feel the warmth of the person she has feelings for. The way he gently helps her stand up. Her legs were weak because of the sitting position for a long time.

..

"So, young lady. Can you tell me what's the situation?" Emma sips a sip of hot chocolate. Her eyes changed their focus to Aleck's brown eyes. They are not very dark like her, but a shade of light browns, like milk chocolate color. She wonders why those eyes always include mysteries and magic. Oh God, she loves them so much...

"Young lady, are you alright?" Emma jumped up slightly as her face get red and her voice became extremely low. She could even hear Aleck's giggle, he surely found her silly.

"Pardon me... I was lost in thought, can you repeat the question please?" Aleck nodded his head and repeated his question.

"I don't know how I managed to get here. This isn't my reality." Her eyes started to be watery, she doesn't know if it was because of the hot air that came into her eyes or something else. The chocolate surface very quickly got some drops which made it move.

"I'm sorry, did my question make you sad?" Emma shook her head. She continued when her voice got back its natural tone.

"I don't live in this reality, this is probably a lucid dream." Aleck's eyes became dark for a minute, somehow it felt like her whole life for Emma. She wonders what's in these eyes.

"Does it mean that everything here, including me, is your imagination?" Emma nods again. As the woods creates a crouchy sound together with the hot flame behind the old, dusty window of the heater. She could sense a wordless sadness from Aleck like she touched his deepest sorrow of him.

"Try to close your eyes." Emma knew exactly what he meant but it didn't help even though she rubbed her eyes so much that some of the eyelashes even fell off, a cold shiver got her whole body to shake a bit.

"What year is it?"

"2023." Emma let out a light breath, yet it realized a part of her heavy worries. Aleck stood up and started to walk around. Emma never noticed how tall this young man is, it has never been shown in the game, or maybe she focused only on him.

"I don't know so much about lucid dreams." Aleck stood in front of the coffee machine, he continued as his strong figure moved back to the chair. "My grandmother talked about this to me when she was alive. She said that the easiest way to come back to one's reality is to create something that affects one mentally and emotionally so hard that they manage to escape from the dream." Aleck moves closer to Emma, she could feel his warm breath near her small face.

"What could help you come back to your reality?" Even though it was a question with good intentions, it hurts Emma how this man genuinely wants to help her, while she wants to stay with him forever.

"Ah right, sorry that I haven't been introducing myself properly. I am Aleck, Aleck Winderbow. What's your name?"

"You can call me Emma." Aleck smiles and gives her a pat on the head, which makes her eyes widen. Like he can read her mind, he removed his hand from her head.

"I am sorry, I just can't help but think that my daughter will grow up like you one day. And how old are you?" Emma gave out a sad smile, which she knows Aleck doesn't know the reason behind it, he shouldn't after all.

"16." Aleck smiled again, then he said something that made a part of her heart seem to ripen apart, followed by the blood rushing out.

"Well then, may I call you for a little sister?" Emma managed to create a smile, she used all her facial muscles to make the smile as genuine as possible, and at the same time hold back her tears.

"..How old are you Aleck?" Emma holds a part of Aleck's shirt as he starts to lead her to another room, like a child and an adult. His answer gave her another surprise.

"I am 23. What's wrong?" Emma let out a laugh, Aleck became nervous and she stopped immediately when she realized that she was unappreciated. 

"I was just surprised, a father like you is this young." Aleck smiles embarrassed back as he led Emma to the room he said that it was for the guest and that she can sleep tonight.

"You know.. when it comes to love, as long as it's legal then age is not a matter."

—

As the melody of lovely birds started to begin. And lines of the golden sun through the old red —- land the whole dark room. And there on the bed, sleeps a beautiful figure, peacefully.

"Wake up little rose, wake up~" A voice from far away repeatedly came to Emma's void. Little by little helped her to escape the never-ending nightmare that she joined almost every night.
Slowly but gracefully, to sing and hair lines of the sun landed on the purple carpet, followed by some dust dancing on the led light that was made for their audition. Eventually, the light made someone's eyes start to move.

Emma is wearing an emerald green long dress, she seems to be involved with the ocean as she slowly disappears from the strand. The gentle way that the water is surrendering her gives her a sense of comfort, like a mother calling her children to get inside her warm hands, full of love and devotion. Her songs are endless lullabies for Emma. As her view started to be blurred some voice approached her ears, somewhat from a million miles away. Very lightly, yet warm and full of nostalgia. Who could it be, and why is she important to that person?

A force made her slowly get away from the ocean, then everything went black. The first thing Emma heard was: "Wake up little rose, wake up~". And of course, it was from Aleck, he was sitting next to her bed, smiling at her.

"What time is it?" Emma yawns, she sits up and she isn't aware of her outlook right now.

"It's 8:30 am-" Aleck immediately turned away as Emma looked down. She realized what the problem is. She is wearing lingerie, and one side of the band is falling off her shoulder, which gave her an unappreciated look.

"I will wait for you in the room we went to yesterday." Aleck stood up, his voice slightly cracked and Emma can see at the corners of his ears that he is brushing. Why did she become savage now?

..

"You look elegant and charming in this dress." Emma smiles happily, she could never imagine herself taking a walk with Aleck, not only the one inside MeChat but the real human with real feelings and decisions.

"Thank you so much, this is too much. I don't know how I can pay it off." Aleck waved his hand down, opened the door, and gave his hand out. Like a gentleman.

"It's nothing you have to pay for, I genuinely want to help you as much as I can. I will provide you with the best life possible. Everyone can see you as my new friend." Aleck's wink makes her heart melt down like hot chocolate. Why does he have to be so charming?

Both of them got down and quickly blended into the crowd. Emma's eyes move all around, trying to take pictures of every little thing of this city that she hasn't seen when she was playing the game. An unexplainable joy filled her.

"I am glad you like this place." Aleck kissed you on the cheek, which was something you never could imagine he would do. "I love the way your eyes shine, they are very beautiful." Aleck's fingers touch her hair. Emma was expecting something that made her body tremble a bit, but it turned out to be a leaf that he took from her head.

"Thank you, that was very kind.." Emma never noticed how interesting these rock's roads are, she should keep an eye on them for the rest of the day.

"That was a small thing. Emma, you are being too kind and grateful." Aleck's face became so serious that Emma thought she was being unappreciated in any way.

"Did I say something wrong...?"  Emma quietly asks Aleck, waiting for a response. But the response she got was a surprised look on his face and a so-very-long answer.

"No way. What I mean is that you are a very kind person. As far as I know you. You are very beautiful, gentle and smart too. I honestly would say that I'll be sad if you'll get married to some young guy in the future too.." There is no answer from Emma. Only a smile with deep thought.

"If you say like that.. will you hold me back when I go?"

"What are you thinking?" Aleck's big and warm hand lands on Emma's cheek. Emma shook her head and held Aleck's hand, asking him where they were going. Even she wasn't aware of the action when it happened. Emma truly hopes that Aleck won't mind her action.

"Ah right, we are going to a few interesting places, do you want to go to a history museum or a library first?" Emma knew which library Aleck was mentioned. Even though he doesn't describe it or say its names. She doesn't know if he has ever met "Emma" in this world when she played the game. But she rather not finding out the truth, she doesn't want her heart to bleed and she wants to create memories with this man. Only her and his. No one else's. Even if this is only a lucid dream, a part of her fantasy, a part of her love that led her here.

"Emma? You don't look very well." "No I'm alright, let's go to the museum." She wondered if her acting skill was bad because Aleck was staring at her most of the time for the rest of the day.

"Do you like these? I know they may be boring for some people.." Aleck introduces Emma to many ceramic figures and renaissance paintings. Emma's reaction and response surely made him glad, since his eyes lit up and he dearly looked at Emma. 

"Of course not! They are so beautiful. God, you don't know how much I am interested in those!" Emma seemed to forget her surroundings, started to analyze, and sang. It didn't take a long time until everyone started to put their focus on her. On her lovely voice and beautiful delighted figure, she is. The light from the sun started to create light circles on the place where she is standing. It feels like it's her stage. The light delightedly shines on her face, and her dress started to swing as she began to move a fairy. Even though there is no extra music, no certain makeup on her. Everyone could feel her mystery and dreamy vibe, what a lovely girl.

When Emma started to be aware of her surroundings. She heard someone clapping. It was Aleck, her heart beating faster as everyone started to clap following after him. Some people whistled too.

Emma bent her knee and spread her dress to two sides, the way girls and women did to show their politeness. When she looked up Aleck was in front of her, showing his hand toward her. She took it and they both walked out of there, as none of the show had ever happened.

..

"What's your opinion of the city so far?" Aleck said as he took a sip of coffee. Emma looks out through the window, at people that are walking from both sides of the street.

"I love everything here, they are so lovely, and historical and give me a sense of comfort. People are nice here too." Emma said and she truly meant it, maybe a bit too much. Did she accidentally show her secret desire to stay here?

"That's great to hear." Aleck holds her hand. She knows that it's a normal way for him to express his gratitude. Still, her heart couldn't stop but it was filled with joy and fantasy.

"Of course, 'cause I know it's your home and I love everything about you..." Emma murmurs to herself, which created a question mark on Aleck's head.

"What did you say, my lovely rose?" You winked at him and shook your head, he got it and didn't ask about it more.

A middle-aged female brings out food that Emma ordered for herself, she looks at Aleck, then at Emma. Finally, she let out a smile and asked a question that made Emma's face red up slightly.

"Oh dear Aleck, is this your new girlfriend? You two look so lovely together." Emma saw Aleck open his mouth, ready to explain. And she did it for him first.

"Oh no, we aren't dating. I am just a new friend to him." The woman stared at them with curious eyes, like she didn't believe what she'd heard. And she did not keep up with her statement but smiled at them and said "Buon appetito 🤍". Aleck took Emma's attention again by holding her hand.

"Don't mind her, she doesn't often see me with a girl or woman after the day I divorced and after she left.." Emma knows who she is. By some outburst she replied:

"Is she someone that also has my name?" Aleck looked at Emma with wide-opened eyes, he instantly asked.

"You know her?" Emma looked somewhere else.

"Please my dear, answer me. You know her?" Emma had no choice but to answer this man's desperate question. It's just because she loves him.

"Yes, I know her." Emma sighed.

"And how is she now? She hasn't texted me in ages. I miss her so much." Aleck's words, words sabotaged Emma's heart, yet she continued.

"She's married to a man." Emma looks away, she doesn't want Aleck to see the tears in the corner of her eyes, and she doesn't want to see Aleck's heartbroken face either.

"I see..." Emma looked back, and it was one of her most regretful decisions.

Aleck is crying, tears fall from his beautiful eyes. Those eyes that are usually filled with fantasy, romance, love, and joy, are now only filled with sorrow.

"I had nothing to be angry with her decision. I could not make up my mind to be with her anyway..." Aleck's voice started to be lower, as Emma's heart started to ache.

"Please dear, don't say that to yourself."

"No... It was my fault, I chose to keep a distance from her and when I truly expressed my feelings there wasn't much time for us left.." His tears fell down the coffee cup, he looked so painful.

"No please, she was wrong when she broke your heart. She doesn't deserve this kind of love from you... You deserved better." Aleck looked up, his eyes now filled with slight anger.

"Don't talk about her like that, little rose. She is my precious." Emma realized her reaction, she said sorry, and sat back in her seat. Aleck seemed to realize his reaction too and he lowered his voice.

"I am sorry little rose. I...I didn't mean to snap at you... I was just..I-" Emma interrupt him with a sad smile:

"No is alright Aleck, it's how love is supposed to be. If I were you I could do it worse for the one I love." Emma continued:

"For him, I could do it worse.." Aleck gave her a philosophic stare, he finally came out with a compliment.

"You are such a poet and romantic person at heart, just like me." Emma smiled politely and said nothing more. The food at this point just tastes bitter.

—

"Thank you for an amazing day," Emma said as she walked aside from Aleck, inside the park she first came to this world. The wind blows gently and the leaves play their song. The sky seems to shine endlessly because of its beautiful stars that shine like diamonds.

"No, I have to say it. Thank you for coming to this world and being such a good person." Aleck looked at Emma, with very sparkling eyes, he wasn't aware of its affection for her.

"Ah!" Emma walked on a hard stone and she started to fall, as she thought she would lose her balance and land on the hard rock's ground, but she landed on something warm and soft instead. So do her lips.

Her heart told her to open her eyes, and her brain tried to stop her from it. And she listened to her heart.

She is laying on Aleck, and her lips are pressed against his.

The wind blew around them, and she could see his red face under her before her views became black.

And was she overthinking or she felt like he was holding her waist tighter?

—

Emma's eyes opened, her view blurred at first then all the details of the kitchen came. The rooms she can remember all the details with her eyes shut. She stood up, still feeling a bit of unbalance. Her fingers land on her lips, it still has Aleck's natural scent and warmth. Was that all just a lucid dream?

She went to check on the clock as the sun hadn't gotten up in the sky yet through the window. It was 5:50. Thank god no one was aware that she slept there all night. Emma giggled, her heart still beating very fast and her memories of these dreams seem like they won't disappear in a few days.