"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift, that is why it is called the present."

-Master Oogway

The fact that my whole family and pretty much everyone I know has been lying to me for the last few years is devastating. How so many of them even managed to keep it from me for so long I may never know. What I do know is that I can't go to school the next day as a mopey, pissed off, un-showered Kindra. So I do the one thing I know will make me feel better.

I PvP.

It isn't often I set foot into a PvP match and when I do it's undoubtedly because I have some anger issues to work out. More often than not it calms my nerves so I don't snap at unsuspecting people. Only half of the world knows I even possess a sailors mouth.

Spawning inside the battleground I find myself glancing at the guild roster feeling a pang of disappointment hit me at the lack of one particular name. We haven't even begun our assault when  Arkies logs on proving once and for all he is, in fact, the mind reading wizard I suspect him of being. I don't think twice as I ditch my group and shoot Arkies an invite.

[Arkies] whispers: What are we doing?

To [Arkies]: PvP

[Arkies] whispers: I have an alt for that ;)

To [Arkies]: Just shut up and switch

[Arkies] whispers: Only if you jump in Discord with me

To [Arkies]: Fine

Something about cursing at the Alliance players as we steal their mine carts make me feel slightly better. It also helps that I can boss Arkies around and he listens with minimal complaint. I'm about 95% sure he can sense that something is wrong but he doesn't ask and I won't tell him even if he does. After a few rounds, my mood is improving but a far cry from where I need to be if I'm going to be KP tomorrow.

"Another?" Arkies asks in his usual casual demeanor, the same one that he's been using all evening.

I sigh, not sure another is going to bring me the relief I'm desperately seeking but not willing to reject the company he's unknowingly providing. "Sure if you want to, I'm game."

There is a pause before Arkies speaks, which is always a sign he's thinking and that's never a good thing. "How do you feel about 2v2?"

This time it's my turn to pause and think. I have never entered a two vers two matches before, but the idea of me and Arkies against two other players was intriguing. "Think we stand a chance?"

Arkies laughs into his microphone filling my ears with his familiar warm jingle, something I rarely hear during our weekly raids. "Between my impenetrable armor and your quick healing, I think we could win a few."

His words are all I need to know I want to at least try. Without thinking I right click and pass the crown to Arkies, making him our party leader. "Lead the way." If anything it will make me mad at something entirely different.

Four hours later Arkies and I are still arguing and bossing each other around as we continue to struggle through our 2v2 adventure. Despite being hands down the worst PvP healer ever I find myself enjoying it, my competitive nature springing forth like it tends to do. With each match, I learn something new and in the next match, I forget something crucial. It's apparent that Arkies is no rookie, it's the reason I wanted to do with him, and soon I find myself listening to his directions, mostly because we win when I do and maybe because it's less confusing. You will never hear me admit that to him though.

"Ella you can't just run in circles, they aren't mobs." Arkies laughs, unfazed by my obvious lack of skills, his voice in a calm teaching tone.

"Well, what am I supposed to do then?!" I half ask but mostly whine.

Here is the thing I have always known and now have recently witnessed first hand about Arkies, no matter how bad I suck or how many times I get us annihilated he doesn't get mad. It's all a game to him but not in a bad way. Maybe that's why I'm actually enjoying myself so soon after having my life blow up like a bomb only hours before.

When my eyes see the clock reads one in the morning I realize I spent eight hours online with Arkies and it only feels like four.

"It's way past my bedtime..." I sigh, not wanting to exit my fantasy world that has managed to keep the real one at bay when it gets too harsh.

"No problem. It's pretty late here as well." He responds, dropping group and leaving me a party of one.

For the first time since logging on, there is a long pause and I can't help but feel a little thankful. I had logged on with only one thing on my mind, kick the shit out of the Alliance until I feel better. Without even meaning to his company has made me feel so much better than I thought this mission would result in.

"That was fun," I admit, knowing that I can leave it at that and nothing more has to be said.

"Maybe next time I'll share my sour patch kids." He chuckles in a way that deserves a flirtatious wink or nudge of some sort. Maybe it's because so much has already happened today or maybe on some level I've decided I'll never meet the guy, either way, my brain ignores his tone and instead focuses on sleep.

"Night Arkies." I yawn, suddenly very tired and itching for the warm cozy confines of my bed and blankets.

As I log off and go to close discord Kies manages to get the last word in. "Night Ella."