Riley's P.O.V.

Her voice is really beautiful and I'm here again mesmerized with her inspiring voice and elegance while she perform on that stage...I honestly envy her so much.

I'm currently at the five start hotel I'm working at and Patricia is tonight's performer. Her voice was really calming and soft, everyone just enjoys as she sings in there full with confidence. If I was just good as her, I'll probably be the one singing in there too.

After her performance, I just decided to walk to the staff lounge. My work is over now and all I have to do is pack up and leave, I think that's the better before this jealousy gets the best of me.

"Aren't you gonna stay here a little longer? It's Friday night, girl. It's party time." Chey, my friend and co-worker told me and I just gave her a low laugh. Every Friday night the staff here can have a great party time, but as for me, I always pass for that event.

"I'm sorry, Chey. My game's waiting for me." I answered playfully and she just laughed at me too.

"What is it with you and your games? Sometimes, I feel like that game is your boyfriend." She told me while laughing. Well, it's just maybe because I prefer that world better than this, I said to myself while I organize my things in my locker.

This is my life...repeating over and over again. Wake up, prepare myself, go to work, work, go home and that's just about it. I can't believe I've been doing that for five years now over and over again, it's alienating honestly, but what can I do? Well, at least now I have something that can lead me out of this normal boring life of mine.

I was one of the lucky beta tester of this game called 'Play...MUSIC' and I was too excited for it because it is one of the most detailed and successful virtual reality games this generation. And a bonus to that is it is about music...my passion. Since I was a kid I have loved music with all my heart and self, seriously I love music like it was my family and I really tried my best to sharpen my skills when it comes to that type of art, but it seems like it wasn't just for me. It's like music hates me.

I swear I took a lot of special classes that teaches me how to sing or play any instruments, but it's just that I can't excel to any of them and I'm honestly really bad at all of them. It's embarrassing, really, for someone who loves music so much I fail at it with a passion too. Being one of the most well-known musician in the world was my wildest dream and I admit that until now, I'm still holding on to that dream of mine which is really impossible to happen – well, at least here in reality.

Because of this game that I have right now, I'm living the life I always wanted. I'm one of the most well-known player in it and that somehow fulfils my dream because it is a music inspired game and our weapons are musical instruments. I did everything to get this reputation and now I'm living the dream...that's why I prefer that world over this one.

"Hey, I'm gonna go ahead, you guys have fun here." I told Chey before leaving the hotel and he gave me a goodbye wave.

After that I just went out, hopped onto my motorcycle and went straight home. The moment I went inside, I just threw my things on the couch, not even bothering to open the lights because I like being in a dark room. I went in front of my computer, turning it on and browsing my emails and other accounts. I was too bummed out two days ago because I just found out that my favourite band has gone into hiatus, now I have no one to stalk on the internet.

I just found myself watching their tour Vlogs and here I am again, so jealous and mesmerized with that kind of life. I really want to experience living like that, gosh, people like them are too lucky in this life. So talented and the odds are in their favour.

"If only I was that talented." I murmured to myself with a sigh. I stood up and turned off the computer. I proceeded to jump in my pajamas before jumping on my bed.

My head gear was already well set-up in there, just waiting to be worn. I stretched a little bit as I look at the clock, it's a bit late but it's still a good time to be playing this game. I took the headgear and slowly wore I over my head.

"Time to escape." I said and pushed the start button on the gadget and after that, I drifted to the other world.

--------

"Hey! You're a little late, phoenix girl." My friend in the game, overcast, said to me the moment she saw me in the main city of the game.

"Yeah, had to run some errands first, but now I'm here. Any new mission?" I asked her and she suddenly handed me a piece of paper.

"That has been waiting for you, we can try it, but it requires a way higher level which you only have so go on ahead and take it." She told me and I read the mission.

"Hmmm, hunting, eh? Well, I can do some exercise now. Thanks, overcast. Maybe hang out later? Food's on me after I complete this mission." I answered her and she just smiled.

"Sure thing, good luck." She said while waving goodbye and walking away.

I started to walk towards one of the transporter in the city to start my mission and as I was walking, most of the player have been greeting me, seriously, I feel like a celebrity here. People look up to me like I'm someone that inspires them like I'm someone invincible. It's really amazing, but of course, some people are the haters too. Saying that I only grew this strong because I was a beta tester and we had some special privileges here which is not really true. All of this...all of my achievement was made without cheating, I fulfilled my dream in here...unlike in the real world.

"Well, let's get this mission over with." I told myself before stepping into the transporter.

Soon enough, I'm already in the grassland ready to fight these monsters and search for the things I need to hunt. I can say that I somehow memorized this game, how to beat monsters perfectly, how to go with the beat flawlessly and everything, but still, I'm not getting tried of it. In fact, everytime that I'm playing here I feel more alive. It sounds corny, but that's the truth. I was just logging out to work so I can pay my bills and take care of myself because if I didn't do that, I won't be able to enjoy this game anymore. It's like I'm seeing it differently, like this is my real world and the other was my game.

Mission Completed.

I suddenly heard the A.I. that pulled me back to my senses. I didn't even realize that I already manage to get what I need. I check the items I gathered for a while and then suddenly I noticed an avatar from afar. He's an archer and he's attacking this monster.

He looked like he's new in this game, but I must say he's alredy good. He shot that high leveled monster perfectly, looks like he got a good beat. I thought he'll be able to finish off the monster, but again, he's still a begginer he might need a extra hand now.

I just went all out and run for the monster before it attacked him and pierced it with my guitar sword and almost immediately it turned into a mist as it vanished.

"Um...thanks, I guess?" the guy said as he stand up. His avatar looked amazing, blue haired avatars are really something I like. I smiled at him.

"I'm still really amazed to this game which just throws you right on the game play almost immediately." I honestly said, I mean this game is so badass it just throws you right at the gameplay.

"I guess tutorials are too mainstream nowadays?" he answered with a chuckle and I agreed with him in that.

"You're probably right." I said, but before our conversation continued I already felt like we're in trouble. 

I instantly looked back and a group of monsters that I angered a while ago has found me and are charging at me right now. I just asked the guy to help me for a while since I know he's good and has a full health meter. Thankfully he agreed to help me and with that we both charged at the monsters. I managed to kill two of them at the same time, I really don't want to show off, but I don't want these monsters to kill or hurt us. 

I thought we can handle this, but from afar I saw another wave of this monsters coming our way and that's when I decided it's time to run.

"...Run!" I said as we ran towards the transporter that will bring us back to the city.

"Thanks for saving me!" the guy said and I smirked at him.

"Same to you, new guy! See you around the city!" I said as I jump towards the transporter and one blink away, I'm back at the main city of the game. Luckily this game doesn't know any lag.

I cotinued walking to find a bench and sat there for a while to catch my breath, god, that run was tiring, but at least I managed to end my mission and met some new guy. 

"Hey! I thought we'll be transported into different areas." someone suddenly said and I realized it was that new guy.

"Oh yeah, transporters in this game have designated areas to where you will land. It's fixed, you just have to memorize them all." I told him with a smile. The guy just sat next to me. "Good first experience, right?" I asked him.

"Totally! That was so badass. I mean you're so cool and amazing --

"Hey! PG! I saw you handle those beasts in the grassland. You're so amazing! And you're a new guy right? You're so lucky to work with her for the first time."  Some random player just walked up to us and I shyly laughed.

"Don't make it a big deal, dude." I said humbly and he just chuckled at me then said goodbye.

"Well, you seem like you're popular around here." the new guy said.

"Weeeell, not that much? Just forget it, I'm Phoenix Girl, by the way. Let's exchange avatar cards?" I said, already getting one out from my bag.

"Oh, yeah, sure...I'll just go and find mine." the guy said cutely and he looked so lost. I just helped him with his items too and point him everything he needs there. "Thanks. So yeah, I'm Mr. Benzedrine, here." he said and we exchanged avatar cards.

I was right, he's really a beginner. His passion is to play the drums and I think this guy has some talent, he already leveled up with the fight we had back in that grassland.

"Whoa? Level 147?" he asked while he saw my card. 

"It's not really that high of a level, seriously." I told him with a laugh.

"Oh come on, that's like a HIGH level." he said.

"Mr. Benzedrine...is this a reference from one song?" I asked, remembering the song lyrics my most favorite band has for one of their song. The guy looked at me in shock and panic? "Well, I mean, people do that here...their usernames are references to song, like mine Phoenix Girl. Are you familiar with Fall Out Boy? It's one of their most badass song and I wanted to use it as my name...thus Phoenix Girl." I expalined and he looked at me in awe.

"Oh, that's so cool. And yeah, I never expect that anyone would notice." he said and I gave him a proud smile.

"I'm a huge fangirl of their band, I would hate myself if I miss that reference." I said. "Can I just call you MB? I mean, Mr. Benzedrine is mouthful." I continued, letting my laziness take over.

"Sure thing, Phoenix Girl." he answered me kindly.

"Well, since you helped me earlier. I think it's just right to give you a tour around the city so you can familiar yourself around here. What do you say?"

"why would I say no to that?! Let's do it!" he answered.

Both of us began to wander around the city and I'm just pointing at him the things he needs to know. I'm also giving him a lot of advice too. I'm really not always like this, maybe this guy was just too kind and I wanted to help him.

After roaming around, we reached the peak of this city which shows a beautiful preview of all the battle grounds of this world. It's really beautiful and I'm still in awe with all these.

"So that's just about it. Oh and annually, there's a huge competition that will be held in here. Battle of the musicians. Well, it's not a combat anymore, it will be like a real life musical competition. You can sing, play instruments and all. But in this game, you are always accomapnied by your beat and the person that got the highest score with that beat wins the competition. It's a fun experience, it will happened in a month so I think you can go on ahead and participate." I explained to him.

"Oh no, I really have no intention to, and seriously, I'm just here to socialize. It's kind of weird actually, I'm playing to socialize." he answered which made me life.

"Well, have you heard of the real world, MB? Like seriously, you can socialize in there." I playfully told him but then he smiled at me sadly.

"It's actually different, well, I had my reason why I chose to socialize here..." he started and I know I somehow crossed the line.

"Well, I just hope that you're not some serial killer who's hiding and just want someone to talk to." I jokingly said that thankfully made him smile.

"Same to you, Phoenix Girl!" he said. After that I realized that I have to go because I'm already feeling so sleepy, meaning I have let my body rest now. 

"I guess, I'll see you around? Just tap on my avatar card if you want to meet or something. I'll reply to you as soon as I can. I have to log out now because I'm already tired." I explained to him and he just nodded at me.

"Thanks for everything, okay? I'll see you around, PG!" he said and with that I began to drift off.

I slowly removed the head gear and placed it on the small table beside my bed. I let my eyesight adjust to the darkness of my room as I strected out a bit. I smile as I remember that new guy, this was really the first time I've been that close to an avatar in that game. It's a weird feeling actually, but I guess I'm gonna make a new friend out of him soon.

{THANKS FOR READING!}