*Patrick's P.O.V.*

If I'd tell my best friends that I'm currently liking someone in the virtual world, they'd probably tell me I'm going crazy. And maybe, I really am.

I'm currently logged out from the game and just laying on my bed while browsing my twitter account. I'm honestly trying to find someone who has a name Riley in here, I really wanted to see her in real life. It may sound creepy, but I want to find her...well if she's even a she.

I know I shouldn't trust things in this virtual world, anyone can be anyone in here. But somehow, I've trusted Riley more than any player in that game for an unknown reason. It's like she's just showing who she really is in there and I think that's just stunning. That's why I really wanted to know her in real life too.

I've been playing this game for over a month now and through the whole course of that time, Riley had been hanging out with me. We're doing some quests all the time or just casually talking in there, but recently I was always helping her train for the Battle of the Musicians, giving her some advice on how she'd perform or things like that.

Last week was quite a blast too, that was the time I saved her from that bully player and the time I showed some players what I've got. I really don't want to prove anything, but I wanted to show that player he can't bully anyone like that. I wanted to embarrass him and that pride of his. Since then too, some other players began to recognize me and look up to me which is definitely not part of the plan while being in that game. I just decided to lay low after that and help Riley all the time.

I continued to browse Twitter and it's really impossible for me to find her this way so maybe if we continued to be friends in that game I'll just ask her to meet me in the real world...hoping that she's really fine as she seems.

I decided to put down my phone and reach for my head gear. I have nothing else to do today so I think I'll just play the game for a whike before dozing off. I switched on the gear and loaded the game...finally I'm off to my favorite place now.

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"I got accepted!" Riley just came running towards me while holding the accepted form of hers. I smiled at her and congratulated her.

"Oh come on, don't act so shock. You knew you'd be accepted with a blink of an eye!" I told her and she just giggled at me.

"I'm still thankful though, a lot can happen, Martin." She said while sitting next to me. "Two more days till the application ends. You sure you don't want to join? You are freaking great! I'm sure you can win this competition!" She told me and I just laughed at her.

"Come on, you know I'm not here for that. Besides you will win that game and I'll.be beside you when you do so...saying 'I told you so'. I'll never have a chance against you and I'll never choose to be against you. You're greater than me on this game, Riley. Trust me." I honestly told her and suddenly she smiled sadly.

"Yeah. On this game only, at least you...you're good in or out of this game. I envy you." She honestly said.

"No, don't. I'm sure you're also wonderful out there, Riley. Come on  don't look down on yourself. Maybe music isn't really your forte, but there are other things. Envying someone is never a good thing, you're unique and possibly best at something!" I said and she just smiled at me.

"Thank you. I'm really sorry too. I don't have anyone out there to remind me of that so I usually forget." She said sadly.

"Soon enough you'll have someone. That's a promise." I murmured and she just stared at me, confused.

"Hey! You guys, you up for a group quest? I have tons in here!" Suddenly, we heard our other friend in this game coming our way.

"Up for some exercise?" Riley suddenly told me with a smirk.

"Bring it, Phoenix Girl." I replied and off we go.

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The moment I took off my head gear, four hours had passed. I enjoyed playing too much today because of the quests we had. I really enjoying doing quests with Riley and our other friends there since it feels like we're only playing and besidrs, their song choices are always great. It's like I'm playing and having a rehearsal at the same time.

Speaking of rehearsal, I was wondering why I recieved phone calls from our record producer. It feels urgent and also, he textef me to get tot studio as soon as I can. After that, I just grabbed my jacket and keys and drove to our nearby studio, hoping that I'm not in trouble. Finally, I arrived and I went straight to the meeting room.

"Hi, I'm sorry I was doing something earlier." I said once I got inside and in shock I saw our record producer with some new clients. The first thing I thought is we're on break, what's happening?

"Mr. Stump, finally. No problem at all, besides, we're having fun talking here too." Our record producer said and I shook his hand. The other clients have walked up too and we shared hand shakes.

"Finally, I'm finally able to meet you Mr. Stump. I've been looking forward for this." He said and I smiled.

Soon enough we just sat down around the meeting table.

"Patrick, I know you and the guys are on break but this job will not take that away from you, in fact, you'll enjoy your break more because of this." Our record producer said and after that they took out a brand new head gear and the Play...Music game.

"Have you heard of this game console and game?" The client ask and I nodded at them. I don't really like where this is going. "Great! We've been getting the partnership of the developers of this music related game and they finally agreed. We're asking you to play this game, join the annual competition of Battle of the Musicians and win it. And as for us, we'll record your progress and make it as a music video for promotion." The client said that just made me stare at him.

"And don't worry, we're sure you'll win this. This isn't really cheating but you have some priviledges like the beta testers of this game. You'll level up fast and things as such. And this will be a perfrct music video and promotional material. You can even make your own story there." They continued.

"And you're not allowed to say who you really are. That's the bomb at the end, we'll just reveal that in the music video." The producer said excitedly and all I was thinking with all this is Riley.

"So...I'm doing thing for a music video and promotion? And I need to win the competition?" I asked them blankly.

"Yes, and again you'll be strong in the game. This is a gold vip card game, you're not the only one who has that. Some other special players has that too. It's just a boost for the level up and it's not cheating." They explained as they gave me the card.

This card. Riley have mentioned this before...and she said its one of the developer'd mistake and I understand that. Players who are rich that can buy these cards overruns them, the true players that works hard on this game. Really, paying players are above the hardworking ones. And this is also the reason why Riley lost last Battle of the Bands, the champion has this card too.

"This will be a good comeback for you and the band and we alsi heard you liked playing, so we chose you." He said but all I did was smile at them.

"I...can't just ask the others. I'm sorry. I really like the offer but I don't think J can --

"Patrick, the others are busy. Pete and Joe are busy with their babies and Andy has been going on a tour for other bands. Think about it, Mr. Stump." Our producer said as I look at the golden card on my hands.

"What you'll do in there is easy. Just play, socialize, and win. Its your choice if you create your own story and all we're going to do is to keep track on you there and make a music video. Surely, the developers will love it. We're really hoping for your cooperation, Mr. Stump. Please." The client said as they began to walk out of the meeting room, ending this small gathering.

Soon enough I and our producer was left in that room.

"Patrick, this is a big help for the band and it's comeback. It's very timely ans I'm sure the fandom will love it. You'll just win the competition. Besides, it's just a game, no one will get hurt. It'll be a great help." He said and I stood up.

"I-I'll think about it. Thank you  I have to go." I said snd went off.

I began to drivr back home while the card was just on my passengers seat. I'm honeslty having a hard time thinking...it wouldn't hurt anyone. He might be right besides this is to help us and the band...but what about Riley? And I did promise to her...she'll probably hate me if I fight this way.

"Not unless she doesn't find out." I told myself and suddenly I began to think of a solution to this...besides, she also wants me to join so bad...just not like this.

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A new character...that's what I'm creating right now while using this car. A whole new different character just to accomplish this job they gave me.

The card did really give a lot of priveldge, I can choose two weapons at the same time now and this time I chose the guitar and the mic, just like what I use in Fall Out Boy. There are other extra things the card had given me.

I also decided to make my character a mysterious one, I really want to be known here as a solo player. I promise I won't get attached to anyone, most especially to Rileh's character which I'm sure I'll see later on.

Finally, I was done and the gane transported me to the battle arena and this time, I know that to do.

"Good god! This game is insane, transporting a new gamer in a high level arena." I suddenly heard a familiar voice and in shock, it's Riley again.

I chose to ignore her despite the fact that she smiled at me and focused on the herd of high level monster around us. The beat I was hearing right now is loud and besutiful anf without hesitation, I attacked.

"No, wait!" Riley said but its too late. I'm already hacking these monsters into half even if I'm low level.

Riley was fighting off the others too and in no time, we finished them all off and I leveled up insanely fast.

"A gold card gamer..." She said in shock but I can hear the disgust in her voice.

"Not bad, phoenix girl." I told her, creating this cold treatment towards her character. "Guess I'll see you in the Battle of The Musician competition." I continued with a smirk, I honestly shouldn't be doing this.

"I like your attitude, Vaughn." She said, that was my username nowm "I'll see you in the competition too, and maybe, be ready to lose, cause I'll not come second with a golden player once more." She said with a smirk and I have to be honest I love her confidence.

"Keep dreaming, see you around, phoenix girl." I said while I walk away...I guess from now on this character will be her nemesis and vice versa.

As long as she doesn't know it's me...everythig will play out just right.

{Thanks for reading!!!!! :)}