Chapter One

Originally, I was only joining to look for friends. I never truly wanted to find someone because I've always been told the internet is a very dangerous place. One of the many reasons why I never made social media handles for myself. Never posted, only scrolled.

I've always been told I had an attractive face. Always been luckier with my body's figure. It caused unwanted attention from strangers.

The only reason I made an account for IMVU was to make friends because I had a difficulty making real ones. It was pure chance that I ended up joining the right chatroom at the right time to have my avatar spawn right next to Aj on the couch in the room. His avatar was gothic, like mine. I have a grunge style that consists of baggy clothing to hide my figure.

Wore tighter dark clothing for the hell of it for my character. I had a cute face and long dark locks that tumbled down my back in waves. Piercings. Spiky jewelry. I typed in the chat.

Hey there. I love your avatar.

He didn't respond right away. But when he did, he told me he liked mine too. He said he was just about to leave. I stopped him. I asked if we could have a private chat so I don't hold him in the room against his will. He hid behind an alias. His alias was 10Simps. That alone made me laugh.

Below that, it told me he was twenty years old. On my profile, my age is set at eighteen. That was a lie. I was actually fifteen and I had to be at least eighteen years old to create an account on the platform. If I did end up becoming friends with him, which I do eventually, my age would have been my first lie.

I had another lie in the bio. A big one. I still feel bad about it. It was mainly to back up my age but give my pseudonym a cool backstory.

My name is Rena! I'm currently in Spain volunteering for animal shelters.

I do volunteer work but the thing is, I don't actually live in Spain. In fact, I've never even been to Europe. Or out of the United States for that matter. It's kind of sad, I suppose. But I'm fifteen. I don't have a passport. Doesn't mean I couldn't get one, just that I don't need one.

Aj's location said he was currently in Texas. My true location was smack dab in the center of Kansas. Life is boring there. Because I didn't know his actual name and I don't condone calling him by his alias, I called him Sir.

Yu don't have to call me sir. My name is Aj. No, it's not short for anything. It's just Aj.

Was that 'yu' a typo? Also, I think I like sir. I'll call you Aj if I feel like it :)

Nope. It's jus something I do. I also like to make this face :}

Well, my weird habits are similar. I say hn instead hm. Yah instead of yea or yeah. Also, that face is very funny.

Already, Aj and I seem to be at a nice start. We talk for days, having fun, cracking jokes. I came to realize that Aj is a funny person with a unique personality. We share interests and get along well.

So one morning, I finally asked.

Don't suppose we can be friends? Also, do you use discord?

He sent a friend request and said something snarky.

I'm 20 years old, yes I have discord. I'm not that old. Jus two years older than yu. What's your user? I'll add yu.

Immediately, I had a sinking feeling in my gut. I already hated the fact that I was lying. I decided to speak up about where I live. I don't want to come clean about my age just yet because I don't want to risk losing him.

Aj, I need to be honest. I don't actually live in Spain

A weight felt lifted off my shoulders. But I couldn't breathe a sigh of relief just yet. But his answer eased my worry.

Well, I want to live in a European country. Seems cool. Would prolly lie about that too.

I let out a deep sigh. We take our conversation to discord in a private server. I ask him if he wanted to do a face reveal. I then add that he doesn't have to if he doesn't want to.

To break the ice, I say

I'm really full of myself so I'll send something anyway :}

I snap a quick picture of myself, disregarding the fact that my many stuffed animals are squished at my side and my baby blanket is resting on my chest. I sent the photo.

Ay, I know we've only been talkin for a few days so I hope yu don't mind me saying this. You're like hella cute ngl

My heart skips a beat and I take a second to hide my burning face in my blanket. It took me a minute to respond. My phone turns off and the discord notifications startle me. The screen shows the notification banner on the lock screen. He apologized.

It's fine. Jus blushing and hiding my face in my blanket. No biggie

Fuck yu. That's adorable

I do it again.

Stopppppppp ittttttt sirrrrrr!

I do end up saying that out loud and it sounds whiny. The friendly opinions I had of him shifted from that moment. I knew I now had some sort of small feelings for this guy.

I hadn't seen his face or heard his voice so no one can accuse me of falling for his looks. I fell for his personality, which makes this a problem.

I can't pursue him because that would mean an underage relationship. I don't want him in any trouble. And I don't want to scare him off by telling him I'm fifteen. Not eighteen like I said I was.

My only thought then was how much trouble I've caused. And I know damn well it's only going to get worse.