Alicekai'd 1.7: Beyond the Surface

 

I miss you

 

   Crap. Don. 

   What do I do? I don't get a chance to ponder because I get another text.

Let's go out tonight. The love festival is in town. 

     I audibly sigh. Why is he doing this to me?!

Okay. I'll meet you there? 

     I must be insane.

7 ok?

 

Yes. See you then. 

     "Hello, Alice." He looks flirty. I may be in trouble.

 

     "Don," I say laconically.

     He catches on quickly to my mood. "What's wrong?"

     "Well, you basically tell me you don't want to see me anymore, and-"

     "WHAT? Alice, no! Why would you think I said that?"

     "You told me you wanted to see other people."

     He puts both hands on his face then pulls them away. "Listen, I would like for us to have a talk, but first, the tea." He winks. "It's the main event here."

     "Don, I don't think it's a good idea to talk AFTER the tea..." I leave my statement hanging.

     He smiles. "Nonsense." Then he takes my hand and leads me to the fountains.

     "So you wanted to talk..." I remind him.

     "Do you WANT to see other people?" He watches me carefully.

     I sigh. "I don't know, Don. I'd kind of already had in my mind I was."

     He smiles. Strange. "That's wonderful, Alice."

     "I don't understand you."

     He chuckles after sipping his tea. "What I'm saying is you shouldn't tie yourself to one man. Life is short. But we can still have fun from time to time."

     I look at him incredulously. "Is THAT what you were trying to say the other day?"

     He looks away. "Not exactly. I was... feeling inadequate." Then he smiles and looks at me. "But no longer. We're okay, right?"

      I eke out a smile back. "Sure." Then I look off to the side and see the love guru lady. Hm. Wonder what she'd say to ME. I decide to give it a shot. First, I ask her about Don and me.

     She gives me a stern look. "When I look into your future, a trite expression comes to mind."

     "Okay?"

     "When you play with fire, you're going to get burned."

     "Yeah. That IS trite. What do you mean exactly?" Is it Don? Gerald?

     "The future is never perfectly clear. All I can do is warn you. It's written in your aura that you are drawn to unhealthy relationships."

      At first, I want to be impressed. She's probably right. BUT that could be said about a lot of people.

      "I thought your job here today was to make everybody happy. What you've told me really sucks." I start to walk away, but she holds up her hand. Curious even though a little mad, I wait.

 

    "I do prefer giving good news, but I feel strongly that I should also speak the truth as I see it. You gravitate to the wrong sorts of men." Is she saying this because she saw me with Don? He does have a reputation, I'm guessing. "But that does not mean that you're utterly doomed. To find real love, you need to look beyond the surface." She pauses, staring off into space. "I see it. You'll know the right one when he sends you a letter."

     "A letter," I reply, nonplussed.

     "That's all I can see for now. A handwritten letter."

      "Sure, lady." I pause then decide to get snippy. "Hey, since you're 'psychic,' how about you tell me how to get out of this game."

      She frowns. "I... do not know."

      "Yeah, thanks for nothing." I walk away. 'Wrong sorts of men.' Tuh. What does it even matter? So I'm trapped in a game and want to have a little fun. What's it to her? I take a deep breath and work at letting my bad mood go away. Besides, if I'm going to have fun, may as well do it, right?

     I put my worries in the back of my mind, and Don and I have a fun date. At the end of it, he tells me he has to get home. I leave as well, and we agree to meet again on Saturday.

     "Alice!" he says when he sees me. "You get more beautiful every day."

     A man crossing the street does a kind of double take. It's Geoffrey Landgraab, and he lights up when he sees me. I give him a smile back, and he starts over to Don and me.

 

     "Hi, Alice," Geoffrey says, running to us now. "What a surprise to see you in my neck of the woods."

     Don doesn't turn towards him. "It's also MY 'neck of the woods,' Mr. Landgraab."

     It's like he notices Don for the first time. "What? Oh. Yeah. I guess it is, isn't it?" He puts his hands in his pockets. "So what are you two up to?"

     Don grabs my hand. "We're on a date." Then he pulls me over to the nearby park bench, where we both sit.

     I try to carry on a conversation with both of them, but I get the distinct impression that Don is purposefully working at excluding Geoffrey. I think Geoff notices too.

      "Hey, uh, Alice? I'll just catch you later, okay? I wouldn't want to... intrude." He gives Don a look and then turns to leave.

      I feel terrible for how Don's been acting. "Geoffrey!" I call out to him as he walks down the sidewalk. "Give me a call and we can talk later, okay?"

      A small smile lifts the corners of his mouth. "Sure." Then he waves and continues down the sidewalk.

      Not much of interest happens with the rest of my date with Don. We find a place to go and make out, but he ends up having to leave early for a sudden job interview. Since when are job interviews sudden?

      When I get back to the dorms, I decide to go for a jog.

 

     I've been doing this more often lately as another way to stop my expanding waistline. It's working... but slowly.

     The next morning, the commons area has a surprise.

     "Okay now that's just creepy," I say aloud to the empty room. I decide to start becoming more of an exercise buff and exercise equipment just HAPPENS to show up in the commons one day? "Fiiiine. I'll get my fat ass on it." What is the sick bastard in charge of this place trying to tell me if not that?

     Whatever. I think I look cute in my workout clothes anyway.

     A man I've not met before walks into the building, looks around, and spots me.

     "Hi," he says with a beguiling smirk.

Alicekai'd 1.6: Real To Me Right Now

 

 

      Tomorrow brings the Simmy Awards, and I've been nominated for one of my books!

 

       I arrive at the venue early, thrilled the bouncer let me pass, and then I sit and wait. I barely remember writing the book. I'd squeezed it in between classes, homework, and Don. It was the first book I sent in to an actual publisher, and immediately, it got me nominated. This is DEFINITELY not how the real world works, but this isn't the real world.

      Glittering stars start entering the building, and I inwardly gasp as I realize I haven't changed into formal wear yet.

      Is this really happening?

      No. Ugh, I'm not listening to my negative voice right now. I'm at an awards ceremony, whether it's real or not, it's real to me right now.

     I have a seat on the back row. They announce winners of film stuff first. When they finally get around to writers, my mouth drops as I hear my name!

 

      I hardly know what words sputter out of my mouth as I accept it. People don't look to be paying me much attention anyway, but I'll remember this moment forever, even with the look of disapproval on Mortimer Goth's face.

 

      Time flies. I make A's again, even though one of them is not an A+. A new term starts, and with it, new residents to the dorms. I'm drawn to one in particular.

 

      His name is Gerald. Gerald Schilling. He's totally hot.

      "So how do you like the dorms?" I ask. I have to talk about something, after all.

      "It's fine. I just miss my dog."

      I have no real clue what else we talk about; I only know we keep talking. Maybe Don wanting to see other people isn't a bad thing. I could DEFINITELY go for this guy in front of me if he shows any interest. Right now, though, he mostly looks like he wants me to leave him to finish his homework.

      "Well, if you need anything, I'm right next door." I smile and leave the room.

      "Sure thing." He has a great smile.

      We encounter each other at breakfast the next day.

 

     I'm having yogurt. I'm starting to pack on a few pounds, so I'm hoping that eating light will help slow it down.

      Do I say something? I don't know if he's noticed me yet. "Good morning, Gerald."

      His eyes slowly drag themselves off the screen. "Oh, Alice! Hi! Sorry. I was just engrossed in this research."

       I smile. "What did you say your major was again?"

     "Computer science. You're literature, right?" The cookie next to him starts rotting, but we both ignore it.

     I guess we DID talk about it yesterday. "Yeah." I flip my hair. "I'm already a published author and everything. I got a Starlight Accolade award the other day." Am I bragging?

     He chuckles. "Wow, I didn't know I was sitting at the table with someone famous."

     I purse my lips with a kind of 'get real' look on my face, but ironically. "Oh, please. I'm not famous. I don't know HOW I got that thing, but it WAS pretty cool to be around all those truly famous people."

     "I'll have to read your book some time. What's it called? What genre?"

     "It's fiction. Twilight Werewolves." I blush sheepishly. "I didn't really think it was anything special, but apparently, teen girls ate it up." I pause. "Maaaaaybe it's not your thing."

      He laughs heartily. "Nonsense. I'd like to read it. I know the author, after all." He winks.

      Yeah, there's life after Don Lothario. "Don't say I didn't warn you." I giggle. Ask me out! I hope the message shows up in my eyes. I'm not sure how he'd react to me asking HIM out.

      He clicks the computer keys in a mad rush, staring at the screen. "There it is." He makes a dramatic click with the mouse, his eyes darting back and forth from the screen to me. A slight smile plays about his handsome face. "Boom. There. Ordered a hard copy."

      My mouth drops. "What! I'm not sitting here trying to sell myself." I pause then blush profusely. "Wait, I mean..."

      Earth or whatever just swallow me now, I think to his loud laughing. "You know what I mean."

      He manages to regain control and leans his elbow on the table, his fingers partially covering his smile. "Do I?"

      "Yes. I would hope so." I playfully glare. "Now, I have to get to class." Not a lie, unfortunately. "Again, don't say I didn't warn you," I tell him as I get up to leave.

       "I like to make my own decisions," he replies cryptically, and I'd swear he was checking out my butt as I walk away.

        I'd say that went well, even WITH my embarrassing comment. I grin all the way to class.

       Yes, I'd say there's life after Don.
 

      After class lets out, I have a text:

I miss you 

      Crap. Don.

Alicekai'd 1.5: It Isn't Real, Remember?

       Even though I've been pretty much avoiding Don, he still appears one day when I go to check the mail.

       In his hands, he holds a gift for me.

 

     "It's not much, but I just wanted to get you something."

     I look at the gift--in the grey wrapping paper--and take it with a small smile. "Thank you." I open it. It's a DJ Candy MySims figurine.

      His smile looks apologetic. "Like I said, it isn't much."

      "No, it's great. I much prefer that I don't get things like chocolate and flowers." Chocolate makes me fat, and flowers just end up wilting.

      He smiles for real now. "I know. You said that once. So, instead of candy, I got you DJ Candy."

      I giggle. "Oh, I get it now!"

      People start flooding the common area. I think one of the roommates is throwing a party. I go and get a drink, and Don meets me back by the elevator again.

     "So, uh, I wanted to ask you something." He gulps.

     He's being weird. I don't think I like it. An uneasy knot forms in my stomach. "What?"

     "Are you... happy... with the way things are?"

     "Huh?" I scowl.

     "Well... I was wondering about the whole exclusivity thing. I'll be honest with you, Alice. I've never been one to do ...this." He won't look me in the eyes.

     "Oh." I take a sip of my drink, thinking. Then, I ask, "So, who is it you're wanting to also date?"

     "What? No one!"

     For some reason, my budding anger evaporates. I mean, this IS Don Lothario. What did I expect?

     Besides, I remind myself, it isn't real, remember? 

 

     "Don't worry, Don. I understand." Just keep being you. 

     "No. Alice. I don't think you DO understand." He sighs and puts his hand on his forehead. "And I don't know how to explain it to you."

      "Sure I do. You want to open up the relationship just in case you meet someone and want to pursue that while still seeing me."

      His lips form a line.

     "I've never had to try to explain this to someone before. I've never really wanted to, either. But I LIKE you, Alice."

     "I don't know, Don. You're starting to make me think the opposite."

      I continue, "You act like one minute you want to break up. Then you say you want to stay together. You say you like me, but I also feel like you're pushing me away."

      He sighs, and his shoulders slump. "I know. And I'm sorry. I know I'm not making any sense. Plum, I barely make sense to myself."

      Off to my left, what looks like Geoffrey Landgraab is talking about where to find the best vacuum cleaner to someone else who looks vaguely familiar.

      Don grabs my attention again. "Perhaps I need some time to go and think about how to say what I mean to say."

      "Sure." Well, I guess that's that. Don is conflicted, and I don't want to change him. At the same time, the rejection stings.

       He lightly kisses my cheek before walking to the elevator and disappearing.

       I have a seat and finish my drink. I have homework to do, but I don't have the motivation right now. Eventually, most of the crowd goes to the living room area to watch something on television. I assume I'm alone until I hear a baritone voice.

       "Now why would someone as lovely as you be sitting here all by your lonesome like this?"

       I look up. It's Geoffrey Landgraab.

      I smile and blurt out something random, "I'm contemplating the best way to prepare grilled cheese." Eh, it's a sim thing.

      Quickly, I try to remember everything I can about Geoffrey Landgraab. Like Don, his family was introduced in Sims 2, but I never played that household much. I wasn't interested in the 'real estate' thing Maxis was trying to do in the game. I went in and set up Malcolm with someone then got bored and went back to Don. One thing I DO remember, though: Geoffrey is good whereas Malcolm is evil. I'm good, right? Sure. Sure, I am. At any rate, I feel very at ease in Mr. Landgraab's presence.

      His eyebrow raises, and the corners of his lips quirk. "I could give you my favorite recipe." He has a seat, and we sit and talk for hours. He gets me laughing in minutes, which, after Don's behavior, is a real boon to my attitude. We become fast friends, and by the time the party ends, I'm in a much better mood.

       As I get ready to go to sleep, I once again ponder my situation. I may never escape this. Perhaps when I die in this world, I'll wake up in the real one and it'll be time to give my presentation (which I've all but forgotten about). Perhaps I'll never see the real world again at all.

      And then there's the Don thing. Sure, his floundering stung, but I should've expected nothing less. It's how he is, and I don't want to change him.

      So what do I do now? I sigh and decide to wait and see what tomorrow brings.

Alicekai'd 1.4: Going In Circles

 

 

     My "quest" to meet new people leads me to join the Spirit Squad. They're fun. Maybe I'll connect with one of them.

     "Here are the banners," a girl with a high ponytail tells me. "It'll be easy." She tells me what time would be the best to prank Foxbury.

     Play a prank. Okay. Gotta love initiations.

     That WAS easy. Geez, this school must not believe in late night parties. That, or maybe they're all too distracted WITH them.

      I stand here and think back to my date with Don. After we'd left the restaurant, we went and sat to talk. He's deeper than I gave him credit for. Although, I'm not sure how I've come to that conclusion considering all we did was talk about ME some more. I did, however, find out that, yes, he's living with Nina and Dina Caliente. He assures me there is nothing going on, but seriously, I'm supposed to believe that? This is DON LOTHARIO after all. Why am I getting hung up on him?

     He's come to hang out at the dorms twice now. Each time has been right before or right after his shift at work. We've made out. I'm getting curious how it feels to be a sim during woohoo.

     I'm losing my mind, I think to myself, considering how I haven't done any research about how to escape this alternate reality (or whatever it is) since I started seeing Don. But that's just it! I CAN'T find anything even when I try to look. The only thing I can really do now is keep my eyes and ears open.

      "Is this better?" he asks.

      "Yes." Wait. Where am I? I barely remember getting here. Oh well, I'm on a date with Don. A thought occurs to me: "So, Don?"

      "Yes?" Damn his hands are talented. 

      "Why, exactly, are you living with Nina and Dina?"

      He pauses for only a second. "Because it is the easiest way I can afford to live in a nice house." He wraps an arm around my waist and pulls me back into him. "Don't worry. You are the only one I'm interested in."

      "So, does this mean we're exclusive?" I feel him tense.

      "Y-yes?" He clears his throat. "Well, it is as I said. I'm not interested in anyone else."

      I turn around and smile at him. His smile looks a tad forced.

      Our conversation turns, but it comes back to Nina and Dina.

       Finally, I guess from having had enough of it, he pulls me to the door to ask, "Would you like to meet them?" I think he means so that I can judge for myself if there's anything. "Would that put you more at ease?"

      My shoulders drop--I'd not realized they were tense. Nodding, I smile and say, "Yes."

      He also relaxes and takes my hand, and we leave for his house.

      I meet the famous Nina and Dina. They both act distracted and a bit annoyed at Don for making them stop whatever it was they were doing so that they could meet me. At least he introduces me as his new girlfriend.

      We go to his room next. Yep. One thing leads to another...

     There's no way to describe it, other than to say it's gooooood. Toe-curling good. Maybe it's because it's him. All my teen fantasies about Don Lothario come true. Maybe this IS all just a dream. I don't want to wake.

     When it's over, he pulls me back under, and we go again. Afterwards, I pass out asleep.

     The next thing I know, I'm jolted awake realizing that I never finished tomorrow's homework assignment! I quickly sit up and start on it. Don isn't in here, but I hear someone nearby in the restroom.

 

     "Why do you attend the university? Wouldn't it be easier to just start a career?" He pauses. "Don't misunderstand. You being there means I met you, but I've always wondered about the students."

      I smile. "I did have a job, but I wasn't happy. I'm hoping that with a degree I might be able to move forward faster." And so that I might have better access to research materials, I remind myself. Something I haven't bothered to check out other than to scratch the surface. I've been distracted by Mr. Six-pack next to me. 

     He tells me he needs to get ready for work, and I also check the time. I need to get back to campus. On my way out, my mood sours.

     What are you DOING, Alice? Even though I'd had fun playing with the sim of Don in Sims 2, I'd always sort of felt sorry for the women he wronged. But it didn't really matter. It wasn't real.

      Now I've BECOME one of them. But it shouldn't matter, right? It's not real.

      Right?

     Over the next few days, my thoughts go in circles around this very concept. I don't really respond to Don's texts--only one or two word answers. I can't help but think about where my attention should lie.

     I make two A+'s on my final grades and start a new term.

Alicekai'd 1.3: Fangirl

 

 

     Still here.

     The first thing I do this morning is head over to the commons area. I'm starving, and there is no way to fix food at the dorms.

 

     Yes, he still works the counter. Don Lothario. He doesn't speak to me other than the things he needs to say to fill my order. I get some eggs and bacon, and like before: poof! They appear.

     I eat in silence. Then, I get a notification on my phone that I have work in two hours.

     Whoops. Better fix that. I quit. Funnily, this doesn't affect my scholarship status.

     'Go talk to him!' I tell myself internally.

     I don't listen, instead giving him a lopsided grin as I walk past.

     I've signed up for two classes this term: The Write Expectations and Writing Fiction... Or Are We? I'm secretly hoping the second class will give me some answers to my predicament.

     My predicament... which I'm slowly starting to hate less and less.

     I mean seriously, my life in the "real" world wasn't all that great. I certainly didn't get a free ride to college, instead amassing a huge amount of student loan debt. It certainly was harder to get ready in the morning. Here, I can even plop on some fake eyelashes in the literal blink of an eye. I have tiny feet. Okay, not a big deal, but I hated my waterski-feet before. My hair is always perfect. Always.

     My only true concern (if I finally decide staying is a good thing) is how long my life expectancy is. There's no real way for me to check. Online, people don't mention anything about it.

     I do miss my friends, though. I know almost no one here, especially since Angela died. Sure, I could get to know people (like Don Lothario), but I worry that I'll miss them should I somehow find a way home.

     Maybe I could check out some clubs and organizations.

 

     The debate team, for example. I attend one of their competitions. Honestly, I'm not that impressed. The way they present their arguments just reminds me of presenting my sales pitch to a client--from my old job at the marketing firm. That was the part I liked least, the part I hated, about my job. I wanted to come up with the ideas and logos, etc. Selling it wasn't my strong suit.

     The guy in front of me is kinda cute in a dorky way, but something about him makes me feel like I'll definitely be an idiot if I try to speak to him. It's like he's famous. How do I know that right off the bat like that? More this-has-got-to-be-the-game reality checks.

     As I try to keep from thinking too much about it, I look to my left. There's a snack stand. I could go for a snack.

     It would appear that I'm doomed to fangirl today, for who else but Don Lothario himself is manning the snack stand. Coffeeshop? Whatever.

     He sees me and smiles. "University getup looks good on you."

     "Um, thanks." I bite my lip.

     "What can I get for you today?" His eyebrows raise.

     "Uh... I don't know. What would you suggest?" How long can I stretch this out?

     "Well, there's the donuts, coffee, and other things, but honestly," he looks both ways, "this stuff is all crap."

     I can't help but laugh. "That's not the best sales pitch." I order a coffee anyway. OMG we actually talked! I don't want it to end, and there isn't anyone standing in line behind me. "Well, what place does have things that aren't crap?"

     His eyes sparkle, almost like he just thought 'bingo!' "I'd love to show you sometime."

     Wait, what? Did he just...? "Sounds fun." I barely control the urge to want to bounce up and down.

     We exchange numbers! We're going to dinner tomorrow night! Is this real?

     No. No, it's not, I remind myself. Bummer. But I can still have a good time.

     I decide not to overdo it, wardrobe-wise, for the date.

     "So this is the place?" I ask when we appear outside the restaurant. It looks familiar... only not quite.

     "It is." He smiles. Then, he takes my hand. "Come with me, Alice."

     I like how he says my name. He has a kind of accent, hard to place, but just enough to be totally hot.

     He's holding my hand! I feel thirteen again.

     He orders for both of us, and I'm okay with it. Normally, I'd be really put out about something like that, the whole women's lib thing, but I don't mind this time. After all, this was the place he said had better food, right?

     Besides, it's DON LOTHARIO.

     The server leaves after getting the order, and Don turns to me.

     "You look especially beautiful tonight, Alice."

     Eeeeeee! Don Lothario said I look beautiful! I smile. "Flattery will get you everywhere." WTF? Why did I say that? 

     "Will it," he states more than asks, and he looks at my skirt.

     Change the subject! "So, what did you order us?"

      "For you, the herb-crusted salmon." He grins, remembering that's what I'd ordered the first day I saw him. "I thought you should try how it should taste."

      He remembered! I'm so caught up in my own thoughts that I miss what he ordered for himself.

      He asks me about my life. I tell him I was created not too long ago--a test. He laughs and says that he also was just created one day. So it IS a thing. Then he asks me about my interests. Our food arrives, and he still manages only to get me to talk about me. He doesn't talk about himself. Our only interruption is when my phone beeps.

     "Boyfriend wondering where you are?" he asks, a mischievous smile playing about his lips. The man at the next table mutters something about aliens.

     "No, uh, classmate wondering if I took good notes the other day and wants to borrow them." Wait a minute... "Why did you ask about a boyfriend?" Why would I go on a date with YOU if I had a boyfriend? 

     "I assumed you must've had one."

     I'm not amused, not with the line of thought I'm forming. "Why would you assume I had a boyfriend? Why would I go out with you if I did? Do you often take out other people's girlfriends?"

     His mouth opens in shock as he obviously tries to figure out what to say next. "No! I guess it was my way of trying" he mutters under his breath, "stupidly, I realize now," in a normal voice, he continues, "of trying to make sure you didn't have one. Please, I mean no disrespect. I only wanted to make sure."

     Nope. I get up, pushing my chair under the table.

     "Alice, wait." He gets up too, blocking my path for the moment. "That was stupid of me. I just wanted to make sure that this was a date, not just dinner." He takes my hands. "I don't remember making that clear earlier, but I find you very attractive, Alice."

     I can't explain myself. Maybe it's still a fangirl thing. Maybe I'm lonely. Maybe I'm both. Probably all of the above. After the initial shock wears off, he kisses me back, and we stand here, at the patio of the restaurant, kissing for a moment.

     When we finally remember that we have a small audience, he pulls back to ask, "So I'm forgiven?"

     I smile, still holding his hand, and lead him out of the restaurant.