"Yeah, a little. Not as much as me but honestly not many are." Serena had been a bit nonplussed by her gaming laptop. Apparently computers are for work according to her.

Allegra, was dangerously cute as a kid. "That's so cool. Can't believe you were already into fashion and design as a little kid. Oh and you suit red hair by the way, you'd look gorgeous with dark red locks." OK calm down Alice, all hints from the gaydar are coming up straight with this girl. Unless it's off again. Like with that poor shop assistant.

Oh, so there was a nerd in there begging to be set free. They would have fun, oh yes they would. "Good to know. Honestly superheros were also more interesting to me. Why be a princess when you can kick butt and fly?"

"Kind of, but the main reason I want to make her outfit is because she's pretty much my favourite female character in a game. From what's my all time favourite game ever. It's more about me than about looking sexy, you know?" Not that Ciri wasn't sexy, girl had damn fine legs. "Well that and I get to wander around a hot convention hall in pretty thin clothing, those places get hot."

"I'd honestly love that, I'm still pretty bad at stuff like needle work so anything you could help teach me would be awesome. Might even be able to tempt you into one yourself," she said with a cheeky wink, "even if you never wear it outside your room."

Raising an eyebrow, she wasn't sure if Allegra was just that worried about people seeing her play games and be labeled a nerd, or she was clumsily hitting on the older girl. Nothing about her screamed that she was interested in women that way and Alice wasn't getting those hints that another girl liked her. Was she really as shallow as to care what other people said, or was it something deeper? Hadn't she said something about her mum?

"OK, as long as you're fine with a smaller, more intimate place that's cool with me." So she joked with her, her reactions were just so cute. And hey, she was never going to argue with having a pretty girl in her room.

"Come on then, follow me and we can get set up in only a few minutes." Should be fun, or she hoped it would be. Alice needed some friends around her own age and annoyingly most of the gamers were guys. Sweaty teenage guys who kept trying to stare down her shirt.

“Thank you. I’ve been into fashion as long as I can remember,” Allegra said. “My big sis is a model and I see some of the things that she gets to wear and I drool uncontrollably. Hmmm. I’ve thought of dying my hair. Have you seen Ms. Worshahlai’s hair. I just love her look. I wonder what she uses to get her hair to get that color.”

"Honestly superheros were also more interesting to me. Why be a princess when you can kick butt and fly?"

“Sure, superheroes can kick butt and fly but princesses look beautiful and get guys to do that for them,” Allegra laughed. Ok, where did that come from? It was a joke but it sounded incredibly lame and 1950s. Was that part of Allegra’s problem? She expected other people to take care of her because she didn’t feel confident enough to take life in her own hands? Allegra had a whole lifetime of being told she was never good enough while having everything done for her. That was a pattern she really needed to break. She filed that little bit of psychological self-examination in the back of her head. She’d have to journal about it later. Right now she didn’t feel like dealing with the deep stuff.

Instead she looked again at the picture of Ciri. “What is it about this character that you like so much?” she asked. Perhaps knowing more about this character would help Allegra get to know a little more about Alice.

“I’d love to try my hand at putting this costume together for you,” Allegra said. “It’s not something I’d ever wear but that’s part of why I want to try it. I can imitate my favorite designers all I want but it’s doing something totally different that can help me think in new and creative ways. And I want to help you too. You really seem to be into this character so it’d be fun to help you bring her to life.”

"OK, as long as you're fine with a smaller, more intimate place that's cool with me.

“Um...not intimate. Just quieter,” Allegra said. She didn’t want to give Alice the wrong idea. “It’ll be quieter and you can explain stuff better.” Honestly, Allegra didn’t want people to see her playing games with the school nerd, but Allegra wasn’t going to give Alice the right idea either.

“Okay, dishes are done. Let’s go!” Allegra was actually kind of looking forward to this.

Mrs Worshahlai? Wasn't that the biology teacher. "She's the Hungarian one with the bright orange hair isn't she? Oh I could just see you with that colour hair, you'd look pretty damn good with it honestly although honestly you'd probably match any shade." She had that skin tone that went with pretty much anything. Unlike Alice who looked a bit too corpse like with black hair.

That was weird and kind of old fashioned. Where there really girls who still thought like that, only caring about guys and their looks? Nope, that wasn't for Alice, no one was pushing her into a marriage to just have kids and please her 'husband'. She'd die before doing that. "If that's what floats your boat cool, but guys aren't exactly what I'm into anyway so I'll do my own butt kicking for now. If I can just figure out flying I'll be most of the way to heroing." She kept her voice joking, not wanting to insult Allegra. Which was weird, she usually insulted everyone.

"She's got a really strong character in the game, she spends the entire game kind of being awesome, even if she's not the person you play. The entire point of the game is she's you characters daughter and you go through hell trying to find her and help her. And she holds her own with these really powerful guys, in fact she's probably one of the most powerful people in that world." So yeah, she kind of loved that game.

"The game she's in has the best written story I've ever played, honestly it's better than a lot of books I've read. There's just so much I love about her and the game that the first costume I make I want it to be special to me, you know?" Annnnnd she'd nerded out in front of the valley girl.

Smiling at her awkwardness, maybe it was a good idea to reassure Allegra she wouldn't try anything. "Don't worry girl, I'm only teasing. I know you're not into me that way, unless the gaydar needs re-calibrating."

"Mines pretty close to the kitchen, thankfully. Can't be running out of food in the middle of the night can I?" Had she mentioned her hunger side effect? Maybe? Ugh it was still early but if it came up she could always explain. Some of her female friends got a little jealous when they found out she could kind of eat anything she wanted without getting fat, but Allegra seemed the type to consider to downsides of it.

Once they'd reached her room and she silently thanked the stars she'd cleaned up, she let herself in and held the door open for Allegra to follow her in. It was fairly sparsely decorated at the moment, only one poster up she'd grabbed when Serena had gone into town with her. At least there was a TV she could hook the laptop up too. Get some wider screen gaming going.

Gesturing to the bed, "Make yourself comfy, I'll just get everything plugged in and we can start. Should be a good laugh."

“Yeah, that’s her. Ms Worshahlai. Biology and Botany,” Allegra said. “I tried getting into Botany, but it was full. I begged to be let out of Biology. I’m just totally against cutting up frogs or any other animal. Anyway, I know it sounds strange since she’s a teacher but I just love her fashion sense and, yeah, her hair. I wish I could pull that off.”

Allegra blushed when Alice complimented her. “Thank you. I’ve really been afraid to try other hair colors. I wish I was more daring.”

Allegra wished she had never made that comment about the Disney Princesses. “That came out all wrong,” she said. “I so totally do not want to depend on any guy. I know what I want to do with my life and have since I was five. I’m gonna work to get it. I guess I just don’t go out of my way to kick any butts. I'd rather not be the one that has to fight the forces of evil, thank you. Flying is something I’d totally be up for, though. I’ve been stuck in L.A. traffic enough times to just want to soar through the sky. ”

“Wait you don’t even get to play your favorite character in the game?” Allegra asked. “That’s kinda strange. If there was a Wonder Woman game I’d want to play Wonder Woman, not Wonder Woman’s mom. So you’re playing Ciri’s mother and the whole point is to find her, right? Then what? Do you ground your daughter for going out and getting in trouble? And where’s the father in all this? Is he helping to find her? Does he even call in an Amber Alert or is he a total deadbeat?”

This was all very confusing but Allegra was open to learning more, mostly because Alice was so excited about it. “I’ll help you with the costume,” she promised.

Allegra was relieved that Alice didn’t think she was hitting on her. “I’m glad my room is far from the kitchen,” she said. “I eat too much as it is. I don’t know how you stay so thin. Care to let me in on your secret? I exercise like crazy and I still can’t get the weight off.”

Allegra popped some popcorn and grabbed some soda then followed Alice to her room. “I gotta say you are disappointing me in the nerd department,” Allegra joked as she looked around Alice’s spartan apartment. “Aren’t geeks supposed to have action figures all over the place? And why do they call them action figures anyway? They just stand there, right? Not a whole lot of action.”

Allegra walked over to the one poster Alice had hanging up. It was something she didn’t recognize. “So what is this?” she asked. Allegra had posters and pictures all over her room and would go crazy just staring at blank walls.

She plopped down on the bed and Chocolate joined her. Sparkle was busy sniffing and exploring Alice’s room. “Chocolate’s probably just going to stay next to me, but let me know if Sparkle is going somewhere she shouldn’t,” Allegra said. She held some popcorn in her hand and let Chocolate munch on it while Alice got everything all set up.

Of course Allegra would like a teacher with a good fashion sense, that went without saying but she really was committed to the vegan thing wasn't she. Alice couldn't be judgey, it took a special kind of person to follow their beliefs that strictly, it was kind of admirable. "Well, if you ever want to give it a try just shout, I've got a little experience in those matters," gesturing to her hair as she spoke. It had taken her more than a couple of attempts to find a shade she was happy with and that didn't go horrible too quickly. Turned out price mattered with hair dye.

"It's fine, I get what you mean. It just came out a little wrong that's all." Good, at least she wasn't a moron, just a little poor with words some times. Considering her career goals and hobbies, Alice was always having to fight certain stereotypes, so when she came across them in real life it could get to her. "Totally get hating traffic, that's the first thing I'd avoid if I could."

"What? Oh no, no you play as the father. The entire point of the game is you going through hell to try and help your daughter. And no amber alerts, it's a fantasy world so you know, no phones. You do get to play her in some parts but most of the time you play one character. It's the third in the series so you've kind of bonded with the main character and he's honestly pretty cool. But she, she's awesome." And hot, for a woman made of pixels on a screen she looked good.

Score! Allegra might not give a great first impression but she was so sweet to offer to help. Smiling and taking in the next comment she reckoned her secret wouldn't get too much jealousy. "That's easy, thanks to a wonderful side effect of my power I have to eat every thirty minutes. Since it's always on apparently I have like a super charged metabolism to keep the energy upkeep. Kind of sucks honestly but at least I can basically eat what I want. Just don't get surprised when I start snacking as we play, get really ill if I don't."

"I'm not into action figures to be honest, and most of my stuff is still kind of at home," since she ran away. And hadn't told her mum yet. Oh that was going to be a hellish phone call to deal with.

"Oh that? It's a shooter that came out a while ago, it's pretty dark and intense. Really good fun though." She'd only been a little bit terrified while playing it. No nightmares or anything...

Great, the dogs were in here too. Well, if they didn't tear anything apart she was fine. "Will do, they seem pretty well behaved anyways," she added, popping he head back up after plugging everything in. All that was left was to get started.

Starting the game and making sure it was all running, she passed over the controller. "You get to do the beginning. It's a dating sim so we're basically choosing which of the very pretty guys you want to go after. Pretty simple controls as well." She seemed the type to like this kind of game anyways and it was about as simple mechanics wise as you could get and still have fun.

“Thanks,” Allegra said. She didn’t want to admit out loud that she really didn’t like Alice’s hair color. It was just too punk or something. Not Allegra’s style, though for what Alice was trying to go for, she guessed it was perfect.

“You play as the father?” Allegra asked. “You know that’s kinda lame, right? Who wants to play some middle aged guy. I wouldn’t even want to date some middle aged guy.”

Allegra let Alice continue explaining. It seemed interesting that you would be playing multiple characters; both the father and the daughter. “I don’t get why you can’t choose who you play,” Allegra said coming back to her original objection. “Is the dad at least hot?” Sure that wasn’t Alice’s area of expertise but she could at least judge whether he was handsome.

“So when you say you go through hell, is that literal hell? Like with the demons and stuff?” Allegra asked. “If so, he’s so not getting any father of the year awards for letting his daughter go there. He’s even a worse parent than my mom. Speaking of, where is the mother during all this?”

Allegra wasn’t going to admit it, but she was kind of intrigued by this game just because Alice was so into it. It made absolutely no sense whatsoever, but it was a challenge learning about it.

“You can eat whatever you want? You know I hate you right now,” Allegra smiled to show Alice she was just joking. Then she thought about the downsides to such a ‘gift.’ “Wait, every thirty minutes? How do you sleep then? How do you even afford all that food? Okay, let’s get more snacks than popcorn then.” She grabbed a few cereal boxes. “I’ll help you carry food to your room if you want so we’re all set.”

When they got to Alice’s room, the gamer answered questions about her decor or lack of it. “Wait. You're stuff's all at home but can you even get your stuff back after running away? Do you want to see your folks again? Can your sister, Serena, or someone get it for you?”

Allegra felt sorry for the girl. “Look, I have too much stuff,” she said. “I’m gonna have to send things home because they refuse to get me a decent sized room. I’ve got clothes and furniture and accessories and stuffed animals and makeup and a bunch of other stuff. If you want to stop by, you can ‘shop’ for what you might need before I have them pack it all back up again.”

“Oh they’re the best behaved puppies ever! Aren’t you.” Chocolate yipped loudly in agreement. Sparkle was too busy exploring Alice’s closets to listen.

“A shooter?” Allegra asked not knowing Alice was referring to a video game. “Ick. There are too many crazy people with guns. I don’t think you should make posters and artwork about them.”

Then they started the dating sim. “Oooh! So it’s like design-a-guy,” Allegra laughed. Ok, so sitting around drooling over a cartoon was pretty pathetic. But since Allegra didn't have a bae in real life, why not have a little fun? The controls were pretty easy. She chose a well toned but not too muscular tanned guy with a bright smile and dark hair and dark eyes. He had this expression that said ‘I’m a bad boy but not too bad.’

“So are you gonna create the girl of your dreams?” Allegra asked. She was interested to see what Alice’s type would be.

"He's not bad looking, got kind of a distinguished look to him. The main reason you can't choose is it's the third game in the series and they're based of some polish fantasy books. It's not one of those RPG's where you make a character, you're playing one. He's got his own personality and history." She liked customisation in games as much as the next girl, but some games were better simply due to the main character being so well developed. "Here, this is him."

Giving her a grin, "He didn't let her, she's an adult and left for another world with her power to escape her birth father who kind of wanted to marry her...it's a little creepy. You don't go through literal hell but you are fighting a magical army from another world that can raid across dimensions and lay waste to worlds so you know, not easy to deal with."

"The mum's doing everything she can to find and keep her daughter safe. It's not easy to find someone who can teleport around the world when she's in danger. Basically finding her is hard, you have to do some pretty hard and sometimes, immoral things to save her." The story was kind of hard to explain, it was kind of long and involved but there was a reason it was her favourite game ever.

"Woah, woah calm down, I can sleep fine, it doesn't affect me while I'm asleep or unconscious, only when awake. As for the food the mansion covers the cost at the moment, they just see it as having to deal with my mutation and frankly it's not the most they have to spend on a student. I've heard they had to build an entire cave for one, he was so big. But thanks for grabbing snacks, more can't hurt."

How was she going to get her stuff? That was a fair question, one she should probably consider when she talked to her mum. "I don't think Serena can get it, my grandmother doesn't seem to like her, but yeah, I want to see my mum again. Once she calls me back I'm going to have a long talk with her about stuff, she might not be happy with me but I think she'll be even more upset with Grandmother."

"I appreciate the offer, really, but I will be getting my own stuff at some point. But I won't say no to some free makeup, been itching to get some new supplies since I've been here. I'll stop by sometime soon then and we can have some fun?" That could be a laugh actually, especially seeing Allegra in her element.

Now she just couldn't hold it in anymore, she just had to laugh. Allegra was just so clueless about this stuff it was so adorable. "No sweetie, it's not a real person or anything, it's a type of game. Called a shooter because you shoot, stuff." OK, yeah that sounded a bit bad out of context.

"Exactly, you get to pick and choose among a bunch of cuties and try to reel them in. Thought you might like the premise." It's not like Alice didn't like girls as much as her friends likes guys. Just because she was tragically straight didn't mean her tastes were bad. Much.

Oh, was someone curious about her? That was sweet, but Alice didn't know if she had a type. Tall maybe? And graceful at least, but beyond that she couldn't really say. She just liked most pretty girls, regardless of body and build. "Maybe, if you want to switch later. There's some of the paths I haven't done yet."

Sometimes it seemed like Alice was speaking her own language. "Do you make these words up?" Allegra asked. "RPG? What's that? The Russian version of the CIA? And who decided it was a good idea to make a game about some Polish book no one has ever heard of? Why don't they base it on Vampire Diaries or something cool?"

Allegra looked at the picture of Geralt. "Hmmm, not my type," she laughed. "That scar is a definite turnoff. And wanting to marry his daughter? You think that's just a LITTLE creepy? Ewwww." Allegra didn't mean to be so negative about something Alice obviously loved but she just didn't get it.

Alice mentioned that he did some immoral things to save his daughter. He sounded pretty immoral all around. “I guess I like my heroes to be heroic. Or at least hot bad boys,” Allegra said. “Not skeezy creepy daddies.”

Allegra was relieved that Alice didn't have to wake up every half hour to get something to eat and even more relieved the people here were taking care of her. "Were you ever out on the streets?" she asked. "How would you survive out there having to eat that much? Did you run away because you were a mutant?" That was a pretty personal question but if you don't ask, you don't learn. And if you don't learn, you can't help. Besides, Alice seemed like the type that would let Allegra know if she was going to far out of bounds. "So things were worse with your grandma than your mom? Did you live with both of them?"

"If you need any help getting your stuff back, let me know. My family has money. We can help ship your stuff here. I want to do whatever I can to help," Allegra said. "Even if you are too embarrassed to admit to me about all the action figures you have," Allegra winked at Alice trying to lighten things up a bit.

Allegra's face lit up when Alice agreed to some makeup. "Sure. Whatever you need," Allegra said. "I've got all the best brands. Chanel, Estee Lauder, Lush, Artistry. And I have some killer makeover ideas if you'll let me. We'll get you looking wicked sexy in no time."

"Oh, shooter is a type of game. Got it," Allegra nodded. "I kind of thought they were all... shooter games. Well, except for those 80's games where you play a yellow dot-eating pizza or a short mafia plumber." None of those interested Allegra at all.

Picking and choosing among a bunch of cuties and trying to reel them in? Allegra was sold! "I didn't know games had cool stories like that," Allegra smiled. "Way better than Polish papa pedophiles. So what happens next?" She was genuinely excited about this game.

"Yeah, sure after I've had my fun, let's switch," Allegra offered. "I want you to get your chance to find true lust too."

"An RPG is a role playing game. It's a bit of a vague term but it's just a way to categorise the game. Kind of like shooter. It's just a convient way to label the games." Allegra was a complete noob at this stuff and it was hilarious. She had so much to teach her little padawan.

"Woah there Allegra, I thin k I didn't explain something right here. You're playing her adoptive father, it's her real dad that's the creepy one. He's and emperor and wants all the pure bloodline nonsense, you're actively trying to stop that happening." OK, it was hard to explain a complex plot, to the third game in a series, but boy she'd not done a good job, if her new friends thought Geralt was the creeper.

"The main point is it's a look at the grim reality a medieval world would be. It was s---, for pretty much anyone not a noble and you have to live in that world. Sometimes that means your choices are between two unpleasant options." It was part of why she loved it, it showed morality as far more than black and white, it was grey and ugly. It was hard to be a good person.

Ah, looks like her punk image put across a little of the wrong image. Honestly as wealthy as Allegra's family were, chances are hers were kind of a lot more. "No I was never on the street, I had some savings and bought a tickets here, used my power to find Serena. She took me in." Thank god for that. "but yeah, it my my grandmother that was the issue. She was caring for me while me mum was abroad working. She kind of tried to push me into an arranged marriage. To a guy."

"Thank you, really. I appreciate how kind the offer is, but I'll be good. Once I get in touch with mum I'm sure it'll all be sorted out. She's a lot less controlling than that old b---- is." She hoped. Ugh that conversation would be a long and painful one. Thank god she'd found so many kind people, especially Allegra. The girl had a heart of gold wrapped up in that valley girl shell. She was a good person.

Super sexy? Count her in. "Oh I am in, got to look good if I want to find a girlfriend over here. Can't be leaving all this," Gesturing at all her pale, skinny glory, "Off the market long." It was so good to joke around with someone again!

"Now, now  we meet the boys, and you see which one you love the look of. We've got the slightly nerd one, the hunky sportsman," giving a sidelong glance, "the dashing bad boy and more. Just talk with them, get a bit of a feel for them then reel him in."

Oooo good choice of words, "Oh my, want to see me all hot and bothered now? You sure you're all straight there girl?" she teased, really getting into it now. Sure Allegra was a bit weird, but she was good weird. The dogs were kind of cute too, as she reached down to scratch ones ears idly.

“Oh, ok,” Allegra said. These games were more technical than she thought. “Does RPG stand for ‘Real Confusing Game?’ Um, or whatever P stands for."

“Oh. Ooops,” she said when she got the main character mixed up with the creepy dad. “Pure bloodline? So that’s kinda like Hitler, right? I guess he has to be stopped then. But why would you want to play a game about a medieval world where you’re not a noble and things totally suck? Wouldn’t you rather play a noble? There should be an option to play a princess who is against Hitler. Then the princess falls in love with a hot soldier who doesn’t have a scar on his face. Then their love defeats all evil.”

“Wow. did I just think of an awesome story or what!” Allegra said. “Maybe I could write these video games. What do you think?”

“Your grandma tried to push you in an arranged marriage?” Allegra asked. “I didn't think that kind of thing still happened here. I mean except for in Iraq and maybe Mississippi. Why would she do that? If she likes this guy she’s setting you up with, then she should marry him. You’ve got too many hot girls to chase to waste time with that. No wonder you’re so angry at her. I really hope your mom can help. I’m sure Serena is on your side and you know I am.”

Allegra laughed when Alice said that she couldn’t be off the market long. “So true,” Allegra smiled. “The world needs to learn of your irresistible hotness and they will courtesy of my awesome makeover ideas. And, no. I’m not into girls but I’m trying to think of someone here to set you up with. That’s why I want to know your type.”

Choices, choices, choices. The guys were all hot. Well, for cartoons, at least. “Let’s see. Jocks are out,” she said. “Don't tell anyone but I think football is the most boring game ever and a lot of the football players are too. But since I'm a cheerleader, I need to at least pretend I'm interested. So no jocks. Now the dashing bad boy sounds more like my type. Hmmm…. No, scratch that. I’m trying new things so why don’t I try for the nerd. Should be the easiest right. And I can dazzle him with my vast knowledge of RGP and shooty video games. So what do I do next?”

Sparkle loved having her ears scratched. She nuzzled up against Alice. "Looks like you've found a new BFF," Allegra laughed. "Now you'll never get rid of her."

"It means role-playing game. Kind of like a more awesome version of dungeons and dragons." Oh she could just feel the judgement as soon as she said that, it was so funny. "Don't worry, you'll learn pretty quick. Can't be letting my secret little nerd not knowing about this stuff."

"Maybe you could, just remember to mention little old me when your accepting awards for those amazing story lines. Can't be forgetting the girl who got you there after all." It was enjoyable to joke around with Allegra. It was weird, she wasn't a girl Alice would normally hang out with well, she was kind of cool. There was a lot to her and she funny. "But there are games where you are the noble, rescuing damsels and fighting dragons, you can even have your choice of lovelies for your fun. Christ in one you can actually have a relationship with a guy who turns out to be the only surviving prince, who you can marry and become the queen of the country with."

Games like that were fun, being able to be a champion of justice and rightness, but something about a game asking more serious moral questions really struck a chord with her. It challenged her preconceptions about the consequences of her actions and made her think a little differently about some of the things that were so common place in those games.

Oh s---, that was a good point. Normal people didn't do that whole thing. At all. "Yeah she's kind of, old fashioned. Made a big scene and basically said if I was living in her home I would do as she said, when she said. Kind of why I left. Well that and she hid the fact I had a sister from me for my entire life. But yeah, mum and Serena are pretty understanding about the whole, lesbian thing and sis has pretty much said that she's going to make sure grandmother can't take me back and force me into it." Which was scarier than she first thought because her sister was a ninja. Somehow.

Awwww, that was sooo sweet of her! "I love the fact you're already managing my love life, but I get the impression that the girls here have a tragic case of the 'straights'" So many cute girls, so few interested in her that way. So unfair. "It goes both ways though Allegra, I will be your wingwoman around here. Plenty of good looking boys around the place."

Didn't like jocks? Very interesting, she was definitely not just some simpering cheerleader. "He is cute, or you could try the guy in the drama club, he's pretty interesting." Was she more into someone with a bit of depth and more in touch with his feelings? Good to know. Should be at least one of them in the school, among the horde of horny boys.

"She is cute, how long have you had them?" Still not as awesome as a cat though. Cats were just, well pure sass in animal form and kittens were dangerously cute. They were the Atom bombs of the cute animal world.

As expected, Allegra rolled her eyes at the mention of Dungeons and Dragons. “Now that has got to be the stupidest game ever. First, who would want to go into a slimy stinky dungeon. No one that’s who. So why would anyone want to pretend they're going in a dungeon. These nerds should at least pretend they’re at a party. They might have fun and get a chance to practice their social skills. Instead they’re playing a PRG game in their mom’s basement which is basically a dungeon. Why pretend to be someplace you already are.What’s the point? Then the nerds act all surprised when they see a dragon in the dungeon. Like they never saw that coming. That being the name of the game and everything. Oh and they call it D&D like no one’s gonna know what that stands for. It’s a beautiful day at the beach and  these pale kids with pimples aren't outside because they're in the dark pretending to look for dragons. The nerds don’t need some secret code words like D&D. We totally know what their doing.”

Allegra laughed. “Sorry, I’m still trying to figure out the appeal of some of this nerd stuff. I hope I didn't offend you. I’m just glad I have someone who’s not totally geeky explaining it to me. I’ll be your secret nerd and I promise to make you an fabulous fashionista. And yes, you’ll be the first person I thank when I write my first video game. Hey, seriously,how do I sell my great idea to video game companies? If they’re so hard up that they have to steal from some Polish book, they could totally use me.”

“Now what’s that game with the prince I get to marry and then become a queen? Now that sounds like a great idea.”Allegra wasn’t so much about games asking serious moral questions. Find a hot guy. Become a princess. That sounded perfect.

“So why did you get stuck with that witch of a grandmother?” Allegra asked. “What was your mom doing? Or did she just leave? My dad just left us. He didn’t even try to fight my mom when they divorced. He just left everything to her but we never saw him again. So, how did you find Serena? Or did she look for you?”

“I dunno if most of the girls here are straight or not,” she said. “I haven’t been getting out and socializing like I used to back home. Starting at a new school is rough. So we’ll both be each other’s wingwomen and help each other find true love. At the very least, I’ve found an awesome new friend.”

“Sparkle’s three and Chocolate is two. I got them at the shelter when they were puppies,” Allegra answered. “Aren’t they the most adorable creatures ever! I love all animals but dogs are the best. Cats just sulk around and act like they own the place, but doggies are always your friends and they always show how much they love you.”

Allegra looked at the drama club boy. He was cute and he did seem interesting to her. But Alice identified as a nerd so Allegra felt she should choose the nerd. She did a lot of things based on what she thought people wanted her to do. A secret to being popular was to do exactly what everyone else around you did no matter what.

“Nah, I’ll go for the nerd,” she said with a little less enthusiasm in her voice. “So what do I do now?”

Well, that was a bit much even from someone who didn't like nerdy stuff. This girl really needed a more fun imagination and frankly a little bit more persepctive. It was more than just make believe it was a way to be accept for who you were. "OK, this might come out harsher than I want but you need to know a few things. Do you want to know why people like playing those games, have fun with their friends in a zero judgmental environment and it's exactly because of attitudes like yours. Nerd's might be getting more normal and less likely to be bullied for liking games but it's still pretty bad for them. They get harassed and abused for being different so heaven forbid they want to create worlds and space were them being different isn't just accepted but encouraged. Ever wonder why so many LGBTQ people play these games too?" She might be laying it on a little thick but some things needed to be set straight.

"You might think that bigotry is on the decline but from personal experience, trust me it's not. Worse there's acceptable forms. Nerds? Fair game. Gamers, go for it. No one protects them and god help you being a skinny nerd who's gay and doesn't like sports. The world sucks for some people, try not to be harsh about the way they choose to deal with it." Best to cut some thoughts off quick, sure being a popular party girl sounded like the dream but most of Alice's friends would have hated it. "Don't worry about offending me though, I've got pretty thick skin, just you know, try to see it from a different way."

"I don't think I have one with me right now but I can probably find it pretty easily for the next secret gaming session, then you can live out your pretty princess fantasy." Not something she was into though, give her a sword and people to kill and she was happy, screw dresses and high heels.

Wow, that sucked, what kind of parent just walked out? "Oh, my mum was around a lot when I was young, we were always hanging out, cooking and stuff, but as I got older her job started to really take off and there was no way I was stopping her doing something she loved. She's a high powered executive and has to travel around the world a lot so, well someone had to look after me. I think my mum was hoping I could just knuckle under and deal with the old bat until I was free at Uni but then the whole marriage bulls--- started."

"As for Serena, I looked for her. Well, didn't really need to look my power led me right to her. Which was awesome, no way I would have found her otherwise." At least it was good for something "But seriously your dad just bailed on you? I get divorce sucks but what a d--- to just not keep in contact with you. Christ he should count himself lucky to have such an awesome daughter." Some people did not deserve kids.

Truthfully she didn't know one way or the other but that was the vibe she was getting, "You got your eye on anyone yet then? Bet there's more than one cute boy wandering the halls looking for a catch like you." She was very pretty, most guys would fawn over her pretty quick and frankly, some girls as well. "And thanks, you're pretty damn amazing yourself. For a popular girl," she added in a teasing tone.

Shelter dogs? OK fair play to the girl that was really cool. "That's awesome! Shelter pets are totally the way to go. Why buy one when there so many poor ones that need a home?" Keeping other comments to herself, getting her own cat could wait honestly. First she wanted her own place so they could wander freely and not get bothered by excitable puppies.

Describing the controls and nudging her every so often, the girl got closer and closer to the frankly adorable confession the nerdy guy gave. No way she was spoiling it though and the curve balls a slight awkward guy threw were hilarious to see her new friends reactions to him asking her to be his valentine. Hey some nerd boys had style and a few flowers and a romantic gesture got people far. 

Allegra's eyes opened wide when Alice set her straight about her judgmental rant. The blonde wasn't expecting that at all.

"I...I'm sorry." She was speechless for a second. "I would never bully anyone. Never! I've been bullied a lot and it really hurt."

For Allegra it was especially hard. She was considered the popular party girl and people just assumed that meant that she had no problems. This just made the bullying ever harder. Allegra had been harassed by some of the goths and stoners for being a 'Barbie doll.' She also suffered bullying and gossip and the hands of her fellow 'beautiful people.' In some ways, Allegra envied the nerds. They didn't have as hard a standard to live up to.

It was all especially hard for someone like Allegra who lived for the approval of others. When someone said something good about her, she felt great. When they bullied or questioned her, she felt like she wasn't even fit to walk the planet. "Do you know how many times I've been called fat and ugly?" Allegra asked. "People call me a slut even though I've never even kissed a boy. I'm never good enough. My mom tells me how worthless I am and then I hear it at school too. And now that I'm here, things are even worse because I really don't  fit in. The kids here are mean to me and some of the teachers
are too because I guess I'm just not 'mutant' enough. Do you know how  much I want to be accepted and encouraged too? All I was doing was giving my
opinion that I think that game is silly."

Wrong thing to say. One of the first things Allegra learned was not to give her opinion. It was better to just agree with everyone. That was how you get to be liked and popular. Best to nip this in the bud.

"But you know, dragons are pretty cool so I can see why people like that  game," Allegra lied. "Dragons are like big dinosaurs with wings. How cool is that?"

Not very. Ever since that field trip in first grade where she had to see all those boring dinosaur bones, Allegra thought dinosaurs were stupid. Recently Allegra met a mutant who could turn into dinosaurs and she decided she liked them even less. But she hoped she was selling it to Alice. Alice was so cool and Allegra really wanted her to be her friend.

"Maybe we can play the princess game some other day," Allegra said. "We've got this one to try out and maybe one day I'll play a game you really like. Even if it is about some middle aged Polish  guy."

"That's so sad about your mom," Allegra said. "Sure, I want to travel the world and put on shows with my fashion line but if I had a daughter, she would be my number one priority. It sucks the only option was your creepy grandma. I think that's great you found Serena. So how did your power find her?" Allegra usually wasn't interested in mutant powers but this sounded really cool. To use it to find a lost sister. Wow.

"Yeah,my dad just bailed on us," Allegra said. "My dad's August Avers. You ever see 'Badges and Bullets?' It was a show that lasted one season in the 90s." Allegra adopted a gruff voice and held up an imaginary police badge. "This here says I'm the law and the law does whatever the law wants," she imitated her father saying his most famous catchphrase from the show. "He was also in all four 'Monkey Madness' movies where a monkey teaches four college kids how to get laid. I never watched any of those because seeing my dad learn how to pick up women. Ewww. Also, they sucked."

"But my dad had it all with the Hollywood life," she said. "So rather than go through the divorce proceedings he gave up everything he had. He just kept like $1,000 and moved away to start all over again. Last I heard, he discovered Jesus and is selling insurance in Idaho. Married with two kids. I'm happy for him but I wish he'd keep in touch. At least a birthday card or something. But mom says it's my fault he left, so I guess I can't ask for much."

"Oh,there's a couple guys I have my eyes on," Allegra said. "But I don't do well around guys. I just freeze up and shut up. Thank you for saying that. That's really sweet." Allegra didn't believe guys would be interested in her but she appreciated Alice's support. "You know, for a nerd you've got a whole lot of confidence. I wish I could borrow some of that."

"I don't understand why people would spend all this money when there's a puppy that already really needs a home," Allegra said. "My mom wanted to
spend thousands at a puppy mill that mistreats dogs to begin with but I said no. And I got the two greatest dogs in the world." Chocolate yipped loudly as if she new what Allegra was saying. Sparkle emerged from Alice's closet with one of the gamer's shoes in her mouth.

"Sparkle! No! Put that down!" Allegra ordered. The dog set it down on Alice's lap then looked up expecting a treat.

"Awww, that's so sweet," Allegra said about the nerd boy in the game. Allegra's character gladly accepted the flowers. "So how do I talk to him?"

"I get that, and I'm not trying to have a go but it's the way you described it that showed all the stereotypes geeky kids have to deal with. Saying they're in their mums basements pretending to be someone else is literally the same thing they've had shouted at them for years and frankly we're sick of that stupid f------ thread of thinking. You know who plays D&D? Vin Diesel, that big movie star/body builder. He's a massive nerd and started when he was a kid to deal with where he lived and some of the troubles he had." A good chunk of players were well into their 40's and 50's with normal lives and friends and families. They'd grown up role-playing and it only enriched their lives. Not only that they could share it with their kids, passing on a handy way to deal with life's bs.

But the bullying sucked, guess the popular kids were kind of a-------'s to everyone, even their friends but seriously? She was getting bullied here. Of all places. That was every level of messed up. You'd think kids who had it bad out in the world would be a bit less likely to pile onto the poor sods stuck here for whatever reason but no. Kids were d---'s.

"The bullying sucks though, seriously whoever's doing it is a p----. You keep getting issues give me a shout, I'll be happy to tell the little s---'s where they can shove it." Being English and having a decent idea of how to swear came in handy with people like that. Not many of them could handle a mouthy woman with a better command of the language than them. "See if you can report the kids to one of the upper staff, maybe they could help. As for teachers? I dunno, maybe talk to the principal, see if she can do anything for you."

"It was kind of a mutual decision, she really didn't want to do it but I kind of pushed her too. She'd given up a lot to make me happy growing up and got more than a little stick from the old bat during it. Seemed right that I kind of did the same, you know?" Alice missed her, so damn much but her mum was happy. Like really happy and by all accounts she was damn good at her job as well. She'd just done an interview for a business magazine about the company. It was boring but then, Alice wasn't quite the target audience for that paper. "As for my power it kind of just gave me 'quest' and a direction to go so I followed it. I knew she was in New Work so I just jumped on a plane and," shrugging she tailed off without finishing. It wasn't weird to her. Just a strange part of her odd powers.

Wow, what a tool. He seriously just abandoned Allegra, no contact no nothing? Worse he was a person who apparently got all religious while pointedly ignoring the s--- they'd left behind. "Yeah, opinion of him hasn't gotten any better really, frankly you seem better off without him or your mum. As harsh as that sounds. Just, you know come and chat if you need it. I'm good at listening." Not really but the girl seemed like she needed someone none judgmental in her life.

"No one said all nerds were bad with the whole self confidence thing, I just kind of know who I am. The rest is pretty easy to fake. Honestly it's easier here, the accent does like a third of the work for me." Everyone was very helpful to the skinny English girl. When she wasn't swearing. Which wasn't that often.

Grinning she loved how Allegra saw it. Shelters were awesome and it was totally the place she was getting her cat from when she had her own place. It would be adorable of course, all cats were. Except hairless ones, they were.....not cats. "It's fine, they're pretty beat up anyway so a little affectionate mauling won't hurt them." Another good reason for having well worn shoes. You were less bother when they got knackered.

"OK, just press those buttons to bring up the talk menu and it'll give you a bunch of responses and options to say. Basically try and say what you think he might like, or talk about you he might be interested in. It's not too hard to keep them interested enough to keep chatting." The nerdy guy was kind of one of the easiest routes. Just stick to being interesting in him and his hobbies and you were golden.