How Does One Internet? [open]

In today's society, computers and the internet were common place. Almost everyone owned their own and they were basically a mandatory part of life. Essentially everyone knew how to use one. Everyone except Nia.

During her time at the orphanage, she often heard some of the other kids talking about things on the internet. She had wanted to understand why these funny internet videos were such a popular conversation topic but she had been unable to get access to a computer to see them for herself. But here at Starlight, there were computers for students use in the Student Lounge. Nia wished that they would have been in the rooms so she wouldn't have leave the safety of her living space though.

She made her way to the Student Lounge, listening carefully for other voices as she approached. Thankfully there was only the sounds of two softly spoken girls having a conversation about class. It was about dinner time so it seemed most everyone was either at the cafeteria or out else where getting food.

Nia made her way quickly to the computer farthest away from everyone and sat down. Then everything came to a screeching halt. She looked at the light blue screen in front of her and then down at the keyboard and mouse.

"Now what?" She thought to herself, her heart beat starting to quicken. She clenched her fists and closed her eyes, "Body calm down..." She thought desperately but that only seemed to make her left hand start to shake. She opened her eyes and scanned the things in front of her again. "Guess I'll just try the keyboard..." She began hitting keys using both her pointer fingers. Slowly she typed in the words "funny internet videos".

She looked up at the screen expectantly. And nothing happened. She pulled her hands up to her face, her left hand, and now most of her arm, shaking. "How am I suppose to internet?" Nia said, her breathing starting to quicken as the panic of not knowing what the hell to do set in.

At the sound of someone else's voice, Nia jumped in her chair, her head whipping around to see the boy as he sat down next to her. She noticed immediately that he appeared younger than her and this brought her some relief at first; older people were always the scariest. However, the anxiety quickly returned as she realized that this kid knew how to use a computer and she didn't. She suddenly became very self conscious and turned her head back to the computer scanning for this "search button". She spotted it and raised her hand, touching her finger to the screen. She pulled her hand back and nothing happened.

"Uh..." She mumbled unsure of what to do now. She felt her face getting hot, her breathing quickening; she was looking like a total idiot now. She kept her eyes on the screen, not wanting to look at the boy who probably thought she was stupid for being older and not knowing how to use a computer when clearly he did.

The mouse? She looked around at first expecting to see the little four legged creature scurrying about the desk. But the only thing on the desk was a little oval shaped thing with a wire connecting it to the computer. She hoped that this thing was the mouse and reached down to grab it. She moved it slightly and looked at the screen expectantly. At first she didn't see anything and another wave of frustration and anxiety began to wash over her. Then she saw it. In the upper right hand corner a little white pointer moved.

Nia moved the mouse and got the pointer on top of the search button. She looked at the screen waiting. But nothing happened. She could feel tears welling in her eyes from all the panic and distress. It was a computer! Why couldn't she use it right!

Nia watched closely as the boy demonstarted how to click the button on the mouse.

"Oh...." Nia thought as she did the same on her mouse. Suddenly the screen changed and up popped a list of websites and videos. The videos were first and Nia scanned them. She was anxious to see these funny internet videos and finally not be so left out of everything. She clicked the first video listed.

Nia sat in silence for a moment watching. After about ten seconds she turned to the boy next to her, "It's just people hurting themselves." Her voice was soft, almost scared sounding, and her face concerned. She hadn't known what to expect from funny internet videos but this had not been it.

Nia watched as the boy pulled up a video on his computer. She watched intently; she didn't laugh at all the whole time, just sat silently and watched. When it was finished she turned to the boy.

"Well... I thought that was very funny. The man's song was quite silly." She gave a small smile and a little sound of a giggle escaped her lips. Suddenly feeling embarrassed, Live turned back to her own computer. She typed in "funny songs". Maybe the boy was right about her sense of humor. That she meant she had to figure out what was funny to her.