"Character speaking"
'Character thinking'
Chapter 1: Let the Games Begin
Classes resumed, as the bell rang, and recess ended. Banshee returned to class after hanging out with her friend, Ramirez. Banshee and Ramirez were aiming for a career in Battle Royale. They were both very trained in ranged weapons, though Ramirez was more experienced in Assault Rifles and Banshee preferred Pistols. As she entered her Strategy class, her gaze swept the room. She noticed several things.
First of all, there were several bored people, as is typical of such an analytical class. The Strategy class was compulsory for a career in Battle Royale, however, so, it had a lot of students. And not all of them found strategizing boring. Actually, most of them enjoyed it, and the rest only stuck around because of Battle Royale. Banshee was one of the folk who enjoyed the class.
While Banshee wasn't as brilliant in pure academics as her best friend, Spitfire, nor was she an Assault Rifle prodigy, like her other friend, Ramirez, she was skilled in both. She was a well rounded person in terms of her skill set. And she could analyze people (although not numbers as well) like an amateur psychologist. So, she looked around, progressing her analysis.
The second thing she noticed was the fact that Spitfire seemed unusually distracted.
'He's never distracted like that, especially in Strategy.'
Her statement was correct. Spitfire was usually attentive in class. It worried her that he was inattentive today, as she wondered if he had some illness (it was that rare to see Spitfire distracted.).
She blushed while staring at him, she always had had a crush on him, when he rescued her from bullies when she was younger. She never hinted anything to him, unsure about his own feelings. But Banshee wasn't docile. Most people on the island weren't. She wanted to confess for quite a while, and she didn't know how to do so. Ramirez couldn't advise her in this situation, being clueless herself, but she thought she knew someone who could.
(POV change)
The Ice King looked around the class. He observed nothing of interest. Until he looked at Spitfire, and saw the brilliant student distracted.
'Ah, this should be interesting.'
The Ice King, contrary to his cold exterior and oppressive demeanor, was actually somewhat soft and liked reading novels. He was an intellectual and also had a soft corner for romance. That's right, he could tell why Spitfire was distracted. He had seen several instances of romance in the class before.
'Looks like a classic case. Oh well, his inexperience will hinder him. Who is it, anyway? I'll know soon enough.'
Drama had always amused the Ice King, and he never interfered with any incident or budding romance. He never hindered nor did he help. He simply observed. It was a pastime for him.
"Hey, Cold Lord. What are you doing?" The Prisoner spoke up, having seen Ice King looking around.
He always called him Cold Lord, as his ancestor had once been imprisoned by Ice King's ancestors. While there was no animosity between them anymore, the Prisoner's family had always called the Ice King the Cold Lord. The Prisoner was actually a good friend of the Ice King, and thus they hung around, having actually understood each other pretty well.
"Oh, it's you, the Prisoner. Well, I see some drama coming up, and it involves that young man over there."
"Ah, Spitfire? Never thought I'd see him daydream in class. Is it a girl?" The Prisoner knew the answer before it was spoken.
"Isn't it always?" The Ice King spoke with amusement.
"This could be interesting. I'll keep an eye on them myself."
"Yes, do so. Now, are you finished preparing for the test tomorrow?"
"You know I am"
The teacher entered, stopping all further conversation, as everyone readied themselves for the class.
After school:
Dispersal was a chaotic time on the best of days, and on the worst, it was complete anarchy. Through this Spitfire made his way to find Banshee. His objective was to confess to her. He had gotten some advice from his friends, and so he had some confidence. At the same time, he had an intense nervousness, quite natural for a teenager who is going to confess not knowing whether his/her feelings are reciprocated.
He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself, when he spotted her. He wondered if this was a good idea, suddenly. But he knew he had to go through with it. He headed towards Banshee, recalling the advice he was given.
Flashback:
"How do you confess to a girl?" Spitfire asked.
"What?!" Jonesy was blindsided by Spitfire's sudden question, not expecting his studious friend to ask such a thing. He had no experience in romance himself.
Hay Man chuckled. "Welcome to being a man, Spitfire! Who's the lucky girl?"
Spitfire blushed at that, but answered regardless.
"It's Banshee."
"Ah, so, your childhood friend. Now, you came to the right person for advice, at least, to begin with. Listen up."
"I don't think that's a good idea, as you have no experience, Hay Man." Jonesy voiced his concerns.
Hay Man's smile disappeared. "Man, Jonesy, I have some experience. Although, I haven't seen her in a long timeā¦" His voice trailed off.
"Well, Hay Man?" Spitfire impatiently interrupted.
"Right, so, you wanna act natural. Don't try to impress with your looks, although you should look good as well, but impress with your actions. Since she's your friend, she knows you pretty well, and you don't need to spend more time impressing her. So, to recap point 1, act natural."
Jonesy sweatdropped on seeing Spitfire taking notes on a notepad. "That's actually good advice." He grudgingly noted.
"Hey, show some respect! I can give good advice, OK? Anyway, point number 2. Don't creep her out or make her feel uncomfortable in the run up to, or during the confession. Don't do anything that might worsen her opinion of you. Stay calm. Show that you respect her for who she is."
"Alright." Spitfire jotted down the point.
"Lastly, don't worry about feeling nervous. Go for it in a spontaneous manner. This will make you less anxious about when the right time is, and it will also convey sincerity. Nervousness is expected and is perfectly fine. After all, this is huge."
Spitfire religiously took notes and nodded his head.
"Thanks, man. I was working myself up, and this means a lot to me. I still feel nervous, but now I think I know how to go about it."
"I have no experience, but, I think you should just follow your heart and say what you genuinely feel, Spitfire. A romance is a big thing, and there are lots of people in it for their impulses." Jonesy blushed after saying that line, but continued, "You need to be sincere and follow your feelings on this. Preparation helps, but it is secondary to the objective. Good luck, man!"
"That's deep, Jonesy. When did you become philosophical?" Hay Man smirked.
"Ever since you became the right person to ask for romantic advice."
"Calm down, guys! Thanks for the help, both of you. I feel a lot calmer now. I'm going to do it today." Spitfire boldly announced.
"That's what I'm talking about! Good luck, buddy. Remember this: You can do it!" Hay Man said encouragingly.
"Hay, Man! Hello, Jonesy. Hi, Spitfire. What did I miss?" Mission Specialist showed up just then. The bell rang, signalling the end of recess.
End Flashback
Banshee saw Spitfire, and was going to call him when he saw her too. He started walking to her. She smiled. She always enjoyed spending time with Spitfire, he was her best friend (and secret crush). She wondered, if her plan of confessing to him was really a good idea, then rejected that thought immediately; This was no time for doubt, that she knew.
'Remember, stay calm and speak from the heart. You can do this, Banshee!' She thought to herself. She had taken advice from a person well qualified to speak about love, and she was following it diligently.
"Hey, Banshee! I'm happy to see you!"
"Hi, Spitfire! You do seem very happy today. So, may I ask why you are so happy?"
"I have a crush on this girl, and I'm planning to confess today. I'll be happy knowing that she knows about my feelings."
Banshee felt confused, and slightly jealous. 'Who is this girl? Why is he telling me about her? Does he want my help?' She didn't want him to confess to anyone else! She decided to confess immediately, as she knew that there was a chance that the girl was her.
"Spitfire! I like you! A lot! Please go out with me!" She blurted out, blushing with mortification. 'I wanted to be smooth, but, here I am.'
Spitfire was gaping at Banshee's confession. He internally cheered. She liked him! He could tell her that he liked her too, without worry.
"Wow, that is sudden, but, um, I like you a lot too! I will happily go out with you!" Spitfire replied with extreme happiness.
Banshee flew into his arms, hugging him tightly and with joy. He reciprocated! Right now, Banshee was over the moon. She didn't think she would confess like that, but she was happy nevertheless.
"Oh, um, well, Banshee, I'll walk you home. I was thinking we could go on a d-date some time this weekend."
"I'd like that, Spitfire. Let's go!"
The newly formed couple walked home, to Salty Springs where they both lived. And, several things were set in motion. One thing was certain.
Things would be interesting.
A/N: Next couple will be emphasized on pretty soon. There will be focus on tests, competitions and different characters as well.Characters introduced or mentioned:Jonesy, Spitfire, Banshee, Mission Specialist, Hay Man, Sledgehammer, Maven, Ice King, The Prisoner, Bullseye, Archetype, Fate, Ramirez.
