My reputation at VGHS skyrocketed that Hell Week. It was expected because gamers I ran into tried recruiting me. Making up legit reasons saying I got spunk and that it could really help their team. But I had turn them all down saying the FPS varsity is my place.
Since the Law's lost, I had been given several glances by him, and probably a few of his fans. I was expecting some hardships as they attempted to break into my locker and ruin my gear and make me trip and fall on my lunch. But Tyler was backing me up.
Tyler, however, took the queer remark seriously and tried not to interfere that much, saying it was for "our own goods". I didn't care because I have a girlfriend and Tyler is my best friend. But since then he's been more quiet and talked among the few guys Kyle and Jake. I had vaguely got to talk to Riss, as she didn't plan on associating with us as much.
In Gaming 101, we learned the fundamentals of gaming, the first viral games like Pac-man, Pong, Super Mario, and so forth. We learned a bit about the history first, and we went over fundamental controls from keyboard to joystick to controller. Our instructor, Dr. Felix, then announced that he wanted to do a diagnostic test with the three games. We were able to choose what controllers we could use to whichever game, and we were only given until the end of the period to get as far as possible.
I chose the classic, Super Mario.
By the end of the class, I had just beat the game, and it automatically shut off. Hopefully, my results went in for that.
I walked up to Tyler to talk about the class, but he kinda brushed it off.
"Pacman. Hey look, I gotta go...trying out this Fighting 101..." Tyler said hurriedly. I scoffed.
"That class isn't for another 10 minutes. But I'm guessing you have better stuff to do than talk to me." I shook my head. Tyler winced.
"I'm sorry, I'm just trying not to make it seem like I'm a clingy friend." Tyler clenched his jaw. I stopped, and turned around.
"Are you still offended by that?" I hardly laughed. Tyler glared.
"No! I'm just so annoyed that I get labelled for something I'm clearly not! I am not a faggot!" Tyler exclaimed. The people around us glanced over. I pursed my lips, realizing Tyler's frustration. He wasn't having a good day after all, even after his first win.
"Tyler, I know you're not. But you shouldn't be throwing that word around like that...it's really offensive to other people here that they are." I tried calming him.
"Don't. I'll see you later." Tyler brushed it off leaving me with Jake and Kyle.
"'Sup with Ty'?" Jake asked.
"He's a little...off today. Just stupid things. He'll cool down later." I shrugged off as I made my way towards a vending machine for a Venom. I went to grab a lemon-flavored one where someone bumped into me. I turned around to apologize when I saw the glare in his eyes.
"Law." I swallowed, as I forgot about my Venom. He scoffed as he got two energy bars and a NOS.
"You got lucky, noob. I would wipe the floor with you on FoF. Next rematch is next friday. My game." He snarled.
"Bring it on Law." I bluffed again, knowing that FoF was not my full cup of tea. I was knowledgeable and still strategic, but the setup was different.
We walked separate ways as I went to my next class; FPS 102
Since I had beat the Law aswell as ace the FPS section of my pre-enrollment exam, they had placed me in 102 not 101. So I was stuck in the class with my FPS varsity and two other people. I made my way to the opposite side of the class from the Law as I waited for the bell to ring. Walking in was a blond woman with a track suit and a fierce facial expression that said No mercy.
"Cutting the introductions short because the majority of you already know me. You will call me Coach. Got it?" She saw seriously. The class responded with slow nods.
"Now, everyone grab these books that we all know, you will not read. Because the game itself is all you need to know." Coach Matrix said.
I disagree. I said in my head, twiddling my thumbs.
"Just this once, we will go around and introduce ourselves. Waste the class time because we're here for damn near an hour." She growled.
One by one, my classmates went up and introduced themselves and their ranks and sat down. Those who were on the varsity stated that. The Law defiantly stated his rank as first. I was one of the last people as I stood up and walked to the front of the class.
"My name is Preston Young. I'm an OTC scholar, ranked 590 overall. I'll be joining the FPS varsity for the first time today." I announced.
"You're the one who whooped my varsity's player ass earlier." Coach included. Some people chuckled as the Law clinched the desk.
"It was a challenge and I accepted it Coach." I faced her. She looked down at me, trying to figure me out. That if I really was a spineless fool or a reckless player.
"Stay after class." Was all she said. I flinched, wondering if this brute of a coach was really going to try and chew me out her way like most of her varsity members and harden them up, or ask more questions.
I walked back to my seat as Coach began to talk about different FPS, how the games tactically worked, and overall basics needed to survive. Most of them took skill and brains. I didn't know how Law really had that but it made him the number one player.
At the ring of the bell everyone got up except me. Some like Brian and the Law gave me different glances as I played with my thumbs. Coach had her arms folded as we held a staring contest for a minute.
"Stand up." She ordered. I stood up straight, still looking at her.
"My daughter told me about you. And I saw that match. Think you got guts kid? Think you got moves because you slip a little something you learned from playing on a playground? Where many other players spent day and night tapping frantically on their little mouse and broken keyboards? You could walk into their rooms and smell coffee and Monster mixed all together. I'm just warning you this is the nicest you will see me until the day our team brings home the stacks. New gear, new computers, more scholarships, more programs, more players. Victory, glory, triumph, respect. So I want a solid answer or so help me I will make your life on the varsity a living hell. Do you not want to play video games?"
I thought quickly, frantically. She stabbed me with the simplest but most complex question. Did I want to spend days and nights playing Elysium to gain all the worth's attention, prizes, and more? Did I want to become the top FPS player known to the world and let my name be known in the Hall of Games in golden letters?
"Yes." I answered her surely as she clasped my shoulder.
"You just sold your soul to the devil." She darkly humored as she dismissed me. "Be prompt for practice or every minute is a lap around the school times ten!"
I nodded as I left for lunch.
Jake and Kyle asked why I was late for lunch. I took a bite out of my sub sandwich as I looked at them.
"FPS Varsity coach was not havin' my ass." I grumbled. "Trying to straighten me up because it's a new game and I whooped the Law's ass. Speaking of, he wants a rematch in Field of Fire."
Jake and Kyle exchanged glances.
"Preston, you're going to lose." Tyler spoke finally. I glared at him.
"Thought you didn't wanna talk." I snarled.
"I can talk when I want, thanks. And again, you're going to lose." Tyler warned.
"You know, since I went against the Law you been acting like jerk lately! Like I'm somewhat ruining your reputation! I'm sorry if you feel that way and don't want to be my friend!" I yelled.
"Jerk? Preston, you've gotten out of control within hours. You need to calm down." Tyler warned as he placed a hand on my shoulder. It had immediately sparked my anger, as I clawed his collar to yank his shirt up.
"Don't tell me what to do!" As I barked at him, realizing that all eyes were on us. Tyler's eyes were not filled with hatred or fear, but disappointment.
"Let. Go. Of. Me." He deadpanned as he yanked my hands off and stormed out the lunchroom. Riss had got up and went after him. I stared at the eyes that were set on me. Thankfully, the silence broke to a clumsy asian, Ted, slipped on milk and food landed on him and the lunchroom laughed. But thankfully, he was okay. I sat back down with Jake and Kyle exchanging glances.
"I think you two need to fight your problems over a game of Soul Calibur." Jake suggested. Kyle agreed.
"I need a fucking break." I ran a hand through my hair as I felt a hand on my shoulder.
"Don't touch-" As I paused to see Jenny looking down at me.
"A word please? As your captain of the FPS varsity." Jenny put as I got up, not hungry anymore. I followed her out the lunchroom as we roamed the about empty hall.
"Yes m'am?" I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose.
"I need you to pull yourself together, Preston." As she dropped the formality.
"Uh, excuse me?" I asked.
"Your behavior in the lunchroom is not acceptable. FPS Varsity members do no act boldly or attempt to physically abuse other players. This is very crucial and against the code of conduct." Jenny stated. "I need you to cool down."
"Sorry I've had a bad evening because someone told their mom about me. Now their mom thinks I'm a snobby, pompous kid who thinks they can win it all and I'm about to have a hellish time on the varsity. Not to mention that, I got quite a few enemies and my friend is a senseless jerk that can't stand me because of that." I stated.
"My mother?" Jenny explained, "Is Coach. Got it? And it's not my fault. Deal with that Preston, and your friend. I do not want to see any friendly fire bullshit during practice or I'll put you guys both our before we even get online. Got it?" She got in my face. "I'm sorry but VGHS isn't going to be smooth sailing like you expected at first. But..."
I looked up as she sighed, putting her hands on her hips. "We're both, sensible adults. And I know it's going to be a little shitty adjusting here but things will get better...I swear it. You and Tyler are just...the same now. But you need to talk to him, more calmly. Brian and I will help you for the Varsity, so that my mom isn't practically kicking your ass."
I chuckled as she smiled. She put a hand on my shoulder, patting it.
"I also think you should give a call home or talk to someone who really misses you. Hint hint." Jenny winked as I raised a brow.
I thought about that, and I went to find the nearest library in the school.
