I went to the vacant library that was old-fashioned and dim. Only a few students and staff at the desk were there. I asked where the nearest payphone was and they pointed to the back. Why would a library be at VGHS that I don't know. Maybe Ki requested it.
I dialed her number by heart and leaned on the wall waiting anxiously. The other lined picked up as there was a questionable 'Hello?'
"Wendy." I said her name like she was standing close to me.
"Preston." As I could hear her sigh in satisfaction. "It's been a couple of days. How are you?"
I sighed, "It's kinda rough now...people trying to put me in my place and...Tyler and I aren't getting along right now." I sighed as I slid down the wall to sit on the floor.
"Why? What happened between you two?" Wendy asked.
"Small quarrel...but, I just...needed a break. I'm about to join the FPS Varsity and I believe my life is getting harder by the minutes." I swallowed. "I just needed to hear you..."
It was quiet for a moment as Wendy spoke, "It'll be okay Preston."
"What I should do? It's hard talking to the guy when he's avoiding me." I played in my hair.
"Talk to him like you would talk to your best friend. It's too early and childish to let your friendship already end when things haven't started yet. You guys gone through a lot...I'm sure it'll be fine." Wendy insisted.
I sighed, "Thank you, really. How are things at home?"
Wendy checked, "Mark got a full ride scholarship to Harvard for medicine...just want to let you know."
I bolted up, "Are you serious!?"
"I'm 100% serious. Remember that competition last summer where he had to create his own medicine? Harvard was expecting...cough syrup and pain relievers but he attempted on creating a basic for spine paralysis with stem cells." Wendy said. "Some Harvard rep came straight to the school to see Mark and he was guaranteed a full ride if he kept his grades up for the rest of the year. So in July they want him do the three-week summer session before attending the Fall semester."
"I can't believe it...that's the best news I'm hearing all day. I'm freaking astonished." I chuckled.
"But another thing...Mark said if there's anything further that you decide to go with the Oculus Rift biologically, he would be up for it." She said.
"definitely." I said. "Oh, I got a few minutes left. Wendy, how have you been anyway?"
"School is fine. I'm trying to go into law maybe, if not psychology." She said.
"You'll be great. You're hella' smart Wendy." As I stared at the timer. "Hey...I gotta go."
"I know." Wendy delayed longer, "It was...good hearing from you. I miss you."
"I miss you...so much." I closed my eyes. "I'll write soon."
I could hear her giggle, "Good, take care."
"You too." I said before the phone call had cut off. "Love you."
The day went on and eventually I bumped into Brian.
"Yo, Preston." He lightly grabbed my arm. I flinched unexpectedly.
"Uh? Yeah?" I glance at my arm.
"Jenny wants an ASAP meeting now. Came to find ya." He pulled me along down the hall.
"Any particular reason?"
"Probably Coach, or just Jen. This becomes normal after a while." I followed Brian to a room that said "Duel Hall."
"Go on." Brian said as I walked inside. The door locked behind me as the lights turned on. Standing on the other side of the room was Tyler. His jaw was clenched as he averted his glance.
"No...no...Brian. Ah shit." I came to realization. "Fuck you Jen." I swore under my breath.
"You two are going to get over this petty issue. Whatever happened is in the past. If you want to play on the FPS varsity you need to show respect and love for your family!" Jen announced. The room darken as the floor glowed neon blue. Then it transformed into an arena as visors appeared over our heads. I tried pulling the thing off but it wouldn't budge.
"This is a prototype virtual simulation arena with Oculus technology. The visors act as your screen and the area around you becomes dynamic to gaming abilities. So everything would feel unrealistic as you move around." Brian announced. "Calhoun wanted random players to test it out but also we figured we use it so that you guys can fight over your anger without getting in trouble."
"Yes, this is just perfect for channeling my anger out." I grumbled. Tyler said nothing as he flexed.
"It's way too early in your gaming careers to end this friendship. We know the background history between you two. You guys been friends since kindergarten...and some squabble isn't going to end that. So suck it up!" Said another familiar person.
"Riss?" Tyler wondered. Suddenly we stumbled as the gravity fluctuated as we began levitating and falling until the arena's gravity adjusted itself to a certain level. The system bot entered with a coin.
"Head or Tails?" It looked at Tyler. He said heads.
I grimaced as the system bot flipped the coin and it landed on heads. I bit my tongue back knowing what was probably coming next.
"My game: Soul Calibur." Tyler stared straight at me as the game transformed to different, holographic layouts of Soul Calibur arenas.
