I stumbled as I reached for the alarm. My head pounded and I have a strong feeling that my anemia was due to my nose bleeding profusely yesterday.
I collapsed after the long campaign I did in Elysium for 3 hours straight drinking energy drinks. Tyler was up and gone, probably getting breakfast. I threw on the only thing I could find lying around on my dresser (A pair of my old soccer pants and a red shirt). I wore my slips-ons, slung my bag and walked outside the dorm.
I was then fiercely hugged by a few people standing outside my dorm.
"Preston! We were worried after last night. How are you?" Tai asked as well as Ki, who was guilty for being one of the people in the group who bear-hugged me.
"I'm feelin' a little anemic but more so myself like before...much better." I smiled as I head towards the cafeteria. I ran into Brian and Jenny, who were heading my way.
"Preston! You're alive." Brian joked. "Didn't think you'd come back after that. It was pretty sick..."
I snorted, "A little blood can't hold me back."
Jenny scanned me up and down, "Glad you're up Preston, stop by before practice so we can talk a bit."
"Okay." Knowing immediately it was about the first practice that I missed. I wonder how she told the rest...maybe I had the flu? I doubt she would put me in an embarrassing spot. Brian patted my shoulder and walked with Jenny.
I entered the lunchroom with some lingering glances towards me. But I disregard that as I got a giant nutritional milkshake and sat by the gang.
"Welcome back to Hell pal." Jake grinned, now taking on a challenge of solving a petaminx. He was nowhere halfway through it, slugging at it for some time.
"Worth it. A little blood won't stop me boys. So what's up lately?" I drank my shake.
"Practice yesterday was good. I scored third on the scoreboards...14-8. Rusty but y'know." Tyler shrugged. "We were playing a bit of FoF,...The Law was first with 22-4."
I grimaced. No doubt Field of Fire was his match...and I had to go against him this Friday.
"Why the face Preston?" Kyle asked. I looked up all all my friends.
"You want me to be honest? The Law challenged me to Field of Fire Friday a couple days ago...a bit after he lost to me in Elysium." I bit the inside of his cheek.
Tyler grimaced, knowing it was a bad idea to accept the challenge.
"I know I'm going to lose...I barely play Field of Fire and one loss from him is something I'll accept. He's number one in the school and maintaining that status is putting people like me." I beat my chest, "Beneath him."
"I don't believe that." Tyler said sincerely. "You won that match fair and square... I think you got a chance with the Law. Just gotta brush up with FoF a bit man."
I flinched. Tyler had utmost faith in me with this match coming up soon.
"Yeah man. And if you can beat Law twice in a row, the varsity might lay off you a bit." Jake said, 1/4 done with the petaminx.
"Really guys? You really think I have a chance to do it again?" I double checked.
"Preston." Riss spoke up on the other side of the table. She wore her hair short and choppy, a thin-line of eyeliner and a more punk style to her outfit. She stared me down with startling blue eyes. Tyler flustered at her sudden appearance beside her. She wasn't really close to us since we got here, but ever since the match, she's been keeping an eye on us.
"Don't doubt yourself...not only us, but a lot of other people here think you got talent. And soon enough, you might take the Law's place as first." Riss said. "Just stay focused."
She was about to get up when she remembered something and yanked Tyler up. "C'mon big guy, I need you to help me with somethin'"
Tyler stumbled with words and anxiously looked back at us with a plea of help. I shrugged as a helpless Tyler got dragged away by a fierce Riss.
The bell rang signalling the first class, as I left Jake and Kyle and headed towards FPS 102.
I sat down in the same seat from yesterday avoiding eye contact with Coach. She was probably make me stay an extra five minutes, bark at me for missing practice. I clutched my hands tighter.
"Today, being the 3rd day of school...I've decided to jump right into gaming. This is an advance course and I want each and everyone of you to be in tip shape when you're out playing those games." Coach folded her arms. "So today everyone is going to group up in pairs and spend a good 25 minutes on Elysium. Think of this as a warm-up, FPS varsity. And those who aren't,...think of this as a wake-up call." She said as she stood at the head of the class. She turned on the smartboard and our IDs appeared, separated into two columns. The board began randomizing for about 10 seconds before we knew who our opponent was.
"Cool." Brian clasped my back, "I get to finally see you in action...personally."
I smirked, "If you say so." As I tried not to underestimate Brian. No doubt, he is a superb player that has beaten the Law times as well.
"Fantastic." Jenny said sarcastically as the Law smirked at the pairing.
"Don't worry. I'll try not to go easy on ya...girlie." The Law taunted.
We sat at tables that faced each other, pairs taking opposite sides from each other. I nodded at Brian as he chuckled, sitting down with his old school gear and the new Oculus Rift equipment. I also sat down with my personalized equipment and slipped on the visor.
"20 seconds to set up your class." Coach announced as we all ascended into the zone and got our pieces together. For the most part, I would stick to my tomahawk and stun grenade, but also I was going to use my assault rifle. I scanned in first, ready.
5
4
3...
2..
1.
"No mercy." The system announced the start of the game.
By the end of the match, Brian 1-up me and I lost. It was a pretty tough match and he was no noob alright. That makes it my first official lost at VGHS. On the other hand, the Law wasn't kidding when he didn't go easy on Jenny. He scored 4 points above her, unbeatable towards the end of the match. He glared a warning at me.
The bell rang and the majority of the class was dismissed. Coach ahemed very loudly indicating to step forward. Jenny stayed behind as well.
"Coach." Jenny told her mom firmly, "Don't kill Preston."
She raised a brow, "Why would I?"
"Because he didn't show up yesterday and there's a legit reason and it's mostly my fault." She defended me.
Coach turned to me, "Okay, but I want to hear it from him."
"Mom-I mean-" Jenny halted as she got the sternest look from her mom. She nodded, quieting down.
"I...went and was goofing off before practice started. Got into a small accident here and there...and then-" I babbled on, lying, "Some guy wanted me to test out the uh, Oculus Rift arena..."
"Something having to do with getting shut off by the rest of the students?" Coach included. I swallowed, daring not to ask who told her but probably Calhoun.
"Yes...we, got injured. Bad, very bad headaches. Can't remember yesterday for my life." I side-glanced Jenny, who was trying to hide a smirk at my lies.
"And, if you can remember, what does my daughter have to do with you?" Coach folded her arms waiting. I swallowed.
"Your daughter is super cool and she didn't know because I asked for a room number. Plain simple." I shrugged. Coach contemplated, thinking there was a lie hidden in the sea of lies I've created. Hopefully she doesn't found out it was me and Ty'.
"This doesn't excuse you on the first practice on the varsity. You've missed tremendously, and I don't need to express how important it is to work as a team. So let me get this straight in your head, kid." Coach sized me up. "If you put your own priorities before the team, get off my varsity."
I swallowed, "Yes sir."
Coach nodded, getting her binder and leaving. "Good. And to make-up for your absence, you have to run five laps around the campus and I want a least an hour on the Free for All. Jenny will be spectating your gaming during this and there will be no ragequitting. Got it?"
"He just got out the infirmary, Coach." Jenny protested. I silently thanked her for standing up to me.
"It's fine Jen." I didn't mind the laps because I played soccer before, but I didn't want to put it out there because Coach would've doubled or tripled the laps.
"I don't approve of my T.A. talking back to me. Unless you want the Law to take your place I advise you to shut it. Got it?" Coach eyed Jen. She averted her glance as she sighed.
"Yes, m'am." Jenn gritted her teach to refrain further argument. Coach nodded, leaving the class. Jen sunk into a seat groaning.
"Thanks for havin' my back." I thanked her. "Really."
Jen rubbed her temples, "My mom is a pain in the ass and I wish I could run the varsity myself...I don't need her help or the Law's. And my boyfriend is capable of helping out too."
"Don't beat yourself over it. I deserve it, after what Tyler and I caused. You were doing your job settling our disputes. It won't happen again and I'll accept my punishment." I insisted.
She got up, "Okay, well, I should be headin' to my...other class. Reflex training. It helps a lot in FPS...you should do that."
"I will." I stood outside the class with Jen.
"I see you at practice Preston...and next time you get into trouble like that, the team falls with you. That's how the varsity works on my watch." Jen clasped my shoulder, heading the opposite way. I nodded, heading to RPG 101.