Warning - this chapter contains spoilers for Avengers: Endgame. You have been warned.
I wake up by myself, and look at the clock beside my bed. It's 7:58 - I woke up just before my alarm, which is not uncommon. I seem to have a sixth sense for when it is, even if I'm sleeping.
I give a loud, long yawn as I speak. "Heeeyyyy Monika"
"Wow, you're up pretty early today."
"Well, we're doing a bunch of stuff. We don't want to be scrambling for time." I answer, as I begin changing out of my pyjamas. I look at Monika, and realise she's staring right at me as I take my shirt off.
"Uh, Monika… you know you don't have to watch me the whole time, right?"
"Of course I do. I simply choose to anyway." She replies, with a smug smile.
"Uh... well... I'm just gonna go over here..." I say, more embarrassed than I've ever been before. I move behind my bed so that Monika can't see anything too revealing, and finish changing into my clothes.
"Well, I'm feeling adventurous today. Let's cook something " I say to myself. I decide to take some of the bacon I have, and make some bacon sandwiches. When I'm back in my room, I see that it's only 8:20, so I have time before I meet with my friends.
"You want to watch something before we get going Monika?"
"Okay, sounds good. Can we watch more Fullmetal Alchemist?"
"Sure, why not."
During the episode however, it's interrupted.
"Euan?"
"Yeah, what is it?" I say, pausing the episode.
"Are you sure it's okay for me to come with you today?"
"Of course it is, why wouldn't it be?"
"Well, you know, it's just that this is meant to be a day for you and your friends, and I don't want to get in the way of that."
"Don't worry about that Monika. Firstly, I'm sure you're not going to be a burden or anything like that. Secondly, you're my girlfriend. Making space for you is part of the job description."
"O-okay. Thanks."
"No problem." I say, smiling, and start the episode again.
As it finishes, I get up. "Well, time to go. You want to get into the phone?"
"Sure." She replies, disappearing from my screen and onto my phone.
"Okay, let's go. See you Mai!" I shout behind me as I leave.
"See you!"
We're meeting at Luke's because his flat is closest to the city centre, and it only takes me about 5 minutes to get there. I knock on the door, and it's opened almost immediately, by Matt himself.
"Hey, Euan! Nice to see you, stranger!"
"Haha, I know, I know, I'm sorry! I was feeling really bad, and didn't want to give you guys a stomach bug, so I stayed home. Also, my phone had no battery, so I couldn't tell you."
"Yeah, no problem. Come in!"
I enter Luke's flat, and place my gift on the dining table next to the others. I enter the living room, and see they're already there, playing Mortal Kombat. I enter just in time to see Sam slice Luke in half with his own frozen blood.
"Awwww, brutal." I interject, as Luke sighs in defeat.
"Euan hey!"
"Hey guys! You ready to get going?"
"Yeah, we were just waiting for you."
They both stand up, and grab coats as Matt wanders in.
"Actually, wait up guys! We need to let Matt open his presents first." Sam shouts out, before we can go.
"Good point."
Luckily, we all ended up getting him different things. I got him a new, intricate watch, as he lost his a month ago. Luke bought him a new pair of trainers, covered with pictures of his favourite characters, and Sam bought a number of interesting books on physics, all of which he seemed to enjoy.
"Right, well, let's get going." Matt said, rocking his new shoes and watch.
Our screening of Avengers was in a while, so we didn't need to rush too much, allowing us to go to the shops first. Luckily, we were able to bring food into the cinema with us. However, this led to a number of arguments between us about what to bring with us - We all liked different things, after all. Like usual, we ended up getting things for ourselves, even though we knew this would lead to us having way too much food left over. However, as we gave our tickets to the cashier, complications arose.
"Your phones please?"
"What?" I replied, being gripped by fear.
"New rules, sorry guys. People have been recording things recently, so upper management have made this new rule. So, I've gotta take them. Don't worry, they'll be kept safe, and if they're lost, you'll get repaid for them."
The others hand over their phones with little resistance, but I'm more worried. I look at Luke, and he seems to understand.
"Are you sure these are gonna be safe? My phone is very… important to me."
"Look, they're kept in a locked safe, specific to the screen you're in, and attached to your seat number. We're being careful, so nobody else can take your phone. It's gonna be fine."
"Okay, here you go." I say, tentatively handing over my phone.
We all go to the bathroom before the movie, and then take our seats after arranging our snacks around us.
*3 hours later*
"Well I don't care what happens now, Loki's back! Best character in the MCU, and we're gonna get more of him!" We're all filled with energy after seeing the movie, and I have to prevent myself from shouting.
"We just saw 2 characters emotionally die on screen after 10 years of movies with them, and all you care about is Loki?"
"Hey, we all have different favourite characters, and I like Loki. You know, he's the survivalist. The true chaotic neutral, always looking after his own skin, as shown here. Cap and Stark are cool, don't get me wrong, but Loki is on a whole other level."
We pick up our belongings as we leave, and I'm relieved to see that my phone is safe.
"Yeah, perhaps. Hold on, I gotta go to the toilet." Says Matt
"And me." Sam says, following him into the bathroom.
When they've gone in however, Luke talks to me.
"Hey, Euan. I wanted to talk to you."
I frown "What is it?"
"It's about Monika… I just don't know if she's good for you."
Immediately, I'm defensive "What are you talking about?"
"I just think that she's… taking you away from the others in your life. I mean, you met her what, a few days ago, and since then, we've not seen you. It's like she-"
"No, Luke, she's not. I love Monika, and because of that, I spend time with her. If that means I can't spend as much time with you guys, then that might just have to happen."
"But you've known her for under a week, and she's already taking your time. Don't you feel like she's just using you? Like, on Friday, you missed out with us for the first time ever, for her. It's like she manipulated you into being with her."
"For God's sake Luke, no! She's a good person, alright? She's not like in the game, where she was evil, she's an actual person now, okay? Why don't you get that?"
Luke opens his mouth to respond, but before he can, the others leave the bathroom, interrupting our conversation.
"Right, let's get going then, shall we?"
"Yeah, let's go." I say, leaving Luke behind.
We go to a nearby restaurant for lunch, and afterwards head to the bowling range next to it.
"Well, time to come last."
Matt looks at me in surprise "What do you mean?"
"I've not gone bowling in years, and I basically suck at it."
"Sweet, one less opponent to worry about."
"Oh, thanks for the encouragement man."
"I'm looking to win man. If that means I have to be ruthless, so be it."
"Well, you're first up, so good luck."
"Here we go, starting off strong!"
Surprisingly, Matt begins with a spare, pushing him ahead. However, as I take my bowl, my phone rings, with no caller ID.
"Woah, a strike! So much for being awful."
"I'm telling you, that's a complete fluke. I gotta take this, hold on."
I back off, and answer my phone as the others take their shots.
"Hello? Monika, is that you?"
"Hey Euan. Yeah, it's me."
"What is it?"
"I… Just wanted to talk to you. I was feeling sort of lonely. I'm sorry."
"No, it's okay. Are you feeling alright?"
"Yeah, I'm good now, thanks. Are you having fun?"
"Definitely. I enjoy going out with my friends, you know. But I also miss talking to you, so this is nice too."
"Thanks… but you should probably get back to them."
"Yeah, you're right. I shouldn't be too much longer though, and then we'll get back home."
"Ok, it's no problem. Have fun."
"I will. See you soon Monika."
"Bye."
It's my turn again as I get back to the alley, and I grab a ball from the rack.
"Aaaand, off she goes… oh. That's fun."
Sam's commentary was correct. I'd got a split. The only way to succeed from here was to hit the outside of one pin so hard it flew across the gap, and knocked over the other. I'd never done it before. However, there was no reason not to try. With a deep breath, I cast the ball down the aisle. It was exactly on target… and
Clunk
The ball fell into the gutter centimetres before the pin, missing them both entirely.
"Ah well, perhaps next time." Sam consoles me, picking the ball up for his turn.
Most of my turns ended similarly, with me averaging around 7 points, and securing last place, as I expected, although I wasn't too disappointed, as I was able to beat my personal best. In the end however, it came down to one final shot to separate Sam and Luke.
Luke went first, and was surprisingly able to get a strike in the stressful time. Matt needed to equal him to stand a chance at victory.
"Here we go." Matt threw his ball straight down the centre, at a blistering speed. It looked as though it was going to be perfect. 9 were knocked down, with the final right side pin wobbling as though it were only centimetres from falling.
"Come ON!" Luke shouted, even trying to blow over the pin from metres away.
"Hey! No outside interference!" Matt grinned. Lady luck however, didn't appear to be on Luke's side that day, as the pin settled back into a standing position.
"Bad luck man. But I am the birthday boy after all, so it's only natural."
"Yeah yeah, well done." Luke groaned, hitting the pin with his second bowl to score a spare.
Matt was able to win over Luke, with a ten point lead, with sam in third, and myself close behind him in fourth.
"Well, now it's time for laser tag." I say, cracking my knuckles with a grin.
"Someone looks excited."
"Well, I've not done this in ages, and it's loads of fun, you know?"
This was an utter lie. I went to laser tag once every few months, and had kept my skills sharp for the last few years. However, the others didn't know this, which would allow me to absolutely destroy them. It was going to be fun.
We all placed our belongings inside lockers, and entered the arena. Having been here before, I already knew the best spot - halfway up one of the sets of stairs to the second level, at the corner, the wall was the perfect height, allowing you a perfect view of the battlefield to take shots at everybody below you, while avoiding those above you on the second floor. So, as soon as the lights were turned off, I immediately made my way to that position, and scanned the battlefield.
We had 20 minutes in the arena, meaning I'd likely only have to move once or twice, to prevent my position being known to the others. However, before we started, I immediately recognised a problem - there was a birthday party here. This meant there was a dramatically increased number of people to deal with, making it harder to focus down my friends. On the flipside however, it also meant they would find it hard to locate me.
After I crouched down, it took me a few minutes to find any of them. However, I soon realised that Sam and Luke were moving together, back to back, guns raised. Not a bad plan if you encountered someone round a corner, but it left you very vulnerable to a sniper strategy, like mine. I smiled as I took them both out, and they tried to move to cover, unable to tell where the shots were coming from. However, after a few shots, Sam saw me, and pointed me out to Luke. I smiled, and gave them a wave, before I ducked down below the wall, to avoid their counter-fire. I slowly crawled along the ground, ensuring no point of my vest poked above the wall, leaving me vulnerable. At this point, I changed my strategy - the best defence, was a good offence. I hadn't seen Matt yet, so it was likely he had adopted a similar strategy to me - hanging back and firing from afar. So, I went out to hunt him down. Luckily, my genes had awarded me one thing that was far above average - a lightning fast reaction time, allowing me to beat most people to the trigger when I encountered them around a wall. I was even able to beat Luke and Sam to the punch when I encountered them. "Wow, nice strategy, camper." Sam commented, as I passed by them.
"If it wins, it's a fair strategy. You just sound like sore losers to me." I retorted, with an evil smirk on my face. Eventually, I found Matt - he was in one of the corners of the second floor, firing at those who passed through the small gaps in the walls. We saw each other at the exact same time and fired, before both hiding behind cover. Even in this situation, I couldn't help myself.
"What's wrong Mcfly? Chicken?" I called out, with a grin.
"I could ask you the same question!" Matt shouted back. I glanced at my watch. - we only had about a minute left - I needed to get him now. Judging by the sound of his voice, Matt hadn't moved, like I expected. That had always been his preferred strategy in any situation, whether it be a video game or real life - to let others come to him, allowing himself to control the battle. At this point, it would end in a stalemate - neither of us wanted to approach the other, for fear of being hit, so we would simply stick to where we were, until time ran out. However, there was one thing he hadn't accounted for. You weren't allowed to climb on top of things, so Matt would only be watching the entrances to his little hidey-hole. But, I wasn't quite tall enough to see over the walls, only reach over with my gun. However, I knew this course like the back of my hand. So, judging Matt's position in my mind, I reached over the wall, and fired down on him. I heard an angry and disappointed "What?", and not ten seconds later, the time ended. We all convened outside as we hung up our guns and collected our valuables back. All of them looked slightly annoyed at me.
"Alright Euan, I have a bone to pick with you." Matt said, after we left.
"Oh yes? Whatever could that be, my friend." I said, with the most innocent look I could muster.
"You said that you never did laser tag, but you destroyed all of us there. You beat the guy in second place by over 20 points!"
"Oh, so I did. I seem to have forgotten the fact that I attend there rather often, and as such, have the skills necessary to crush the three of you into the dirt. How forgetful of me. Ah well."
Matt sighed, but with a small smile on his face. "Well, I guess it's only fair, after I flattened you at bowling earlier, you get to flatten us at laser tag. I'll be ready for you next time though."
"I'm counting on it."
"Well, I think that's us. Thanks for today guys, it was really awesome. See you guys."
We all said goodbye, and went our separate ways.
I got on the bus taking me back home, and on the way, took out my phone, and spoke quietly into it. "Hey Monika. You alright?"
"Yeah, I'm… fine." However, something feels off about her tone to me.
"Monika? Are you sure you're feeling okay?"
"Yeah. What do you mean?"
"Monika, I can tell you're not feeling okay. What is it?"
"It...it's nothing."
But I can tell she's hiding something from me, and I need to find out what it is.
AN: So yeah, this took way longer to come out than it really had any reason to. I actually planned to finish it last week, but a bunch of other things came up, and I kept delaying it, so I'm sorry for that. However, as a thank you to you guys for your patience, I wrote an extra-long chapter for you guys, so I hope that's an acceptable apology. Now however, I should be able to get back to my normal timing of about one chapter a week. Thanks.