A/N I really hope you're enjoying this story so far, I'm really enjoying writing it. This chapter is a bit shorter than the last one sorry about that. I know this chapter seems a bit off from reality but hey, makes for a good read.
Chapter 4
I was sleeping on the couch in my dorm, I had just come straight here after being embarrassed right in front of Taylor and everyone else. I heard knocking and my eyes opened one last tear was running down my cheek when I wiped it off.
"Max? It's Taylor." she said through the door. "I came to see if you're okay. I haven't seen you since you left class which was... two hours ago."
Two hours? Is that even possible? I thought.
She knocked again. "Max?"
I knew I couldn't run from this forever. I got up and walked to the door. I opened it. Taylor was standing there with a tray of food on a cart.
"Brought you some lunch." she said.
"Thanks, Uh.. come in" She wheeled the cart into my room. "Just set it there on the coffee table." I said.
She set the tray down and wheeled the cart into the hall then came back and sat on the couch. "Got you your favorite. Fried Chicken with Mashed Potatoes and Gravy."
I sat down next to her. I gave a light chuckle. "You even got me a chicken leg."
"Of course I know it's your favorite."
I picked it up and took a bite. After I was done chewing I swallowed it felt kind of hard to swallow.
Taylor leaned forward. "You okay? You're eyes are a little red." she said worryingly.
I sniffed and wiped another tear. "Uh, yeah. Thanks for coming over and uh... bringing me some lunch."
"You're welcome."
We sat for a few moments in silence while I finished my chicken and started on my mashed potatoes.
"Those guys are dumb."
"What?"
"Teasing you like that, it wasn't very nice."
"Yeah,"
"They should know that we're only best friends."
Her words hurt a little. "Yeah..."
She noticed my reaction to what she said. "You okay Max?"
I didn't say anything. I just stopped chewing my food and stared at what was left.
Taylor put her hand on my shoulder. "Max?"
"Look Taylor I appreciate what you're doing here but I just need some time alone."
She nodded. "Okay, I understand. Want me to take your tray?"
"Yes please."
She stood up.
I laid on my side. Taylor grabbed a blanket and put it on me then leaned over then gave me a gentle kiss on the forehead. "Get feeling better" she said before she walked out.
"Thanks," I said back.
She grabbed the tray and walked out the door closed it behind her and that's when I fell asleep.
...
I woke up having no idea what time it was I looked at the bedside clock. 8:00. Wow how did I sleep all day?
I felt like I could to talk to Taylor now. Knowing her she was probably playing Field of Fire right about now. I didn't want to just barge in to her dorm so I figured to send a few quick texts first.
Hey, you still awake?
...
Yeah, how are you doing?
...
Better and I kind of want to talk about it now.
...
You sure?
...
Yes, I'm sure.
...
Alright then just come on over and we'll talk.
...
Okay, see you in a few.
...
See you in a few.
I slid my phone shut and walked down the hall to Taylor's dorm. I lightly knocked on the door.
"Come in," Taylor said inside.
I slightly opened the door and peaked inside. Taylor was playing Field of Fire on her Laptop at her desk. She was wearing the same thing as last night.
Still super cute I thought.
I walked in and closed the door behind me. I saw her see me in the reflection of her screen.
She pushed a button on her headset. "Sorry got to go, I need to talk to my boy- my friend."
Did she almost say boyfriend? I had to think about that. It kind of felt good that she almost called me her boyfriend.
She closed the window on her laptop shut it then whirled around on her chair. "So you're ready to talk about it now?" she asked.
I nodded. "Yes,"
"So we know that someone -we don't know who- hacked the system and put you as the top ranked player."
"Right. We also know that this person should have some sort of motive. But what?"
"Did you do anything to upset anyone recently?" Taylor asked curiously.
I thought about it. "I don't think so no."
"Oh, that doesn't exactly help does it?"
"No not really."
Taylor thought about it."What about that guy in class this morning?"
"What guy?"
"The one mentioning about you daydreaming about me being your girlfriend."
"Oh," I blushed. "That guy."
"Yeah, do you know who it was?"
"I think so.."
"Who?"
"Randy... Parkins."
"Randy Parkins? That guy has something against everyone."
"I know. But it could be him. He once told me that one time he hacked this game to give him unlimited health."
"But would he be good enough to hack the VGHS system?" Taylor started pacing back and forth.
"He could."
"I suppose is there anyone else though?"
"I'm not sure, if it's not Randy I don't know who else it could... well there is one person."
"Who?"
"Emily Peters."
Taylor growled. "Emily Peters? I hate that girl"
"I know. But she has something. Once she asked me out on a date, and I turned her down."
I could see Taylor's face brighten a bit. "You turned her down?"
"Yeah, I mean she seems like a nice girl. But I don't like her that way."
"So you like someone else."
I could see that we were side tracking but I went with it. "Yeah, that's what I told her."
Taylor smiled. "Okay so we have to suspects. Randy Parkins, and." She said with disgust. "Emily Peters."
"Looks like it."
"Well you might be up for a while want to play some PvP? I'll let you choose the game."
I smiled. "Thanks but no thanks, not really in a PvP mood. I might go back and read for a bit."
Taylor frowned. "Oh, okay. I just thought of a way I could help cheer you up more."
"Thanks, But yeah no games tonight sorry."
"It's okay. So tomorrow we'll investigate those two?"
"We?"
"Yeah, I'm going to get you out of this mess even if it's the last thing I do here."
"If we don't find out who it was then trying will be the last thing I do here."
Taylor sighed. "Well you need to head back and relax a bit. Goodnight." she stepped forward and hugged me."
"Good night" I hugged back. I walked out the door, and even thought this was like the third hug we shared I could practically drift the whole way back.