Yes, professional gaming teams do exist. Check out the all-girl team the Frag Dolls, for example.
Anna takes a trip that takes her closer to following one of her passions and far away from Morgan's cheating. But what does it mean for her budding friendship with Chuck?
CHUCK VS. THE MONKEY PANTS
Chapter 4
Date: 13 April 2008
From: "Anna" linuxgirl
To: "Karen" KCDesigns
Subject: I left my heart and blah blah blah
San Fran definitely gets cold! Burrrrrrr. Thanks for the advice. No damn mini-skirts for me today. I'm so glad I brought warm clothes and my black boots. So Friday was mostly about meeting the other girls and the managers. I hit it off right away with this girl named Rogan. She calls herself a Briwi – a British kiwi. Her family is from New Zealand, where people are called Kiwis, but she grew up in England.
The local people took us to The Heights, this new club that opened. It was okay, not really my scene but if this is part of my "work," I'm game.
Vince emailed me about keeping in touch and me joining the band (haha). He's really sweet so I'm not counting him out yet.
Spoke with Chuck today. You know how he and Sarah just broke up? Well, I did the cheesiest thing before I left. I bought him a get-well card and a smiley face balloon. I wrote inside the card "hoping you'll be able to smile soon" or something massively embarrassing like that. He called and thanked me (again!) and wished me well on the trip. He seemed really blown away. It wasn't that big a deal. (Don't give me that look – it wasn't). Though I haven't been that lame since I dated the Asshole.
It looks like the awkwardness after Chuckgate (What I call the event in which Chuck saw me completely smashed and butt naked), is behind us. I think. And a girl can never have too many friends, right?
Let me know the update with you and tell Ryan I said "hello".
Later,
Anna
….
Date: 28 April 2008
From: "Anna" linuxgirl
To: "Karen" KCDesigns
Subject: Fantasy come true...
The London team knows how to throw a welcome. They had a huge party and that band Tokio Hotel performed. They are apparently huge over here. I really like the team here. I thought they would be all cold and stuck-up. The good news is that with the British accents, cheeky comments, colorful hair and clothes, I feel like I'm smack dab in the middle of my 13-year-old fantasy of being a Spice Girl. (You can't tell anyone about that or I'll lose my street cred).
So - I met a guy. But don't get too excited. He tapped me on the shoulder at the party and I turned and found myself looking up into the most beautiful pair of green eyes. And a cute face to match. He had this short light brown curly/wavy hair going. Picture Ryan Phillippe with a British accent but minus the adultery and herpes rumors. He tells me that he knows me from somewhere. And usually the British accent works like magic on me. But I couldn't get over that pitiful pick-up line. He picked the wrong girl since I just got into the country like a day ago! He insisted, I resisted and that was that. Like I said, don't get too excited.
I better get some sleep.
Later,
Anna
….
Date: 16 May 2008
From: "Anna" linuxgirl
To: "Chuck" CIBartowski
Subject: Re: Howdy
You are fucking kidding me? So Dumb and Dumber have graduated from boobcam to pantycam? They are just unbelievable and will never learn. Sorry you have to be alone with them. Hopefully, the new guy can be a good influence? Maybe? Yeah, I know...
And Morgan and Carli aka The Buy More Skank are now a couple? And he wanted you to tell me this why? And she came to the engagement party with him? Wow.
It's really not bothering me. Not at all. Or I'm in denial. I'm really not sure which one it is. Okay, I'll admit that I'm surprised, but whatever he does he's not my problem to worry about anymore. And that's a good thing. Sorry, I know he's your BFF and all.
It sounds like it was nice shindig. (And btw, why did they wait so long to have an engagement party?) You're very supportive. Way to be a good brother Charles. Don't frown. I like calling you that. Actually I like calling you that because you hate it, and you look cute when you frown. Do you prefer my personal favorite - Chuckles?
Gotta go. Hey, how's Casey doing? Did he smile today? Ask him if he misses me. LOL!
Later,
Anna
….
Date: 19 May 2008
From: "Anna" linuxgirl
To: "Karen" KCDesigns
Subject: Re: Hey you!
So glad you and Ryan are going strong. Don't worry about that argument. (And I agree with you that he should have called and given you a heads-up). I can tell he's crazy-nuts-loony-head over heels for you. Trust me.
Rogan has been the best host. She's been doing the tourist thing with me and the other girls. I'm really liking it here. All the traveling I did with my family and can't believe we didn't come here before.
SO that guy who swore he knew me – his name is Brian. He fancies me as they say here. Get this – he's a consultant for the team. And it turns out he wasn't using a lame pick-up line. Remember the photos I did for Ann? He saw them on her website. It's a small world after all. I had totally forgotten about that whole deal. I'm now glad that all my naughty bits were covered and didn't go full frontal!
Speaking of bodies - Brian has the most amazing body. With and without clothes. Yep - I slept with him. And OMFG – it was GOOD. I mean really good. I'm letting him think that he seduced me when I had decided to sleep with him like the second time I talked to him. It was strange that he kept popping up where ever I went. So maybe it was fate giving me exactly what I needed, some hot lovin'? Maybe, ya think?
So he did this whole romantic thing – we took a walk along the South Bank, just talking and getting to know each other. Then he stuffed me with French food and chocolate at this beautiful restaurant. It was very well played. Apparently he's an artist. He has the most amazing paintings all over his place. It's really like an art studio that just happens to have a kitchen. And a bedroom. I was impressed though I tried to hide it – you know me.
I told you that I was going to have fun now that I'm single and FREE with no stupid disappointment of a boyfriend to worry about. Brian "doesn't do relationships" and I'm not in a hurry to have one - so this is perfect. I can have my tasty mancake, and eat it and not have the DRAMA of a relationship!
In other news, guess who called me! Chuck! (Don't start). We have been emailing and he's been on my myspace page. But he threw me with the call. It was kind of nuts with the time difference and all. I swear he was worried. This was after I told him about Brian. I almost didn't tell him except he mentioned hanging out with his beloved Sarah and I guess I just wanted him to know that I had someone keeping me company too. Like it matters. Anyway, he told me to watch my back with this guy. Isn't that weird? I'm sure he's just being a (vomit) big brother (vomit) to me. But still... I'm trying not to read too much into his concern about me and a guy that I just told him I'm sleeping with.
Oh and Nutella is my new crack. It's in the US now and I can't believe I never tried it before. It is heaven in a jar. I think it has special healing powers. Gotta go...
Love ya,
Anna
….
Date: 11 June 2008
From: "Anna" linuxgirl
To: "Karen" KCDesigns
Subject: We kicked ass!
...At the CGS European Call of Duty 4 Kick-Off Tournament this weekend. Okay, we came in second but I think we definitely proved that girls can compete. It's a good start for this new and improved team.
This snot nose punk from one of the all guy teams was talking so much shit – and they ended up coming in fifth place!
One more tourney and then I'm back home.
Speaking of home...So I'm getting closer to Chuck. Not something I expected when I signed up to come here for four months. So his mom left when they were young and his dad hasn't been around. I was telling him my family woes with The Parents and he opened up to me a little about his family. After hearing that I didn't want to share my problems but he listened anyway. I feel so bad for him.
His parents really missed out on a great person. That's what I told him. I hope I said the right thing.
I really shouldn't be thinking the thoughts I've been entertaining about Chuck. It would make everything so complicated and I just don't want "complicated" right now.
Later,
Anna
….
Date: 04 July 2008
From: "Anna" linuxgirl
To: "Karen" KCDesigns
Subject: HeyThat is so cool about your clothing line. So happy for you. You've been working damn hard on that and finally it's coming together. Don't forget us little people when you blow up!
Psst...I'm starting to get suspicious about Brian. I think he was going through my stuff while I was in the bathroom. What he doesn't know is that I put things a certain way on purpose - A tip from my uncle who is either in the Taiwanese mafia or police force – depends who you ask.
I think he went through my phone and laptop. I really hope I don't have a nut on my hands. Maybe he's just getting jealous? Welcome to my love life!
He took me on the London Eye today. I had an amazing time. The view is breathtaking. As much as I enjoyed today, there's a certain tall, dark and handsome guy I kept imagining there with me.
It's very weird to be here when the US is celebrating its independence from Britain! Have a hotdog and a beer for me, okay?
Talk to you later...
Anna
….
Date: 02 August 2008
From: "Anna" linuxgirl
To: "Karen" KCDesigns
Subject: Home Crap Home!I'm still high from our team winning the right to represent the UK at the World Cyber Games. I can't help it. It's a huge deal in the gaming world. And it means I may have to come back in November but we've recruited some kick-ass girls so it's not final.
My last night here. It's kind of sad but after staying here an extra month, I am really ready to come home. Thanks for picking me up at the airport. I can't wait to see everyone.
Can you believe that Brian, Mr. I Don't Do Relationships, wants to try to keep something going? Fuck-The-What?! I give up. Guys don't know what they want either. The sex is nice and he's been a good distraction but... I'm not into it anymore.
...More when I get there. See ya soon. (Big smile).
Anna