Page 4 of His Shy Girl

Will’s Kanturia profile loads and I’m slightly intimidated to play with him. He’s a Tyrant Exile, a few levels above me. From the way he was talking, I picked up on the fact that he wasgood, but from his game score glowing in the corner of the screen, he could seriously have his own YouTube channel and be a professional. I’ve seen some YouTubers who don’t even come close to his score. Dang!

Me:Tyrant Exile? Not sure I want to play with you anymore. You’re going to crush me. LOL.

Will2025TE:I may have a slight addiction to the game. Don’t worry, I’ll go easy on you. NOT!! Hahaha.

Yep, I definitely think he’s cool.

Me:Do you want to battle, or do a mission together?

Will2025TE:I’d be up for a mission. Learn your weaknesses first. I’m going to just jump into the shop and grab the Serpent skin.

I scroll through the list of missions then send Will the room code. We both enter the loading zone, him dressed in his new skin, and then it’s game on. Battling the Hyacinth. Searching for the golden key to unlock the treasure chest. Claiming our prizes. We chat as we play, strategizing, joking around, talking about what we’re looking forward to next year. Before I know it, hours have passed. I no longer hear my mom’s friends cackling in the background, which means the coast is clear now if I want to go grab some food. With the way my stomach is rumbling, I could use a plate of quiches right now.

Me:Can we pause for one sec before going into the next round? Just want to go grab a snack.

Will2025TE:Actually, I think I need to log off. My eyes are getting blurry, and I have a test first thing in the morning. But I’m always up for playing, so just message me in the chat. I check the school group every day too, so you can catch me in there as well. It was fun meeting you, Bren.

Shit, it’s after one in the morning already. I was thinking it was midnight at max. I’ve got to get up for practice in a few hours. Guess time really does fly when you’re having fun. I’mtempted to ask him for his phone number so I can text him direct and not have to go through the chat, but I don’t want to come across as a clinger already trying to claim BFF status. So for now, I’ll play it cool. And in a week or so, I’ll get a feel for his living situation for next year. See if he already has a roommate.

Me:We make a good team. I’ll be on tomorrow night, if you want to go another round. And I won’t go as easy on you ;)

I smirk when I see his eye-roll emoji come through before he logs off. He whooped my ass tonight, and I had the best fucking time losing.

4

Brennon

It’s become my routine these last three weeks: school, football practice, homework, then gaming with Will into the late hours of the night. He’s seriously cool as shit. Reminds me of my friends from school, laid-back and funny. We have so much in common it’s fucking weird. We’re both only children. Both born and raised on Southern soil. Both grew up on football and queso.

It’s easy to talk to him about shit since he gets it. And it’s fun to rag on his ass too. His fantasy football team is crushing mine, but I’ll never show defeat. And don’t even get me started on his gaming skills. He seriously could bypass a degree and compete professionally if he wanted to. He’d make millions in competitions. But he wants to keep it as a hobby, and I can appreciate that. Gaming is my way of unwinding too.

Me:How’d the game go last night?

I already know his team beat Bryerson 32-7, but I don’t want him to think I’m stalking him or some shit. I was just curious how they faired, and maybe a bit curious as to what Will lookslike. But when I scrolled through the team roster, I didn’t see a William listed as a player. It said their tight end was Max Fletcher. But Max could be his middle name. I know a lot of guys who share a name with their dads so they go by their middle names instead. He could be a William Jr. or a William III.

Will2025TE:We won. Our team beat them by a lot. Wonder if the Keginator will have anything to say about it. I haven’t logged on yet to check.

I doubt it. After his team lost to us, he tried to start some shit in the chat, claiming the winning touchdown should’ve been flagged. So in response, I posted the clip of our final play, asking him where the foul was, and that seemed to shut him up. Others started chiming in, Will included, telling the Keginator that he needed to get his ego in check. Carson tucked his tongue after that and hasn’t been back online since. He’s case in point of why I don’t want to be matched with someone in the dorms next year. What if he’s the one they place me with? He and I would butt heads hard-core.

Me:Congrats! Never asked. What number are you?

Will2025TE:What do you mean? Number?

Thought the question was straightforward, but I guess not.

Me:Your football jersey?

Will2025TE:I have my dad’s old jersey from when he played, which is number 12. And then I have a Cowboys jersey with the number 31, which is my birthday.

I’m a little confused by the wholedad’s old jerseything, but I think he just means he kept the number. A lot of the guys on my team have done that.

Me:12 is a good number. That’s solid that you kept your dad’s number. I’m 22 for my birthday.

Will2025TE:What month were you born in?

Me:July. You?

Will2025TE:Mine is October 31. I’m a Halloween baby.

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