Chapter Text
I used to think turning 16 meant something would change, that maybe I would wake up and people would finally notice me.
I guess in a way- that’s what I got.
The night before my birthday my parents had made a promise to take me to school. To me that was a big deal, usually they had already been out the door before I even had a chance to say goodbye. Of course, as I had expected, they were already gone by the time I had woken up. Their promises typically were empty and unrequited, yet every time I held out hope. I settled for the bus instead.
It was a Thursday, a wave of excitement hit me knowing that I would be getting my first car soon. While my parents weren’t the emotionally available type- financially and materially they had always been there for me. When I got to school all I could think about was what kind of car it would be, what color it would be, if the interior was leather or cloth, if it was new or used, and most importantly what it would feel like to go to school without smelly, annoying high school boys.
As I got to my locker (still dreaming about my future car) a loud, unique, blaring laugh started approaching me. It was the kind of laugh that could wake you up from a coma- it was indescribably irritating. I tried to ignore it, grabbing my neatly stacked AP books that I prided myself on. Through the reflection of my locker I could finally put a face to that horrendous laugh, it was none other than Mik Jones. She had short dark hair, a confident posture, clothes that were three sizes too big, and had on an old raggedy pair of converse.
I had never liked Mik Jones, in fact I hated her. I hated how childish she was, how bold and cocky she came off as. How carefree she seemed.
She made it pretty clear that she didn’t like me either.
Suddenly a book slipped through my arms, I bent down to catch it. I was unlucky enough to have dropped it right in front of Mik.
“Careful.” she laughed.
“Wouldn’t want to dirty those brand new books now would ya?”
The group of students that surrounded her giggled and snickered.
I didn’t say anything back. Not with my words at least, but a glare definitely formed on my face.
She walked off, her laugh followed her down the hallway until it became a faint buzz.
For the rest of the day that scene played in my head over and over again. The thought of my soon to be car was replaced by Mik’s snarky comments.
The bus ride home had been just as miserable as ever. My sweet sixteen no longer felt important, like it was just a typical day for me.
Suddenly a relief hit me, there was one thing I could truly look forward to- my favorite video game was getting its biggest update of the year. Dual Ascension was a game I played any chance I got, it was my one escape from my boring reality.
As soon as I got home I booked it straight to my room- I couldn’t contain my excitement. Next thing I know I find myself seated in front of my computer eagerly waiting. It felt like an eternity had passed by.
Then finally, my screen lit up.
NEW UPDATE:
RANKED QUEUES NOW REQUIRES PAIRED TEAMMATES
I sunk in my chair. I thought to myself, “could this day get any worse?” I had always been a solo queue kind of girl, most people I had played with were never quite as experienced as I was.
I started to read through the patch notes: duos based on character strength. random selection. shared benefits. blah blah blah.
I paused.
“Well… what could I lose.” I sighed.
SYSTEM NOTIFICATION: @pinksnset entered the lobby
A button appeared on my screen.
READY TO PAIR?
I clicked it.
About 30 seconds went by before anything happened.
PAIRED!
SYSTEM NOTIFICATION: @extralargecat entered the lobby
A character appeared next to mine. It was an armored, rustic beast, a stark difference from mine which had a fairy-like appearance.
My eyes landed straight on the stat bar floating above the character.
-AGGRESSION 99/100
-SPEED 89/100
-AGILITY: 71/100
-HEALING 24/100
-PATIENCE 52/100
- *EPH: 78%/100%
(*effectiveness per hit by chance)
“Oh god.” I whispered to myself.
@extralargecat: thank jesus a healer
@extralargecat: how you feeling about this new update?
@pinksnset: I was more of a solo queue fan, but I guess we’ll have to see how you do.
@extralargecat: heyy don’t doubt me already
MATCH FOUND
The match started off better than I expected, it felt like in no time we adjusted to each other, and to my surprise our playing styles were quite similar. Every move felt calculated and planned, like we had been playing together for years.
The match ended swiftly, the other duo didn’t stand a chance.
@extralargecat: still have doubts?
@pinksnset: It was a team effort.
@extralargecat: oh coommeee on can i get a little credit?
@pinksnset: You did good, I guess.
@extralargecat: woooahh don’t flatter me too much
@extralargecat: how do u feel about rematching together? im starting to like you
A grin formed on my face. A breeze of warmth fell over me, a comfort. I didn’t think about the incident at school, or my parents' absence in their promises. I felt wanted.
REMATCH WITH DUO?
I thought for a second, but only one answer lingered in my mind.
REMATCHING!
A couple of hours had passed by, it seemed with every match we became more and more compatible. It was the most fun I’ve had in months, we talked like we had known each other our entire lives.
@pinksnset: Hey thanks for playing with me, my parents just got home so I have to go. Play tomorrow?
@extralargecat: yes ofc!! i had a lot of fun :3
@pinksnset: It’s my sweet sixteen so hopefully they have something good for me, lol.
@extralargecat: oooo happy birthday, we’re close in age!! ill put that in my notes so i can be the first one to wish you happy birthday next year
@pinksnset: Hehe okay, talk to you tomorrow
@extralargecat: byebyeeeee :)
Who knew a stranger could turn my entire day around?
I turned off my computer and went to greet my parents, a smile still on my face.
They were both standing in the kitchen.
“Happy Birthday, Ella.” my mom said, holding a small white cake with a singular lit candle.
My dad butted in, “Your brother said you still haven’t picked up his calls. He wanted to wish you a happy birthday as well.”
I didn’t say anything, an awkward silence fell over the room. This was a feeling I had known all too well.
“Blow out your candle before the wax gets on the cake.” my mom said.
I blew out the candle, my parents let out a small pitiful clap and seated the cake on the counter.
“We got some pizza, hopefully you haven’t eaten yet. We know it’s late, the office was hectic today.”
“We also got you a card. There's $300 in there.”
“Oh and, about your car, we’ll go pick it out on Saturday, okay?”
“Okay. Thanks.” I said.
“We’ll be in our room if you need us, we have to get up early tomorrow.” my dad groaned.
My parents walked off into the hallway as I stared at the cheap box of pizza and store bought cake.
I don’t even like pizza.