Chapter Five
Austen
When the lights go out in the hallway, I look up from my computer at the digital clock on the wall which blinks ten forty-five.
Shit, I must have been in the zone to lose track of time that badly. Usually I’m better at watching the time, if only because the school cafeteria closes at nine, and I try to get my use of the top-tier meal package my parents paid for, though I insisted I didn’t need one.
I’m perfectly capable of cooking food for myself. After all, I make a mean French onion ramen.
But my parents refused to let “their pride and joy settle for anything less than the best.”
With midterms coming up, we’ve all been pulling long lab hours. I arrived here after my English class at three.
Seven fucking hours. Almosteight.
I’ve been staring at this screen for way too long and I feel like I’ve gotten nowhere near the design for the avatar I want.
I grumble, figuring it’s best to save my progress and tackle this project in the morning. With the game tomorrow night, I won’t have much time after, being as the boys and I will have to make our appearance at Phi Kappa Delta to celebrate our win.
I know it’s preemptive to think we’ll win, but when it comes to the game, I won’t tolerate anything less.
If you want to be a winner, you have to see yourself as one. At least that’s what my coach told me when I was younger, and it stuck with me.
I take one last look at my avatar. There’s nothing wrong with him, really. We were all given the same base to build off of, but I’ve never been very good at the computer generated stuff.
I can draw or sketch anything, but my lack of artistic talent is why I chose game and programmingdevelopmentand not design.
The numbers and figures, the code… it’s simple when you get down to it. A few strokes here, a few strokes there, and the actions carry out the same each time.
There’s no room for error, much like there isn’t room for error on the field. But my degree doesn’t mean anything to anyone but me.
After the wedding, once I graduate, I’ll start working at my dad’s firm. It’s glorified IT work, since my dad can barely attach a document to an email, but it’s easy work and easy money while Savannah and I get settled into our house—my parents’ wedding gift to us. My realtor mother wouldn’t have it any other way.
It’ll also give me time to build up my funds and work on my true passion.Mygame. The one I’ve been working on since high school.
Then once I have my shit together, I’ll open my own startup. Hire my own designers—Cam being first on the list. Of course, I’ve never told him as much, just in case his artistic desires don’t include designing mages and healers. Still, when I think of the future, I see him with me, whether he’s designing stuff or just being there.
I shut down the computer, grab my backpack to make sure I’m logged out completely. There’s no one left in the building except me and the janitor, who gives me an annoyed look.
Probably because my late night means he has to stay longer, even though I have a keycard to use for the lab at any time.
“Sorry,” I say as I head through the door. The campus is quiet, but most of the fun happens off campus. I’m sure the bars are packed, even for a Thursday night.
I set off towards the lit path, looking up at the art studio where Cam does his modeling and classes.
Honestly, I don’t know how he does it. Plenty of people have seen me naked, sure. Savannah, my teammates.
But the thought of someone studying my naked form forhours…
That’s nightmare inducing.
I notice the light is on, and it looks like there’s activity inside. I stop in my tracks as I see Cam walking by the window. He passes quickly, and I know he doesn’t see me. I clutch my bookbag, wondering if I should head up there and see if he wants to grab something to eat. Or maybe just walk back to his place.
He’s been quiet all week, despite my texts. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say he’s seeing someone, because Cam isn’t one to ignore me unless he’s into a guy. It doesn’t happen often, and hisinterest is fleeting. Most of the guys Cam is “interested” in don’t stay around long.
Which I’m fine with. I’m used to it.
The guys come and go, but Cam and I… we’re forever. Nothing can break us or this friendship. Especially aflash in the pandick.
