Me: But yeah it wasn’t the best day. Got some disappointing news, but I’ll bounce back.
CB:I’m sorry to hear that. I did too. I didn’t make the cut in the group I auditioned for. But it’s cool, life goes on.
CB: Anyway, I want to forget it all, so check your inbox.
Me: 500 Premium credits? OMG thank you!
CB:Anything for my favorite fellow player.
CB:Really I’m being selfish because you’re so good at helping me tackle dungeons. You can use these credits to get powered-up weapons.
Me:I could also use them for aesthetic skins, thereby not leveling up my game at all.
CB:LOL! Well they’re yours.
Me:That’s so sweet of you. Thanks man.
Me:For a moment I thought you sent me a date with Manny Jacinto. But this is almost as good.
CB:Unfortunately I’m not in the business of sending sexy actors to your doorstep. He is hot though, so I get it.
Me:You’re gay, too?
CB:It’s been mostly theoretical, but yes. I’m a dude who’s into dudes. Is that a problem?
His words make me pause before I can type another word. My throat goes dry?my online buddy Coldblooded is gay, too? This is the closest we’ve had to a personal conversation. The idea of him being potentially into me is…titillating.
I wonder what he looks like? Is he tall and built like Gordy? Frankly, I don’t even care. For the past almost year, CB has made me smile consistently through his words. I’m able to have rapport with him without my annoying speech impediment getting in my way. And he might actually want to potentially grow…closer to me. But he doesn’t live anywhere near me.
CB: Are you still there?
Me: Yes, sorry. No, it’s no problem. Why would it? I’m not some kind of gay homophobe.
CB: LOL.
Me: Let’s hit the dungeon.
CB: Yes, let’s throw down, man.
And with that, we proceed to play, laugh, and generally have a good time. The way I feel about CB is so different than any guy I’ve ever met in real life. He doesn’t care that I’m an inept witch, and I haven’t scared him off like I have with Gordy. If I can flirt and get to know CB, then maybe there’s hope for me getting a real boyfriend.
CHAPTER 8- GORDY
I’M PLAYING ONLINEvia my Hot Water program, as I regularly do most afternoons. And evenings. And some nights and mornings. I really ought to get a job. But I can’t exactly show my face. My freelance yardwork gigs back home were a good way to earn some spending money, so maybe I should look for that here in Virginia.
It’s not like I’m going to be palling around at the Union of Mages anytime soon.
Speakeasy: How is your day so far? How are your new roommates?
I smile at the message on my screen. Something has shifted in the past week since I failed the wizarding exam. Maybe it’s the unfamiliarity of my new home, or maybe it’s me trying to forget about that cute, perplexing, doe-eyed witch boy, Loxley, but I’m leaning more and more into my online friendship.
Speakeasy just gets me in a way no one else has. I’m aware I’m a grumpy turtle, and therefore shit at making friends. But SE doesn’t make me feel that way. He makes me feel like I can be a social person, a friend. Maybe even a boyfriend…
Me: They’re cool. They buy me lots of food.
SE: That’s good to hear.
SE: Where you living now?
