A
I could only ask, "Why?" as I watched the door close, my mind turning to damage control as I turned to Liv. Her face was a deep red—I could almost see steam coming from her ears—as her brain struggled to process the idea of us being on a date.
My cheeks turned red too, because as much as I wanted to say I handled it with a cool head, my face was just as red from embarrassment. Even as I spoke—
"We—we don't have to—uh—watch a movie, I mean, we can, if—if you want… but it's not a date! I mean, unless you want it to be one..."
—I thought, Can I die now? This is where I want to die.
Kusina's laughter filled the room again as she laid back in her chair, and I saw my chance for vengeance. I pulled on the back of her chair and watched her fall. Then it was my turn to laugh—but that's when I heard the most beautiful sound.
As I turned, I saw Liv laughing, and I could only smile. She was so beautiful when she's smiling. But that's when dread overtook me, like there was some great beast behind me, ready to rearrange my insides.
So, with more speed than I thought I had, I jumped over the table—just in time—as I heard a crashing sound behind me. The second my feet touched the floor, I ran. But as I ran, I heard footsteps behind me. A plan quickly formed: if I could escape her sight, I could use my ring to escape. So that's what I did. I made the first turn I could.
Shit. This is Kusina's room.
I could hear her gaining ground, so I slipped my ring of stealth onto my finger. My heart stopped as I heard the door swing open.
"Where are you, nerd?" Kusina's voice drowned out any other sound.
I stood still as she scanned the room.
And slowly, step by step, I made my way around her. I paused as we made eye contact, and a cold feeling traveled up my spine. Stupid—I just had to do it. I had to piss her off, because I had to act tough. But when she looked away, I continued. The second I was out the door, I began to run. If I could make it back to Liv, we could hide in my room—
But before I could make my way down the stairs, the blue screen of the system appeared.
"Hahaha! That was great. I haven't laughed so hard in years. I'll count that as you running a mile—but you still have to do the rest."