I sat down between Joey & Barrett and across from Scarlett. We had just arrived at the ice cream parlor to just hang out and chat. Everybody ordered their ice cream and we soon got to talking about whatever random nonsense came to mind. At one point Scarlett started telling us about a story idea she was working on.
"So you're like an author?" Barrett asked somewhat confused. Little Red blushed a little and shrugged. "No, not really. I haven't actually written anything yet. I mostly just have ideas and drafts. It's hard because I have the ideas in my head but without being able to visualize it it doesn't always feel real. Sometimes I wish I were an artist, but my drawing abilities suck."
"Hmm" I tapped my nails against the desk. "Well I mostly do graphic designs for my marketing degree but I could take a crack at drawing some of your stories. Maybe that would help?" Little Red's eyes lit up like the fourth of July as she looked like she might just tackle me with excitement. Luckily she contained herself.
"That would be so super freaking awesome!" Joey tilted his head to one side and I looked over at him with a raised eyebrow. Clearly he had a thought so I asked him "something on your mind?"
"Oh um well I was just thinking. I've been wanting to make a game, I've gotten pretty good on the coding side of things. But my art sucks and I'm not the best coming up with stories." That made sense, from what Joey has told me in the past game development is normally done by a team of people precisely for that reason. Or well that's one of the reasons at least. The other being the amount of time, energy, and effort making a game takes.
"Oh! Maybe you can turn my stories into games that Jessy can do the art for!" Scarlett beamed with extra excitement. I wanted to share in her excitement but found myself frowning instead. "Wouldn't it be easier and simpler to just get a job in a gaming company and work with a team?"
Barrett stepped in before Joey could respond "yes. But, if the three of you make a game you have full creative control and you make all the money. I'm getting a degree in business management so I could help with managing the financials and planning things out. Jessy you can tackle the marketing side of things and just like that we'd have a full team. IF that's what everybody actually wants to do."
A heavy silence fell on the table. We had just planned on hanging out, not planning out the rest of our lives! So there was a sudden sense of pressure, though it didn't come from anyone in particular. The idea seemed kind of scary, after all the unspoken part is that while we'd make all the money, we'd also assume all the risks.
We could always get other jobs, more stable jobs while we work on the first game. Or perhaps we could work on it now while we're still in college so maybe we can come out swinging by graduation time. But also the four of us creating a game together, we'd in essence be starting up our own small company together. Wouldn't that seal the deal and make our situation permanent?
"I like the idea" Joey was surprisingly the first to speak up. I think the shock must've been written on my face by the way he laughed. "Well it would make things less complicated don't you think? We're already spending a lot of time together, now we'd be working together. At least here I know I would get along with and have a ton of respect for all my co-workers."
I felt myself relax at his words. "Yes! I love the idea!" Scarlett exclaimed. I looked over at Barrett who had just finished his ice cream. "We can start while were in school, if we don't get a game out by graduation date we can find other jobs to hold us over. But I think this is a good goal to work towards."
Well I guess were really doing this huh. "Ok, well let's get a group chat going so we can coordinate schedules and whatnot" I suggested. Everybody agreed and so I created a group, making our little group a little more official. With our ice cream all done and our future apparently decided we went back to Barrett's place.
I sat down in the living room to watch some tv while cuddled up with Joey. Barrett sat at the nearby table and started working on some classwork. Meanwhile Scarlett went and took a shower. "So your officially going to start making a game with your lover, your girlfriend, and your girlfriend's lover huh." I teased Joey.
He chuckled, holding me closely. "Is it weird that I find it rather exciting? It's just nice I guess. How happy everybody seems to be altogether." Yea I guess it is nice. Scarlett is good company, she and I have certainly bonded. Joey and Barrett seemed to get along. Scarlett and Barrett were still not as close but they got along alright. It seemed like everyday everybody got a little closer together.
After some time Scarlett came over, wearing just a towel around her body and another around her hair. "Hey Barrett, any chance we could get some prettier shower curtains at your place? Not that I super mind the ones you have, their just a little... Um... Dull?" Joey and I shared a laugh and Barrett looked up from his laptop.
"If you want to change things, go ahead. You three are here as much as I am. I mean really it's our place, not mine." Scarlett looked about as shocked as Joey and I clearly felt. "Oh um well thank you" Scarlett said before sitting down and looking over at us.
We really are making things more and more official huh...
Joey & Scarlett have yet to officially be girlfriend and boyfriend, same for Barrett and I. Perhaps the titles weren't nearly as important though. Or perhaps that would come next. Right now though, I think we've had enough decision making. So I just remained silently cuddled up with Joey.