"You're Hired!"
"Everything you need to know including dress code, discounts, ect; It's all in this folder."
"You start Monday!"
**
Well… That was easier than I thought.
"So, how did your interview go?"
"I actually got the job."
"Aww congratulations honey, you know, I still remember my first job."
"And how long ago was that?" I mumbled beneath my breath.
Mom glared at me through the rear view mirror. "Wanna die?"
I DON'T.
Chuckling I stared out the window, houses and trees flying by before quickly disappearing in the distance.
I'm employed huh.
I wonder how Wyatt will react.
**
"YOU GOT A—"
I snickered, leaning back in my chair.
"Dude, your mic cut out."
"IS THE WORLD ENDING, IS EVERYTHING OKAY AT HOME!?"
"I'm turning your volume down idiot."
WaffleMon.
A.k.a, Wyatt.
He's been my online friend ever since I got my console, we met on Killstars.
"I just can't believe it. The legendary Knine got himself a job."
I physically cringed, setting my controller down with a sigh.
"Didn't I say don't call me by my gamertag, I can't change it for another 3 months."
"I don't know why you changed it in the first place, BadKarma was like the perfect name for you."
Why I changed it…
**
"What's your name?"
W-Wait… is she talking to me?
I slightly turned, raising a shaky finger as I pointed at myself.
The girl leaned in closer.
"Yes you silly, who else is here?"
**
"I just wanted to change it okay, nothing wrong with wanting to change things up every here and there."
"Hmm, sure K, anyway, let's play Killstars!"
I could feel Wyatt's excitement through the screen.
"I WILL BE TOP FRAG THIS TIME!"
Reaching for my phone I looked at the time.
2:21 pm.
"Sorry Wyatt but I got plans today, I'll hop on some other time."
"Thats too bad." He groaned. "Berry is getting on tonight."
Berry!?
"Y-YOU LIE!"
The party notification rang in my ear.
Someone joined.
"Sup chat."
I could hear Wyatt's grin behind his words. "Looks like it'll just be us Berry, K gotta get off."
Taking off my headset I pulled my mic to my mouth, blowing in it as screams came from the ear cushions.
Click.
I checked my phone.
2:23 pm.
I need to get ready.
**
"Aren't you excited honey?"
"Hm, I guess."
It has been a while since I've seen everyone.
"Make sure to call me 10 minutes before you're ready to leave."
I waved a hand. "Yeah, yeah, bye mom."
"Love you!" She said, rolling up her window as she drove off.
"Love you too." I mumbled with a sigh.
Wikkik: Where Teens Can Be Teens.
It hasn't even been a year and this place already feels nostalgic.
Wikkik is pretty much an after school program for depressed high school students.
My mom forced me to join, that monster even threatened to take my console away.
We're having a reunion today to discuss our futures…
I wish I could've stayed home.
But I guess looking back at it it wasn't that bad…
Nah, not bad at all.
"Karma! Is that you?"
My eyes widened.
That voice…
**
"Your name's Karma right? Let's be friends!"
**
I swallowed before quickly turning. "Tr-Tri—"
She grabbed my cheeks, mushing them together with her hands.
"Omg Karma it really is you! You dyed your hair!?"
I grabbed her wrists. "Trinity… long time no see."
Her eyes lit up. "You remember me!?"
"Of course I do idiot! It hasn't even been 6 months."
I let go of her wrists, arms dropping to my side as I slid them into my pockets.
"So, how have you been… since graduation I mean."
She jabbed a finger into the air. "I'm headed to college soon!"
Yeah, that makes sense.
College huh.
Stupid.
"Karma?"
"Oh y-yeah?"
"I said, what about you? College plans?"
I lowered my head. "Nah, I got a job. I don't think more school is a good idea for someone like me."
A moment of silence passed before I felt Trinity's hand on my head.
"At least your hair looks cool."
I glanced up as a grin stretched across her face.
"What made you dye it red?"
God…
My heart!
I swatted her hand away, turning as I reached for the door.
"There's nothing wrong with switching things up every now and then!"
Calm down idiot!
"Aww are you blushing?"
"I AM NOT!"
She giggled, slightly leaning forward.
"Hm, Bad Karma."
"D-DONT SAY THAT LIKE IM SOME DOG OR SOMETHING!"
I swung the door open, marching inside as Trinity's giggles followed behind me.
Why is she such a troll!
We walked in to see 6 chairs sitting in a circle.
"Ah, Karma, Trinity, welcome."
Trinity raced ahead of me. "Omg hi Roman!"
Mr. Steele, our mentor.
A while back he told us to call him by his first name to form a deeper bond or something.
But besides that, it looks like we're the first ones here.
Look at her, joking with Mr. Steele like this.
She's—
"You've certainly come a long way, Trinity." Mr. Steele said, smiling ear to ear.
I grinned. "Yeah, she has."
Trinity's parents passed away when she was younger, and with no extended family to take her in she lived alone in their old house.
I think she even got a butt load of money from funds and insurance.
I can't imagine the pain she's been through.
No amount of money can replace your parents, but I'm happy she's spending it on her future.
You know, now that I think about it, Trinity is my first real friend.
Ha, I don't even have her contact info.
Maybe… I'll ask later.
**
"Bye everyone!"
"Byeee."
"See you later."
"Bye-bye!"
That… was exhausting.
Talk about the odd one out.
The only one of us who isn't going to college…
I reached for my phone.
6:01 pm.
A smile crept on my face.
Wyatt and Berry should still be on!
Wait…
I FORGOT TO TEXT MOM!
I'm ready to go.
There.
Now to click—
My phone screen went black.
Huh?
. . .
IT DIED!?
Damn, I didn't even realize how low it was.
I'll ask Mr. Steele to borrow his phone and—
"Karma!"
I perked up, turning as Trinity stood in the hall.
"Trinity! You still here?"
Maybe… I'll ask her now
All you need to do is ask for her phone, easy enough!
The jiggling of keys stole my attention.
"I'm heading out now, want a ride?"
"Y-You can drive!?"
She covered her mouth. "What, don't most 18 year olds drive?"
NO!
I smiled. "A ride huh, I'd appreciate it."
**
Why…
Is this…
SO WEIRD!
I tried getting in the back seat but she insisted!
It's almost like she forgets I'm a 19 year old boy, tch, she probably doesn't even see me as a real guy.
I side-eyed Trinity as she sang along to the radio.
Oh well.
I didn't get her number but…
Maybe this is fine too.
**
6:29 pm.
Click.
I could never get tired of this.
That jingle of the game turning on…
Music to my ears.
Grabbing my controller I leaned back in my chair.
"No party?"
It says that they're online… Is it closed?
WaffleMon Invited You To A Party.
Wyatt sent me an invite.
W-WHAT!?
The party is almost full of people I don't know.
They're all on Killstars but it looks like they have a full stack.
l'll just play a single player game tonight.
Hm?
The ring of a party notification.
Berries_ Invited You To A Party.
Berry!?
She's alone…
I-I guess I'll join.
"Berry?"
"Sup K."
"I thought you guys had a full stack."
She sent me an invite to her Killstars lobby.
"We were full but, I'd rather duo queue with you."
S-She would!?
Berry sighed. "You're better than them anyway."
I muted my mic.
So it's just because I'm good.
What other reason would it be? Idiot.
I joined her lobby.
"All right Berry! We won't lose!"
**
I stood triumphantly in my room.
"4 game win streak, not bad. I'm almost back Diamond."
Berry's mic shuffled. "Finally in Gold." She giggled. "Thanks for the carry, K!"
My face grew hot. "W-Well, I guess that's the least I could do."
"K? You there? You haven't talked for a while."
. . .
What?
"Anyways I have church in the morning so I gotta hop off."
"Bye, K."
I ripped off my headset, staring at the dim red light on the left ear.
No…
Impossible…
I WAS ON MUTE THE WHOLE SESSION!?
But she replied to like all of my callouts!
I dropped my controller, falling back into my chair with defeat.
Fate…
Is such a troll!