First Time on the Leader Boards
1299 Words
The next day, Liwan came to school a little before the bell for the first period rang. He slid on his seat a few seconds ahead of the bell, earning him amused chuckles from his best friends.
“Overslept, captain?” Jayson teased, kicking the side of his chair.
Liwan just grinned, kicking back Jayson’s chair.
“Hey guys, look over there. Some thing’s up, I guess.”
They all looked at the direction Denver was pointing. Melvin’s cronies were gathered around the guy who seemed to be animated while talking. His hands moved in various gestures, emphasizing whatever emotion Melvin was displaying at the moment. Honestly, Liwan doesn’t care. He is not interested with whatever is up with Melvin’s group.
Suddenly, their class monitor came rushing in.
“Classmates, first period is canceled. Mr. Duncan called in sick. That means no quiz today!”
Everyone cheered.
Liwan yawned and turned his eyes towards the windows. He caught sight of a brown bird perched on a nearby tree. The bird was sitting on the branch with an unnatural stillness. Are they supposed to keep still? Liwan wondered to himself, trying to recall from his memories what types of birds exhibits those kind of characteristics. But alas, his knowledge from the future does not extend to the planet’s flaura and fauna.
He could learn if he chose to. Yet, he doesn’t feel the need to do so at the moment. He may have turned diligent in studying but it doesn’t include that topic at hand. Maybe, if he’s bored enough he might. Or not. Liwan did not noticed that the once noisy classroom has turned silent.
Even when the approaching figure of a girl stopped by his side, Liwan remained indifferent and unaware of his surroundings. Only when he felt a light tapping on his shoulder did he turn, feeling the creeping of annoyance with the disturbance.
“Earth to Liwan,” came the melodious voice.
It’s the last voice he imagined would someday call his name that sweet. Wait, why is she like this? Liwan got startled when he realized who was the girl by his side, looking down at him as if he’s the most good looking student in the whole of Acacia Hills High. Did she eat the wrong pill today? Anne Marie is known to be a health buff and dreams of being a doctor someday.
“W-What are you doing here?”
Anne Marie belongs to Class 2, and they’re only classmates at gym class. Her perfectly shaped brow twitched. But still, she maintained her smile. Liwan had to give it to her for her flawless acting and ability to adapt to unexpected situations. She flipped her hair, filling the air around Liwan with the scent of flowers. He would bet his right arm that it was a deliberate move. But for what is not clear to Liwan. Anne Marie never gave her a time of her day in the past. Whatever changed is no longer his concern. In fact, he wanted none of her attention.
“Do I need a reason to see you?” she asked back.
Anne Marie leaned in, bringing her face closer to his. Liwan’s brows furrowed. His mind was spinning. What is she aiming for?
“Uh…”
“Liwan’s got a girlfriend.” He heard someone said.
But whoever that was, Liwan wasn’t sure.
“What got you so busy that you ignored my messages?” she asked again.
The whole class reacted. Some laughed, some mocked Liwan. But most of them couldn’t believe their ears. The school beauty has been ignored by someone from the lowest of rung of the popularity ladder? Ridiculous! Liwan knew everyone must be thinking that he has lost his mind. No one ignores Anne Marie. Isn’t he one of Anne Marie’s numerous admirer? Now he’s singing a very different tune.
“My homework.”
Anne Marie straightened and rolled her big, brown eyes.
“Your homework couldn’t have taken you all night. I waited, you know.”
“I didn’t tell you to wait,” Liwan said, a strange calm settling into him.
Her face flushed crimson. “Y-You—”
“So you we’re gunning for the leader boards last night.”
Liwan recognized Melvin’s voice. He ignored Anne Marie and instead looked at Melvin who was partly blocked by the girl’s form. Liwan leaned away to have a better view of his classmate.
“What nonsense are you spouting?”
Melvin scoffed, a jeering smile on his face.
“Don’t tell me it was a fluke? I don’t believe you.”
“Then suit yourself. I really don’t know what you’re talking about,” Liwan dismissed him with a shrug.
“Check on the game’s web page, particularly the leader boards. You’ll know what I mean.”
Reluctance clung to his hands but everyone was looking at him. Before he could make a move, he heard Jayson and Denver at the back.
“We’re on the leader boards, Li! Look!” Jayson excitedly showed him his phone.
Liwan accepted the gadget and glanced at it. The heading Fastest Boss Kill under Dark Sidhe, Blade’s name together with his team members was listed. The date and time stamp of the kill was reflected too. Top one! It’s really them! Dazed, he met his friends’ eyes, lips stretching into a wide smile. It was all he allowed himself to feel before tamping down on his excitement. Liwan cleared his throat.
“Oh. Congrats to us then.”
“We’re eligible for a prize, too!”
“Really? On what terms?”
“Keeping the spot for a week. Then if we managed to keep the spot for a month, there’s a bigger reward,” Jayson answered.
“Nice.”
“You ignored my messages because you were playing Soulnight?” Liwan heard Anne Marie.
“And what about it?”
“Nothing. You could have told me, I play the game too. We could party and go on hunts together.” Anne Marie turned to Melvin. “Right, Mel? What do you say?”
“Whatever you want, Anne.”
Anne Marie fluttered her eyelashes at Melvin. Liwan resisted the urge to roll his eyes. How could he be so blind? To think he was head over heels about this girl. Now he couldn’t even pretend that he likes her. And Anne Marie has no longer need to wear her mask in front of him. He knew she’s just leading him on.
“So how about partying tonight? We can take another shot at the Dark Sidhe. Who knows, we might break the current record?” Anne Marie suggested.
Liwan eyes his friends. Denver and Jayson pretended to look away, leaving the decision to him. He sighed to himself. These two are utterly useless.
“I’ll think about it,” he said, non-committal.
“Come on, Li.”
“I can’t give you a definite yes. You see, we’re still a long way from level one hundred. There would be a huge level gap between our characters. I won’t get much benefit from doing so.”
“You’re not level one hundred yet?” Melvin couldn’t keep his fake calm any longer when he heard that. His eyes widened, disbelief evident on his face.
Liwan gave him a quick run over.
“Yeah, so?”
“How about joining my guild then?” Melvin offered.
Liwan’s hair barely moved even when he shook his head.
“Thanks for the offer but I am going to establish one when I get to the required level.”
“It’s okay. How about joining as a temporary member?”
“No can do.”
“Okay.” Melvin rose from his seat. “I’ll wait for you until you get to one hundred. When you create a guild, I’ll disband my own and join you.”
“You can’t do that!”
“Why not?” Melvin smiled. But for Liwan, it is a serpent’s smile.
Wait. Keeping your enemies closer might be a better.
Liwan’s face changed.
“Oh, hold that thought. Let’s talk when I get to level one hundred,” he said.
“That’s a deal.”
“Of course.”
“Let’s shake on it?” Melvin offered his hand.
Liwan clasped it on his own.
- Writer
