His Secret Obsession

Chapter 2-Private Chat

(Emery)

I sat in my room with my headset securely in place before focusing on the screen of my computer. I was trying to blow off some steam before I met up with Mackenzie in a few hours and playing video games was my way to do it.

"Okay, everyone gather around so I can put the enchantments on us." I spoke into my mic.

"Everybody remembers the plan, right? Dave, don't be a d**k in there. I'm serious. We need to get this speedrun done to move on for the upcoming dungeon." Ronan74 our tank said as I watched all of our party members form into a circle.

"Me?! Neverrr." Dave4president chirped as everyone on the team groaned.

"Dave, if you don't mess around, I promise the sword of infinity is yours. If it drops to me, you can have it." I added sweetly before continuing to press away on my keyboard, casting the protection spells we would need for this speed run.

"s**t Kat, how can I say no to that." Dave exclaimed in his booming voice and I couldn't help but laugh.

"Okay lets get to it. Katina, stay close to me." Ronan commanded in that deep husky tone that had my stomach twisting.

All of our characters lined up outside of the cave spawn entrance. Katina was the gamer name that I used online, but most people called me Kat.

"I bet you want her to stay close." Slasher, one of our mages teased, and I couldn't help but feel my cheeks redden.

"Okay ten seconds, let's go." Ronan stated firmly, ignoring Slasher's comment completely.

I focused on the screen, using my keyboard to cast all the necessary healing spells and enchantments as I followed Ronan just like he asked. We were so close to getting this speedrun. If we won this then we will officially be the strongest team on the server. We were the best of the best, a group started by Ronan searching for the dream team from all around the server map.

He approached me when I was farming mobs trying to get rare drops. Being a healer, it surprised him when our characters ran into each other because healer roles don't usually fight alone, they are more of a support type of job.

I saw him run up to me, his character was a rogue and had dark blue hair with tan skin and blue eyes. He was the highest level you could reach on the server, and he wore some of the rarest items in the game. I saw him examine my character as I fought the large monster on the screen.

He watched my techniques and stayed farming next to me for an hour. He didn't type a single thing in the chat and just watched me. I recognized who he was because his character was practically a legend on our server. The top-ranking player to be exact. So he was talked about a lot by everyone.

I have been playing Destiny Reborn for the past two years. I never thought I would get into online gaming but a friend from school introduced me, and I haven’t been able to stay away since.

It's my guilty pleasure and something I try not to talk too much about considering most people think it's an odd hobby to have. But it's weird. Sometimes I feel like my online friends are closer to me than the friends I have in real life. Mackenzie and I are still besties but she doesn't quite get the online thing. Online I can just be myself, with no one to judge me based on my looks or who I hang out with. It was all about how good I was at my job and how skilled a player I was.

Our guild has about fifteen people, we are the best of the best and I am one of four girls on our team. Two happen to be married to the other players and the other is pure trouble. Trixie69..my online best friend. If the name doesn't give anything away, she is a major tease.

Trixie constantly tries to flirt her way into getting free stuff on the server by just being a girl.. which honestly isn't that hard. Once a player finds out you are a real chick,let's just say they end up going crazy and practically throw free stuff at you.

Considering it was pretty rare to meet a girl on here, especially one that is single. A lot of guys play girl characters so most don't believe you're a real girl unless you prove it somehow.

Trixie69: Have you video chatted with Ronan yet?

Katina: No, he hasn't asked.. I think he's a pretty private dude.

Trixie69: Yeah no one even knows his real name or what he even looks like. He could be a 50 year old dude for all we know.

Katina: Lmao.. Please no..

Some of us have our real pictures as profile pictures on our talking app, so once Trixie and I were confirmed to be real girls some guys changed how they talked to us drastically.

Trixie69: Ugh,Slasher keeps trying to meet up irl. :( I just know it won't end well.

Katina: You guys are the only ones that live in the same state. It might be weird though to go by yourself.

Trixie69: I know..I swear I s**t myself every time I go to the store thinking he is going to pop out of nowhere lmao.

Katina: Hahaha I can only imagine.

Ronan74: Hey, good run.

Seeing Ronan's name pop up on the private chat made my heart skip a beat. I can't deny I have a major crush on him,but the fact that I have no idea what he looks like or how old he is doesn't seem to concern me as much as it should.. What is wrong with me?

Katina: Thanks, you too.. at least Dave behaved.. even if it cost me an infinity sword :P

Ronan74: Of course you would get the drop too. Sorry,want me to beat him up and make him give it back to you?

Wait.. was Ronan flirting with me?

Trixie69: Why are you being so quiet?!!

Katina: Ronan is messaging me.

Trixie69: Ooooh good luck girl!

I quickly switched back to Ronan’s chat before typing out a response.

Katina: It's okay, we don't want to make him cry again.

Ronan74: You are too good for this world Kitten.

Oh my gosh! Why am I smiling so much right now? He just called me kitten!!

Katina: Haha, oh yeah.. where are you at so I can give you those crafting drops I received.

Ronan74: Turn around.

I turned my half-cat half-human character around and saw Ronan74 running towards me in the storage center. I know, I'm a complete nerd..I don't deny it.

Ronan74: I just had to sell some stuff, also I have something for you. I crafted it last night.

He brought me something? I couldn't help but bounce up and down in my gaming chair excitedly and let out a little squeal.

Suddenly his character offered to trade with me, and I accepted the prompt. I put in the gold and other materials for crafting and saw something that took my breath away. The rarest white mage staff in the whole game. How the hell did he get this?!

Katina: Ronan.. I can't accept this, it’s too much.

Ronan74: I crafted it for just you Kitten.

Oh gosh.. he seriously made this just for me?! My heart almost burst while I quickly added a cake I made earlier and a small cute plushie I crafted to try and lessen the guilt.

Ronan74: Haha you are so cute.

I bit my lip, making my character do a little dance as he made his clap for me. I won't deny it.. I have it bad..there was something about Ronan that I felt drawn to. It's crazy, I have only heard his voice and gotten to know his personality through gaming together but I find him completely and utterly sexy.

Katina: Thank you so much! I owe you big time, this is amazing!

I quickly equipped the staff and applied a protection spell on him.

Ronan74: What are you doing tonight? Are you going to be on longer?

His message made my heart flutter. Damn, now I don't want to go to this party.

Katina: I am heading to a friend's house, her brother is having a birthday party. How long will you be on for?

Ronan74: Actually, I have to head out too. Catch you later though.

And with that, he logged off. Well that sucks. I sighed,saying goodbye in our group chat before logging off when I felt my phone buzz.

Tessa: What did he say?

I got a text from Trixie69, her real name was Tessa, and we exchanged numbers a while ago. She actually has become a really close friend, and we wanted to meet face to face one day.

Em: Well..he asked me what I was doing tonight and I told him about the party,then he just said he had to go and logged off :(

Tessa: Maybe he was jealous ;)

I couldn't help but roll my eyes. I have been talking with Ronan for about six months now and it's only been subtle flirting so far. So, I'm not keeping my hopes up.

Considering he has never seen me in person I doubt he would be into me anyway. He seems like a pretty awesome person. From what I gathered he is at least twenty-one since he said he was going to a bar with some friends before. He also seems to be pretty active since he mentions the gym a lot.

Other than that all I know is his character details and a few odd facts here and there..like his favorite band is Green Day (the same as mine) and he loves scary movies, that’s how we started bonding..I told him my real name was Emery and said he could call me Em, seeing if he would divulge his own name but it didn't work. He also only calls me Kat..well except for just now.I couldn't help but squeal again thinking of the new nickname he gave me..kitten. But him not using my real name showed me he wasn't interested in knowing the real me, which is fine I guess.

Mackenzie: Are you on your way yet?

Crap, I totally spaced on the time. I needed to shower quickly and run over there.

Em: Yeah, I just need to shower and then I will be right there.

Mackenzie: Carson wanted me to ask if you could pick up a few bottles of soda.

Em: sure, anything else you need?

Mackenzie: Nope, just get your ass here now,so we can get ready!

I couldn't help but smile down at the phone. It feels like the old Mackenzie is back and I can't wait to spend time with her. I showered and dried my hair quickly. Looking in the mirror I decided to wear a little bit of eyeliner and mascara. The black outline really makes my hazel eyes pop.

I left my wavy dark brown hair down and pulled on my black Weird AL concert tee and light-wash jeans. My uncle took me to see him a few weeks ago at the state fair. It was absolutely amazing! It's one of the best memories I have with my uncle even though he ended up getting totally wasted and I had to drive us home. It was hilarious though, even if my dad ended up getting pissed off at him.

"Hey bug, can you come hold this light for me?" I heard my dad holler up the stairs as I slipped on my yellow Converse.

"Yeah, be right there!" I yelled back while grabbing my crossover bag and a hoodie just in case.

After quickly descending the stairs, I set my stuff on the couch and noticed my dad was looking in the fridge before he glanced back, raising his brow curiously.

"Didn't realize you were going out tonight." He mumbled before grabbing a cold beer and quickly cracked it open with his grease-stained hands.

"Yeah, Mack just got back, she wanted to hang out tonight." I didn't want to just give away the party information unless he asked. I wasn't one to lie and my dad trusted me,but this would be the first "adult" party I was going to.

"Okay, this won’t take long. I just need you to hold the light for this engine I'm working on." He explained then took a gulp of beer and set it down, picking up the flashlight I would need.

"Is it the 56' Mercedes?" I asked curiously. I knew he was working for a high-end client and this particular car was giving him a lot of trouble.

"Yeah, I think I figured out what was wrong with it, just have to double-check." He added over his shoulder, leading me outside.

Once we were in the garage, I saw the classic car elevated up on a ramp. I was used to helping my dad out and knew the drill by now. I walked over, flipping the light on as I bent over the hood, pointing it down while Dad turned his headlamp on. Suddenly I heard him curse under his breath and sigh heavily.

"Yep, cracked radiator..Shit.." He groaned, sliding out from under the car and sitting up.

"This is going to take a lot longer than I expected. I'm going to have to hunt for the part or have it specially made." He looked exhausted. I flipped the light off and walked around towards him.

"Well, nothing you can do about it tonight. Take a break dad, eat something." I said, handing him the flashlight as he looked into my eyes.

"What time will you be back?" He asked me curiously, prompting me to bite my lip softly.. crap I thought I would be able to just leave without an interrogation.

"I might stay the night if that's okay? We are actually celebrating Carson's birthday." I added sheepishly, hoping he didn't catch the last part.

Suddenly he did a double take, causing another sigh to escape him.

"Bug, is it a party?" He looked at me with narrowed eyes and I cleared my throat awkwardly, now avoiding his gaze.

"Yeah, but I wasn't going to drink dad. I'm really there just to see Mack and say happy birthday to Carson." He knew I wouldn't lie to him, I had no reason to.

Honestly, my dad had a pretty good freaking kid. I never drank or did drugs..I literally only had like two boyfriends that lasted a week throughout my whole life. I haven't even kissed a boy..pathetic I know. It just never happened and by my senior year, I felt pretty reclusive. No one ever really seemed to be interested in me that way. They were always after Mackenzie while I was the funny, chubby friend who usually made them laugh.

"I trust you, but please watch yourself. I know Carson wouldn't let anything happen to you but since I’m guessing that there will be alcohol involved, you need to be more careful." He actually looked hesitant.

"If it gets too wild I will come home, I promise." I said,giving him a reassuring smile. He knows I mean it too, after losing my mom I never wanted my dad to feel sadness like that ever again.

So I vowed to be the best kid he could have..at least respect and loyalty-wise. I wasn't at the top of my class in school and was kind of mediocre at everything else. How I am still on track to get into the nursing program baffles me, but hey, I'm not questioning the system, I'm just grateful.

"Okay, text me when you get there and throughout the night, please." He added in his stern fatherly voice, and I nodded with a smile.

"Take the truck, I don't want you in the jeep if it rains, the roads might get too slippery." He concluded before tossing me his keys. I swear it was hard not to burst with excitement at the moment.

"Okay, love you dad, I will text you when I'm there." I spoke over my shoulder, running back into the house to get my things.

I can’t believe I’m really doing this. I just hope Mackenzie doesn’t get too crazy tonight…who knows what type of trouble that girl might get us into.