Chapter 2: Chapter One: Welcome to Everett Online
I rested my palm on the desk and the hologram screen in front of me immediately disappeared. I arranged my belongings and walked out. Xavier and Bea are standing in the hallway, waiting for me.
"Hey, are you done with your class?" Bea asked while chewing a gum.
"Yeah, the professor only gave us some readings, You guys?" I ask as we start to walk.
"Same," she winks. "Guess everyone is too excited for the launch."
"Launch?" I ask.
We are on our way home now and it's only three in the afternoon. I have no idea why the classes ended so early. I have also been confused since this morning because my classmates are super excited. Even the professors seemed distracted too. They only gave us topics to read in advance or they used the whole period for self-study sessions. And now, people are obviously rushing to go home. And I have no idea why.
"Yeah …" She eyed me, "Ya'know? Today's the launching of the Everett. At exactly five in the afternoon. That's why everyone is so eager to go home."
"What's Everett? Is that a movie show? Do I know that?"
Is it a new TV show? I can't think of a reason why people like launching so much.
Bea gapes. "Everett. Everett Online." I look at her blankly. "Oh come on! The so-awaited game since last last year ?! Haven't you f *cking heard of it ?!"
I was unresponsive because I truthfully had no idea about it. But now I know. So it's just a game? They cut off the classes just for a game? Seriously, what are they obsessed with in that game?
Xavier chuckles, his attention's not on his phone anymore. "Cooper's not interested in that, Bea, He hates it, remember?"
"I just don't get the fuss over a simple game." I said and instantly regretted it after seeing Bea's red face.
"Simple Game ?! This is the most awaited game of the century! Hell, this will break Project Power's records for sure! If you saw the trailers and snippets, you will really be fascinated by the character design and then world's over- all image! Shit! Those amazing costumes! " She stops fangirling and she saw my stony face. "Oh come on, Cop. Until when are you going to hate games? They're fun! And another your a guy."
"For you, maybe. For me, I'd rather read." I replied.
"Ugh," she looks disgusted. "Those alien papers again? They looked so ancient and old. Why do you use them anyway? You can read books online. Less Hassle."
I pursed my lips. "It's more fun this way. I love the smell of the paper."
Now, Bea is looking at me like I'm something foreign -an alien perhaps. And Since I was disgusted with what he was doing, I took the book mulch from the bag and threw it in her face. I rolled my eyes when she shrieked and threw the book to Xavier who immediately caught it.
"Could you two please stop fighting while we're walking?" Xavier say and placed his ID card on top of a screen pad. The edges of the exit immediately glowed and Xavier came out.
Frowning, we followed him outside. He was still carrying the book but was already focused on the phone. I immediately took it back from him and carefully put it back in the bag. Bea looked at me with disbelief and smiled a little when our eyes met. She thought..
"Aren't you two going? Don't you want to play that too?" I asked as we still did not move from where we were standing.
"Yeah. Got my dad to make me a reservation. Pretty sure everything's already waiting at home." Bea replies.
"Mom's working as a department head under Neon Tech." Xavier replied.
Privileges, I thought while shaking my head. I frowned when I saw Xavier was still busy with his cellphone.
"What are you doing on your phone and why are you so busy there?" I ask.
I approached him. Bea did the same. We looked at his cellphone and saw a familiar app. The tweets came like bullets and I could not read them with the amount of new input.
"Reading people's reactions and thought. As well as their insight about the game and what to do. Don't wanna be behind. It's all about how we make progress on D-Day." He explained.
I stumbled. I have no idea on what his saying. So that's why I don't like games.
"Hmm. They're also discussing the best class .." Xavier commented and pointed to a tweet. "Oh well, tell me when you're logging into the game Bea. I'll have the same IGN"
"Sure. Drop-off points are at random so if we can search for people, lets just look for each other. 'If not, let's just meet at Grand Ella."
"Mm-hmm. I'm still in the same class, the mage."
My lips parted as I stared at them. I have no idea on what they're talking about. As in Na-da.
"I'll be the leaving first. My mind's going to blow up with all your foreign information." I said as they just laughed.
"Just play this game for once, Cop. I promise you it'll be worth of your time." Bea insisted.
"Uh-huh." I smirk a little. "When the world's ending. I will."
"Psh! By the way, tell your Sister I said Hi," he said and was thrilled.
"Sure, She'll be happy." I said laughing and left first.
Xavier has a crush on my sister, My twin sister for five years now. Bea has linked many women to her but she still doesn't lose sight of my twin. However, my twin sister always turns a blind eye to her advances. She's always made it clear that She's not interested but Xavier is not easy to give up.
He's not into games at first, too. But when he found out that my twin was very addicted to it, he also played, dragging Bea in the process, And now, they're both enjoying it. Xavier is still a stalker because the games he plays are the same as my twin.
I smiled at the smell of the fragrant aroma from the kitchen. I skipped happily to it and saw my twin in front of the stove, cooking something delicious.
"Woah! It smells good!" I praised and walked closer to the stove.
"Taste good. Too." I can hear arrogance in her voice.
I opened my eyes and looked her in the eyes, "Even thou, I do not know how to cook …" She just smiled at me.
"Go and change then we'll eat." she says.
I frowned and turned the hologram clock inside into a transparent digital box. It's only 4:30 in the afternoon and Vanessa acts we're getting dinner.
"Still early, iv .."
He looked at me, "We'll have early dinner. We'll play later."
I laugh at her words. Not at the early dinner part but at her saying we'll play together. With the launching news, I am hundred percent sure she's inviting me to play that piece of crap.
"You play, I'm not interested." I took an apple. "Stay with me then I'll heat it tonight."
I heard her deep breath. she turned to me and leaned on the counter. She folded her arms and we fought back. I even had my eyebrows raised for more intensity.
"You'll play." she says the words with finality.
"I won't." I imitated her tone.
"Come one, Cop, are you still hung up on your Project Power Fail? I told you it was just a glitch."
"No. It; s not because of that. I'm just not really interested with games. Vanessa."
She sighs, heavily, "You really wont."
"I won't. EVER."
"No dinner for you, then" she said and turned around.
I sighed at what she said. What has my meal tonight got to do with not playing! Ugh! if only Mom and Dad are here!
"What ?! Why ?! Come one, bro don't do that, I'm your responsibility!"
"No" she asked. "You're already 20, bro, learn how to cook for yourself."
"But that smells so good! Don't deprive me of food, Please." I beg.
She turned to me smiling. "Then play."
"I really don't want to! Why are you forcing me to do that?"
"I want you to try playing games, just once, 'kay?" she approached me. "I'm the first purchaser, you know that? We'd be invincible together."
"Oh damn you! You'll leave me alone like Project Power, again!" I complain.
"I didn't. The guild force me to!"
"You'll do that again today!"
"I won't promise. Give me this chance bro, please." she asked softly.
"You're making food as blackmail."
She crosses her arms in her chest and smirks at, e arrogantly, "Not my fault. If you only knew how to cook, then we won't have this problem."
"Tch." I sighed.
"Pick now, Bro, Game and dinner or nothing at all?"
"F*ck you, Vanessa!" I shouted.
I was angry to go up and I was even more angry when I heard her laugh, why didn't I just eat her while we were still in the womb !?
Well, yeah. Okay I used to play Project Power, a post-apocalyptic world survival game. Vanessa was the reason why I joined and was also the reason why I quit. The one who has no shame is my twin because she just left me suddenly because her guild doesn't like me
I was weak back then, I haven't gotten the first capsule for my first ability, And I'm still unknown to the world of game. And that's when I started to hate it. Welcome? Tch. They'll welcome players who are strong and has unique ability. Who they can use to gain glory.
"Bro! Did you order something ?! Delivery!" I heard Vanessa shout outside the bathroom.
"Yeah! That's probably my movie gear! Please get it! My ID cards by the desk!" I shouted back.
"Okay!"
I spent 30 minutes more inside the shower. When I came out I saw what I had bought on the bed. The headgear is out of the box. I frowned at it. Vanessa moved my belongings again.
Then I got dressed and I read the instructions in the box. It looks like you only have to wear the gear then link it to your online account. Then you'll be able to freely watch movies under your subscription. The best thing about this is because it feels like you're inside the movie as well.
I lay well in my bed. I chose the most comfortable position and just try this. Maybe set-up my account then log out after. Or I can make this excuse so that my twin won't bug me anymore. I'm not afraid of his no-dinner because I know he can never do that.
I hope so …
I took a deep breath and put on the Head gear. Instantly, imp brought into a dark place. I expected that much. I waited for a screen to pop up but that did not happen.
When I turn around, I was surprised to see a chair. A boy wearing a simple white polo with a black pants and his sitting on it. his hair is also white, his green cat eyes lit up when he saw me. A smile immediately formed on his lips.
I, on the other hand, gape at him, what's this ?! Is there no screen to show but just AI?
"You are the first person to log in the game." He smiled and then looked at me "Welcome Player. Welcome to Everett Online."
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