It was morning of the next day and before getting ready for school, he checked up on his earnings from yesterday's quest.
[Inventory]
DP: 3
Skill Ticket Fragments: 2
Lottery Ticket Fragments: 4
After dinner last night, he had manage to gain and complete another quest, which was the quest of doing his homework. Claiming the rewards for both the shower quest and the homework quest, he got quite the haul. He had no uses for these things yet as the shop was still closed, but he was still satisfied with his gainings.
Connor got ready for school, as he took a shower, dressed up, and packed his things. He was half expecting for the app to give another shower quest, but it didn't have anything new except for the archery club quest. He still wasn't thrilled about it.
Heading for the kitchen that was bustling with chaotic activity, he grabbed a plate, whilst he dodged his siblings in order to get the food his mom had cooked. He wasn't particularly in a hurry, however he was worried that the others might have already ate everything.
Taking his time amidst the chaos, his dad came down from upstairs with a suit and tie. Since his mom already left early for work, it was his dad's job to take them to school. However, looking at Connor fiddling with his phone as he leisurely stuffed a bite of eggs into his mouth, his dad couldn't help but compare it to the scene of his other kids, who were practically halfway into the garage by this time.
His dad held a pair of socks on one hand, and on the other, a pair of shiny work shoes. The chair besides Connor squeaked as his dad sat down to put on the shoes.
"Are you taking the school bus?" Without even looking at him, his dad's deep voice sounded out.
"Yeah." Connor responded before stuffing another bite into his mouth.
"About what your mother said last night... don't force yourself to join if you don't want to... just... don't stress yourself out." His dad said with a slight voice of hesitation.
Connor stopped eating and looked at his dad, who was still busying himself with his shoes. He sometimes forgets that this lumbering giant of a man who he calls 'dad', was even more of a worry wart than his mom.
"Alright dad, thanks." Connor said softly, however he only got a terse acknowledgment as his dad stood up and headed to the garage.
After a few minutes, the car had left, leaving only silence within the house. Connor had already finished his breakfast, as he got ready to go to the bus stop.
It wasn't a far journey, and in just four minutes or so, he was already standing by a curb with a few other people. Connor didn't know any of them, nor does he want to know, he just kept his head down and busied himself with his phone.
He wanted to check up on Custom Life, and see if anything had changed. However, when he tried to click of the app icon, instead of the normal menu, it showed a black screen with a red download bar.
[Update v.1.2 commencing...]
Current Progress: 0%
Estimated Time: 2hrs 37min
(App can be closed and will not hinder download process)
Looking at this, Connor couldn't help but give a slight frown. He knew of the update, but he didn't know it'll be happening soon, and the download time is just absurd!
"What the heck?! Why is the download so long? It's just to unlock the shop right?"
A few mumbling complaints broke his train of thought, as he gave a side glance to who just yelled. What caught his eye was the same screen that showed on his phone.
"You play Custom Life too? I know right? It's gonna take forever to download!"
"Haha, yeah, my battery's gonna be dead by then."
To his surprise a small discussion formed from the several students that was waiting for the bus. Except for him, almost everyone there was talking about Custom Life. This game was that popular?
Connor fell into deep thought just as the bus had arrived, he was the last on, as he found an empty seat. The discussion continued on the bus as they talked about their experiences with the app. It was relatively the same as what had happened to him, so it assured him that he wasn't being crazy or overly paranoid. With so many people using it, surely it was safe!
That's what he tried to believe in, however, there was this growing sense of fear that started to swell up out of nowhere. He didn't know what it was, or where it came from, however he was well familiar of this feeling. It was dread. And the only ever time he felt so much of it was with that one case in the past. But that was just like a bucket, compared to what feels like an ocean of dread that he was feeling right now.
His breath had gone course, and he felt his shirt stick to his back. He needed to calm down, else he'll break down into a panic attack, and that's the last thing he wants right now. With slightly trembling hands, he took out some ear buds, plugged them into his phone, and started listening to some soothing music. Slowly he calmed his breathing as took tiny, but constant sips of water.
Connor had become much better at controlling his panic attacks, however, it was only slightly. It always feels like he's balancing on a rope above Niagara Falls, one misstep and he'll have a very terrible day.
Before he knew it the doors of the bus had already opened, and kids started to stream out. He was the last one out as he thanked the bus driver. Once he got off, he took a deep breath, and shook his arms loose.
Suddenly, a hand pressed on his shoulders, and he nearly screamed of fright, before seeing that it was just his friend, Jacob, the one who forced him to download the Custom Life app.
"Haha, did I scare you? My bad." Jacob laughed as his chubby cheek slightly jiggled.
He was half a head taller than Connor, and although he was fat, compared to a few weeks ago, he was much leaner.
They walked as they talked, both were headed to the same direction since they had majority of their classes together, which was one of the main reason why they became friends.
"So? Did you try the app out?" Jacob stared with expecting eyes.
"Yeah, I did, it's addicting, but kind of sketchy." Connor smiled wryly as he stored his earbuds.
"Uh, I guess so? But I don't think we have to worry about it, I mean, big social media giants collect our info and even sells them, but I don't see anybody complaining." Jacob said with great confidence. After all, it was just an app, how much danger could it pose?
They proceeded to talk about the update, and their personal experiences with the app. Jacob had already been playing for weeks, and managed to amass up to 32 DP and several tickets, two types of which, Connor doesn't have yet; the Attribute Ticket Fragment, and Item Ticket Fragment.
Jacob then pulled up his phone to check on the download, it was now at 13%. Looking at the screen once more, Connor sensed the feeling of fear that loomed over him. It was still there. The update will finish in less than two hours, he couldn't help but shiver slightly at the thought.
What he wants the most right now is to be proven completely wrong about his feeling.
But deep down... he knew that he was right.