"A gift to Allyn? are you sure about that?" Allyn's father is understandably having a hard time believing his ears.
"Yes, I am positive," the delivery man replied. He then left the gift with Allyn's father and went back to using his bike.
"Honey, what's going on?" Allyn's mom asked
"Apparently, The KennyLight left a gift for Allyn,"
"That's... new,"
"What about me?" Aurora asked, she is indeed envious that her brother received such an enormous gift.
"Yeah, I don't think they left any for you," Hazel, Allyn's mom, replied.
Aurora walks away in silence, leaving her parent with complicated looks on their faces.
"I should go give this to him," Sawyer said. He is Allyn's dad.
"What's in the box?"
"I'm not sure, but it must be some kind of video gaming device if I'm correct,"
"I see... this is just going to give him more reason to lock himself up," Hazel has a troubled expression.
"Yeah, if only I could do better,"
"You tried, it's just... he's a teenager, and communicating with us hardly ever happens,"
"sigh! I'm still not sure why he sent this gift but let's hope this is a step for our families to get closer," Sawyer says while taking the stairs.
.
.
.
Allyn is busy playing the popular video game known as God of War. However, to his dismay, he is getting trashed around.
"How did Gray take this thing down?" He wonders.
"um, Allyn?" Sawyer's voice could be heard right outside his room.
"Yes, come in," Allyn said.
"Hey boy, how you doing?"
"Not bad, I guess," Allyn replied. The tone of his voice gave Sawyer a reason to be worried.
"Your uncle left this with you." Sawyer drops the package on the table.
Recalling his last discussion with Everett, Allyn could already guess what this is…
"Wow, he did it," Allyn mumbles.
"Sorry to interrupt, but can we have a brief discussion, you know... man to man?" Sawyer said.
"Yeah, I guess," Allyn said. They both sat on the comfortable floor while Allyn continued his game.
"Do you have a girlfriend?" Sawyer's question is unexpected.
"No, not really," Allyn replied.
"Have you thought of having any?"
"No,"
"Because you're not popular?"
"I don't know, just don't have the time for that,"
"Everyone needs someone they can lean on," Sawyer said. "It's a good thing you have Gray as a friend."
"Well, sucks to be me then,"
"Along with your friend, you still have a family to lean on. I know your sister isn't giving you face, so let's count her out. Your mom and I are always there, don't forget that, you understand?"
"... Yeah.. I do," Allyn replied. It seems his dad's words got to him. This is what he needed at the moment.
"On that note, I'll be taking my leave,"
Allyn kept his attention on the TV until he heard the door getting shut before he ran over to the box in excitement. Gently opening the box, there is a tech that looks very similar to helmets that are used by bikers. A HMD should be the right name for this.
He also found a small pad that was positioned carefully in a corner. This must be the gaming software, and along with it, we also have a manual. This is where info on how to operate the gaming device is written.
In a normal circumstance, nobody has the patience to go through manuals, but this is the first time Allyn has ever used a virtual gaming device, so better safe than sorry.
According to the instructions in the manual, it is recommended to charge the gaming device for at least 8 hours before making use of it.
Allyn did as instructed and continued his gaming activities and, as common, he stayed awake for a long time before losing to nature... he was fast asleep...
.
.
.
Allyn woke up very early the next day, which is quite unusual. You could say he is in a good mood.
"Huh, you're already awake," Aurora, who hasn't even taken her bath, is quite taken aback by this.
"Yeah, obviously."
"I wonder why," Aurora said in sarcasm while rolling her eyes as she walks away, clearly still jealous... not that Allyn cared anyway.
"Aren't you going to take your breakfast? Why are you in such a hurry?" Hazel said.
"I don't have time for that," Allyn replied as he left without a moment's hesitation.
"He's quite agile this morning," she mumbles silently.
.
.
.
"Hey, Allyn!" Everett called out from his car.
The vehicle parked, and Everett quickly got out and walks towards Allyn's current location.
"Did you receive the package?" He asked.
"Yeah, I honestly wasn't expecting that to happen so fast," says Allyn.
"Neither did I," Everett said. "My dad swiftly made arrangements to get the tech handed to you the moment I told him you wanted a virtual gaming device,"
"Wow, you guys are..." Allyn could not put words to what he wants to say.
"Just so you know, this is a VRMMORPG gaming device,"
"That's a lot of letters. Do you mind breaking it a bit?"
"*sigh*, it's an online multiplayer game where you get to interact with millions of other fellow players,"
"Yeah... I pretty much already figured that out,"
"That's not all though... the HMD you've been given has separate internet service. You don't need to connect your gaming device to your home Wi-Fi as it already has unlimited access to internet data,"
"Huh!! is that even a thing?" Allyn asked.
"Yeah, but not all gaming devices are like that. This is just the newest HMD that was given to you. For those who already have gaming HMD and are not interested in getting a new one, they can of course just purchase the gamepad. You must have seen it in the box, right?"
"Yeah, I did," Allyn replied, "I'll be logging in tonight."
"You probably shouldn't do that,"
"Why?"
"Well, according to my dad, an in-game announcement will be made on the weekends. That is Saturday and every new player who logs in on that very day might receive gaming rewards."
"I see... guess I have to hold back then,"
"Yeah, guess so... but you must be logged in between 11:30 to 12 noon (That's Nigerian time if you are wondering) so don't miss,"
"Got it,"
.
.
.
While on his way to his class, a girl approached him out of nowhere.
"Hi," she said.
"Uh... yeah?" Allyn has never had a normal conversation with the opposite sex before, so this took him by surprise.
"Is it true that you and Everett are close?" she asked.
"I... guess." Allyn's elevated spirit fell back to the ground.
"Can we talk later? Maybe during school break, I'll like to know you better," she said.
"... right," Allyn said, "Yeah... why not?"
However, while he may have agreed to meet up with her, he most likely will keep his distance. If she wants to get to Everett, don't use Allyn as a middleman, it doesn't work that way.
Allyn entered his class and was a bit surprised to see Gray already present. Their seats are located very close to the window, with Gray's desk at the front, while Allyn is located right behind him.
"You are quite punctual today, what's the occasion?" Allyn asked in a low tone.
"The Principal still has his eyes on me," Gray replied. "He will no hesitation to put me on detention if I'm to arrive late to school... I'll like to avoid that,"
"That's what you get for waking up so late,"
"You're not one to talk. Though, I also don't know you for being so punctual... Perhaps the Principal is monitoring you as well,"
"You wish," Allyn said. "He doesn't even know me,"
"First time for everything,"
"Besides, what's with you and Everett these days?"
"What do you mean?"
"You guys are getting pretty close,"
"You make it sound like I'm gay,"
"... are you?" Gray is genuinely curious.
"No, damn it, he's my cousin,"
"Well... I've seen cousins make out together... I think," Gray said, "Anyway, that's not the point, you are getting famous."
"Yeah, I saw this coming," says Allyn as he recalls the pretty girl who had tried to use him as a middleman just to get closer to Everett.