The next day, I woke up early in the morning to the sound of my notifications going off like an alarm. I was bombarded with messages from our group chat. They were cursing me and, at the same time, being proud of me for being one of the chosen gamers who was picked by the MW team as the best player in our state.
I almost forgot about the email, like it was just a dream that I would fail to remember as usual. But then, I saw the screenshot I sent them last night before going to bed. It was the email or invitation from MW Interactive Entertainment. Everything came back to me in a flash.
Even after a good sleep, I still felt a bit overwhelmed. It was something I found to be surreal. I had a feeling that it was possible that I was just being pranked by the guys, but I knew they wouldn't dare.
I quietly groaned as I slowly pushed myself up from the bed. I rested my forearm on the mattress and leaned back while doing neck stretches and ruffling my hair as a way to awaken my half-asleep soul. With my eyes slightly narrowed from feeling sleepy, I picked up my phone and reread their messages one by one.
Flint Hollerdan:
Damn, Ry! You're really my best friend! I'm going to post this one and tag you.
Trey Smith:
Fuck you, Ry! Just fuck you! I'm stuck here in Time Square, waiting for the pop-up store to open. I don't even know if I'll be able to buy this damn game while you're just chilling at home and waiting for it to arrive.
I bit my lower lip while reading Trey's message. Knowing he was only jokingly throwing his frustration at me, a smile broke across my face, and I scrolled down more to keep reading.
Yohann Thompson:
Haha! Good luck, Trey! Anyway, congrats, Ry! Though I can't say, I'm surprised.
Louis Aezkovh:
To be honest, same. I was already expecting this one, but still, you're one hell of a gamer, Ry. I'm so proud that you're my friend.
Shaking my head, I couldn't stop smiling upon reading their messages. I didn't bother replying, though. I just went to the bathroom to shower and started my day earlier than usual.
As a part of my morning routine, I decided to prepare breakfast with cereals. I also toasted some bread and put butter on top. After pouring a glass of water, I bit one loaf of bread, then carried my cereal and water. I planned to carry my breakfast to the gaming room and have a peaceful morning. However, just when I was about to take a step, the doorbell suddenly rang.
I creased my forehead because I wasn't expecting guests that day. So, exhaling a deep sigh, I placed my breakfast on the top of the kitchen counter and headed toward the main door.
My team quickly barged inside my house without further notice as soon as I opened the door. I was slightly dumbfounded because of their sudden presence. They didn't even tell me they were going to my house and just went straight.
"What the hell are you all doing here?" I asked when I faced them, still at a loss.
The guys were already settling comfortably in my living room. They were all here except for Trey, who was still in Time Square.
"Well, you just read our messages and didn't reply, so we decided to come here instead," Flint answered nonchalantly and opened the television.
I heaved a sigh and massaged the bridge of my nose. To hell with the peaceful morning I imagined inside my head. I never expected that not replying would escalate to this mess that they were making.
"I took a bath and prepared my breakfast," I reasoned, which wasn't exactly a lie. I deliberately didn't reply, but I still did what I said.
"Oh! What's for breakfast?" Yohann suddenly asked, and I hadn't answered his question yet, but he had already invited himself to the kitchen.
Once again, I sighed to express my frustration. I just wanted to play games peacefully without being bothered and disturbed.
"Did you cook?" Louis asked me when he stood up. "I haven't eaten yet."
I was about to answer his question when Yohann shouted.
"There's only cereal here!" he said, which answered Louis' question. "And a bitten toasted bread."
Louis sat down again. "Well, not my type of breakfast..."
I turned to Yohann, who had just gone out of the kitchen while eating my cereal.
Why am I even friends with these dorks?
"Don't you guys have a home to eat breakfast at?" I bitterly spat.
Flint laughed. "You know why we're here, Ry!" he said and came closer to wrap his arm on my shoulder. "We're here to wait for your game if it's still not obvious."
"Beyond the Realm," Louis butted in.
"The game hasn't arrived yet," I told them. "Just come back here past one."
Yohann tried to negotiate while he kept on eating my cereal. "There are only two hours left before one. Just let us hang out here while waiting."
I pierced my eyes at him, and he gave me a sly smile before turning around to continue eating my cereal―out of my sight.
"Trey's not online anymore," Louis announced while he was on his phone. "I wonder what's happening at Time Square right now."
"Well, according to my mutual friends' online posts, the square's packed. I saw the pictures. It's like they are waiting for the New Year's countdown," Flint said and showed us a picture of how crowded Time Square was, then turned to us. "Do you think he'll succeed?"
Louis chuckled. "I will really praise Trey if he manages to get a copy."
"I'm gonna treat him to a buffet dinner," Yohann bet.
"I'll buy him a new skin for his favorite hero," Flint joined them.
I knew they were just joking with their bets, but I suddenly fell into deep thoughts. It was fine with me if I wouldn't be able to play Beyond the Realm, unlike Trey, who made an effort and traveled to Manhattan at dawn just to grab a copy without any guarantee.
What if I just give Trey the game if he ever misses buying one?