Beau Riley
--
Everything happened so fast that I almost couldn't believe it.
Let me tell you what happened an hour ago.
I was having the time of my life as I released all of my previous inhibitions. My teammates were all so good at hyping me up that I easily got carried away. I was screaming my lungs out every time as I went on a killing spree.
I wasn't the only one screaming. Every time I managed to slay an enemy, the crowd would always grow wild with me.
It was so exciting that, by the end of the match, I almost couldn't breathe anymore. My chest was rising up and down as we stood up and hugged each other in relief and exhilaration.
Relief because we finished the game and...
Exhilaration because we won!
I couldn't help but laugh giddily at that fact. The weight of the tropy in my hand felt so good that my palms were tingling at the cold sensation of it. It felt so unreal.
"Man, you're a beast. Why haven't you joined us yet?" the same person who greeted me back then said with a wide grin. "We weren't wrong when we chose you, huh?"
Another guy slung his arm over my neck with a chuckle. "We're so lucky to pick you among the crowd, nerdy!"
"I knew the hoodie was a giveaway that he was a pro!" Another one butted in.
Everyone burst into laughter. "Stop stereotyping people who wear hoodies and automatically think of them as a pro, you idiot!"
"Heh, if it wasn't for me, we wouldn't have chosen him!"
"Okay, you got me there."
I only smiled at them as I fidgeted with the sleeves of my hoodie. They were very friendly toward me, and I appreciated it. I have to apologize for being so quiet, though. I mean, all that screaming took my energy away, which I reserved for the next five years. I haven't screamed like that since I entered puberty.
"Team Midnight Lions, it's time for the handshakes with the other team," a staff member approached us holding a clipboard. She pointed at the other side of the stage, where a group of men was waiting for us to come over.
All of us strode towards them with an air of pride. I was probably the only one who looked at the floor to avoid stepping on the wires scattered on stage. By the time they halted, I also paused in my steps before carefully lifting my head up to look at our opponents. However, before I could even take a glimpse of their faces, my gaze instantly shifted to the monitor.
My face suddenly appeared on the monitor as the camera caught me. I watched the screen, which showcased my dark brown hair (which was utterly messed up after wearing headphones earlier), my bright hazel brown eyes that stood out even if I was still wearing the rimless glasses (surprisingly, it actually suits me), my small nose, my slightly plump lips, and my pale face.
What surprised me the most were the sudden, loud cheers coming from the audience.
"Oh my, he's so cute!"
"PRETTY BOY!"
"How are you so handsome and good at games at the same time?!"
I hurriedly hid behind my teammate in shame after hearing their teasing cheers. They playfully laughed at me for being so shy on stage.
Thankfully, the team immediately proceeded to shake hands with the other team. The first few members were smiling and praising me for 'killing' them on the game. They also expressed their intent to have a match with me again. For every one of them, my response was the same.
"We'll see," I said with a small smile.
I wasn't confident enough to completely plunge into the e-sports circle just yet. For me, it was simply a form of entertainment and not a career. But nothing's constant anyway, so I'm not going to close the windows for the upcoming opportunities. I can only wait for the right time when everything about me is ready for it.
It was finally the last member, so I gave him my best smile despite only looking at his slightly bigger-than-mine hand. It's because his wristwatch caught my attention. The familiar black leather strap suddenly triggered an alarm in my head.
I swiftly raised my head, only to see the man of my dreams standing in front of me with his signature charming grin.
He wasn't an e-sports player, so how did he get in here? Is he an enthusiast just like me and only happened to be chosen by the other team today? Really? That was too much of a coincidence, if I may say so!
I swear I was going to fall off at that moment. But I had my priorities first. I casually pulled away from our handshake while still giving him a smile, although the momentary twitches on my lips were probably a dead giveaway that I was only faking it.
If not for Sage Johnson unexpectedly shaking hands with a nobody like me, I wouldn't be this 'much' stiff.
I was breathing the same air as him. I was so close to him that I could feel his body heat. And damn it, he was even intently looking at me with his beautiful green eyes.
Who wouldn't be flustered, right?!
The urge to just run off the stage and bury myself in a rabbit hole was so strong that I could feel my legs itching to just walk away. But I couldn't. That would throw my cover off. If I acted like that, he would probably be weirded out by me. That's the last thing I'd ever want him to think of me.
And so, I looked back at him with the same intensity.
It took about thirty percent of my remaining life span, though. Seriously, this day was tiring the shit out of me. I feel like I would suddenly die of stroke because I experienced too many intense emotions in just one day.
How could I not have intense emotions when he's smiling even wider at me now? Plus, he spoke to me!
"Byu, right? You were so awesome back there. You got my respect," Sage said as he flashed me a flattering smile.
I inhaled first before I nodded my head at him with a nonchalant expression (I hope so). "Thanks. You were all great as well. I had a hard time subduing you guys," I replied politely.
"Still, you killed me, for like, more than ten times in every round. It was quite humbling for me," Sage added with an embarrassed scratch on his nape.
"Ah, ha ha!" I faked a laugh as a response to his remark. Deep inside my head, I was already thinking about things like:
Oh, no. He would probably go after me for poking at his pride in being a gamer!
Alas, he wasn't evil at all. He simply gave me one casual nod before he walked away.
I watched his broad back and long legs walk away from where I stood. The farther he walked, the smaller he became from my point of view. I couldn't help but clench my fist and bite my lower lip to stop myself from rolling off the ground.
The same fist I was clenching was the same hand I used to touch him.
His skin... His hand was so warm against my own cold ones. It wasn't rough, nor was it too smooth. It was just enough to be described as something that bordered between the two adjectives.
And his scent... Goodness, he smelled like minted candies. I've never been that close to him before, so after finally being able to breathe in his scent that I had always daydreamed of and wondering whether he would smell flowery or woody, I couldn't help but regret how smells aren't tangible enough to just be pocketed in my hoodie.
I admire him so much that having been talked to by that man was enough to leave me utterly speechless.