Next day I woke up early, sunlight already creeping through the blinds. I stretched and felt a strange new energy—like the world was a little more vibrant, the air a little fresher. Maybe it was just the afterglow of graduating from being a virgin, but everything felt heightened. I grinned to myself, thinking about Alex, about yesterday, about how things had changed between us. I was excited to see her today, and the anticipation made even the mundane feel special.
After washing up, I got ready for my morning run. I remembered reading somewhere that to keep improving, you have to keep your body in shock—keep it guessing. Maybe that's why my physical stats haven't budged lately. My body had gotten used to the same old routine, the same intensity. Time to switch it up.
So today, I tried some crazy calisthenics exercises—one-arm push-ups, pistol squats, explosive jumps, and even a few attempts at muscle-ups on the park's rusty pull-up bar. Everything included weights. Some I could do, some I just flopped on, but I kept pushing. Sweat poured down my face, and my muscles burned in a way they hadn't in weeks.
People in the park definitely noticed. Some gave me admiring glances, a few looked at me like I was nuts because people get injured from doing exercises like me if they try. And—no lie—some of the middle-aged women on their morning walks were openly biting their lips. Thirsty. I can't say I didn't like it. Ever since I got the gamer power, I'd noticed my body getting more symmetrical, more athletic. Symmetry is attractive, and apparently, I got attractive gradually. Even my eyes looked a little brighter after I bumped up my WIS stat. It was subtle—so subtle I only caught it when my mom pointed it out. I just shrugged at that time, but I couldn't deny it felt good to be noticed.
By the time I finished, I felt alive. Muscles shaking, lungs burning, head clear. I jogged home, showered, and got dressed for school. Dad offered me a ride, which I took and also asked my dad if he would help me buy a car on his off day. For which he was happy to help. I had the money to spend on a car and no way, I wanted to drive around on that stinky bus anymore.
I got to school earlier than usual. The halls were mostly empty, lockers clanging as people trickled in. As I made my way to my locker, I spotted Leonard. He was being cornered by a guy who was clearly bigger than him—one of those classic high school bullies, all broad shoulders and bad attitude. I could hear the guy's voice as I got closer.
"Can you lend me some money?" The tone made it clear he wasn't asking. He was demanding, and from the way he loomed over Leonard, he had no intention of ever paying it back.
"Maybe I can lend you my fists," I said, stepping up beside Leonard. The bully turned, ready to snap back, but when he saw me—saw that I was bigger, broader, and probably looked a little intimidating after I put on my mean face—his face went pale. He backed off a step, then another.
"Leave, and don't bother him anymore," I commanded, voice low and steady.
He bolted, almost cartoonishly fast, and I couldn't help but smirk.
"Good morning, damsel in distress," I teased Leonard, who just rolled his eyes and shrugged, but I could see the relief on his face.
"Thanks, man. I owe you one," he said, adjusting his glasses.
"Just call me if anyone tries that again," I told him. "Seriously. I can't let someone bully my subordinates."
He nodded but immediately started complaining when he heard me say subordinate and said, "We are partners, not subordinates! I told you already". Before, I joked about it constantly till he got annoyed.
I grinned. "Alright, alright, partner. But you gotta admit, I make a pretty good boss, who protects his underlings."
He snorted and then sighed "just, shut up"
We both laughed, the tension fading, and then we started talking about the company. Leonard explained that most of the paperwork could be done online, but we'd need to handle some things in person if we wanted to hire employees and get our taxes sorted. The whole process would take about a week and cost seventy bucks for registration.
"Meet me at my house after school?" I suggested. "We'll get it all sorted and make it official."
"Sounds good," Leonard agreed, already pulling out his phone to make a checklist.
We started brainstorming names for the company. I didn't want anything with my name or Leonard's—something neutral, something cool. Leonard suggested "Reedhoff," which earned him a blank stare from me.
"Dude, that sounds like a German vacuum cleaner," I deadpanned.
He laughed. "Okay, okay, fair. What about 'Pixel Forge'?"
Before I could answer, Josh and Debbie showed up, both looking curious.
"What are you guys plotting?" Josh asked, putting away his headphone that he wears allt he time.
"Company names," Leonard explained. "Lucas shot down 'Reedhoff.'"
Debbie snorted. "Good. That sounds like a cough medicine. What about something fun? Like 'Quantum Quokkas'?"
We all burst out laughing.
"Debbie, what even is a quokka?" I asked, wiping my eyes.
She grinned. "It's the world's happiest animal! And quantum because, you know, science."
Josh shook his head. "If we're going for weird, why not 'Hoodamers'? Like, 'Who the gamers?'"
Leonard groaned. "That's… actually kind of catchy, but also kind of terrible."
I shrugged. "Hey, at least it's memorable. What about something more classic, like 'NextGen Games'?"
Debbie made a face. "Too generic. Sounds like a knockoff console."
"Okay, okay," I said, holding up my hands. "Let's make a list. Everyone gets three suggestions, we will vote to decide."
Josh grinned. "Deal. My next one is 'Code Monkeys United.'"
Leonard rolled his eyes but jotted it down. "I'm still rooting for 'Pixel Forge.'"
Debbie chimed in, "I'm adding 'Quantum Quokkas' and 'Science Nerds.'"
I laughed and added "BitBenders" and "LevelUp Labs" to the list.
We kept tossing around names, getting more ridiculous as we went. "Digital Dreamers," "Byte Knights," "Glitch Wizards," "Joystick Junkies." The list grew, our laughter echoing down the hallway. It felt good—like we were building something real together, even if we were just a bunch of high schoolers with big dreams.
I was constantly looking at the hallway the whole time, waiting for Alex while talking with my friends, when suddenly she came in, looking absolutely beautiful. When she spotted me, her face brightened up and she made her way towards me. They say a girl's most perfect makeup is her afterglow from sex, and they wouldn't be wrong because she was practically glowing, much brighter than normal.
Debbie noticed my face break into a big smile, and when she looked at who I was looking at, her own face got a bit cold. Alex came up to me and gave me a quick hug, not caring that everyone was watching. My friends greeted her—except Debbie, who just offered a tight-lipped smile.
I put my arm around Alex and said, "Guys, Alex is now my girlfriend."
Alex blushed so hard, she looked down and tried to hide behind her hair. Josh whooped and gave me a fist bump. "My boy! Knew you had it in you."
Leonard grinned and said, "Congrats, you two."
Debbie just said, "Good for you," her tone flat, eyes flickering between me and Alex. I caught her glare, but I ignored it for now. I didn't want any drama in front of Alex.
Josh, ever the clown, nudged Alex and said, "So, Alex, you're the genius who finally tamed Lucas, huh?"
Alex laughed nervously. "I'm not sure about tamed, but I'm trying."
Leonard added, "Just say if you need any help in that"
Alex giggled, "I'll try my best, but he's pretty persuasive." Alex looked at me clearly hinting at my persuasive words from yesterday. I just grinned back.
Debbie stayed quiet, arms crossed. Maybe she saw something had clearly happened between us, and that's why she was glaring at Alex all the time. Or maybe she just didn't like change.
I used to laugh and cringe at those teenage drama shows where I thought they added unnecessary drama to make the story a little spicy, but it's not funny anymore when it is happening to me. I just sighed at my predicament.
The bell rang, breaking the tension and signaling it was time for classes. We all parted ways, but I caught Alex's hand and squeezed it before she left, giving her a reassuring smile. She squeezed back, her eyes shining, and I knew today was going to be another good day.
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A/N: We need Power stones for our next level up.
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