Class Party (Part 2)

"Hey Victor, wanna join in?".

Xavier was kind enough to include me in the group of gamers. There was no reason to refuse his offer so I joined them. A race car game, Takeshi, Darwin, Xavier and I are going to race each other competing for first place. Before the race could begin, we each had to pick a vehicle to drive. The vehicle chosen will be the most important factor in winning this race. Each vehicle has different stats, I made sure to check all of them.

Xavier picked an old and rusty looking car and told us " Imma give myself a handicap. Don't let me down fellas".

"Fine by me, just don't cry when you're left behind". Darwin picked the fastest car in the game, it's speed stat was 255. Though it was the fastest, it certainly wasn't the wisest pick. That car's durability is very low, a durability of 70 is below average in this game. Darwin cannot afford to be hit by any other vehicles or obstacles in the way because if he does, It's over for him. But if he drives perfectly without bumping into anything, he'll most likely get first place. As for Takeshi, picked a very solid vehicle. Had 200 all across the board, for speed, control and durability.

"Victor hurry up and pick your vehicle" Darwin said impatiently.

"Aww, hold on".

After a browsing through the other vehicles I found the only truck that was in the game. A red and blue truck that reminded me of my favourite fictional group. The Autobots!!

The truck's speed was 170, it's control was 230 and it's durability is 300. Was not the best pick but who cares. At the end of the day, fun is all that matters. Before our race officially starts, Xavier asked me. "You sure you want to use that truck? Everyone else is using fast vehicles".

"Xavier, you are literally using a run down vehicle with below average stats across the board. That tells me, stats is not everything. There are probably other factors that will determine the winner in the end. Also, this truck's control and durability is the highest in the game. Nothing is going to slow me down".

Our race started with Darwin taking the lead with Takeshi on his tail. Xavier and I were left in the dust by the other two the moment the race started. In total there are three laps so anything can happen until then. At the finish line, there was an arrow painted on the road.

"Better use those arrows when you see them. They'll appear throughout the second and final laps frequently".

Xavier demonstrated what the arrow does by driving on one. His car's speed was boosted drastically, for two seconds his vehicle became the fastest one on the track. I followed his example and got a boost from a different arrow as well. Another thing to note is that each arrow can only be used once. So the arrow Xavier just drove on, I can't use it. When our boost finished, the positions changed. I was now third while Xavier was second. "Who lagged behind?".

"Aaaaaah damn it!!".

Darwin got furious when his car drove out of bounds. His car was so fast that when he got the boost from the arrow, he couldn't control the vehicle enough to turn the upcoming corner. That caused him to lose control and drive out of bounds.

"Hahahaha, your vehicle sucks". Takeshi who was leading the entire race provoked Darwin. Darwin quickly caught up with us and took third place from me. He avoided all the arrow which boosts the vehicles, that became his downfall because Takeshi, Xavier and I have enough control to use these boosters. Naturally I used everyone I spotted and passed Darwin rather easily. While I was busy focused on making sure Darwin stays in last, Xavier managed to take first place in his third Lap. Takeshi was one meter away so he could not afford to relax. If Takeshi drives on a booster, Xavier has no hope of catching up since his car is naturally slower. Xavier ensured that he was directly in front of Takeshi at all times. Any lane Takeshi moved to, Xavier did the same.

"Out of the way!".

Xavier took all the boosters in Takeshi's lane, leaving him with nothing. At the end, Xavier won first place while Takeshi took second. Despite Darwin not using the boosters, he still gave me trouble. If I weren't careful, he could have passed me on many occasions. I got third place while Darwin came dead last.

"Can't believe I let Xavier win".

"Hahahahahahaha, don't beat yourself up. I have experience with this game". Xavier tries to cheer up Darwin but it was vein. He quickly asked for a rematch. This time, Sayaka joined us to play. There was one last controller that wasn't being used so we welcomed her. She is not the type to play games with us, chances are she's just playing because Xavier is.

We raced each other five more times and Xavier won three of them. Sayaka got first place on her first try while I just earned my first place spot in the last race. Takeshi and Darwin were yet to win a race.

"This is fun, playing with friends is exhilarating eh".

Sayaka looks at me as if she expected a reply. "Friends? Not sure if I'm classified as that" I told her.

....

"So lame".

"Lame? How come?".

"You just enjoyed yourself with four other people. Those four people enjoyed your company too. Yet you're afraid to call us your friends. What requirements are to be met for the term friend be toss around?" Sayaka asked me curiously.

I am not used to having friends, most of my school life I was alone until now. There are times I wonder if this is a dream. If I were to wake up and find out that this was a dream. I just might give up on everything. Alisa, Ricardo, Aoi, Xavier, these people are real right? They are my friends. I can actually call them by my friends.

"Hmm, I know I told Alice you were a weirdo but don't take it personal ok dude. It's not bad to be weird, just means you do you, not what the crowd wants. You want to continue staring at your classmates during class. By all means continue, just don't isolate yourself from us. Cuz in return we'll cut you off". Where did this come from? Why is she suddenly speaking to me? The only guy she ever cares about is Xavier. Whatever her reason might be I might as well ask her the question. Follow Alice advice, make friends and see the life worth living.

"Sayaka, is it ok for me to call you a friend?".

"Sure thing, just don't get offended if I ignore you in class. My eyes are only on Xavier and the teachers during those times". Xavier overheard our conversation and applauded me. "Socializing truly is a wonderful thing. I bet you'll be in great terms with everyone when this is all over".

His words filled me with confidence. What was I scared of? These are all good people just like me. Worrying about the things they say suddenly feels silky. I stood up and walked over to Tetsu. He was eating all the muffins so I thought about initiating a conversation with him. I happen to adore muffins too so maybe, maybe we can get along.

"Go away dude, I'm busy eating!". His voice suddenly became loud again. We'll, I guess I was pushing my luck because I made two new friends tonight.

Around 9pm, A red haired woman entered the room where we were chilling. She was the spitting image of Xavier and also looked too young to be his mother. She is most likely in her twenties. "Simone!" Xavier greeted.

The woman had two backpacks with her. She handed them to Xavier then proceeded to introduce herself. "Good night everyone. My name is Simone Foster. I hope my brother isn't putting you in any inconvenience. You're free to head home anytime you please".

"Get out of here sis, what will you do if one of them decid to leave now".

Simone left the room waving at those who looked at her. As the door closed, it opened almost immediately. Two people entered the room, they were extremely late. No one thought anyone else was arriving for Xavier's birthday. It was none other than Aphrodite Giovanni and his sister Bambi Bambistine. This was a unexpected visit, we all thought Aphrodi was a lost cause but here he is, with his sister no less.

Bambi recognized my face and quickly ran towards me. "Hey, how are you doing? Thanks for the notes, they helped Aphrodi a ton. Did he thank you?".

"Nope, he didn't".

"Sorry, please forgive his rudeness. Don't give up on him ok"

"I won't".

Bambi turned her attention to Xavier and her whole mood changed. Her face lit up, blushing uncontrollably. She took out her phone and asked Xavier a question. "Can I take a picture with you Xavier? My name is Bambi, Aphrodi's sis". Xavier gladly took the picture with her. "Do you know me from somewhere?".

"You kidding! Everyone with a TV knows who you are. The sports prodigy that appears once a century. Every match you've played always have a ton of highlights. Most of them being with you".

Bambi made it clear that she was one of Xavier's fans. Now the reason why Aphrodi came starts to be more apparent. Bambi wanted to see Xavier, Aphrodi did not want Bambi to go out on her own so he accompanied her here. Aphrodi stood at the back, minding his own business.

Nayeli, a girl who's been on her phone the whole time finally lift her head up when she heard Aphrodi entering the room. "Aphrodi! Come here!" she waved at him.

...

Aphrodi stayed where he was and turned his face away from her. He seemed to be in a foul mood. It would be rare if he didn't. He always look angry or irritated, right now I bet there are at least three things in this room that is pissing him off. His heart is filled with only anger, soon I will have to deal with that dilemma. I want to be his friend after all, the darkness that taints him. I shall illuminate it, but first I am curious to see what he'll do in this semester. He formed a small fraction within the school, he wants to change the world. There's a chance he has something big planned under the quiet for this semester. Can't wait to see what it is.