13***Life Outside (Part 3)
The Convenience Store
After finally breaking free in a record breaking 10 minutes, I sped-walked my way the rest of the way to the store to avoid other friendly neighbors.
'I'm sorry people, but I don't want to die by being any later than I need to be.'
As I got to the entrance and stopped Crash in his tracks. "Okay boy, this is where I leave you for now." Whines of protests erupted out off him at my words. I mean, I know that many dogs can understand people when they talk, but this one makes me think that it might say actual words to me one day. Does this classify me as crazy? I don't know but that's not the point right now.
"Now now, don't give me that. Look, I'll get you a treat if you stay out here and be a good boy and wait. Deal?" I ask in an attempt to calm him down. At the word "treat" though he instantly calmed down and went to the side of the door and made himself comfortable.
Seriously though, who had this dog before me. He couldn't possibly be a stray. Wait, I said this already didn't I. . .
I entered the store and made a direct bee-line to the fridges at the back and picked up four jugs of milk. I also got us enough microwaveable food and Udels orange and apple flavour drinks to last us for the week! I have a feeling that Mom won't be coming offline as often as she's trying to let on.
"Nynn, is that you!" I heard someone call out to me as I stood in line to get my food checked. I turn around to face the bearer of that voice. My best friend!
"Cenus! Hey man how are you?!" I greeted as he strolled up to the cash register with a basket of his own groceries. We did our usual greeting, a sort of bro hug followed by a mini version of our old secret handshake from when we were kids.
"So dude, what brings you here. It's been forever since you played with us man." He commented. It's the truth though, it has been a while since I played MMOGs with him and the other gamers from school.
Cenus, being the same age as me with unnaturally white hair and equally white eyebrows, sharp blue eyes, average height, and athletic build (cause he's in the track team), was the fated soul to introduce me to MMOs, and video games in general. Even though he preferred a more hands on approach and I choose to be a more "sit-and-do" kind of player (meaning that he preferred VRMMOGs and games from Fii, while I decided to stick to controllers) we hit it off really well.
"Yeah, you're right! It's been ages! We should all meet up and play again" I stated half excitedly. I wanted to play BMO with Cenus for the longest time.
"Nah, that ain't happening." He said, waving the thought away and shooting down my enthusiasm.
"Eh? Why not?!" I asked, both shocked and deflated at the thought.
"They're all only playing BMO now." He replied. Ah, that's right. I didn't tell him yet did I...
He must have taken my silence as something else, because he continued on as if to change the subject.
"So, what's the deal. You still saving up to buy BMO?" He asks as we turned to the cashier to cash in our food. Ah, he did not change the subject.
"Well....you see....the thing is....." I started to explain, while stammering for some reason, but then he cut me off.
"Look man, I know you want to play that game really badly," he starts.
"Yes but...." I tried again but he cut me off....again.
"And that you have wanted to for 7 yrs now." He continued.
"But...."
"And you know that my family is loaded and my parents love you like a son."
"Well that is true. But...."
"So why don't you take that offer we gave you and make me buy the game for you?" This needs to stop.
"Look, I know you mean well and all, but..."
"Listen, if it's about your mom, let me handle it. We can by her one if she wants to and I honestly feel that it would be a waste if you..." Okay I've had enough!
"BUT I ALREADY BOUGHT THE DARN GAME!!!!!" I found myself shouting to him, causing the few heads in the store to turn to our direction. Even though they didn't give us more than a five second look before shrugging and going about their business, I still turned into a ketchup bottle.
"You did what?! When?!!" He asked, the surprise evident on his face.
"About a day ago." I said in a small voice, prepared for the worst. And it came.
"What??!!! Why didn't you tell me sooner bone head?!" He said before putting me in a head lock and proceeded to dig out my scalp with his knuckles, thus further messing up my already disheveled hair.
'Because this would have been your reaction.' I retorted. Or rather I would have retorted if my phone didn't go of with a notification!
"Notification?" you must be wondering, "what's so bad about that?" Well, in all essence, nothing... unless of course, your notification sound is track 52 of Area7 "Here are the Knights" playing full blast!!!
That got a bigger reaction from the occupants of the store, as everyone, even the cashier, had to stifle a giggle at the geek standing there trying to battle with lobsters at a red face contest!
"Dude! *pfft* you still follow those guys?" Cenus asked while trying to keep a straight face.
Those "guys" as he so kindly put it, was the Lore Hunters! He knows that they have been my guide, my teachers my main motivators, and essentially the hook and line that got me obsessed with BMO.
BMO is essentially, after all, a game with no goal. Just get stronger by fighting mobs and other players while having fun with the near infinite amounts of missions, side quests, mini-games, and the occasional Area-wide subjugations of monsters. (like the gremlins from before, only without mobs crossing Areas.
However, the Lore Hunters think that there's a hidden story in the workings on it all. One that actually impacts how the game ends and just what it means to become a Battle Master. It has always been my dream for 6 years since I found them to contribute to the Lore they're building.
"Duuuuude! You are one super nerd you know tha..." *grumble* *grumble* Cenus was about to say something when a weird sound came from within him. His face contorted into shock as he clenched his teeth and grimace, It looked like he needed to poop.
"Sorry... I need to..." Ah, looks like I was right.
"I'll wait." Was the only thing I said before he bolted off to the cashier, grabbing a key from the dude and bolting outside!
I only shook my head and pulled out my phone to read the notification that I got...
...or rather, that was the plan before the sound of yapping that suddenly invaded my ears!