ă€ŠPlay vs Playă€‹


 CHAPTER 1: PRESS START

    The arcade was louder than usual today. Maybe it was the sound of schoolchildren during the holiday season. Maybe the machine volumes were turned up louder than usual. Kian puts some of the 20 of the 50 Ringgit he got for his recent PT3 results into the token machine. The sound of coins pattering within the metal collection hole was barely heard over the noise of the arcade. Kian picks them up and puts the heavy stash into his hoodie pockets. He looks upon the various machines, deciding on which game he wants to play. He didn''t even know why he came here, but it was better than being home alone on his computer again.

    Kian sits down in one of the racing machines, only because nobody else were at these ones and plopped two coins into the slots. He was almost done selecting a track when the screen showed a new challenger joining. He looked to the side and there was a figure sitting at the machine next to him. The figure wore a dark green hoodie, a cap and a mask making their face indistinguishable. He smiled at the figure but it didn''t seem to give any response. Well, at least its going to get exciting.

    Kian could not believe what happened after that. This mystery person kept beating him in every single race, which made him lose almost all of his coins. Now all he had were two more and at this point, if he didn''t win, he didn''t know what he would do with himself. Whoever this person is, they must have been really, really good but all he could think of at that moment was beating this person.

    The last race was intense, he definitely felt sweat this time and his jaw was clenched the entire race. There were points when both of them were literally side by side on the track and it took all of Kian''s know how and experience (even if it was very little) to push his car on.

    "Finally got ya!" Kian exclaimed, pointing at the figure as he crossed the finish line ahead of them.

    The mystery person slowly turned to look at him. He gulped. Did he do something wrong? Suddenly, the person gave a smile judging by its eyes, then took another two coins out of their pocket. Kian groaned, knowing this time he was really going to get it. The figure giggled in a high pitch which confused Kian, who thought it was a guy like himself. The mystery person entered the two coins into the machine as Kian looked forward once more preparing himself.

    "OI!"

    He suddenly heard an exclamation from behind him. The person and him both turned around to see a woman in a sundress walking towards the figure. The woman yanked the mystery person out from the machine by the arm and pulled off the hoodie and cap causing black, wavy shoulder length hair to flop out. Kian was right, it was a girl.

    "Playing games again! Didn''t I say those things will rot your brain? We are going home!" The lady aggressively said to the mysterious person.

    He watched as the girl was led by the hand towards the exit. She turns back and looks at Kian who was suddenly awestruck by the fact a girl could beat him in a game.

    "We can play again, ok?" he strained his voice trying to be louder than the screaming children and blaring machines around him.

    ?

    Kian felt a light tap on his shoulder. He removed his headset and looked behind him at a guy standing over him. The sun shone behind the guy but Kian knew who it was because of the curly hair and glasses. It was his course mate, Noel.

    "Kris!" Noel exclaimed. "What the hell are you doing in here? You didn''t attend class just now...AGAIN." Noel said.

    Kian shushed him. "Dude, read the sign. No raising voices in the cyber caf¨¦. And yea...but I noticed my ranking drop this morning. Needed to maintain my top 10."

    "Attendance is literally 5% of your grade, it counts for something too, Kris."

    "I''ll make up for it in my finals," Kian puts on his headphones again. "It doesn''t matter."

    Noel takes them off. "I know you want to go professional my guy, but...until then, you still have a life and studies to take care of, you know?"

    Kian rubs his neck. "I have been, ok?"

    "Come on man, you''re smart but you can''t keep doing this y''know?"

    Kian shrugged. "Ok, then let me play one more game."

    Noel sighs. "Let''s go for lunch then."

    "I''ll...pick something up along the way." He says clicking on the start button to queue for a game.

    "Why not eat together with me?"

    "I''m busy as you can see." Kian motions at the monitor.

    Noel moves the mouse and stops the queue. "We are going to eat together."

    "What the hell dude!" Kian said, annoyed.

    "Watch your voice man, you said no shouting in here."

    "Yea but you stopped my queue! You know how I don''t like meddl-"

    "I belanja you."

    Kian stopped complaining. "You for real ah, dude?"

    "You don''t want can also." Noel started walking towards the exit.

    "W- Wait!" He shouted. A few people shushed him as he packed his things. He headed to the counter beside the exit. "Boss, cancel saya punya satu jam ya." The clerk nodded and Kian ran down the steps.

    He comes out of a narrow stairway and out into the shade of the shop lot. The Malaysian heat was blazing hot and Kian immediately felt sweat forming on his back. He looked across the road to see Noel waiting for him.

    "Faster lah!" Noel shouted.

    The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    Kian adjusted his glasses and leaned back in his coffeeshop chair. He started a game on his phone while he waited for Noel to finish his meal. Kian was always a fast eater helped by the fact that he always needed to be ready for a game. Most of his family were surprised at how he could take a whole plate of nasi kandar and leave it clean within five minutes.

    "Yo, you''re president of the gaming club, right?" Noel asked in between a spoonful of rice.

    Kian looked up from his phone and then looked back at it. "Yea, why?"

    "Are you going to attend the fundraiser meeting tomorrow?"

    "What meeting?" Kian continued looking at his phone.

    "Dude, you''re the president of a club and you''re asking a secretary?"

    "Because I don''t remember a meeting like that."

    Noel sighed. "The one where two clubs are drawn together to come up with a fundraiser for a charity?"

    Oh yea...that thing. Kian remembered his vice president, Meng, mentioning something like that to him. Shame he was telling him while Kian was in the middle of a game.

    "I...wait ah." Kian stopped mid-sentence to concentrate on his game for a while. After completing the round, he continued. "I...not really sure lah to be honest. I don''t really know what it''s all about."

    "Your club didn''t participate in the last one two years ago?" Noel looked puzzled.

    Kian thought for a while. "Not sure. I think we just went out to buy a few consoles and headsets as prizes for the other club. Something like that."

    "That''s not really participating, is it?" Noel shoveled a spoonful of rice into his mouth. "Your club is pretty lame dude."

    Kian shrugged. "That''s what they all say."

    "You got bring your car today?" Noel moved on to his soup.

    "Nope."

    "I''ll drive you to class then. I brought my car."

    "I...I''ll take a grab don''t wor- "

    "You''re going back to the cybercafe aren''t you." Noel looked at Kian and pursed his lips.

    "N-no."

    "Don''t lie to me Kris, I''ve been your friend since high school. I know you want to go back."

    "But my rank..."

    "We. Have. Classes, Kris."

    Kian sighed. "Fine."

    ?

    The lecture hall was silent except for the voice of a lecturer explaining something about microcomputers. Kian sat in his favourite spot. The absolute farthest row away from the front. This was the only way he could be on his laptop watching gameplays without being noticed by people behind him. Not that he would have cared. But being caught looking at games in class is probably not what he wanted.

    "All right class. We will continue this topic tomorrow. Please remember to sign your attendance. Thank you."

    The hall became noisy again with students packing their bags and shifting out of their seats. Kian himself packed his bags and was going to head out before being stopped by a pair of students halfway towards the exit. One of them wore a Manchester United jersey and the other a white t-shirt, though Kian didn''t recognize them.

    "Um, you are Kian, right?" White t-shirt guy said having to slightly tilt his head upwards just to meet Kian''s eyes.

    "Yes?" Kian shifted his hands into his hoodie pockets.

    "Yea, we are actually your group mates for the assignment in System Development Methods. Have you done your part of the assignment yet?"

    Crap. "Actually...no lah." Kian scratched the back of his head and gave a guilty smile.

    The two students looked at each other and then back at Kian. "You haven''t read our messages in the group?" Manchester United guy asked.

    "I...don''t think so?" But Kian knew he hadn''t because he never reads his messages.

    Both of them sighed. "Kris, your part is due today you know? It''s already Thursday. We need to compile it so that we can send it in by this Saturday and be ready for the presentation on Monday."

    Kian was already tired listening to the guy say that. "I, um, ok. So...my part is?"

    The pair were clearly getting annoyed but managed to keep their tempers in check. "Just check the group and you''ll find it, ok? We hope you can send it in by tomorrow morning." The guy in the white t-shirt said crossing his arms.

    "Ok then." Kian gave an ok symbol, a half assed smile and quickly walked past the pair of them. He needed to get back to his game before his ranking dropped. He exited the lecture hall and walked through a few corridors taking an elevator down one floor towards his favourite room.

    The computer lab was basically eight different rooms full of computers in four rows for the usage of students whether it be for classes or for projects. All of them are reserved for classes except one. The gaming club decided to convert one of the rooms into their official club room and that was where Kian was headed. He opened the door and was greeted with darkness. The room was only lit by a lamp at the corner of the room nearest to the entrance for administrative purposes, LED lights on the ceiling and of course computer screens. It was empty today, perfect. He wrote his name down in a clipboard at the table and sat down at one of the computers feeling a sense of relief.

    "Kris!" A voice called out of the dark.

    Kian jumped a little and turned to his left. "Woi Meng, what the hell you doing under the desk?"

    A guy with bleached, straight hair clambered out and sat on one of the gaming chairs. The LED lights shone on his face as Kian recognized it was Meng, his vice president. "I was expecting you and wanted to get your blood pumping." Meng laughed.

    "I can get my blood pumping just fine after a few games." Kian turned back to the computer screen.

    "You know, one of the student council members came here just now." Meng said as he rolled the chair towards the computer beside Kian and moved some hair from his eyes.

    "And?"

    "Well, the student council wanted to know whether our club was attending the fundraiser meeting tomorrow."

    "I...don''t know, Meng. I have a lot to do," Kian entered his username and password and started a matchmaking queue. "Besides, we aren''t really that active anyways."

    "Exactly," Meng started typing a few things into his computer. He pushed the monitor to face Kian. "Student council are on our asses because of that."

    Kian turned his head towards the screen. It was an email.

    To: [email protected]</a>

    CC: [email protected]</a>,[email protected]</a>

    From: [email protected]</a>

    Subject: Club Inactivity

    Dear Mr. Low Yi Kian,

    We would like to inform you that due to your club''s inactivity for the past two years, the club will be under investigation under section 2 of the university rules for clubs and activities for inactivity spanning more than one year.

    The student council would like to encourage members of the club committee to participate in or hold any activity within this semester that may show the club''s willingness to continue its running. Failure to do so will further the investigation and lead to the suspension of the club.

    Best Regards,

    STACY

    Stacy P. Anderson

    Secretary

    Student Council

    University of Malaysia National

    Kian did not look phased at all. He looked back to his monitor, accepted a matchmaking invite and locked in his champion.

    "Kris? You don''t care ah? It''s already September. Our club literally has three more months to live." Meng sounded worried. He pushed the monitor back in its original position.

    Kian sighed. "Look man, I didn''t choose to be president and I could care less. The previous members wanted the committee members to be decided using 1v1s and of course, I won."

    "Well, that''s true. But still, you have a responsibility to the club."

    "An unwanted one. I just wanted to play games, ok? I have no idea about running a club or activities." Kian loaded into the game and started clicking away.

    "And what about the members? They don''t want to play?" Kian didn''t seem to listen to him. "We are one of the only universities in the area with a gaming club and a computer lab of this magnitude."

    A group of boys come into the room laughing. Kian and Meng turned and looked at them probably half-scaring the group. The boys lowered their voices into a state of whisper and wrote their names down in the clipboard before sitting down in one section of the room.

    "This is a safe space for some of us, Kris." Meng pleaded. "Cyber cafes are getting more expensive, not to mention violent due to the gang fights. I doubt most of us want to play at home with the shitty internet we have."

    Once again, Kian just continued playing, showing no signs of being stressed over the whole fiasco. Meng got up from his chair.

    "Kris," Meng sighed. "I''m going to attend the fundraiser meeting. I will represent the club and whichever club we get drawn with; I will do my best to work with them." And with that Meng headed towards the exit leaving Kian to his game.

    GAME OVER: CHAPTER ONE

 CHAPTER 2: LOCK IN

    The rain poured outside as thunder boomed, echoing in the distance. Kian was supposed to be asleep right now. The first day of SPM examinations was tomorrow morning and yet here he was, playing LoL like the exam didn''t exist.

    "Bloody shit lah!" Kian shouted into his microphone. "I hope you all rot in Grandmaster!"

    A flurry of curses could be heard through his headset as the game ended with a loss. He slammed his headset onto the floor probably breaking it when suddenly, his door burst open. Kian quickly tuned around, a cold sweat coming over him.

    "KIAN!" His mother shouted. She stood at the door in her nightgown crossing her arms. "What the hell do you think you are doing?! Its bloody one in the morning!"

    Kian could only look apologetically at his mother not daring to say a word.

    His mother sighed and walked towards him standing in front of him looking at the computer. "Playing games again?"

    "Y-yes..." his voice trailed off.

    "You do know tomorrow is one of the biggest exams in your life, right?" his mother looked directly at him this time, her straight shoulder length hair being blown around by his stand fan.

    "Yes mummy..."

    "I know you are smart Kian." His mother''s voice sounded softer this time seemingly having none of the anger when she first came in the room. "But please take this exam seriously ok?"

    "But...mummy." Kian hesitated, bowing his head down before finally continuing. "I really don''t want to study anymore. I''m good at this game. I really feel I can make money out of it."

    His mother gave him a soft smile. "You know I will never get in the way of your dreams, Kian. And neither would your father. But you made a promise to him."

    "Yes mummy," Kian sighed. "To enter university."

    "I''m sure he would support you as well. But fulfil that promise, ok?" His mother held his shoulder softly.

    "Ok, mummy." Kian looked up to meet his mother in the eyes.

    "This SPM exam...please don''t lose like in your game just now ya?" His mother giggled.

    He couldn''t help but smile as well. "Ok, mummy. I''ll go to sleep...after one more."

    "Nononono, go to sleep now." She tugged his arm.

    "Tsk, fiiine." Kian groaned. He shut down his computer and went to bed.

    Kian''s mother wished him good night and closed his bedroom door. A few minutes later, he fell asleep.

    ?

    Kian cursed his luck. He thought he could get away with coming late to class after working late on his part of the assignment. The lecture hall was dark because of a video playing and nobody would''ve known he entered the hall at all. Until, of course, the lights came on just as he was crouched down trying to walk towards the last row. The lecturer was lenient enough to allow him to sign his attendance, on the condition that he had to now send documents to the administrative offices. Kian walked up the last flight of stairs of the academic faculty and passed some lecturers, quickly entering the office and getting out just as fast.

    Finally, a trip to the club room should be in order now. He walked down two floors and was about to reach the ground floor when he heard noises from one of the meeting rooms close to the stairs. Strange, it sounded like students too. Why were there students in here? I thought only staff were allowed to use these rooms. He looked around the corridor, the window reflections of him were the only other souls watching him. Nobody else was around and soon, curiosity got the better of him.

    He opened the door, which creaked as if it were playing its last symphony in a violin concert and felt the heat of eyes turning to look at him. An arrow pierced through his chest and sweat started forming on his forehead. RUN.

    "Kris!" A familiar voice called out to him.

    The voice knocked him out of his near flight. He scanned the room trying to find out who it was before he noticed an arm waving in the air.

    "Kris! Over here!" Another familiar voice called out, a female this time. He looked towards the arm and saw a girl wearing glasses with pigtails waving at him. He recognized the girl as it was his club secretary, Goh. Kian timidly walked to her noticing Meng sitting beside her as well. Still, he felt as if everybody was looking at him. He may have heard a few whispers in his direction as well.

    Is that the gaming club president? He''s super tall, dude. Why is he so fair like a girl? I saw him in a cybercaf¨¦ the other day.

    Meng shot him a smile as he sat down. "You came, bro!" Meng whispered excitedly.

    "Yea, I thought you didn''t want to attend." The gaming club secretary, Goh, said to him. She adjusted her glasses and gave him a pamphlet for the meeting.

    "I..." He gave a nervous chuckle, taking the pamphlet. "I changed my mind I guess." In reality, he would''ve just darted right out of there and sprinted all the way to the club room making sure nobody saw him again for a week.

    Kian looked around him trying to see how many people attended. He recognized a few of them, Jian from the reading club, Sofie from the hiking club and Gomesh from the fitness club. No signs of Noel though. Bummer. The room was buzzing with the chatter of students discussing on what their events were going to be. Kian just removed his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose. I don''t like this already. Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.

    "Alright, settle down everybody." A male lecturer clapped and all eyes were on him. Kian didn''t recognize him but he guessed it was the lecturer in charge of club activities in the university.

    He was accompanied by a lady, probably his assistant. "We''ve already briefed you mostly about the objectives and terms of our cause as well as the amount of additional funding you will be given after the students vote," The students cheered at this point being made. "It is finally time for the main order of business. The pairing of the clubs."

    The lady took a box full of paper slips from behind her and placed it on the empty chair between her and the man. The man shook the slips around, all eyes on him, eagerly awaiting the first pairing of clubs. He pulled out a slip.

    "The first club: the multimedia club." He threw the slip into a basket nearby. Murmurs started around the room.

    The lady then mixed the slips around and pulled out one of them, opening it up, "Paired with," A silence fell upon the room awaiting the pairing. "The environmental club. These two clubs may now exit the meeting. Thank you."

    Kian heard instant chatter and looked towards the front. Two pairs stood up and each pair was eyeing the other all the way while walking out. The draw continued. Kian started sweating once again. Was it fear? Maybe the lack of air conditioning? He looked around feeling a bit intimidated at the members of clubs smiling at one another as the next clubs were being called out. Another two pairs were named before the gaming club was finally drawn to Goh and Meng''s delights and Kian''s horror.

    "You will be paired with," The lady pulled out a slip. The three gaming club representatives held their breath, awaiting the club they were going to have to work for a semester with. "The netball club."

    Kian was puzzled, a netball club? He never heard of that club. The room burst into a state of discussion and he might have even seen a few people heave sighs of relief.

    "The netball club?! They so famous sia!" Goh exclaimed in a whispered tone. Well, maybe he didn''t know them but others did. "They literally are the face of this university for sports."

    "Are you for real?" Meng whispered back seeming worried. "Then what can we do to even match them?"

    Kian tried to listen in to the flurried conversation between his subordinates when he heard somebody clear their throat behind him. He turned around and planted his face right into a fit and built midriff. Other than the obvious heat he felt in his face from the embarrassment, he felt like he was being violently glared at. He looked up and met the brown, round eyes of what he assumed to be the president of the netball club herself, arms crossed. He stared at her and she stared back at him, both studying each other. He observed the dark-skinned girl''s face; freckles, a sharp nose and short, almost boyish wavy brown hair. The murmur in the room was starting to increase in volume.

    What''s with the staring? She''s gonna eat him up. Thank goodness I didn''t get her. They''re not working together for sure.

    "The two clubs may exit the meeting now." Kian was brought back to reality by the lady at the front.

    "Kris, we need to go." Meng slightly pushed Kian to get up from his seat.

    Kian slowly stood up and was surprised. He was eye level with her and Kian was definitely not a short guy. He recollected himself and motioned with his hand for the girl to go first. "After you."

    "How about you go first, gamer." The girl''s voice was rough, almost like she shouted every day and never had her voice rest even once.

    Kian looked at her confused. "O...kay then." He started walking towards the exit, followed by Goh and Meng.

    ?

    "So...what do we do now?" Meng asked Goh as the three of them stepped out of the room.

    "I guess we discuss about what we''re going to do for an event." Meng suggested. Goh nodded in agreement.

    "Save it for later." The dark-skinned girl said holding the door. The two netball club members stood in front of them as the meeting room door closed shut between the two club''s representatives.

    Kian looked her up and down. She was wearing track pants and a crop top with a jacket over it. Probably so she wouldn''t get in trouble going against the dress code.

    "I''m sorry, I didn''t get your name. My name is Low Yi Kian," Kian extended his hand. "People call me Kris." He noticed that the other netball club member was almost a head above Goh and Meng as well. Damn, these netball players are tall.

    The girl looked at his hands and crossed her arms. "I''m Alexis. This is my vice president, Rui Wen." Rui Wen nodded and moved some hair from her face. Rui Wen was more conservatively dressed with blue jeans and a t-shirt tucked into them, not to mention her hair was tied up in a messy bun.

    Kian put his hand down. Clearly, this Alexis girl wasn''t the friendly type. "Ok...Alexis. So, how late is later? The discussion I mean."

    Alexis and Rui Wen looked at each other then back at Kian and his gang. "I don''t know what you gaming club people can contribute if I''m going to be honest."

    Kian looked at his two friends and back at Alexis. "Me neither but I''m sure- "

    "So, in the meantime, why don''t you guys figure it out and then come to us, alright?"

    Kian was stunned to be cut off like that. "I-I mean sure. But don''t we need to discuss about some stuff first?"

    "Not really," Alex put her hands on her hips. "I don''t expect much anyways. We don''t really need you guys."

    Kian suddenly felt a surge go through his body. He never had a problem with people calling his club "boring" or "lame". Heck, even he agreed it was. But that was because it always came from people he knew. This "Alexis" girl on the other hand was being hostile from the start of their conversation and he didn''t even know why. She was really getting on his nerves.

    "Alright," Kian gritted his teeth. "Why don''t you give me your number then? The least we could do is stay in contact." Kian took out his phone and extended it to her.

    Something seemed to have happened however as the confident, serious aura of the girl seemed to have mellowed out when the phone appeared in front of her. She stood there, stiff, as if she was a deer caught in a car''s headlights. Kian wasn''t sure what was happening however and just wanted Alexis to get this over with so he could go back to his ranked games. Rui Wen noticed the situation as well and nudged Alexis. Alexis cleared her throat.

    "Oh, I would rather we collaborate through emails instead." Alex finally spoke up moving her hands to the back of her this time.

    "No," Kian said firmly keeping his arm extended to her, phone in hand. "I would rather the presidents of the clubs be able to speak to each other properly and not through emails. Besides, I don''t really check mine anyway."

    Alexis eyed Rui Wen and sighed grabbing the phone. She typed her number in, at least Kian hoped she did, and gave it back to him.

    "Well, Alexis. I hope we can- "Another two pairs of students burst out the door between Kian and Alex making a ruckus discussing about the profits they were going to make and which charity they should give it to.

    The tight corridor caused Kian to be slightly nudged by one of the pairs and he somewhat lost his balance but Meng managed to keep him from falling. As he finally regained his footing, Kian spots Alexis and Rui Wen already making their way to the lift on the other side of the corridor.

    "Damn, now I understand why they call that club ruthless." Goh crossed her arms.

    "And rude." Meng added.

    Kian just shook his head. "I''m going to the club room. My ranking is going down." He turned and headed for the stairway. Meng and Goh looked at each other, shrugged and followed him down.

    GAME OVER: CHAPTER TWO

 CHAPTER 3: WELCOME TO THE BATTLEFIELD

    "And our best scorer for our 2019 SPM batch...LOW YI KIAN!"

    The crowd in the hall clapped expecting Kian to come on stage to receive his award.

    "Unfortunately for us, Low Yi Kian is not available to receive his award. His mother, Mrs. Low Jun Lee will receive it in his place."

    The crowd clapped as Kian''s mother goes onto the stage to collect the award. The principal and her posed for pictures, though it looked very awkward since he was so much shorter compared to her.

    "Madam, where is Kian?" The principal whispered while posing.

    Mrs. Low just bowed her head and smiled at the principal. "Following his dreams."

    The cybercaf¨¦ was filled with hard bass music as 10 players were sat on a stage at the front of the caf¨¦. There was a huge gap splitting the players in half. Kian was seated within the right-hand team with two other players on his left and two more on his right.

    "Guys I have ult."

    The small crowd erupted into a cheer as the commentators hyped up the play being made by Kian''s team. In a few minutes, the game ended and Kian''s team members were jumping hugging each other. All of them came to the front of the stage and lifted the small, silver trophy. Kian had one of his dreams come true. To win a tournament, even though this was only a small local one. The glory and excitement of his first ever tournament win is one he will definitely remember.

    Kian was packing up his equipment when he suddenly felt a light tap on his shoulder. He turned to find a member of the opposing team beside him. A big burly guy wearing a cap.

    "Nice games bro. You really are that ranked demon I heard about."

    Kian shrugged. "I do my best, man."

    "Say...if you think you want to go pro. You could try hitting up our team." The guy gave him a name card with the team''s name LOGOZ printed on the back.

    Kian smiled. "Sure, man. I''ll give you guys a call."

    "Nice, look forward to seeing you in scrims maybe."

    This was it. This was the opening he was waiting for. He wanted to be a professional gamer so badly and maybe, with just one call, he could finally do it.

    I told you mummy.

    ?

    The gaming club room was a little crowded today with all four rows of ten computers having a few members of the club. Kian was in a ranked game as was his usual after-class activity in the club room.

    "I swear they''re doing it on purpose at this point," Goh threw her hands up in the air. "How can you not answer any emails for the past month?"

    "Well from what I''ve heard, they''ve been training a lot. There''s a tournament coming up in November," Meng took a sip from his coffee cup and put it next to the monitor he was facing. "Oh, and also. This Alexis girl is a real cold one. Heard she had a student suspended all because he looked at her."

    Goh scoffed and adjusted her glasses. "I could care less. It''s the fact she doesn''t have any responsibility. As if reading an email would have taken up all their practice time. It''s already week eight of the semester and we''re running out of time for holding an event."

    Meng shrugged. "They have lives Goh, they''re not like us. What can we do?"

    "Kris!" Goh rolled her chair backwards to look at Kian, finishing a game. "You don''t have anything to say? We could be gone by November you know?"

    "I do, actually," Kian stood up to stretch a little. His red t-shirt matched the LED lights lighting up the room at the time. "We just wait. Those guys don''t want to work with us. So be it."

    "Yea, about that..." Goh awkwardly said. "We need to actually participate in an event, not just be in charge of prizes."

    All three of them looked at each other, not knowing what to say.

    Meng suddenly stands up. "Well, why not we ask our members about this."

    He went to the entrance and did a finger whistle which startled nearly everybody in the room.

    "GUYS. ANY OF YOU HAVE AN IDEA FOR AN EVENT?" Meng shouted. Everybody looked at each other. Some decided to just continue playing while others just shrugged and shook their heads. Meng hung his head in defeat while walking back to Kian and Goh.

    "At least they know who the vice president is now," Goh nudged Meng a little, giggling. "Kris, you got any ideas for an event?"This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    "I...do have one I guess," He sat back down in his chair and started another matchmaking queue. "But it''s not like they would listen to my idea anyway."

    There was suddenly silence from Meng and Goh. Kian felt something was wrong and turned towards them meeting two pairs of glaring eyes.

    "Kris, you had an idea all this time?" Meng asked in a serious tone. Kian suddenly felt like he was being hunted by two Warwicks. Did he see a fist too?

    "Y-yea...?" Kian timidly said. The two of them surrounded him.

    "And why didn''t you say anything for the past month?" Goh said sarcastically, gripping the head of Kian''s chair. If Kian wasn''t careful with his next few words, mutiny will happen.

    "Guys...hear me out okay," Kian brought his hands up. "You saw what they did to your email, what do you think would happen if I said something? W-Why don''t one of you do it?"

    "Kris," Meng tapped Kian''s head. "You''re the bloody president, dude. You even have Alexis'' contact. If one of us were to contact her we would be fried chicken by now."

    "I- "Kian looked around nervously. "I don''t know how to text her, ok?"

    All of them suddenly went silent for a while as Goh and Meng tried to process what just came out of Kian''s mouth. Only the chatter around the club room could be heard.

    The matchmaking queue suddenly popped and Kian immediately accepted it. "I''ll...see what I can do."

    "You better." Goh poked Kian''s shoulder drawing a wince from him.

    Kian stayed on in the club room, playing into the night as the others left him alone. This was the norm for him. Sometimes he would even sleep in the room when he was too lazy to go back to the hostel or after a very hard gaming session. The club room was now empty leaving only Kian in the dark grinding away. Tomorrow would be the last day of ranked gameplay and all the professionals were willing themselves on to get as high as they could on the leaderboard, including Kian.

    Kian sighed. "Why lah these guys cannot read the map." He says to himself disappointedly.

    His monitor showed a defeat symbol, his twelfth of the day, third in a row. That may not seem like much but for a professional, it was like handing out free candy to kids and he cannot afford to mess it up on the last day of the ranking period. He got up from his seat and took off his headset rolling his neck. He felt stiff, tired and definitely tilted. Well, at least the queue times are long. He initiates another queue and goes out of the computer lab.

    I need some air.

    ?

    The computer science faculty was placed towards the outer areas of the university grounds, segregated mostly from the other faculties (just like their students). Ironically, it was placed next to the sports complex, football field and courts. The computer science students have complained for over three years about the distance of the faculty from their hostels and have requested that maybe the chemical or mathematics faculty move here instead, but the university have always given the same excuse. We already built the faculty for you guys, why would we move you? It wasn''t a problem for Kian though since this is the most exercise he would ever get in a day. He came out of the stairwell and headed towards the faculty lobby where the vending machines were located.

    Vending machines shone brightly in the dimly lit lobby, their low gentle hums beckoning Kian. He walks up to the drink machine to get his favourite, Grape Fizz xtra. He takes some change out from his wallet and scans the machine when he notices the red words "Sold out" written under the drink. Gosh damn it. He removed his glasses and massaged his eyes.

    "You gonna cry, gamer?" Kian jumped. The voice was rough with a feminine touch to it. He turned around to find Alexis leaning against the wall, the last Grape Fizz xtra in her hand. Kian put his glasses back on. He could barely make out what she was wearing in the dim light, a red hoodie the same colour of his t-shirt and dark leggings.

    "Alexis? What are you doing here? And no, I wasn''t going to cry."

    Alexis shrugged. "Practice went late today. Thought I''d get a drink."

    "There are vending machines around the courts. Why didn''t you get a drink from those?"

    "They didn''t have this." She lifted the can and shook it a little which made Kian have that jolting feeling through his body again, heat swelling up in his body. Alexis seemed to have read Kian''s aura.

    "Relax, I didn''t know this was the last can either."

    Kian took a deep breath, held it for five seconds and exhaled, a technique he learned while he was gaming to calm himself down. He turns back to the vending machine scanning the options he has. "I''m going to have to get another dri-"

    "About the fundraising," Alexis takes a sip from the can. "My club has come to a conclusion. We decided we don''t need your club to do anything. We''ll just handle the event ourselves. You guys can handle the prizes or something."

    "We can''t do that. We need to be involved in the event." Kian said still browsing the drinks.

    Alexis took another sip of the drink. "Well, seeing as you guys weren''t really active and didn''t contact us for any discussion, there wasn''t much involvement anyway. So, we are going to take matters into our own hands."

    What in the world is she on about? Kian turned towards her. "Um, sorry. I''m confused. We e-mailed you girls and didn''t get any response for a month."

    "We changed our e-mail address a week after the meeting," She shrugged. "You guys didn''t enquire about anything."

    Kian felt like his face was burning. "You...you should have told us then."

    "I did," She finished the drink and threw the can into the bin near her. "Through you."

    Kian suddenly felt a chill down his spine. He took out his phone and scrolled through the hundreds of messages he barely reads. One of them was from Alex:

    We changed our e-mail: netballc&[email protected]</a> :p

    He stares at the phone, frozen. Fuck. Kian screwed up. A month wasted. His club potentially shutting down. And this is all because he couldn''t check his damn messages. All because he didn''t have the courage to text her. What were Goh and Meng going to say if he told them what happened? What kind of president was he?

    "So much for ''making sure presidents can talk to each other'', right?" She gives a smug grin. "My club will submit the proposal papers by next Friday."

    She walked towards the main doors and opened one of them. Kian quickly dashed to the door and held the handle, almost bumping Alexis and catching her a little by surprise. She gave a push on the door but Kian pulled back. The dim light above them suddenly felt like a spotlight on an empty stage.

    "You can''t do this." Kian begged. "My club will die because of this. Please." Kian met her eyes which were level with his.

    They continued staring at each other, seconds seeming like minutes. Kian started to feel light headed, as if he was holding his breath under the ocean and he finally let go of the door. He quickly stepped back and hung his head. Alexis looked at him for a while before she shook her head and walked out.

    He sighs. "Fucking hell, I''m getting suspended."

    GAME OVER: CHAPTER THREE

 CHAPTER 4: STARTING ITEMS

    Noel and Kian squeezed their way through the crowd to an empty table prepared at the entrance. An hour had passed and they haven''t even gone to the other side of the higher education convention. It seemed like every student and their parent in Malaysia was at the convention today.

    "My gosh these prospectuses are getting bloody heavy." Noel lifted a bag from one of the many universities on display at the convention and puts it on the table.

    "Tell me about it." Kian puts his bag on the table as well.

    "You decided on any of them yet?"

    "Nope."

    Noel adjusts his collared t-shirt. "Don''t you get to go for asasi or matriculation or something? You got good grades y''know?"

    "Nah, I''d rather go for something private."

    "Why?"

    Kian shrugged. "Easier to drop out of private university."

    Noel looked at Kian for a while. "Still thinking about going pro, huh?"

    "Yea. I wouldn''t be here if I already went pro though."

    "Relax, you''ll get your chance," Noel looks around at the crowd. "At least your mom made you go to university. Never know what could happen if you went all in."

    "You saying I can''t do it?" Kian raised an eyebrow at Noel.

    Noel raised his hands. "Didn''t say that. But considering that your mom tried to go pro in volleyball without going to university, maybe she has some experience in this area. She was lucky your dad was there too."

    Kian just slowly nodded. "I guess."

    "HELLO THERE," A spokesperson startled the both of them. "Hi, this table is actually reserved for our university, ya."

    "Oh, um, sorry," Kian then looked behind the person. "UMN?"

    "Yes, University of Malaysia National. We''ve got the best facilities compared to all the universities around us and..." The spokesperson pulls out pamphlets and hands them to Noel and Kian. "We also have some of the best computer science alumni in the country."

    "Ok..." Kian looked at Noel, unsure. "What do you think?"

    "What clubs are there in the university?" Noel asked being the active koko guy he was.

    "Oh, we''ve got plenty. Sports, reading, gaming-"

    "Wait," Kian interrupted the person. "Gaming?"

    "Yes, we have a gaming club."

    Kian looked at Noel with an excited look. "Huh, what a coincidence. Tell me more."

    ?

    Kian tapped his pen on his forehead and leaned back in the library chair. There was pin drop silence today in the library even with the massive amounts of students. The quietness was loud in Kian''s head as he tackled a question.

    It just doesn''t look right.

    He sat upright again and looked back at the question sheet then the reference book beside him. Nothing was developing within his brain. His thoughts were clouded. The last few days were stealth missions to him, avoiding any interaction with his club members and making sure to not step anywhere near the sports complex. He was just hoping he didn''t see a suspension letter in his e-mail, not that he''d check them anyway. His mind started drifting back to Alexis. So much for presidents talking to each other, huh? His thoughts become even more muddled. He just needs to come up with something. He needs to save the club. He needs to-

    "The hell? You''re studying?" A whispery voice came from beside him. Kian turned to his left to find Noel standing over him.

    "Why, are you surprised?" Kian whispered and looked back towards the question sheet. "I can study when I want to."

    "Yea yea Mr. "barely passing" CGPA scholarship student." Noel snickered while Kian just rolled his eyes. Noel rolled up the sleeves of his long-sleeved t-shirt and sat down next to Kian. "What''s the occasion?"

    "I have a makeup test for System Development Methods. Bloody lecturer failed our group presentation."

    "Oof, sucks dude. But hey, you say you do better in tests, right?"

    Kian shrugged. "True, I guess. Still don''t understand why we failed the presentation though."

    "At least you got a test this time instead of playing catchup in your finals." Noel grabbed one of Kian''s pencils.

    The sun was starting to shine through the library windows as evening came. Some students started packing up while others, like Kian, were hunkering down for a potentially long night session. Noel started drumming a beat with Kian''s pencil, to Kian''s annoyance.This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

    "Dude, I''m studying."

    Noel continued drumming and looked at Kian. "And I''ve got a rhythm going on."

    Kian snatches the pencil from Noel, to Noel''s disappointment. "Why are you still here anyway."

    "I can''t be around my friend?"

    "Well, you''re not helping me study so I''m not sure what the point of you being here is."

    Noel stared at Kian for a while then put his hands together. "Something happened isn''t it."

    Kian felt a chill through his body. How does Noel keep doing this? "Not really." Kian turns back to his question sheet.

    "Dude, you don''t talk like this to me. I know for sure something happened."

    Kian remained silent. What does Noel have to do with his troubles anyway. It would just be a headache to him. No need to bring him into this, especially since he has his own club stuff to think of.

    "Alright, Kris," He stands up. "I''ll go ask somebody from your club then."

    "No, wait!" Kian exclaims trying to reach out for Noel. "Wait, wait, wait. Don''t ask them anything."

    Noel looks at Kian for a few seconds, smiles then finger guns him. "Love triangle."

    Kian looks at him confused. "What?"

    "You have some love triangle going on with members of the club."

    Kian just looks at Noel like he pulled a grenade pin and threw the pin instead of the grenade. "What the hell kind of assumption is that?!" A few people shush him.

    Noel tilts his head. "It''s not a love triangle?"

    "No, you idiot. You know I don''t have any interest in any other girl."

    "Oh yea, arcade girl," Noel sits back down. "But it has to do with members of the club?"

    Kian looks around the library cautiously. "Has to do with my club in general."

    "You like somebody in the club?"

    "Dude shut up with liking this and that already please."

    Noel raises his hands. "Alright, sir. I''ll stop."

    Kian sighs. "It has to do with my club''s partnership with the netball team and the fact that my club is dying."

    Noel stares at Kian for a while. "You finally give a shit about your club?"

    "I never thought I would. But..." Kian stares blankly at his question sheet.

    "So... what happened exactly?"

    ?

    A car passes the burger stall illuminated only by a streetlight. Kian and Noel sit on a curb beside it enjoying their burgers with a basket of fries in each other''s lap.

    "So basically," Noel pops a fry in his mouth. "You as usual never check your messages and you as usual got into trouble because of that."

    Kian finishes his burger and dusts his hands. "You didn''t have to put it that way but pretty much."

    "And they want to send the proposal this coming Friday?"

    Kian shook his head and looked at one of the many streetlights along the road. "I fucked up. And 32 people won''t have a club next year."

    The frying pan at the stall sizzled as the owner put another patty on it. Another group of students come to order the cheap burgers.

    "You know, this is the first time I''ve seen you worried about something other than your studies or rank in game. This club didn''t really seem like much to you."

    Kian shrugged. "I came in just to play games dude."

    "So why are you suddenly worried?

    "I..." Kian played with his fries. "I have no idea. Maybe its cause I realized I can''t play games in a club anymore?"

    "Dude, you literally have a setup in your dorm and cyber cafes all around here. There''s no way the club dying is going to stop you from playing any more than usual."

    "Yea but sometimes I don''t feel like going back to my dorm or to the cybercaf¨¦."

    "Please Kris. That''s not the actual reason."

    Kian thought for a while. "Maybe its Goh and Meng, my only friends in there. They helped me a lot in the club I''d say."

    Noel then shook his head. "You were in the club for your whole uni life so far not giving a shit even as the president then you say ''I need to save the club''. There''s no way it''s because of those two only."

    "You wouldn''t know that, Noel."

    "I do, Kris." Noel takes another bite from his burger.

    Kian thought back. Goh and Meng were the first people he met in the club during his foundation year and yet he only started speaking to them two semesters ago because they were fighting over the same computer. They formed a bond through gaming and when they were selected as committee members through the 1v1s, they clicked. But there is this barrier of "clubmates" between them that does not warrant the amount of worry he has right now. So, why did he start caring now?

    "Then, I have no idea." Kian finally said.

    Noel nudged him. "I have an idea about it."

    Kian turned to him. "You do?"

    "It''s the netball president. I heard about the staring between you and her during the meeting." Noel chuckled a bit.

    Kian cringed. "How could you even say such a thing."

    Noel just laughed. "I''m just joking, dude. Or am I?" He raised his eyebrows twice.

    Kian groaned. "Dude, no. Stop."

    "What? Love makes people do stupid things they never thought they''d do."

    "Are you kidding me? Who could love somebody as rude as her?"

    "Hey, you never know, ok. I''ve seen girls love murderers before, albeit that''s probably just in fiction."

    "Yea, exactly. So somebody loving Alexis is fictional as hell."

    "Still, you''re a good guy, Kris. Who knows? Maybe she just needs that?"

    Kian waves his hands at Noel. "Can we please go back to wanting my club to not die?"

    "Don''t avoid my question." Noel said biting into his burger.

    Kian continued as he ignored Noel''s remark. "The deadline for proposals is on Friday. Maybe, I just write another proposal to show we''re involved or maybe-"

    "You do know the proposal for the events can still be done by next semester?" Noel put the burger back in his basket.

    Kian looked at Noel. "What?"

    "Well, yea. I''m the secretary of my club so I should know. You can submit them earlier if you want but the deadline for submission is the first week of next sem. You don''t even have to do the event this semester. But seeing the conditions you are in, that isn''t really an option, is it?"

    Kian suddenly felt a weight come off his shoulders. "You mean they don''t have to send it in by Friday?"

    Noel nodded. "Not sure why you''re so worried."

    Kian glared at Noel. "Why didn''t you say that earlier then while I was explaining?"

    Noel shrugged. "Seeing you worried for once was exhilarating."

    "Bastard." Kian muttered under his breath. He suddenly realized something and stood up from the curb scaring the group of students from earlier with his height. "Shit, that means I just need to stop them from submitting the proposal."

    Noel nodded half-heartedly. "Mm, yea I guess so."

    "She said she didn''t see any commitment or didn''t see what there was to our club."

    Noel finished his burger. "Well, your club does spend most of its time indoors, playing games all day and not doing anything that can be considered ''productive''." He then looked at Kian. "And why did you mention her?"

    "So, what if I show we can go outside and that we can do something as well?" Kian turned to Noel, a nerdy smile on his face.

    "I''m not sure if you can see yourself right now but I think our burgers are laced with something to make you act like this."

    Kian took out his handphone and started typing.

    "What are you doing?" Noel asked.

    "Texting Goh and Meng, I have just the idea."

    Noel dusted his hands. "That was quick. And since when did you start texting? You don''t even read messages."

    "It''s...It''s complicated. But now I have this idea all thanks to you, dude."

    Noel rolled his eyes. "I''m not paying for your burger if that''s what you''re trying here."

    Kian gave a disappointed look to Noel. "Can you at least give me a ride to uni before you go back?"

    Noel chuckled. "Of course."

    GAME OVER: CHAPTER FOUR

 CHAPTER 5: ENGAGE

    "Alright Kris, thank you for participating in the scrims*." The voice on the headphones said.

    *Practice matches done between professional gaming teams to test out strategies or new members.

    "AC, I-"

    "Don''t worry, sometimes we just don''t show up. It''s understandable."

    The call disconnects and Kian breathes a heavy sigh. His head is pounding from the number of games he has played the past few days. Almost 12 hours, every single day not counting the hours he put in for practice. He takes off his headphones and looks up at his fan. The rotations seem to make him even more dizzy as his vision blurs slightly. He decides standing up and walking around would do him better. Maybe a good cup of Milo too.

    "Mummy." Kian calls out as he exits his room.

    He looks out the kitchen window of their apartment. The dark sky night was disturbed by the lit rooms of other apartments. He slowly shuffled to the kitchen while still looking out the window. His trance was suddenly broken when he saw something on the floor.

    "M-mummy?" Mrs. Low was laying on the floor heaving with bated breath. Her hair covering her face. "Mummy!" Kian quickly rushed to the side of his mother.

    "Call..." Mrs. Low''s voice heaved with a deep pain. "Call...ambulance."

    Kian quickly rushed to his room and tried to grab his handphone off the table. It slipped out of his hand, falling onto the floor causing the screen to crack. He picked it up again, his hands shaking and tears welling up in his eyes.

    "911, apakah kecemasan anda?"

    "T-Tolong, mak saya...d-dia...saya tak tahu...saya tinggal di apartment Villa Wells, Subang Jaya."

    "Ok tak apa ye dik. Kamu tunggu sahaja. Ambulance akan datang dalam 15 minit."

    "Tolong c-cepat. "At this point he didn''t know whether the humidity in his face was because of sweat or tears. The call ended and Kian''s heart was racing. He rushed back to his mother in the kitchen.

    Kian turned his mother on her back and started pumping on her chest. "M-mummy. It''s ok I called already. Stay with me, mummy."

    Mrs. Kian coughed but didn''t answer. Kian kept pumping on her chest. Was he even doing it right? He was sure he needed to do this but he didn''t know whether it was the right way. He only knew he needed to pump her chest. He checked her breathing. Still there.

    He continued pumping for ages, not even stopping as his arms tired out from the force he was trying to put on his mother''s chest. He then heard a doorbell and thumping on the door.

    "Adik! Kami sudah datang adik!"

    ?

    The Thursday evening sun shone on the courts near the sports complex, most of them filled with students wanting to get the only sunlight they can before preparing for the upcoming assignments, projects and any other end of semester shenanigans. Kian and his group consisting of half of the gaming club was standing underneath one of the roofed walkways leading out of the sports complex. He looked out towards the courts then at his watch. 5.30 p.m.

    "Kris, you sure this is going to work?" Goh said behind him. "What if they submit the proposal anyway?"

    "Then we file a complaint of non-compliance and we make our own event. It''s not like we need them anyway."

    "So, if we don''t need them, why not just do it ourselves?"

    Kian turned around and looked at Goh and Meng, who both were dressed in black like him and the rest of the gathered club members. "It''s about the message."

    "Ok, Mr. Joker. But looks like Batman has arrived. Its them." Meng said pointing towards some cars. A number of girls came out from the cars and started heading towards the netball court.

    Kian observed as they entered the court. He called out to his members, who Goh just picked out from the clipboard in the gaming room, to group up near him. "Listen guys! If you all want to keep the room for next year, we stay at that court until they bloody listen to us!"

    All of the members, mainly consisting of guys who never got any exercise let alone stand in the sun started looking at each other in doubt. Kian sighed.

    "Fine! If they manage to work with us. I will...I will request the uni to allow us to bring our own gaming gear into the room!" The group murmured and some shrugged and nodded in reluctance.

    "They''re getting on court, Kris! Quick!" Goh pointed towards the court.

    Kian took in a deep breath and exhaled and turned towards the court. "Alright everybody. Let''s go!"

    The sight was amusing to say the least. People on the courts in the middle of a game were confused as to why a bunch of nerdy looking students dressed in full black were marching in unison.

    You think they have a vendetta or something? Is this a protest? They''ve got to be sweating out of their asses right now. Isn''t that the gaming club president?Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

    The netball court was fenced like the rest of the courts with a narrow-caged gate for entering and exiting. The netball team were taking out their balls and some were already stretching or jogging around the court. Kian and his group entered through the narrow gate stopping one of the jogging netball club members in their tracks. The rest of the netball members started turning to look at the strange sight. Soon, 19 gaming club members were present in the centre of the netball court. The sun beat down on the players and the gamers as a silence fell on the court.

    A drop of sweat started rolling down the side of Kian''s face. He looked around trying to find a tall girl which was useless considering most of them were almost as tall as him anyway. Where is she?

    "What are you doing here, gamer." That familiar, rough voice that Kian doesn''t feel like getting used to called out.

    A group of girls to the right of Kian started making way as Alexis stood near the edge of the court. She adjusted her track pants and sports bra exposing her built mid riff to the pleasure of the nerds. Her wavy fringe lifted a little as a gust of wind blew through the court.

    "I''m here to finally discuss about the event." Kian walked towards her but stopped when she noticed the group of girls around Alexis might just pounce him if he got any closer. He didn''t want to draw blood today.

    "We already did. You''re in charge of-"

    "We''re going to hold a gaming tournament. However, we need your collaboration."

    Alexis was taken aback by Kian''s sudden interruption. But she just shrugged. "It''s too late to suggest anything. We already settled the proposal. The deadline is due tomorrow anyway."

    "You mean the deadline you made up?" Kian crossed his arms and raised his eyebrows.

    A sense of realization began to show on Alexis'' face. "Hm, and I thought you couldn''t care less."

    "We, the gaming club would like to request-"

    Alexis suddenly clapped her hands and shouted. "Alright girls! Time for practice!"

    The court suddenly burst into activity as about 13 girls including Alexis ran onto the court into training formations at each half of the court forcing the gaming club members, situated in the middle of the court, to compress into a circle. Kian tried to run back towards his group when Alexis suddenly calls out a code. Balls started flying across each half of the court in some kind of practiced situation. The gaming club members in fear of getting struck by a stray ball ducked.

    "Guys! Leave the court area!" Kian shouted. The members started moving towards the fencing farthest from the exit. Kian ran over to them. "You all ok?"

    Suddenly a stray ball flew and hit him in the head making him lose his footing a bit. Meng steadied him as he rubbed his head. The shocking feeling was back. The sense of anger that he had every time he had to interact with Alexis.

    "Prez, what do we do?" A voice suddenly called out from among the members. Kian stood up straight and looked at his members.

    "We go late game."

    ?

    The gaming club members were seated along the fencing. All of them covered in sweat and some even sun burnt at this point. A few have left after a while due to the futility of this effort (with Kian''s permission, of course) but there were still enough members to make it seem like a crowd. Goh and Meng were asleep next to each other resting their heads on the fencing while the rest of the members, some of whom had brought umbrellas to shield themselves from the sun, were playing games on their phones.

    Kian, however, did not take out his phone. He was postured right at the very edge of the court and not to the fencing like the others, observing Alexis. His legs were crossed and his hands joined over his mouth with his eyebrows furrowed as he looked at her.

    The past few days have been a stir to him. He couldn''t have cared less about the club since he''s been president at the beginning of this semester; even with the threat of shutting down looming over them. And yet here he was braving the evening sun for the past one and a half hours just because of...no. It couldn''t be her. It''s the club. Stupid Noel putting ideas into his head.

    "When are you going to stop staring at me, gamer." Kian shook himself from his thoughts and looked up. The setting sun shone behind the tall build of Alexis.

    "Was I staring at you?"

    "I could call the university disciplinary board and file a complaint if you want."

    "I''m still willing to discuss about the event," Kian looked down and sighed. "And please don''t file that complaint."

    Alexis squatted down so that her eyes were level with Kian''s. She gave a smug look of approval. "Look...gamer. I''m impressed to say the least. You still have members here willing to follow you even if some left. And the fact you stayed stuck with me a bit." She stood up again. "I''ll make a deal with you."

    Kian looked up. A little bit of hope entered his heart. "And what do you want?"

    "I''m still not convinced your club has what it takes to organize anything even with the effort you guys showed here."

    "Bye Alexis!" A member of the netball club waved at Alexis. She turns to put her hand up and smiles at the member.

    Her smile. It''s the first time Kian has seen her do that in broad daylight ever since they''ve met. The orange light made her sweaty tanned skin shine and for once, Kian didn''t really feel mad at her. Well, not until she opened her mouth to him again.

    "To prove that you guys have what it takes," Alexis crossed her arms. "I want you guys to help my club with a friendly next week."

    Kian quickly stood up. "Why should we help you? We don''t have to prove anything and our club is perfectly fine going it alone. If you''re going to suggest things like this then maybe I should file a complaint to the events board."

    Alexis looked him up and down. "Oh, gamer boy. You think I''m a stranger to clubs backing out of a partnership with us?" She said in a mocking tone.

    Kian gave a confused look. "What?"

    "The netball club has never had trouble going through this partnership thing alone. All the clubs we''ve been drawn with eventually decided not to work with us. And you guys," She looked towards the members behind him, all staring at them, and then back at him. "Are just another one of them."

    Kian balled his left hand into a fist and the both of them stared at each other. The tension was so strong that Goh and Meng woke up just in time to notice the situation in front of them.

    "What the hell are those two doing?" Meng rubbed his eyes and yawned.

    Goh adjusted her glasses. "I''m not sure myself. But I think something is about to happen."

    Kian felt something in his heart tug at him as it raced, but he made sure he held back. He inhaled, held his breath and exhaled. Something within him tells him this is just utterly absurd but on the other hand, he felt like he really did need to prove something to this girl. His thoughts gathered and he made his decision.

    "I''ll accept your offer."

    Alexis held her hand out and grinned. "Good. We''ll shake on it then."

    Kian looked at Alexis for a while, seemingly assessing her true wishes before trusting her enough to go in for the handshake. In that moment, Kian couldn''t help but notice how rough her hand was. It felt like he was touching overused sandpaper. He assumed it was probably due to all the exercise and training she had gone through. After they shook hands, Alexis picked up her bag near the gate and exited.

    "What happened. Did you all agree on something?" Goh said as she walked up to Kian''s left-hand side. Meng followed and stood on his right while the rest of the members gathered loosely behind Kian.

    "You could say that," Kian patted Meng and Goh''s shoulders giving a determined expression. "We''ve got work to do."

    GAME OVER: CHAPTER FIVE

 CHAPTER 6: PEDALS

    It was cold. Really, really cold. Kian held his body tight against himself. Another cool breeze of wind blew across him. He shivered. All he was wearing was a t-shirt and some boxer shorts and slippers. The chair under him was made of metal which didn''t make things any better.

    "Ah boy?" An old lady''s voice called out to him. "You cold ah?" Kian looked to his left to find an old Chinese looking lady holding out a blanket.

    "I-I''m fine aunty."

    A telephone call came in at the emergency desk and a nurse picked it up. The air conditioning above him blew another gust of cold air at him and Kian sneezed. He immediately felt cloth being draped over him. The old lady was behind him this time patting him on the back. She then shuffled back to her seat beside him as Kian wiped his nose with his t-shirt.

    "Thank you, aunty." He said sniffing.

    "No worries ah boy." The nurse continued talking on the phone scribbling down some details on a notepad in front of her. Kian looked around the waiting room. It was just him and this old lady, both at crazy hours in the morning, probably hoping that their loved one wasn''t in trouble.

    "Um, aunty," he turned towards the old lady. She looked at him with kind eyes. "What are you doing here?"

    "Oh," the aunty looked back towards the floor, her wrinkles around her eyes moving trying to recall what happened. "My granddaughter got injury to her leg. She surgery right now."

    "Oh, I''m...I''m sorry to hear that aunty."

    The old lady laughed a little to herself before speaking slowly. "My granddaughter is very strong you know? She always play sports one."

    Kian nodded slightly before looking back at the floor. He sniffed again, seems like a flu is coming over him because of the cold room.

    "You leh boy?" The lady asked this time. Kian looked at her and saw she was looking back at him. Her slight smile beckoning him to tell his story. He looked at the floor.

    "My um," he had to pause a little as something welled up in his throat. "My mother has a heart problem, I think. I don''t know what they''re doing but...but I hope she''s ok."

    He looked back at the lady who didn''t have her smile on anymore. She looked at Kian empathetically, as Kian felt the lump in his throat go a little upwards. "It''s ok, ah boy. I wish you all the best."

    A nurse suddenly walked up towards the lady. "Mrs. Tan? Follow me, please." The old lady stood up, a slight bend on her back. She looked at Kian.

    "Your mother is brave. She raised a strong boy like you." She smiled then followed the nurse down the hall.

    ?

    Kian adjusted his glasses after he rubbed his eyes and, through his blurred vision, reached out for the fenced gate of the netball court. He gripped one end of the sack of balls while the other was picked up by Meng.

    "Bloody hell, man. I think this is the earliest I''ve woken up on a Saturday in years." Meng squinted as he walked through the gate.

    "Tell me about it," Kian yawns. "Where are they anyway?"

    "They said game starts at 8.30 so anytime soon." Meng says as he sets the sack down. Kian does the same for his side.

    Kian looks at a table situated along the side of the fencing with the scoreboard and time board on it. Sitting at the table was Goh and another gaming club member, both of whom are lying with their head on the table, probably asleep.

    "Where are the other members?" Meng asked as he yawned.

    "Not sure," Kian looked outside the fencing. "But if they don''t come, I guess it''s just us two and the other two over here becoming ball boys." He pointed to two other gaming club members who were fast asleep on the fencing beside him.

    "Man, I hope this deal works out. This could be for nothing, Kris." Meng rubbed his neck as he sat down at the fencing beside the sack.

    "Yea, I hope so too bro."

    "To be honest you should have just rejected the offer. We could have done something else and maybe saved our dignity."

    "I know but," Kian paused. "That makes me want to prove her wrong."

    Meng looked up at Kian with his eyes a little wide. "Wow, didn''t expect that out of you."

    Kian slid down the fencing to sit down. "Yea, me too."

    "By the way, are you sure you didn''t talk to her before this? Why the sudden need to come to her turf and perform such a feat?"

    Kian stiffened. He can''t tell Meng about the lobby incident. "I...well this was my plan all along. The one I said I had."

    Meng raised an eyebrow. "To...walk onto the court and just...talk to her?"

    "Yea?" Kian looked at Meng hoping that he was convinced.

    Meng just pursed his lips and took out his phone. Kian looked down, feeling a little relieved. His eyelids started to feel heavy and soon enough he leaned his head back on the fencing. Just as he was drifting off, there was a loud metal bang which scared most of the sleeping members on the court.Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

    "Hello, helpers!" Alexis shouted, clearly in an excited mood as the gate swung back from hitting the fencing. Soon, another eight members followed behind her entering the court, all of them wearing the yellow university netball jerseys. Kian took off his glasses and rubbed his face.

    "I''m impressed, gamer," Alexis walked up to him, grinning. "You guys showed up."

    Kian put his glasses back on and looked up at her. "We made a deal."

    "And I didn''t think you''d honour it." Alexis shrugged.

    Kian just rolled his eyes. "What do we do now."

    "Oh, yea. So, usually the uni helpers will be the ones doing your duties but since I have you guys today," She pointed at Kian. "You will take over. All you guys need to do is pick up balls and...oh, wonderful! You guys even got the scoreboard ready."

    "Yea, we were told to take that when we went to take the balls."

    "Ok, so anytime now, the other team should be arriving. Just tell them where to put their belongings and then tell them where the changing rooms are after the match." She smiled at him, a gentle one in fact which made her freckles curl up a little as if they were a second mouth. If Kian were a little more awake, he would''ve probably enjoyed it.

    Kian just waved her away. "Yea, yea."

    "Oh, and remember," Alexis suddenly became serious. "Any screw ups and your sorry club won''t be doing anything."

    Kian looked at her as she walked away to the opposite end of the court getting together with her teammates. He got up and looked to his side. The two other gaming club members who were just awakened by the commotion looked up at him. Kian just sighed and went to take out the balls from the sack. Meng and the other two members followed suit.

    "Hey, I heard that convo." Meng said rolling a ball onto the court.

    Kian neatly arranged some by the fencing. "Yea, and?"

    "Seems like you could really handle her."

    Kian grips a ball to his hip. "And what makes you say that?"

    "Well, from what I''ve heard around campus. She wouldn''t even look at you if you weren''t associated with her."

    "I don''t get where you''re coming from. We''re two presidents who want the best for their club. And clearly," Kian glanced at Alexis. "She takes care of her club a little too well."

    "No but the way she talked to you just now," Meng picks up a ball. "She didn''t seem too fierce at all. And you aren''t suspended yet."

    Kian shook his head and placed the ball he had near the others. "All I know is she definitely has something against us."

    ?

    "PASS! PASS!" Alexis shouted, her rough voice drowning out the opposition team''s communication. She waved her arms up in the air for the ball.

    The day was starting to get hot as the friendly approaches its ending. Kian picks up a ball and tosses it back towards a member of the home team. The team member throws it towards Alexis who catches it and scores a goal. A whistle sounded as the home netball team wins 28-18. The referee put down her whistle and the players come up to shake hands with her. Alexis high-fives her teammates on the court as they hug each other after a very satisfying friendly.

    The away team then gathered their belongings and looked around.

    "Meng." Kian walked up to Meng.

    "Ah? Ya?" Meng looked up from his phone.

    "Go guide the away team to the changing rooms."

    Meng gave him a disgusted look. "What? Why?"

    "Cause...why would I do it?"

    "You go lah woi."

    "No, you go."

    "Why leh? You can go kiap some girls if you go, right?"

    Now it was Kian''s turn to give Meng a disgusted look. "What the hell? Was that on your mind? Maybe I shouldn''t have asked you after all."

    "What the hell do you mean-"

    "Haiya both of you so pathetic! I''ll do it!" Goh said as she walked by them then pointed at Alexis'' team. "You go handle their belongings."

    Kian and Meng both looked as Goh gave the scoresheet paper to the referee then guided the away team towards the sports complex.

    "Boys!" The both of them turned towards one end of the court. Alexis waved them to come over.

    Kian and Meng both walked over and as Alexis pointed towards her team''s bags. "Carry these to the changing rooms."

    Both of them shot a pained expression at one another.

    "Are you kidding me?" Alexis held her hips looking at the both of them. "Just bloody bring lah."

    Kian and Meng groaned as they picked up the bags. Luckily for them, they weren''t so heavy. As Kian walked to the gate, he looked at the other three gaming club members. "Clean the balls up and bring the table back."

    They all looked at each other and started slowly moving to clear the balls. Kian and Meng had a bag in each hand and one on each shoulder. They walked over towards the sports complex finally in the shade.

    "You know, Kris. This is my first time in here since orientation." Meng said as they turned a corner in the complex.

    "Same here."

    "Looks pretty good to be honest."

    Kian tilted his head once. "You could say that."

    "Although, I''ve never been to the changing rooms before. What do you think are in female chang-"

    "If you keep talking I''m locking you in there alone."

    Kian and Meng both stopped in front of the woman''s changing room, and they set down the bags.

    "Nothing dropped, right?" Kian looked at the bags then Meng.

    "Yea, but I think I dropped my arms." Meng said grabbing his shoulders.

    Kian just shot Meng a look before counting the bags once again, making sure none were left behind for a second trip. He scans them one by one when he suddenly notices something.

    "Hey, Meng," He poked Meng then pointed at one of the bags. "Am I seeing what I''m seeing?"

    Meng looks at the bags then at Kian. "Me no see."

    "No look at this bag." He walks over and picks it up. Kian holds out one of the keychains on a zipper. It was a circular, silver keychain with the words ''SPEED UP'' engraved on it.

    "Uh huh. What about it."

    "I recognize this from Noel," He observes it more carefully. "He has one cause he won a high level arcade racing competition."

    "So?"

    "I..." Before Kian could continue speaking, he saw Alexis come around the corner and stop dead in her tracks.

    Alexis tilted her head and squinted. "Why are you holding my bag like that?"

    Kian looked at the keychain and then back at her. "This is your bag?"

    "Yea?"

    He squinted back at her. "Where did you get this keychain from?"

    Kian notices her eyes widen as she slowly answers. "I...got it...from a friend."

    "A friend gave this to you?"

    "Yea?"

    "A bloody prize for winning a competition and they give it to you?"

    "Look, can you put my bag down. I don''t even know what you''re talking about."

    Kian puts the bag down. "Ok. But that keychain is for winners of an arcade racing competition with many good racers so your friend must be really good."

    "Yea, I''m sure. Now get out before I put in another complaint to the discipline board."

    Kian looks over at Meng who shrugs. He starts walking away followed by Meng but as he walked past Alexis, he notices her side eye him a little.

    Meng walks out of the sports complex door and onto one of the many walkways leading to it. "What was that all about?"

    Kian closes the door. "What''s what?

    "You just...picked up her bag and shit like that, bro."

    "Yea. Cause that keychain only belongs to really good racers."

    "Who the hell cares, man? It''s just a keychain."

    Kian went quiet as the both of them headed back towards the court to send the remaining items back.

    "Hey, did I say something wrong?" Meng tapped Kian''s shoulder.

    Kian sighed. "No. It''s just something that happened in the past."

    "Oh, deep shit."

    "Nah, not that deep." Kian wiped some sweat off his forehead as they walked out into the sunshine on the court. "But if she knows who the friend is, it could help me a little."

    GAME OVER: CHAPTER SIX

 CHAPTER 7: PERCENTAGE

    The door of the big, hall-like ward opens as a doctor walks in. A doctor walked up and stood beside Kian and patted him on his shoulder, even though the doctor was considerably shorter than him. He gives a few sheets of paper to a nurse and mentions a few things before taking the checkboard hanging at the base of the bed. The doctor takes a few looks at some sheets and then at Kian''s mother. He puts it back and looks towards Kian, needing to tilt his head upwards to make eye contact with him.

    "Your mother should be fine. We''ve put a stent in to open the clot. She was lucky it wasn''t her heart. Could''ve been worse."

    Kian just nodded, not knowing what to say. He was relieved of course but he still didn''t like seeing his mother like this, so fragile and close to meeting her maker.

    "In the meantime, just sit tight and wait until we can confirm that she is in fit condition to resume her daily life once more." The doctor pats Kian''s back this time and moves on to another bed.

    Kian sits in the chair placed beside the window. "You''re ok, mummy." He whispers, smiling a little.

    Kian looked around the hall before his eyes caught a glimpse of the bed closest to the door. It was the old lady from before, probably looking at her granddaughter. Mrs. Tan turns around and spots Kian. She smiles and waves at him. He just gives a slight smile and raises his hand towards her. While the old lady was turned, he sees the leg of her granddaughter. Funny, she had dark skin instead of the typical light skin like her Chinese grandmother. Must be a mixed-race girl then. He thought of going up to them before a nurse walked over and closed the curtain around the girl''s section of the ward.

    Kian sighs and holds his mother''s hand when Mrs. Tan came up to him.

    "Hi boy, is your mother okay?" She smiled at him.

    Kian smiled back. "Yea, thankfully."

    "My granddaughter also okay. She really need to be careful next time." She shakes her head but by the look on her face, she wasn''t disappointed at all.

    "Oh ya, aunty," He took the blanket the old lady gave him which was folded beside his chair. "I want to give this back."

    "Ah, thank you, boy. If you wanted to keep it also can."

    "No need lah aunty. I going back home after this already."

    A nurse walked up beside the lady. "Mrs Tan, you can see your granddaughter. We''re done."

    "Thank you, young lady." Mrs. Tan walked back towards the closed curtains.

    Another nurse came up and called out for Kian. "Sir, please follow me to the front desk. We will need you to confirm a few things and also brief you on visitation procedures."

    Kian nodded. As he walked towards the door of the ward he looks to the area where the girl was lying down just now. The curtains were still shut but there was a little gap where you could somewhat make out what''s inside. Hanging on the chair beside the bed was a green jacket.

    ?

    The evening was nice and cool with clouds scattered across the sky, giving a very "snap" worthy feel to it. Kian enjoyed this type of weather because that meant he could wear his favourite outfit, a t-shirt and hoodie with jeans, without sweating like a pig. Then again, he wears the same thing every day to classes anyway no matter the weather. Beside him was Goh, the secretary of the gaming club. Kian and Goh were seated at one of the picnic tables placed outside the computer faculty which was facing the sports area. It was designated as a place for the students to "get some fresh air". However, it was always considered useless since computer science students never really needed or wanted to go outside anyway. Nevertheless, it was still a great spot for meetings and discussions should the need arise.

    "Tsk, why are they so late?" Goh spoke up.

    Kian shrugged. "It''s the netball club. What do you expect?"

    Just as he said that, Alexis and another girl, whom Kian didn''t recognize, turned the corner into the section of picnic tables. Alexis was on her phone while the other girl with a tied up wavy ponytail was carrying a bag and had such a straight and serious face, she could basically be stoicism incarnate. Both of them were wearing training shorts and their club''s t-shirt from last year.

    As they walked up to the table, Alexis put her phone down on it and looked at Goh. "Hm, I know you."

    Goh smiled nervously. "Y-yea. I was the scorekeeper last Saturday."

    "Um, Alexis," Kian pointed at the girl beside her. "Who is this?"

    Alexis looked over at the girl beside her. "She''s the netball club''s secretary, Riya."

    Kian still can''t believe there were girls as tall as him but this wasn''t the time to be comparing heights. "Ah, well. Riya, pleasure to meet you."

    Riya just nodded at him, still giving him a straight face. Yeesh, come on, show some emotion. "Alright, gamer. Don''t waste time. We have practice in half an hour." Alexis said as both girls sat down.

    Kian exhales loudly. "Ok then, so my plan is to have a collaboration tournament where one part of it is for netball and one part of it is for gaming." He looks to Goh. "Goh if you may show them the rough outline?"

    Goh swipes a few times on her iPad and gives it to Riya who then shares the screen with Alexis. Alexis and Riya carefully examined the format of the tournament written on Goh''s iPad. Kian explains that up to eight teams consisting of two players each will compete with each other. One player has to participate in some sort of netball game and the other has to complete a lap on a racing simulator. The faster the time, the higher points they will score. Every detail of the event from date to the prizes have been outlined neatly in the iPad.

    "Y''know gamer, I''ve got to give it to you. I would never have thought of this stuff." Alexis looked up at Kian who beamed.

    "Well, I have been thinking about it for over two months now."Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

    "But what exactly do you want my club to do?"

    "Anything that involves scoring points by only one person."

    Alexis furrows her eyebrows and holds her chin. "Probably just shooting?" She looks at Riya who just nods her head.

    "Shooting?" Kian raises an eyebrow.

    She looks back at Kian. "Well, shooting in netball is pretty simple; for us anyway. To normal people it should be a little more difficult."

    "Well," Kian shrugged. "If you say so."

    Alexis raised an eyebrow at him. "What? You think it''s easy?"

    Kian tilted his head side to side. "Depends really."

    Alexis shoots him a look but seemed to move on from that statement. "So, all my club needs to do is count the scores for made shots?"

    Kian nodded.

    "Netball in the evening then throughout the night will be the racing, correct?"

    "Correct." Kian motions at Goh. "My club will complete the paperwork for this event."

    "I can do it with you." Kian was caught off guard by Riya''s sudden voice, as she looked up from her own iPad. It was really cute and high pitched, something he didn''t expect from a girl with a stone face.

    "Riya, they offered to do it," Alexis said in a commanding tone. "We should just concentrate on our own things."

    Riya looked at her president and then back at her notebook keeping quiet again. Bloody hell. She has an iron grip on the club.

    "That settles it then," Kian gets up. "Thank you for giving us your time and ideas. If there is anything else, I''ll be sure to contact you, Alexis."

    Alexis stands up as well. "Hold on, I didn''t say we agreed to this yet."

    Kian raises an eyebrow. "What do you mean? You said we could handle the paperwork."

    "And then expect us to carry out our duty, huh?" Alexis shakes her head. "Na?ve. You do know your club''s life is on the line."

    "I''m not catching on." Kian scratched his head.

    "Don''t expect something to be done based on trust, gamer. That''s one of the many rules of being a leader."

    Kian felt a knot in his stomach. "I...so do you agree to do it?"

    "Depends, gamer," Alexis taps her chin and looked at him with a devilish smile. "Come over to the court with me, only you. You can get my decision there."

    Alexis walks off towards the courts. Kian stands up, intending to follow her.

    "Kris," Kian looked to his side. Goh stands up with him while keeping the iPad back in her bag. "There''s no need."

    "What do you mean? I''m sure she''s just going to embarrass me or something. It''s nothing."

    "Nothing? Kris, there''s still time to submit an event without them. We have two and a half weeks left. Why do you need to put yourself through any of this?"

    Kian looks down and clenches his jaw. "I don''t want to be another one of the clubs she talked about. I don''t want her to think we''re like that."

    Goh snickers to herself a little. Kian looked at her confused.

    "What are you laughing at?" Kian asks.

    "You should have done this from the beginning," Goh lightly punches his arm but Kian kept looking at her confused. "And don''t say embarrassing shit like that again."

    ?

    Alexis walks onto the court followed at a distance by Kian and Riya. However, Riya leaves his side as he enters the fencing. He didn''t think he''d go this far for his club but with what he''s already been through, he doubts it could''ve gotten any worse.

    "Girls!" Alexis calls out. All the netball club members stopped their stretching, warm ups and chit-chat and turned their eyes to her. "Remember gamer over here?"

    A few nodded and some just looked at Kian with some repulse. Kian felt like he wanted to shrink into the ground as all eyes on the court looked upon him. His heart was starting to beat out of his chest.

    "This guy thinks shooting is easy. So, today," Alexis turns and points at him. "He''s going to join us for our training session."

    Kian''s heart went to his stomach then up to his throat. "What?"

    "You heard me, gamer," Alexis puts her hands on her hips. "Win my approval."

    Kian became flustered. "W-We already did. Last Saturday."

    "Ah, ah. That was for the teamwork. Now its for our approval of the idea."

    A vein started to pop at Kian''s neck as he tried to control his anger. "Alexis, this is taking it too far. I don''t understand why there even is a need to do this."

    "Go ahead then," She waves him off twice. "Walk away. We can take it from here."

    DAMMIT. Kian suddenly felt as if walls closed in around him with the only thing in them being him and Alexis. Something built up inside him. The anger and the frustration against this girl were things he had not felt since his early gaming days. But no, he cannot let her win. He will NOT let her win.

    Kian turns and walks towards the exit.

    "Ah, well. A shame." Alexis says.

    Kian then stops right at the gate and takes out his wallet and phone, laying them down by the fencing. He then takes his hoodie off, causing his t-shirt to lift a little. He quickly holds his t-shirt before completely taking his hoodie off and throwing it to the ground. Kian turns back around and looks at Alexis. "I''ve come this far. Why stop now."

    Alexis'' hands go back to her side as she looks blankly at Kian then at the girls around the court. All of them were baffled at Kian''s decision and clearly none of them expected that response.

    "I-" Alexis says but she hesitates as Kian walks up to her.

    He stops in front of her. "I''ll try to not slow you guys down."

    She looks up and down at Kian as a wind blows through the court. Alexis scoffs. "Fine, but I''m worried that you can''t keep up."

    Alexis then shouts a command and all the girls line up on each end of the court. Kian just quickly follows one of the lines as they start the training drills.

    Kian fell on his backside near the fencing as he wiped sweat off his face. It''s done. Complete. He managed to follow the whole training session, with a few hiccups here and there of course. The fact he didn''t die of dehydration was another lucky thing since he had to practically beg one of the girls for a drink. He leaned back on the fencing and looked forward at the hills where the sun began to set. Just as he thought he could relax, a shadow loomed over him.

    "Gamer," Kian looked up at the figure standing before him. Alexis looked down upon him. The setting sun was gleaming behind her highlighting her curved hips and shoulders. "You''re one tough chicken."

    Kian just looked down and continued to breathe heavily.

    "I''m still not convinced on approving the programme though."

    Kian looked up agonizingly. What more could she want?

    She takes a ball on the ground behind her and hands it to him. "I didn''t see you shoot a single ball the whole training session. Why not show me how easy it is?"

    Kian looks at the ball then at her. She just tilts her head in expectation with the ball still facing Kian. He takes the ball, gets up and heads towards one of the hoops. Kian stops a few meters away from it and looks at the ball.

    "Hey, gamer!" Alexis calls out with that asphalt voice of hers. Kian looks back. "Get closer, this isn''t basketball!"

    Kian looks back at the hoop and takes a few steps closer. Suddenly, his vision starts to blur as the fatigue from the training hits him hard. A bead of sweat enters his eye and he closes it in annoyance. Basketball. Kian tries to recall what his mother taught him when he was younger and still interested in the sport.

    "Kian, make sure the ball arcs when you shoot it. You''ll get it in better like that. As long as your arm is straight towards the hoop, you will score." His mother''s words suddenly went through his mind.

    Kian held the ball up just like how the girls were holding it during training. He aims for the hoop and finally shoots keeping his hands in the same position when he let the ball go. Everybody in the court looked on as Kian''s ball arcs in the air onto the tall hoop. Kian held his breath as the ball bounced on the hoop once, then twice. Finally, it fell through the hole and onto the court. Kian put his hands down and slowly turned towards Alexis. Alexis looks at Kian for a while before she suddenly starts clapping. The other girls also started giving a light clap as Kian looked around.

    "Wow, gamer," She walked up to him, clearly impressed. "You really do think it''s easy."

    Kian just glared at Alexis but in actual fact he was trying to regain consciousness from the rush of adrenaline going through him at the time.

    "I''m a lady of my word," She shrugs at him. "Our club approves of your programme."

    Kian squints at her, finally having some consciousness to talk. "I don''t believe you."

    Alexis chuckles a little and slaps his shoulder causing him to wince. "Smart. But since you are damn tough, I will definitely keep my word."

    Kian just rubs his shoulder and observes her. Her freckles were smiling with her again and the setting sun caused her face to glow due to the sweat. He finally heaves a sigh of relief. This girl is going to make me crazy.

    GAME OVER: CHAPTER SEVEN

 CHAPTER 8: UP DOWN LEFT RIGHT

    Kian yawns and stretches. He quits his game and puts his laptop and gear back into his bag. Kian gets up from the chair and table setup beside his mother''s bed in the ward visiting hours are ending soon; looking at his mother in front of him, fast asleep. They had a nice conversation in the afternoon after she woke up from her slumber. He updated her on his tries to find a team that will take him in as well as his unluckiness in that aspect. All she did was give him her tender smile; she didn''t speak much but Kian knew she was listening. He was also getting better at controlling his anger due to the fact he was forced to remain quiet at all times during his visits.

    Kian looks at the girl''s bed but it was still closed by a curtain. He sighs. It''s been four days and they haven''t opened it for him to take a look. His mother was going to be discharged tomorrow so if there was any interaction to be made it had to have been the past few days. He just had to know whether it was her or whether that green jacket was merely another one in a sea of green jackets.

    Kian scoots out of his setup and walks towards the exit while adjusting his hoodie when he suddenly hears something plastic drop on the ground within the ward. He looks around and finds a pen on the floor near where the girl was warded. He walked over towards the pen and picked it up. The curtains around the bed were closed and he didn''t know if he should enter or not.

    "M-my pen please." The girl''s voice was heard past the curtain. It was soft and timid, and there was a tinge of a Chinese accent in there.

    Kian was stunned at the opportunity he was given. This was his chance. "Um, should I...come in?"

    "No, please. Just..." The voice stopped. Clearly even the girl didn''t know how she was going to get the pen back.

    Kian cringed at what he said. Maybe he shouldn''t have been too transparent with his intentions. After all, it could be another girl altogether. He scratched his head and looked at the pen in his hand. It was one of those cheap Faber-Castell pens you would find in any bookstore. Maybe she was doing some drawing or writing something down? "I think I need to draw the curtains a little isn''t it?"

    "Y-yea..." The girl said. Kian stepped forward towards the curtain.

    "I''m drawing the curtains, ok? Will the bedside table be this side?" He pressed through the curtain so the girl can hopefully see where he was.

    "I-Its there. Don''t open the curtain too much. I''m kind of...exposed."

    Kian felt blood rush to his face. What the hell does exposed mean? A few mental images crossed his mind but being the innocent boy he was, he suppressed them and shook his head. Kian draws the curtain closest to the wall a little using his right hand and tries to peer in with one eye without looking at the bed.

    He looks down and sees the table, placing the pen in his left hand onto it. The temptation to look at the bed creeped over him like an ugly shadow but he quickly draws the curtain close and turns outwards to the ward.

    "Thank you." He hears from the other side. There was a slight shuffling and some wincing and then it was quiet once more.

    "You...You''re welcome." He puts his hands in his pockets. Suddenly, there was silence with an awkward air filling the space between himself and the curtain. He wanted to ask her whether it was really her. It''s me! The guy who promised to play with you again. The one who wants to correct the abrupt ending they had. The one who wants to know you for who you really are.

    "You should go. Visiting hours are ending soon." The girl says from the other side of the curtain.

    "Yea I-" Kian says stopping for a while, seeming to find words to say, before continuing. "I''ll see you."

    And with that, Kian walked out of the ward.

    ?

    Kian looks through the list of participants while sitting at one of the tables on the netball court. He removed his cap and flipped his hair backwards once more before putting the cap back on. The list was satisfying to say the least, they got the number of participants they wanted and what''s better is that Noel and his girlfriend, Kayla decided to support his event as well.

    "Kris," Meng walked up to him holding a clipboard. "The second participant done already. Three shots out of eight. Next is who?"

    "Oh, ergh," Kian looked at the list. "Next is...Kayla from Group Ults Unite."

    Meng nodded and walked towards the line of participants by the fencing calling out for Kayla. Kayla took off her sling bag and picked up one of the balls.

    Kian observed the participants, most of whom were girls but there were also one or two guys there as well. He didn''t see Noel anywhere near the court, must be preparing for the gaming section tonight. Although he doubts it should be a problem since Noel is an arcade racing champ.

    "How''s it going, gamer?" Alexis suddenly leaned on Kian''s table as he was looking around.

    Kian looks up at Alexis. She was wearing leggings and a baggy Adidas t-shirt which hid her toned body. "Not much, to be honest."

    "Yea, well. The event was even simpler than I thought."

    Kian puffed his lips. "Not unless you''re paying 800 Ringgit for the racing setup."

    Alexis looked wide-eyed at Kian. "How much?"

    "Eight hundred."This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

    Alexis puffed her cheeks as well. "Not so smart there eh, gamer? My club didn''t even pay a cent for this."

    Kian glared at Alexis who quickly noticed. "What? It''s true."

    Kian shook his head. "Either way, at least we got this event underway in time. If you guys delayed it by a week, my club would have been toast."

    She finger-snapped and pointed at Kian. "Ah, I should have done that."

    Kian glared at her again. Alexis looked at him and giggled.

    "Why are you so bent on making my life miserable?" Kian looked at the list of participants again.

    Alexis pouted. "Gaming club president can''t handle jokes either, huh?"

    "I''m being serious, Alexis. Every time I''m with you, I always have the feeling something bad is about to happen to me."

    "And yet you''re still determined as ever." She says under her breath.

    "Come again?"

    "Nothing." Alexis looked at Kian and shot him a sarcastic look.

    "Tsk, dah lah you. Annoying me only." He takes out his phone and starts scrolling through it.

    "Kris! Third participant done," Meng walks over. "All shots in."

    Alexis turns to Meng. A shocked look covered her face. "What? Are you for real?"

    Meng was startled by Alexis'' reaction. "Um, yea. She made all shots."

    Alexis looked over at the line of participants as well as the ones finished on the court. She looked back at Meng. "Bring me to her."

    Meng looks puzzled at Alexis. "O...k? Let me get the name of the next participant first."

    "Su Ming." Kian looks up from his phone.

    "Thanks, Kris," Meng looks at Alexis. "Follow me."

    The both of them head off towards the group by one of the hoops. Kian decides to put his phone down and observe Alexis. Meng brings Alexis over to Kayla, who was just a few centimetres shorter than Alexis, but still taller than the average girl. Alexis seemed to be explaining something to Kayla and Kayla was responding pretty well. Suddenly, there was a visible hesitation in Alexis'' face as Kayla crossed her arms. Alexis'' round eyes were looking all over the place, as if trying to find an excuse about something.

    What''s going on then? Kian thought. The only other time he saw her like this was when he asked for her phone number.

    Alexis tilted her head and gave a worried look to Kayla who uncrossed her arms and took something out from her sling bag. It looked like a pamphlet and Kayla started explaining something to her. The worried look on Alexis'' face stayed as Kayla walked off the court and out of the fencing. Alexis looked around before brushing her fringe and walking towards her bag.

    "Hm, strange." Kian says to himself, resting his chin on his palm.

    Alexis looked up as she put her bag down and noticed Kian staring at him. He quickly shook his head and looked at the guy shooting the netball at the moment. Kian''s heart raced. I can''t keep staring like that.

    ?

    There was a small crowd gathered at the main lobby of the computer science faculty tonight. The crowd, which consisted of the participants of the event as well as a few computer science students spectated the final racer of the night, Noel, speeding through the circuit on the racing game. Kian stood at the side of the setup, just looking on unsurprised. He knew that Noel was a professional at racing games and was definitely going to win this section. He also knew Kayla was a former basketball player in high school which explained her really good shooting in the netball section.

    "AND HE ROUNDS THE FINAL CORNER," Meng shouts into the portable mic. "NOEL SETS THE FASTEST TIME OF THE EVENT."

    The crowd clapped as Noel got up from the setup, smiling from ear-to-ear. He looked over at Kian and winked. Kian just smiled and shook his head.

    Meng wrote something down on his clipboard and then took the mic up again. "This means that the ultimate winner of this event is ULTS UNITE! Give a big round of applause for the winners."

    Everybody clapped as Noel and his girlfriend hugged each other and went up towards one side of the main lobby. Meng mentioned the second and third placed groups as they walked up beside Noel and his girlfriend. Rui Wen took out some hampers and vouchers from beside the vending machines.

    "And now, we invite the gaming and netball club presidents to hand out the prizes." Meng looks over at Kian while the spectators started clapping.

    Kian looks around the room. Huh, where is Alexis? He walks up to the groups while scanning the lobby, trying to find any sign of a tall girl but there wasn''t any.

    "You may now hand the prizes over to the groups, Kris." Meng points with his hand at the hampers.

    Kian hands over each prize, posing for a photo taken by Rui Wen with every group. After he takes a photo with Noel''s group, Noel brings him over to one side as the crowd starts to dissipate.

    "Congrats on the event, bro!" Noel pats his friend''s shoulder with one hand as he holds the hamper in the other.

    Kian smiles. "Thanks. And there''s a gaming point card in there too by the way."

    "Woah, damn cool sia! I''m definitely voting for your event later on."

    Kian shakes his head. "This is a small event compared to what you guys at the hiking club are probably doing."

    Noel waves the statement off. "Ah, nothing one lah. Heh, thing is the reading club actually very difficult to work with too you know?"

    "Really?" Kian laughed a little. "I''m surprised."

    "Aiyo, you know them lah. All indoors only like you all. Luckily managed to make a compromise." Noel then tries to take something out of his back pocket. "Speaking of which, there''s something I wanted to ask of you."

    "What''s this?" Kian took a pamphlet from Noel.

    "It''s my club''s event," Noel readjusted the hamper in his hand. "We''re going to hike up this hill in Perak which so happens to have a library caf¨¦ on it. So cool, right? Even I never knew it existed."

    Kian looked at the front and then flipped it over. The pamphlet showed the caf¨¦ on the hill side as well as the location and the time of the event which was set to be during the semester break.

    Kian looked up and gave an awkward smile at Noel. "Thanks Noel, but...I don''t know whether you should be asking me. I''m not really into this outdoor stuff."

    "Please, Kian? We need to fill up our quota on this event."

    Kian rubbed his neck. "I don''t-"

    "Baby!" Noel''s t-shirt sleeve was tugged by Kayla. "I want to go makan already. So hungry." Kayla pouted.

    Noel chuckled a little. "Okay baby. I want to say bye to my friend first."

    "Okay." Kayla gave him a peck on the cheek and then turned to walk out of the faculty.

    Kian really did his best to hide the look of disgust on his face when he saw what happened right in front of him.

    "Kris, I supported your event. Why not support mine, huh?" Noel smiled at him. "Just attend. That''s all I ask of you."

    Kian looks at the pamphlet then at Noel again. "I''ll...let you know later. Ok?"

    Noel nodded. "Sure, man."

    Noel turned to the doors of the faculty. Kian hurriedly goes to the doors and opens it for Noel who thanks him. He goes outside and sees Noel off before feeling a sense of relief.

    The event is over. He managed to face the trials and tribulations of working with the netball club, who he hopes to never work with again, and his club is still alive. He can finally go back to his everyday life, climbing the rankings of his game and trying out for teams. Maybe even join a tournament or two along the way if he was lucky.

    "Kian," A girl''s voice came from behind him. It was Rui Wen. "I''ll send the pics to Goh for the report later."

    Kian nodded once. "Ah, thank you, Rui Wen."

    Rui Wen then walked past him. "I''ll be going now."

    "Um, Rui wen," Kian calls out. Rui Wen looks up at him from half way down the main stairs. "Where is Alexis?"

    Rui Wen shrugged. "No idea. But it''s typical of her. She doesn''t like crowds."

    "Ah, I see."

    Rui Wen tilts her head. "Is that all?"

    Kian nods slowly. "Yea, and thanks again for your club''s effort."

    Rui Wen gave a slight nod and walked away.

    She doesn''t like crowds?

    GAME OVER: CHAPTER EIGHT

 CHAPTER 9: MOVEMENT

    "Feeling alright madam?" A nurse put a cup of green tea in front of Mrs. Low.

    "Yes, much better." Mrs. Low smiled as the nurse walked off.

    Kian knew he was supposed to be happy but somehow or rather, he wanted to stay just a little longer. He eyed the bed with drawn curtains right beside the ward''s doors. Its now or never.

    "Mummy, I''m going for a while ya?" Kian said standing up. He looked over at his mother.

    "Ok, dear," She takes her reading tablet from the bedside table, putting it into her bag. "I''ll let you know when we are going."

    Kian nods. He slowly starts walking over to the bed. As he approaches, a million things popped up in his head. Will she recognize me? Am I doing the right thing? Should I get some water? Where should I sit? He didn''t even answer any of them before he finally reached the curtains. He looked around not knowing what to do at that point and noticed the bed next door was empty. He takes the chair belonging to that bed section and slowly sits down in front of the curtain.

    "H-Hello?" He calls out. No response. Maybe she''s sleeping. "You awake?"

    There was a sound of shuffling and then a voice. "Mm?"

    Kian felt his face heat up as he tried to calm himself down. "Ergh, h-hi. It''s the guy from last night."

    There was some silence before the girl responds again. "Oh, hi."

    Kian felt like his thoughts were moving too slowly, his mind was blank on what to say next.

    "Thank you by the way." The voice cracked a little as she finished her sentence.

    Holy crap that''s cute. He shook his head and concentrated on the conversation. "Ah, no problem. I was on the way out anyway."

    "Yea..." The girl responded. Silence again.

    Kian''s thoughts were still slow. Was this really her? It could just be some random girl and he was definitely going to cringe if it was. He looked down at his hands, balled up together and quite cold due to the air conditioning in the ward. Kian decided he just needs to get the thought out before he embarrasses himself further.

    "Um, we''ve met before you know." He finally spoke up. He retracted a bit physically, waiting for the confusion to start.

    "I know," The girl said which made him feel an electric shock through his body. "Your face hasn''t changed since the arcade."

    "Y-you remember?"

    "Heh, yeah, you were terrible."

    Kian drooped his head down. "Please, don''t remind me."

    "But then again, you managed to beat me in the end. To me that was a massive feat."

    Kian looked at the curtain in front of him. "What do you mean?"

    "Well, I kind of play that game competitively. Normally, when I play that game outside of competitions, people just give up after I beat them a few times. Sometimes, it seemed like I was hogging the whole machine to myself."

    Kian leaned back in the chair. Bloody hell she''s that good?

    "But then I went to the arcade to try the machines over there before a competition. And...I met you."

    "Well, there wasn''t really anybody else playing the machine."

    "It wasn''t whether you were playing or not, it was the fact you kept playing even after I started."

    Kian couldn''t see himself but he definitely thinks he was blushing at that moment.

    "I mean, you kept racing to your final coins and I think if I beat you in that last race, you would''ve gone for more coins."

    "Well, I can''t say for sure but probably, heh."

    "Then my mom had to break things up. How absurd." There was a silence once more and Kian felt a pressure building up in his chest.

    "My promise to you. I didn''t keep it, huh."

    The girl sighs. "It''s not your fault, It''s my mom. She hates games and she thinks it''s the one hindering me from my sports."

    "Wow, that''s sad."

    "Yea, well..." Her voice trails off. "It''s what''s best for me anyways."

    "But, don''t you like racing games?"

    "I like games in general."

    "Oh for real? Me too! Although I play League of Legends more to be honest. I want to become a professional gamer."

    "Wow. Never knew somebody actually wanted to become one before."

    "Not having much luck though, heh." He rubs his neck. He then sits straight up. "But I''ll keep on trying, no matter what. I, Low Yi Kian, will do my best."

    Kian said something really embarrassing and now he felt like he wanted to throw the chair he was sitting on across the hall.

    The girl suddenly giggled. "You''ll achieve that dream. I''m sure of it."

    Kian felt his heart bloom. Energy that he never felt before surged through him. Now, his dream was very much in full swing. The girl he admired so much, approved of it.

    "Kian," His mother suddenly comes up to him from behind. "Let''s go home."

    "Ah," Kian looked at his mother''s former bed. "My laptop?"

    "Here." Kian''s mother gave the bag to him.

    Kian saddles his bag on his shoulders and looked at the curtain. "Thank you for believing in me."

    Kian''s mother exits the ward followed by Kian. Within the curtain, the girl sat alone once more doing her best to not make the heart rate monitor alarm sound. Low Yi Kian.

    ?

    To: [email protected]</a>

    CC: [email protected]</a>,[email protected]</a>

    From: [email protected]</a>

    Subject: Club Inactivity

    Dear Mr. Low Yi Kian,

    We would like to inform you that the recent event that you have held in partnership with the netball club has been recognized by the student council. We hereby will not proceed with any investigation of inactivity by your club anymore. However, please do be vigilant on the terms and conditions that you still must meet as a club.Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

    Best Regards,

    STACY

    Stacy P. Anderson

    Secretary

    Student Council

    University of Malaysia National

    "That settles it, I guess." Meng closed the email on his screen as he rotates his gaming chair. This was the latest equipment he had brought into the gaming club room along with his cat ear headphones.

    "You guys are lucky I managed to send the report during study week. Conducting an event during the last week of the semester is too close for comfort." Goh rotates back to look at her monitor.

    "Haiya, at least we got it done. Isn''t that right, Kris?" Meng turned towards Kian who was looking through his notes on the monitor.

    "Yea, I''m just pissed that we need to go through exams now." Kian scrolls.

    "Chill lah, bro. At least after that you can start your ranked journey again."

    "I would rather start it now." Kian mutters under his breath.

    "Ey, by the way guys. Most of the other clubs gonna have events during the sem break. Y''all joining any?" Meng looked at the both of them.

    "Well, I thought of joining the art and debate club''s event." Goh said rubbing her chin.

    "What are they going to do?"

    "Something about debating on people''s art."

    "Yeesh, you''re so boring."

    Goh rolled her eyes and looked back at her monitor. She slouched over trying to get a closer look at her notes and squinted her eyes.

    Meng sighed. He got up and patted her back causing her to sit up straight. "Stop slouching. You''re gonna ruin yourself." He looked over her gaming chair. "When''s the last time you changed your glasses?"

    Goh was quiet for a while then shook her head. "Can''t remember."

    "Ah, then these glasses are probably old as hell."

    "What does that have to do with me?"

    "Shit glasses cause shit eyesight." Meng shrugged. "You might go blind, just a warning."

    Goh turned around and looked up at Meng, annoyed. "I got money, is it?"

    Meng tilted his head slightly. "You don''t?"

    "Not for glasses." Goh crosses her arms.

    "Hmm," Meng rubs his chin. "Then we both should go get you those glasses after your exams."

    Goh''s eyes went wide a little as she rapidly turned around to look back at her slides. "Is Kris coming?"

    "Why the hell should I come?" Kian was staring intensely at his screen, clicking his personal mouse he brought from his dorm. "You and Meng go lah. I got better things to do."

    "Har? I swear you do not have better things to do, Kris," Meng went back to his own seat. "You sure you don''t wanna come?"

    "Nope, you guys go ahead. Just the two of you." Kian looked away from his screen right at Meng and raised his eyebrows twice.

    Meng''s eyes went wide just like Goh''s realizing the implication. Kian definitely couldn''t concentrate with the amount of ruckus these two were causing. But then again, it was worth it to see his friends react to this kind of teasing.

    Meng cleared his throat. "What about you, Kris? Any events you gonna join?" He said trying to change the subject.

    Kian shook his head. "Not gonna join any events."

    "La, come on lah Kris. Not say an event is for one whole month."

    "Yea, but...one or two days is enough to drop so far down the ladder."

    "Get a grip man. You''re so good at this game. That drop you can make up in no time one."

    Kian rested his chin on his hand. "Don''t feel like it."

    "Tsk, Kris..." Meng walked behind Kian.

    "What are you-GAH!" Kian suddenly felt pinching on his traps and he immediately balled up.

    "Relax a bit, would you? Take your damn eyes off a screen for once." Meng continued massaging Kian''s shoulders.

    Kian bowed his head down and let out a sigh. "Actually, I got an invite."

    "Huh? What invite?" Meng stopped and looked at Kian from the side.

    "It''s the event for the partnership between hiking and reading clubs."

    "Invitation? Its not open to everybody?"

    Kian looked towards Meng. "You didn''t get one?"

    Meng shook his head. "Nope. Never even heard of the event."

    "Huh. That''s weird. Then how are they going to get reviews from students?"

    "I was invited as well, to be fair," Goh spoke up. "Some clubs just want to focus on the partnership instead of the reviews."

    "That''s pretty counter intuitive, isn''t it?" Meng said looking puzzled. "What''s the point when you''re not trying for the funds?"

    "I mean, when you''re as popular as the hiking club or the debate club or the art club with all those posh students, you could say funds aren''t really a priority." Goh tilted her head.

    "True." Meng nodded.

    "You should go then Kris." Goh looked at Kian.

    "I mean, Noel did invite me." Kian looked down at his keyboard.

    "Was that the guy who won with his girl the other day?" Meng looked at Kian from the side again.

    "Yea."

    "Then lagi lah you should join, Kris." Meng slapped Kian''s shoulder which produced an ugly stare from Kian.

    "I don''t know, man. I don''t like walking and stuff. And I think I need to stay somewhere before the hike as well."

    "Wah, that''s even better! And how much you need to pay?" Meng said clearly getting excited even if he wasn''t the one going.

    "I think...75 ringgit?"

    "That''s is a damn good deal leh, Kris. Just go lah." Meng said slapping Kian''s shoulder again.

    "Tsk. Will you stop doing that?"

    "Oh, sorry. Heh." Meng sat back in his chair.

    "You should join, Kris," Goh bent forward to look past Meng. "It really sounds fun."

    Kian rubbed his neck. "I...I''ll consider it after my papers." He says as he looks back at his slides.

    ?

    Kian walked out of the exam hall and heaved a sigh of relief. Finally, his exams were over albeit he wasn''t confident in whatever the hell he put in the paper. Now its time to head back to the club room and put in some good hours. He walks out of the hall and towards the computer science faculty, finally feeling like all of his burdens are lifted off his shoulders. He felt like he could fly at any moment now.

    As he continued to walk, he looked over at the setting sun which was going beneath the horizon and bathed the sports complex in an orange hue. How long can he spend in the club room? He looks at his wrist to check the time but his watch wasn''t there.

    "Huh? Where did...oh." He took off his bag and slung it in front of him. He looked through until he found his watch in the second pocket, along with a crumpled pamphlet.

    He opened the pamphlet and stopped walking. This was the pamphlet Noel handed him a few weeks ago. He looked up in agony. He had completely forgotten about it but I guess it was too late now. The deadline to register was tomorrow and he didn''t have a concrete commitment to go anyway.

    Kian purses his lips and whispers to himself. "Sorry Noel."

    "Gamer?"

    Kian looked up. Alexis held a netball to her hip and wore her typical training clothes, probably on the way to the courts some distance away. She walked over to him.

    Kian sighed. "What is it, Alexis."

    "Aren''t you supposed to be...you know, doing game things?"

    Kian looked at Alexis. "Game things?"

    "Yea, well...something like that or whatever other useless things gamers do."

    Kian looked to the ground and snickered a little. He was getting used to the insults by now. "You and your antics huh, Alexis."

    She chuckles a little. "My antics? I''m just like this, gamer."

    Alexis tapped Kian''s chest with the back of her hand, catching Kian by surprise and causing him to look up at her again.

    Alexis tilted her head. "I heard the event''s closing ceremony went well."

    Kian shrugged. "Yea, kind of. Except for the fact the president of the netball club wasn''t there."

    "Ah that," She scrunched her face up. "I was busy with training."

    "But...Rui Wen was there."

    "Yea, well. Training for myself."

    Kian thought back to Rui Wen''s words that night. He was confused now. "Hm, training."

    "Yep."

    He looked at Alexis in the eyes. He really could let out about what Rui Wen told him but he just decided to keep that to himself.

    Now he was going to be courteous and walk away. "Thanks for your club''s help by the way."

    Alexis gave a sarcastic frown. "Well, that was late."

    "Tsk, I''m for real, ok. We really appreciated your help in the end."

    "Uh huh," Alexis slowly nodded. "Sure, I guess? I mean, whatever to help keep your boring club alive, y''know."

    Kian rolled his eyes. Not even a ''you''re welcome''.

    "What''s that?" She said gesturing with her nose at the pamphlet.

    Kian looks down at the pamphlet he was holding the whole time. "None of your business." He folds the pamphlet in half and stuffs it in his jean pocket.

    "Aw, did I make gamer mad?" She said while frowning in a sarcastic manner.

    "A few times before this as well."

    "Heh, yea you''re right." She then walked past him before stopping and turning back to Kian. "You can''t lie to me by the way."

    Kian looked over at her. "What do you mean?"

    "That pamphlet. I got it too."

    Kian tilted his head. "Do I care?"

    "Well, your constipated face and the fact you were holding that pamphlet tells me you have a decision to make."

    Kian thought that it was very weird that Alexis could read him like that.

    "But I know you won''t join," Alexis smiled at him. "I''m surprised you even got the pamphlet in the first place. The person that gave it to you must not know you that well. What with a gamer being outdoors and all."

    Kian scowled at Alexis. How could she say something like that about Noel?

    "Oh? What''s with that reaction? I''m just stating the obvious. Well, don''t even think about coming. I need my peace and quiet during the damn trip anyway." And with that she turned and walked towards the courts.

    Kian felt like gravity was pushing down on him. It ruined his damn mood seeing her just walk away after spewing poison at him. And what she said about Noel, that is unforgivable. Noel was probably the only one who knew the most about Kian other than his own mother. He took the pamphlet out from his pocket, scanning it and then called Noel.

    "Yo, Kris!" Noel answered.

    "Noel, still got place for your event or not?"

    "Yea, you going to join?"

    Kian paused for a while before tightening the grip on his phone. "Yes, I''m going to prove a point."

    GAME OVER: CHAPTER NINE