Game On

Chapter 4

Ocean Ruck

January 12, 2145

"Do you honestly think, I could have a chance in Space School?" I asked Alex calmly. He sighed like he didn't like what he was about to say.

"Yeah, I think you can." Alex replied. I nodded slightly.

"There is this boy that goes to my school. Courtney believes that he will make it to Space School. Should I go and meet him?" I asked. I looked at Alex. He started to smiled.

"Why do you wanna meet him?" Alex asked. I shrugged and looked forward.

"I don't know really. But, let's do say that we both make it to Space School. Should I befriend him? So I'm not lonely?" I asked. Alex chuckled a little.

"Are you sure there's not another reason?" Alex asked. I thought about what he said, and the meaning. I shook my head and looked at him.

"What do you mean?"

"Do you like this boy?" Alex asked.

"Explain, 'like'." I demanded. Alex shrugged, looking at me for a second, then back at the road.

"I don't know." Alex confessed. "Maybe like, you have a crush on him, like?" I rolled my eyes and looked at the road.

"Alex. Think about it. I don't know him. Today's the first day I've ever seen him at the school. Why would I like him like that?" I asked.

"Because sometimes, we fall for strangers. From them being good looking, or if you talk to them once, sometimes, what they had to say make you fall for them. It doesn't matter." Alex explained. I shrugged, thinking about it.

"I mean, he is attractive to the eyes. I don't know, it's not enough for me to officially say 'I like him'." I answered.

"Yeah, that sounds it." Alex sighed. "What's his name?" He asked as he started to pull into the garage. I thought about it.

"I believe it's Ender Wiggin." I replied.

"Is he a Third?" Alex asked hoarsely. He turned off the car and we both got out. I grabbed my books and my PD out from the back seat.

"Courtney did say that he is a Third." I sighed. "But, he looks to be about my age. Maybe he is a year older. I'm not sure." We started to walk into the house. "He looks like a very interesting boy. Maybe I'll talk to him tomorrow."

"Maybe you should." Alex suggested as he unlocked the door and opened it. We both walked in. I put my books and my PD on the hallway table.

"Alex? Ocean? Is that you?" Mother asked.

"Yeah Mom, it's us." Alex yelled out as he threw the keys onto the table. Mother came over and rounded the corner.

"Hello guys. Dinner is ready. I'm so glad you you made it. Father's home, too." I smiled. Father has been gone for a while for work. He works for the Space School. He helps with setting up the spaceships that send the new recruits up into space.

Alex and I walked into the kitchen and saw Dad and Aaron sitting at the table. They both looked up at us.

"Father. Aaron. Nice to see you." I said as I walked over to my seat.

"Third." Aaron whispered. I looked at him.

"Excuse me?" I asked. Aaron looked up at me.

"You heard me." I rolled my eyes.

"Ocean, it's not polite to roll your eyes." Mother scowled. I sighed.

"Sorry, Mother." I apologized. I looked at Father. "So, how have you been?" I asked. "I haven't seen you in three years."

"I have been fine. How have you been?" Father asked.

"Okay. The General of the Space School is coming out tomorrow and choosing two females and two males to be the new recruits for schooling. You should know that." I replied.

"Oh, great. Ocean can leave for a year." Aaron said. I looked at him again.

"Why do you hate me, Aaron?" I asked. "And by the way, it's six years." Aaron smiled at me.

"Even better." He said with an evil smile. I shot him a dirty look.

"Please, children. Please. No fighting. It's your Fathers first night back." Mother begged as she put the food on the table. Alex sat next to me. I grabbed the salad bowl and started to put the salad on my plate.

"Right, Mother. I apologize for acting so childish in front of you and Father." I apologized. Mother nodded.