Love's A Game // LN4 ; GR63

Your Girl Evans

Violet Evans sat in her bedroom, her bed pushed against the wall and a gaming set in the front corner. She was getting ready for her nightly stream. Loading the game and getting the starting screen up and running she called out:

Violet: Ash!! You coming?!
Asher: Yeah!! Be there in a second.

Violet's brother Asher made his way to her room. It wasn't very often he joined the streams but she wanted him on this one.

Asher: Here I am.
Violet: Great. Starting the stream... Hey chat! It's your girl Evans here with Asher. I'll let more people join before we start the game. So Ash? Ready to lose to your little sister again?
Asher: Oh please, you really believe you'll win? I'm the best at this game in the family.
Violet: Uh huh. Sure you are. Chat, for those of you who don't know, Ash and I have pretty serious battles on the formula 1 game. I always win but he says-
Asher: -you cheat!
Violet: How? It's literally virtual racing!
Asher: I don't know. Just start so I can win and prove you wrong to all these people!

Violet laughed and started the game. Asher lead about the first 5 laps until she managed to catch up and overtake very easily on the one chicane.

Asher: NO! Come on!
Violet: Sorry, try not go so slow around the chicane next time.

They kept laughing and battling until Violet had won twice and Asher had given up.

Violet: Hahaha, good game! Better luck next time bro.
Asher: Yeah yeah. Well done.
Violet: Okay, let's see what we missed in chat.

Violet turned her eyes to the monitor and read as much as she could.

Violet: Chat's asking how old you are Ash. He's 24, sorry but he's also got a girlfriend to whoever asked that.
Asher: Wait... V- uh- Evans... read this one.
Violet: What?! No ways chat. You're messing with me right?
Asher: They're probably kidding.
Violet: Yeah. I mean as if the Alex Albon was on here. I mea-

Vicky: DINNER!!
Asher: Saved by mom calling for dinner.
Asher got up and made his way out the room.
Asher: Coming?
Violet: Yeah, I'll be there now.

Asher walked out so Violet could end the stream.

Violet: Alright chat, I don't know if you were joking or not but I can't stay to find out. This is your girl Evans signing off. Catch you tomorrow.

She ended the stream and got up, heading to the kitchen for dinner.

Their house was small and open plan. The kitchen looked straight into the living room that had a small coffee table in between two basic couches and a small flat screen on the wall. In the space that was open was a four seater wooden table, their dining room table. It wasn't much but it was home.

Violet: Hi mom. Smells amazing!
Vicky: Glad you think so. Your father however said it smelt too salty. Whatever that means.
Johnny: It means it needs less salt.
Vicky: You can't smell salt! You're welcome to cook. Or shut up.
Johnny: Haha! You're the better cook so I'll shut up.

Violet loved her family's dinner debates about who cooks. They always ate dinner together when her mom wasn't on night shift at the hospital. Her dad ran his local car repair shop and her brother helped out there. Violet however was a waitress at the café down the road. The family only had one car so she had to walk or take the bus. She didn't mind, it was her life and she was happy living in its comfort.

Vicky: So Vi? How was the stream?
Violet: I won, of course. I'll give it to Ash though, he was pretty quick tonight. However my chat thought it'd be funny to say Alex Albon watched at one point.
Johnny: Like the Alex Albon?
Violet: Silly right? But it was a funny joke. I would've seen because I watch the views almost all the time. There was no Alex Albon, or any driver for that fact. They wouldn't know who I am. I'm too small.
Asher: Speaking of... How are the sponsor hunts coming?
Violet: They're not. They're all based in London...
Vicky: I wish we could help honey.
Violet: Don't worry. I'm sure I'll find a nearby one. How's the shop dad?....

They carried on talking until Violet called it a night. She cleared the table and washed the dishes before heading to her room.

***

The next morning Violet woke up to sun streaming through her windows. She looked at her clock and when she saw it was 7.45 she jumped up and hurried to get ready to be at work by 8. She threw on her uniform and grabbed her apron before heading out the door.
She made it just in time to the café and was stopped by her boss at the door.

Violet: Morning Sally
Sally: Good Morning Miss Evans. Cutting it awfully close to opening.
Violet: I'm so sorry, I didn't hear my alarm. It won't happen again.
Sally: You're a good employee Evans. Don't let it happen again.
Violet: Thank you. I won't let you down.
Sally: Now go, the coffee won't make itself.

Violet headed to the back and begun her work but was soon stopped by a voice.

Josh: If it isn't Violet Evans
Violet: Keep your voice down would you
Josh: Still leading that double life are we Evans?
Violet: I mean it Josh, shut up.
Josh: Aww I'm kidding Vi. I love it when you get mad at me. I can-not take you seriously.

Violet rolled her eyes at him. Josh had been her lifelong friend from when they were neighbors and it was he who helped her get this job. They'd always clicked and she felt as if nobody knew her better than him.

Josh: So, how's the search going? You know, for sponsors.
Violet: It's not... I cannot find one nearby. I was planning on going for a walk and searching online to find after shift. Wanna join?
Josh: Yes! Always. I'll be like a good luck charm. You'll see.
Violet: Suureee. Now move before you cause me to get in trouble. I have to get this to that table.

Josh stepped back and she quickly passed.
She enjoyed working but it was seemingly more difficult as her hopes of leaving this place and becoming a sponsored success felt far too unreachable right now.

Once her usually busy shift came to an end, she neatened herself, removed her name tag and apron and met Josh at the door.

Josh: So I have a brilliant idea
Violet: Okay?
Josh: Live stream while you walk. It'll get people to see you as, well, you and maybe they can send recommendations or places in live time.
Violet: You are a genius! How do I look? Like a waitress?
Josh: Not at all.

Violet smiled at this and got out her phone. She went on to Instagram and found her way to starting a livestream. She immediately saw some people joining which gave her hope that this could work.

I really hope I find something now... I need to... she thought...