X Scale

1. Warthog

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One step after the other my feet glide over the cobblestone pathway. As I reach the front doors of a cafe I hear my name being called.

"Evelynn!" A bubbly figure wraps her arms around mine and pulls me through the dark oak doors of the Cafe. The small blonde hair woman before me, leads me over to a free table.

"Hey Ev, I haven't seen you since the summer holidays started!" My best friend says enthusiastically. As we slide into the seats around the table, Kayla continues talking, "It's been ages, I swear! So much has happened, my  older brother has a new girlfriend- can you believe that? He told me not to tell our parents though. My sister has gotten her first car, even though she's been in uni for a couple years." I giggle at my best friend's excitement as she rambles on about anything she can think of.

"Kayla, breathe," I intrupt her when she shows no sign of stopping.

"Sorry! I'm just so excited to see you!"

"You do realise it's only been three days since we last saw each other at school, right?" I say sceptically.

She takes a minute to ponder this then says, "Yeah.. But it feels like ages! Anyway, have you heard the news? It's all over social media." I shake my head, indicating for her to go on, but we're interrupted by a waitress.

"Hello ladies, what can I get you today?" The waitress says with smiling eyes that greet both Kayla and I. We both look at each other, then back at the waitress.

"One vanilla milkshake and one chocolate, thanks," I say to the waitress. I see a small pin on her uniform that reads her name, 'Sisco.B'. Sisco scribbles our order on her note pad then looks at both of us as she says, "Won't be long!" She waves at us as she walks off.

I look at Kay, waiting for her to continue our conversation. "So, what's on the media?" I ask, knowing my best friend has forgotten what we were talking about because of her blank expression. As soon as I say that, her eyes widen and her mouth forms an 'O' shape.

"Oh yeah! Well, this company called Tidle Tech, have you heard of it? They are creating this game and are choosing 20 people to participate in the game. Isn't that exciting? The choosing of the people are going to be random from ages 16-25 - our age range! We could get picked!!" Kayla is practically jumping out of her seat.

"Right... You said it was a game?

"Yeah! Not much information was said on it, Tidal Tech said they'd keep on updating us. The name is called X-Scale though. "

"X-Scale? I wonder what the game is about with a name like that."

"Oh me too! I'll send you a link to the post where I found it, there's a website link aswell on the post," Kayla pulls out her phone from the pocket of her  denim shorts and begins to tap the screen. A few seconds later my phone dings and a notification comes up on the screen from Kayla.

This whole thing seems so suspicious and mysterious..

"So you know nothing about the game, yet you're excited? Who knows what this game could be, it's could be so boring, or something dangerous."

Kayla looks up from her phone, her expression thoughtful. "I doubt it'd be something dangerous, wouldn't they get sued or something?"

"Depends."

"They wouldn't be allowed, I'm sure they won't make it dangerous, or boring."

"You've got to much faith in society," I say sighing. My gaze is drawn over towards the counter and kitchen of the Cafe as I see Sisco carrying two drinks in her hands.

"Here you go ladies, enjoy!"

We both thank her as she sets down the drinks infront of us. She leaves with a bright smile on her face.

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We stay at the Cafe for a bit longer, discussing when the next episode of our favourite TV show will come out, or what we're going to do for the rest of the holidays. Eventually we get bored and go shopping. As we enter a mall nearby I hear people passing by talking about X-Scale. Geez, this game sure is popular. Why is everyone talking about it though, what's so great?

Soon the sun is beginning to set and Kayla and I say our goodbyes to each other. I put my earphones on and begin my long walk back to my house. I'm lost in thought when a force barges into my shoulder, knocking me backwards and landing on my arse, dropping my phone.

I hurry and pick up my phone while saying "Sorry, I wasn't watching where I was goi-"

"Watch it, you idiot!" A voice inturpts me.

"Excuse me?" I say as I look up to the person infront of me. The most handsome face I've ever seen looks towards me, with piercing green eyes glaring back at my dull blue eyes. His hair is jet black and frames his face, perfectly.

I get up, knocking myself out of the trance this man has put me in. I look at him, he's at least a head taller than me with an athletic build; broad shoulders, muscles that can be seen through his black tee.

This man is so fine. I think to myself.

"Watch where you're going moron, there's a path for a reason!" He yells at me.

To bad he's arrogant and rude. I sigh inwardly.

"Sor-rey Mr.High and Mighty! It wasn't my fault, you bumped into me."

"I didn't bump into you, you weren't looking and ran into me, dumbass." He says, his deep voice quieting.

"If you were walking on the right side of the path none of this would've happened. You didn't need to yell at me either, when I was trying to apologise!" My frustration streaming out of my voice.

"Yeah, whatever, cya never."

He strolls past me, giving me a lazy wave as he walks off.

"Geez, who does that guy think he is? Jerk!" I yell the last word in his direction and at my surprise and embarrassment, the guy turns his head back to me and calls out, "I heard that."

Ugh, what a.... Warthog. I say in my head, not risking him hear me again.

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