Hacked into my Feelings | Player Bouchard x Reader

Chapter 29 - Watch What Happens

Y/n's POV

As you were hanging out in Player's room, thumbing through the random Percy Jackson books he had lying around, he shouted.

"A LADYBUG!"

Your head swiveled towards his direction. Dropping your book, you leaned over to peer at what he was yelling about. It was indeed a ladybug. Crawling on his bed without a care in the world.

"Ladybugs are signs of good luck," you say while Player scooped it up in his hand. He inspected it curiously. "I know that already. But how did it get in here?"

You shrugged. "You probably left a window open somewhere, or it snuck in through a crack. It won't hurt you." You picked up the book where you dropped it as he says, "Let's release it outside."

The moment Player stood up to open his window, the ladybug flew out of his hand. The small red blur buzzed past your ear. "IT'S FLYING AWAY!"

What started as a simple task turned into a bug-chase as you both frantically searched for the creature. When you slapped your hand on it creeping up the doorframe, it fluttered its tiny wings and soared across the room. Player clapped his hands trying to snatch it in the air. This miniature insect was proving extremely difficult to catch.

As it flew right between you and Player, you both reached out to grab the creepy-crawly. Unfortunately, you ended up bashing your forehead against his and staggered onto his bed. Your friend fell backwards hitting the back of his head against a drawer. When he lifted his hand from his skull, his fingers were covered with blood.

You sat gaping at him as the ladybug landed on your wrist. Clamping your hand on it, you said, "I got it!" while standing up to move towards Player. "Are you alright?"

He stood up as well. After a few short seconds, he burst out laughing. "HAHAHAHA! This is the dumbest injury I've ever gotten!"

You broke into a smile. His contagious laughter caused you to laugh as well.

•••

After releasing the ladybug into the wilderness and patching up Player's wound, you sat on the porch together drinking juice boxes. You had the Percy Jackson book open in your lap. Skimming the scenes where Percy chops off Medusa's head. Player glanced at the pages.

"You know, I actually never read the full series," he said sipping his apple juice. "The school gifted me the box set for doing well in my online courses. It's been sitting on my shelf ever since."

You tilted your head. He never really seemed like the type of kid to read books. "You've probably been too busy reading numbers on a computer screen than to bother reading words on paper," you say as a joke.

He sighs. "True. Spent most of my life hacking, after all. I can memorize scripts and notice when a number is misplaced within two seconds. I can even recite the first few commands for a code from the top of my head!" He paused. "Oh- sorry. I know you think I'm weird."

You immediately shook your head. "Hacking to carry out dangerous operations for a gang of thieves? Sure, it might be weird, but it's cool!" You squeezed your juice box. "You've probably saved more lives than I ever will."

Player smiled. He looked down at his feet. "Carmen and the team have been on my mind recently. I know they've moved on, and I've moved on too, but... I can't get them out of my head."

You listened intently. "What, like you're worried about them?"

"No, not that. They're safe. They're where they belong. But I'm not sure..." He bit his lip. "Can I tell you some things? Not anything specific, but just- hear me out. I need to get some stuff off my chest."

Closing your book, you considered it. He really did sound sincere, as if he was truly complexed about his thoughts at the moment. You wanted to help him in any way you could. As his best friend and neighbor.

"Of course. I'll listen."

•••

You sat on the porch with him as he ranted about everything that's occurred with Team Red. He rambled about every detail, from Zack's fish hatred to Carmen's murdered father. He told you about his missions in France and Mexico. He told you about the past VILE operatives he's defeated. He told you the lore behind Carmen Sandiego and how many times she nearly died. He ranted about some imaginary trip to Australia to find some guy named Graham. He talked about all his worries and distress and how much he wants to move on from them. He says he's happy being here with you, and he's grateful to have someone he can tell this to. He says he likes you and enjoys your company and hates the feeling of being this confused. He says he's overwhelmed in some sort of way he can't describe. And you listen to it all.

Once he finishes, you put your juice box down. You watch him take a deep breath and say, "Sorry. That's all I wanted to say."

You weren't too sure how to respond. He basically relinquished all of Carmen Sandiego's secrets onto you. You were unaware if you should even know all this information. But Carmen Sandiego is over, right? This intellect shouldn't be too much of a big deal. Besides, it's not like you were going to tell anyone about this anyway. Who was there to tell? The roach that lives under your bed?

This was awkward. You both sat in silence, watching the wind quietly sway the grass in the lawn. The sky was still a bright shade of blue. He opened his mouth to say something, but quickly shut it afterwards.

"Do I have to say something comforting? I'm not the best therapist." In fact, you are probably the one who needs a therapist. Player snorted. "Saying that was the best response you could come up with. I prefer that answer than anything cheesy. I appreciate it."

Your cheeks heated up. "You're welcome, I guess." This turned from awkward to embarrassing. He chuckled. "Y/n, wanna have a sleepover tomorrow? Not tonight, but tomorrow. My parents will probably let us."

...

A sleepover?

Sure, you've done all sorts of things with him this summer, but not a sleepover! You can't even remember the last time you had a sleepover with somebody.

"Of course, you can sleep on the couch or floor. Just bring your own toothbrush," he says nonchalantly. You blinked. Is this a good idea?

Sleepovers are normal for friends. In stereotypical sleepovers seen in movies, they usually involve staying up late eating cheese puffs, binge-watching movies on illegal websites, and laughing as you gossip about the latest drama. Actually, it's one of the more normal things friends do that you and Player haven't. You and Player have ran from supervillains and discovered top-class secrets, but not a friendly neighborhood sleepover. You really are a weird pair of friends.

Plus, you have a crush on him.

So should you agree?

You didn't want to think about it anymore. You said, "Sure," and stood up. Player did the same. "Awesome. I'll tell my parents later."

The rest of the day was spent with you and him fooling around on your electronics. Afterwards, you went home, told your family about the sleepover, and headed to bed. Just another joyful day of your Canadian summer.

With your diary in hand, you held your pen up, flicking through the pages filled with nonsense about Player. He really is taking up about 50% of your book. You opened to a blank sheet and wrote.

Um. So. It was another great day of summer, but Player invited me to a sleepover. I've already been to every corner of his house and hung out with him basically each day of the break so far, but a sleepover? Thinking about it gives me a queasy feeling in my stomach. Like my heart just feels... fluttery? I don't know. And it feels cringe to even be writing about it.

I'm excited for the sleepover. It'll be fun, I know it. Nothing bad will happen whatsoever... right?

Apprehensively,

Y/n

Author's Note: Hi guys😁