YouTuber Academy

Chapter 16: Night Time

"Checkmate!" The triumph saturated the older yet immature voice of Terrance as he moves his bishop.

I gaze in wonder, jaw to the floor. Not again. That had to be at least the 20th time.

"I thought you said you were good at this..." Terrance somewhat taunts as he goes to reset the chess board.

My granddad used to play with me all the time when I was younger, so I thought I'd at least be able to win one round but... I guess I got a bit cocky.

"Pfft... whatever..." I roll my eyes back into my head. "I didn't know I was up against a chess master. I don't know whether to be impressed or saddened."

"Why saddened?" Terrance perked up and looked into my eyes.

"Because that's one of the nerdiest things I could ever fathom..." I chuckle as Terrance frowns, sticking his tongue out at me. 

"You agreed to play... That makes you just as nerdy." He retorted.

I agreed because I had nothing better to do during the weekend. It was the end of my first week, so there was no need for studying; plus I wanted to relax for a bit and not worry about the information I've collected over the past few weeks. My head has been spinning recently with all the new developments so it's nice to take my mind off of it for a bit with some time with Terrance. It's kinda funny that Terrance had a chess table in his office. It was very similar to Pewds's office, fancy as hell with high ceilings and royality-themed decor, but smaller and cozier. 

"I guess you're right. But I don't think I could take another game with me losing miserably... Should we call it a day?"

Terrance once again lifted his head from his hands fumbling with the little pieces shaped as horses and knights, saddened slightly before removing his hands from the table. "Ok... Thanks for spending time with me... It gets lonely in here sometimes so it's nice to have a friend come hang out every once and a while. But it is getting late..."

I hadn't noticed, but I faced a roman numeral clock hanging on the opposite wall that read it was nearing 9pm. I can't believe I played chess for so long. Time flies when I'm hanging out with Terrance.

"Oh God... I can't be caught out past curfew..." I stumbled my words slightly as I quickly jumped out of my seat.

Terrance somewhat face-palms. "Oh man, I'm so sorry... I forgot about the curfews... Forgive me... I'll walk you to your room so, if anyone asks, I can say you were helping me with 'official business'... I'd hate for you to get in trouble..."

I eased up slightly. "Thank you, that would be great."

It was quiet as the moon shimmered in the sea of black, only specks of glitter accompanying it. Terrance and I walked down a couple of dimly lit paths in silence. It wasn't awkward; it was calming. It wasn't until we came closer to the building that I lived in that we heard something. It was quite a loud rustle that made me jump, but I couldn't pin point where it came from.

"What was that?" Terrance whispered.

"I don't know... It was probably just a possum..."

"Possum!?Like Opossums!?" 

"Right... America...Possums are not nice here.... Squirrel?"

"Probably...Anyway, I'll see you later?" Terrance smiled warmly after he had calmed down.

"Of course." I return, allowing for him to walk away, waving as he went. I was only a few metres from the door as he walked off further into the darkness. I began to head for the stairs when I heard the rustling again. Pausing, I wait and listen.