Lazer Tag Life

3

After having a particularly rough time trying to serve at least 20 hungry pretweens, I was knocked out. After collapsing on the Big Couch, I glanced at the clock, hoping it would say 6:00pm, so I could finally go home and start studying for the major Chemistry test I had tomorrow. Hopefully, my wish was fulfilled!

Hopping right up and announcing my departure, I walked out the door before Rocky could make me do any extra work.

It didn't take long to get home, which was nice. I rushed to my room as soon as I unlocked the door, before my mother had a chance to greet me and question me about my day. I love that sweet woman to death, but this was not the time to be interrogated.

I pulled out my sister's crappy work laptop and clicked on the Regents Chem Questions Sheets that Nick had sent in our little group chat not too long ago, to help all of us. I made sure to open them on her Noteworthy application, so I could write on them without printing them out. The whole process involves over 50 pages, papers flying everywhere, and just a huge waste of ink in the end.

For the next three hours I listened to various Beatles albums and managed to complete all of the questions. When I graded myself, I found out that I got 85/100 questions right. I'm going to ace this test, I thought, before passing out right there on my desk.

********
"Morning, sleepyhead," Alex sneered as soon as he saw me walk in the Senior Lounge the next day.

"Shut up, I actually stayed up until midnight studying, unlike a certain someone."

"I did something useful, I chatted up a girl who goes to our enemy school!"

"Hilltop? Why?" Finally, I realized. "Oh God, Alex, please don't tell me you asked for nudes."

"I didn't."

"Okay, good."

"She sent them to me first."

"Dammit Alex!" I snapped.

"Wait," Bob interrupted my fury. "Did she ask you if it was okay to send them? Was 100% consent involved in both parties?"

"Yes, mom, it was all okay." Alex rolled his eyes.

"Sheesh, just making sure, you never know," Bob grumbled, then went back to focusing on his Pokémon game.

"Anyway," Alex faced front again, face red and finger pointed at me. "You're just jealous, Thomson! Jealous that I'm better at picking up girls than you!"

This time I rolled my eyes. "This isn't a cheesy early 2000s movie. People don't get jealous of their friends 'picking up chicks' anymore. And," I continued, chuckling. "I think you forgot that I'm gay."

"Oh yeah."

"Yep."

"Is that the bell I hear?" Nick got up, close to sprinting away from this whole conversation. "Gotta Blast!"

"Okay, see you guys at work later," Bob called. "And remember, it's Thursday! We get off early for work tomorrow!"

*******
The rest of the school day was a blur, except the test. Everything that I studied was on it, so it was a breeze. Since I had Chem last period, I rushed out the door once I handed it in, and headed to work. When I got there, Rocky was already giving orders in the back.

"Ok, so today apparently is an unused snow day for elementary and middle schools, so you bet everyone's gonna be coming here. The crowds will probably start at...now."

It was like fate. As soon as she said that, the crowds came rushing in. I'm not even being overdramatic. I heard them. We all heard them. About forty screaming kids were already in the lobby, accompanied by their weird vegan hipster moms.

Rocky looked slightly intimidated, so I put my hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry, I'll give everyone their jobs in the back, you just worry about everyone up there."

She still seemed nervous, but she managed to flash a smile at me. "Thanks, Paulie."

After she left to go fight it out in the front, I started to direct everyone. "Alex! You're on total vest duty! Bob, make sure all 5 arenas are open and ready to play in! Nick, you start gathering the groups, Rocky will probably bring in the rest. I'll go make sure the paintball and kickball places are intact, but Paige will take over. I'll work on the control panel! You ready, team?"

"Yeah!" Everyone replied in unison.

"Okay, let's take care of this final full day, team!"