Glitterdust (Completed)

39. Sore loser

"Are you ready?" The stage assistant is armed with a headset and a notepad.

"I guess so." I grab my bag with my equipment and throw one last look at Al.

"Go get 'm, kiddo." He tries to look confident, but I know how nervous he is.

He was so mad at me last night. I'm pretty sure he created some new curses. When he was done, he became frightened, which actually scared me more than him being mad. Although I felt miserable, I did understand him. If Joey found out what I had done, he could prosecute me, bring me to jail. And if they found out who gave me the software, Al's happy hackers were in big trouble as well. Despite all the problems I may have caused, he's still by my side and I'm glad he's here.

The last battle was a tough fight. My last opponent was a young guy, almost as young as me when I first entered the magical world of tournaments. And he was fast. It felt as if he made a thousand mouse clicks a minute, quickly moving his character over the map. But that was also his weakness. During the incessant clicking he made a lot of small mistakes. Mistakes I could use to beat him eventually.

I couldn't have imagined what happened next. It was as if all hell broke loose. Everyone wanted a piece of me. Cameras were shoved into my face, I was blinded by flashes and reporters were screaming questions at me. Luckily Al was there to sort things out and I was guided to a room behind the main stage. Al organized interviews with a couple of the most important YouTube reporters and other media. He instructed me on what to say and how to act. I think the mob would have devoured me if he wasn't there.

And now I have one final battle to fight.

"Are you coming? It's almost time." The assistant looks expectantly at me. I almost forgot about her and I give her a reaffirming nod.

She smiles, walks out of the room and I follow her suit. The last game is played on the main stage and she's leading me to my spot.

The whole atmosphere in the stadium has changed. The nervousness that was almost tangible on the first day has disappeared and has changed in to a more festive ambiance. People are smiling, chatting with each other, having a good time. I'm the last one standing of all of them and they want to see how I succeed or fail miserably against Joey. People are placing bets. Some expect me to get my arse kicked, some of them think I can win easily.

Joey is already here. I saw him and I know he saw me as well. There was this hint of recognition in his eyes, and a small sliver of an emotion I couldn't interpret. I raised my arm to wave at him, but he already had turned his back on me.

Sweat starts pouring over my back when we walk over the stage. As soon as we reach my spot, I take off my hoody. The faceless mob cheers and I give them a half hearted smile and a small wave.

"Can I get you something to drink? Water or some soda?" the assistant asks.

"Can I have some coffee?" I had a hell of a night. Every time I closed my eyes I saw my phone lying on the desk, next to Joey's laptop.

Her never fading smile broadens a bit more. "Good thing caffeine isn't on the doping list," she says, winks at me and starts talking into her headset.

Meanwhile I unpack and install my equipment one last time. A camera crew is gathering around me, marking spots, trying to find the best angle to follow every move I make. They make me nervous, but I know there's no way I can avoid them. This is the last fight and they want to make sure everyone can see what we're doing. A camera man is zooming in on my mouse. 

I hear the crowd cheer again and I see Joey walking to his place. Some members of the camera crew make their way to him. He takes his time to install everything and calls for the stage assistant several times. They won't tell me what's going on, but I see him shaking his head and making grand gestures. Maybe he's trying to make me nervous, I tell myself.