klance

Level Up

"Pidge, I know that I'm way better at video games than you" I said slyly.
"Lance, do you really want to say something like that, when you know I'm the best video game player in the city?" Pidge replied. Our town has an annual video game championship, and last year Pidge won first place.
"Yes, I do. I challenge you, Pidge Holt, to a video game competition!"
"Fine. Challenge accepted."
Standing up from my chair, I pushed through the swinging break room doors and into the video game store. Pidge and I worked at our town's local video game store, where the whole city's best gamers hang out and compete. Our boss, Shiro, was a really cool guy, and let me and Pidge play video games on the big TV that customers usually used to test out games. Most people who come in here just come in to play video games for free.
   "Hunk, watch the checkout please!" I called to my fellow employee.
   When I turned the corner to the gaming area, I spotted a boy sitting and playing Destiny. He had dark, long hair, and wore a big red sweatshirt. He was in the middle of an intense shoot off with a robot.
   "Well Lance, it looks like we have to wait." Pidge muttered impatiently. They sat on a tall stool by the wall and tapped their foot while they watched the boy playing his game. I decided to take a seat on the couch which was half occupied by the busy gamer.
"What level are you?" I asked. I know, I know. It's rude to talk to people while they're busy and trying to concentrate on something, but I wanted this kid out of here as soon as possible. I found it's easy to drive people out of the gaming corner if I talk to them constantly.
"Level 28."
"Is that good? I've never played this game before." I was genuinely curious.
"Eh. It's ok. If you've never played it before, you should play it with me." he offered.
"Yeah. Okay. What's your name?" I asked as I grabbed a controller.
   "Keith. I'm assuming you're Lance, says so on your name tag." he replied.
I nodded and started up my controller. I connected and the screen split.
"Okay. This level is a bit tricky, so just follow my lead," Keith said. "Use a machine gun because there are so many aliens in that cave."

Keith and I played the game for two hours. After that, he had leave.

-

For the next month, Keith came to the store every day. I worked here every day, so I saw him every day, and he asked me to play video games with him every day. I have to admit, I really enjoyed hanging out with him. I learned so much about him while we played video games. His favorite color is red, he loves ramen noodles, and he writes poetry based on stuff he sees in video games.
   One day, Keith came into the store, like usual, and walked over the the front desk.
   "Lance, I'm here!" he said loudly. I was in the break room, like I usually was. I heard his voice, and immediately jumped up from my chair. Rushing out the door, I speed-walked over to the gaming corner and sat by Keith. I grabbed the controller and started up the Xbox. In my peripheral vision, I noticed Keith staring at me, and I looked over at him with a quizzical face. He quickly looked back at the TV and scratched the back of his head.
   "Um... Lance? Can I ask you something?" he said hesitantly.
   "Yeah, whatever you want." I said, now focused on the screen, preparing for the game's start. I looked over to Keith as he stared down at the floor. I realized the conversation had a quite serious mood, so I set down the controller and faced him.
   "So, I've been wanting to say this, for like a week. I just wanted to say... that I... like you. Do you want to date me?" he asked, rolling his hands together nervously.
   I thought for a second. I connecting everything from the longest time. And I have to admit, I think for the past month I have felt the same way as Keith.
   "Yeah. I want to date you." I replied. I grabbed his hand and held it tight in mine. I let go, picked up my controller, and leaned my head on his shoulder. He smiled and picked up his controller, then we started playing.