Youthfulness

Chapter Nine

Tossing and turning on the bed, Claire couldn't fall asleep, even with her eyes closed. Sighing, she opened her eyes and stared aimlessly at the ceiling. The small-sized chandelier, casting a warm and dim glow over the bed, did nothing to quench her restlessness.

She closed her eyes again, thinking about what happened this week. A lot had happened in a single week. A top player asking for her hand in marriage. Playing twice of Mistletoe Messenger every day. Having a real connection with a player through real life communication tools.

***

The whole week since Dark_Magician and herself communicated, they played Mistletoe Messenger every day, and she felt closer to the originally unknown stranger.

The next Saturday, they finally obtained enough Rings to activate Search of Angelican Rose. Delighted, Claire typed, not caring that it was almost nine: We did it! We got 1314 Rings! Let's activate Search of Angelican Rose!

He replied: Really? Good! Meet me at the spot tomorrow, okay?

Claire was mystified: Why not now?

Reply came: I am working night shift. Have to go to print newspaper at 10.

Oh, he is twenty-two, Claire remembered, He must have graduated from university. She understood instantly: Okay, go now! She added a smiley face to show him that she was alright with this.

He replied with urgency: Really have to go now, bye!

Followed by another text: My dear.

Claire blushed at the sight of the sentence. She replied: Don't be so sweet. I am blushing.

Dark_Magician sent a teary laugh face to her, and he went offline. Claire stared at the text agape. Is it appropriate to be sweet towards a friend in his tradition?

Claire was very looking forward to the next Monday.

***

School was as boring as usual, and the boys were stupid and hopeless as usual, but when she saw them screaming, she waved and smiled together. She wanted to get out of this mess as soon as possible.

"Wow, sis, this time you break your record time," Alexander grinned at his sister, patting her shoulder, "You only spent a minute to get out of their circling."

Claire smiled triumphantly at her twin, but didn't tell him the reason why she had such a motivation to break out of the boys so fast. The motivation was of course Dark_Magician.

She understood the twin much more now. She realised, when you had somebody to chat with through the phone, you would never want to put it down.

When the car stopped in front of the Mayfair, Claire instantly bounced out of her seat and shouted to Alexander while sprinting to the door, "I am bringing your school bag in!" She didn't notice his response, though she heard a few chuckles.

After throwing the school bags on the couch, she ran upstairs to charge her phone. While charging it, she typed to Dark_Magician: Hi.

She turned off the screen for a while, and it sparkles to life suddenly. Claire grinned. He had replied: Do you want to do the Search of Angelican Rose first?

It was exactly what she just wanted to ask him: Okay. I just wanted to ask you about it.

He typed: Meet me at the spot after 5 minutes. I am finishing the last match in Crown Jewels.

Claire rubbed her eyes again to confirm if she was seeing the right thing. What? He is doing Crown Jewels by himself? That is ... crazy! She replied: Okay. And he went offline again.