Game Over // Danvid

Chapter 4

~Daniel~

David stood in awe after my statement. Is he homophobic? Maybe I should say something.

"Hey, umm, you okay there?" I piped up. David coughed, the words unable to slip out his mouth.

"Yeah, I'm just..." He trailed off, losing his thought in the sentence. I sighed, worried about the thoughts circling his head. I clutched onto the wooden dining chair, pulling it towards me as the legs scraped against the floor. I placed myself down on it, looking into David's emerald green eyes. David looked back, his eyes were broken and helpless, calling out for someone to listen. I exhaled, standing up and placing my hand on David's shoulder.

"I'm here to listen, whether you dislike me for my sexuality or not." I choked out. David looked at me in surprise.

"I'm not homophobic or anything!" He exclaimed, continuing, "I'm bisexual so..."

I smiled, knowing he didn't think of me any less. David pulled me into an embrace, with a small smile. I hugged back, happily.

We let go and I travelled upstairs. Opening my bedroom door and picking up my viola, placing it into position and practising the latest piece I have been. I practised loudly, unable to hear anything else. The only other thing heard was Jen screaming my name, wanting my attention, but I ignored her. I stopped and turned, noticing David peeking around the door. When he saw me staring, he jumped and ran to his room. Running after, viola in hand, I turned into David's room only to see him standing, shaking. Peering over his shoulder, the noose hung from the ceiling fan above. I rushed to it, standing on a stool and untying it from the fan. I threw it onto the ground next to David's bed and wrapped my arms around David in a hug, a warm gesture to tell him it's all okay. He hugged back hesitantly, but tightly.

Removing both of our arms, we stood awkwardly, facing each other. Exhaling quietly, stuck on what to say, I only darted my eyes away from David, avoiding eye contact. You know, the really awkward eye contact that you make with people when you don't know what to say.

"Thanks..." David coughed. I propped my head up at his sudden expression of gratitude. Smiling, I turned on my heel and wandered to my room, continuing to practise my viola. David, once again, watched. He jumped again, but I smiled, signalling him to stay and listen.

"Do you like music?" I inquired. He nodded shyly, along with saying, "I used to play guitar."

"Let's go down to the music store!" I exclaimed, setting my viola and its bow on my bed, and grabbing my jacket. David scratched the back of his neck, nervously. "Do we have to?"

I chuckled, "I wanna get you a guitar, and we can jam together!" David muttered a small 'okay' with a smile. I grasped onto his hand and we ran out the door, towards the High Street. We jogged until we ran out of breath, then we walked the rest of the way. Walking in, the carpet was a dark garnet and the walls were striped black and white. Different tables were patterned on the floor, along with different instruments on each one. Ukuleles on one, various string instruments on another. It was just like I remembered. The owner of the shop, Meredith, or Ered, greeted us two.

"Nice to see you again, Daniel." She smiled, leaning against the doorframe of the staff room. Peeking inside I can see her skateboard and a few instruments not put out yet. "What you looking for?"

"A guitar for my buddy here." I patted him on the back with a reassuring smile. He gave a little wave as Ered inspected him.

"Got just the one." She claimed, strolling into the back. A few seconds later, she stepped into the room with a light brown guitar. David's eyes lit up as she showed him the instrument. He nodded with a smile saying, "its perfect!"

Ered sat behind the counter with a slight smug look on her face, but a smile was accompanying it. David placed the guitar on the counter, ready for me to make the purchase. Chuckling at his excitement, we payed and David automatically started to play it. He was very talented, and was also very happy. Happiest I've ever seen the boy.

"C'mon David. Let's go." I tugged at the same red jacket he wore yesterday.

Leaving the store, I decided to spoil him a bit more. I bought him clothes, as he lost his house and everything with it, and lunch. A couple of people gave us stares, as David is still considered a Level 1 to the game. David darted his eyes down. I leant over the table and nudged his arm a little, projecting a small smile at him. David only sighed in reply.

I stood up, dragging David out of his seat with me. Giving death stares towards the Judge McJudgers over there, we left the building and travelled back to our house.

Entering the house, I placed David's guitar on the couch and told him to wait there. Sprinting upstairs, and grabbing my viola, I made my way back downstairs and told David to ready his guitar.

I placed my viola under my chin and hovered the bow over the strings as David threw the strap over his head and tested his guitar, tuning it where necessary.

Just as we were about to start playing, white and gold ribbons spiralled David, sparkles scattered around him. As the ribbons danced and the sparkles, well, sparkled, David's eyes lit up. He was levelling up.

As the effects faded away, David smiled widely, happier than earlier. Smiling back, I began to play the viola lightly. As it intensified, David played along on his guitar. Together, we sounded like a band, but the neighbours soon knocked on the door, complaining. When they left, the only thing David and I could do was laugh.

Until we calmed down, we had dinner then just listened to music together. Jen claimed she was moving out, after buying a house nearby. We helped her get some of her stuff in and build the delivered furniture.

After sorting everything with Jen's new house, we were invited to a New House party Jen was planning. I was all for it, well, of course I was, she's my sister. But David on the other hand wasn't so sure. He said he'd come but he told me privately that he wanted to stick with me. Finding it flattering, I told him okay and we headed back to our house.

We played a few games together on my console until David started to yawn and grow tired. We paused our game and accompanied David upstairs and into his room. Making my way into my own, I cleared everything up and changed.

I waddled back towards David's room and knocked on the door. No response. I panicked as memories from yesterday flooded my brain. I barged into his room to see him peacefully asleep on his bed. I breathed a sigh of relief and whispered, "Good night."

I closed his door behind me and smiled as I walked towards my own room. Closing the door, and climbing into bed, I switched the lamp off and shut my eyes, drifting off into a dreamless sleep.