Glitched

~Chapter One~

Cover created by Tealover0669

"And here is the break room." Mr. Lenich turned the corner, and I followed close behind. I found that my supervisor took another left, entering into a relatively large room. The doorway was large, twice the size of the average entrance. The flooring and paint on the walls were the same as in the hallway and every other room I had been in thus far - extensive black tiling and eggshell white paint. The room had several tables and chairs scattered about, most with workers enjoying their lunch breaks. I was taken aback by the amount of vending machines covering the break room's back wall: one water dispenser, a machine for an assortment of both regular and diet sodas, two for all sorts of chip varieties, one for several different types of candies, and finally one vending machine for a dozen brands of salty snacks and goods.

As soon as we stepped into the breakroom, I could hear multiple workers begin to whisper but could not comprehend more than a few words: the new girl, professional, only twenty-two, Laine, proud.

Although I couldn't, Mr. Lenich seemed to understand every word the workers were saying. "I believe your reputation precedes you, Miss Nichol."

"I have no idea what you mean by that, sir."

"Oh, come on, Miss Nichol. Mr. Lenich put a hand on my shoulder, pulling me closer despite my discomfort. "You shouldn't have to be modest when you're with your people, your fellow gamers! First, everyone here looked up to your father, and now we all look up to you, myself included."

"Please don't bring up my father, sir." It was all that I could think of saying. It had already been seven years since my father had passed, but I still didn't like to talk about the event, still refused to accept the fact that my best friend was forever gone. I chose to ignore the fact that I would never again see my closest companion, never again have a conversation with him.

I wiped a tear from my eye and smiled at my new coworkers sitting in front of me. Mr. Lenich was right; this wasn't high school where I would be bullied for being a female gamer. This wasn't college where I was ridiculed for being the only girl pursuing an education and career in programming. This was my job - Byte's Incorporated - where I could embrace my online persona. This was a safe place for me where everyone respected my reputation. Here, I could finally be myself without any repercussions - a professional, award-winning female gamer, the proven best in my state. In June, I was competing against forty-nine others, one from each state other than my own, to decide who is the best in the country.

"If you don't mind, Miss Nichol, our next stop on tour is right over here." Mr. Lenich smiled and turned towards the doorway, motioning me into the hallway.

"Okay." I waved goodbye to my coworkers in the break room before stepping out into the hallway. I followed Mr. Lenich down the hallway. After a few seconds of walking, Mr. Lenich unlocked a door on the left titled "Chief Executive Officer, Founder Laine Landborn." I couldn't believe it; was Mr. Lenich really going to show me the company's CEO and founder's office? Was I really about to meet my idol, the man second only to my late father, Laine Landborn?

"This is the office of the main boss, Mr. Laine Landborn. Unfortunately, we aren't allowed to actually go inside right now as he's not here at the moment..."

Not here?

"...so you'll have to wait until later to meet him. Normally, employees don't get to meet the CEO on their first day. Still, Mr. Landborn always makes it a point to personally know his company's line of beta-testers."

"Personally?" I looked up at Mr. Lenich with a hopeful face. I then looked into the CEO'S office. Mr. Landborn's desk was surprisingly clean and tidy - in one corner was a flower pot holding a bouquet of several crimson red tiger lilies. On the opposite end of the desk was a stack of multiple brightly coloured folders and white binders. A window directly behind his desk, covered in transparent black curtains with a bookcase on either side. The left bookcase held all different kinds of video games and small consoles. The right bookcase contained several other black binders and books. In front of Landborn's desk was a thin dark red carpet - as red as blood - with two stationary black cushioned chairs facing the desk.