Elle and Hugo

Chapter Five

Eleanor sat on her bed as Hugo paced around her room. They were supposed to be working on their graphic design project, but her date was the next day and she couldn't focus. She was picking at her nails. What she really wanted to do was go for a run, but she already ran five miles that morning and she knew that trying to run again would be a bad idea.

"I think I'm just gonna cancel. I do not have anything good to wear and I'm so nervous I cannot even do school work," she groaned.

"No! You are going on this date and you are going to have a wonderful time. Elle, Wes wouldn't have asked you to go if he didn't want to get to know you better. All you have to do is be yourself and you'll be fine. Wes likes you for you."

She took a deep breath, slowly calming herself down. "I really wish I could play video games right now."

"Why can't you?"

"My mother got rid of all of my consules when she found out I was not going to medical or law school."

Hugo frowned. "That sucks, I'm so sorry. Why don't we go play something in my room?"

Eleanor's posture straightened in sudden excitement. "Really? Are you sure?"

"Duh, of course I'm sure! It's about time for me to see your skills."

Eleanor jumped off her bed and grabbed her keys, sliding shoes onto her feet.

"Not so fast," Hugo smirked. "We're not leaving until you promise me that you'll ask Alice to help you get ready tomorrow."

She frowned. "Come on, Hugo. That's a really bad idea. She is going to dress me up in pink and paint my face like a clown."

He rolled his eyes. "No she won't! You told me that she wants to own her own boutique one day, right? If she's going to be a good boutique owner, then she needs to be able to help other people with their own unique styles. She'll be able to help you look good and be comfortable."

"Fine, I will ask her. Can we go now? I haven't played a game in a month."

Hugo nodded and they were out the door seconds later.

"So what do you feel like playing? I have pretty much everything you can possibly imagine." Hugo pulled out a large box that was piled high with DVD cases. A few cases fell off and spilled onto the floor. Elle picked up the one that tumbled to her feet.

"Is this new Kingdom Hearts?" she asked, skimming the back of the case.

"Yeah, have you played it yet?"

She shook her head. "No, I couldn't afford to upgrade to the PS4. I only had the three."

Hugo grinned, snatching the case from her and inserting the game into one of the consules he had strewn across the floor near a television that was just leaning against a wall. It wasn't a great set up, but it was the best that he could do in a tiny dorm room without taking up too much of Wesley's space.

Eleanor plopped down next to him on the floor and they started to play. They played for hours, getting fully enthralled in the characters and story line. The Kingdom Hearts series was always one of her favorites because of its complex story line and beautiful art style. This was the type of game she wanted to make one day. She didn't just want to create games; she wanted to create art.

The two friends hadn't realized how long they had been playing until Wesley came into the room late that night after practice. He tossed his bag on his bed and crouched down to see what they were playing.

"Kingdom Hearts, huh? That's a good one."

"I know! It's one of my favorites," Hugo said, pausing the game. "The action is great!"