The Game We Play

Chapter Two

"I'm so sorry- I didn't wake up early enough and I forgot everything!" she exclaimed, panic adamant in her voice.

"Oh man I'm so glad," he replied, smiling wider. "Because I sort of forgot my stuff as well."

The two laughed as Ash pulled the chair across from him out and sat down.

"God- you're such an asshole sometimes Conner." she said with her expression still unable to lose its smile.

"Tell me more." he said as he brought an arm up on the table to rest his cheek on. He looked so handsome and that smile only made it better. He was so perfect.

"Well? Go on. I'm giving you permission to berate me and you aren't taking it- when will you get another opportunity like this?" he teased.

"I'm too tired for this." Ash responded. "I'm gonna need a coffee to deal with you."

Conner stood up and walked over to the counter. Ash got up and followed him, looking at the daily coffee specials.

"Living la vida mocha? That's a new one." she said, laughing. "I think I'll try that."

"I'd like the daily special and a caramel macchiato please." Conner told the barista. "Could I also get a coffee cake to go with that?"

"Sure thing sweetie." she said as she put the order in. "That'll be $12.42."

"Here," Ash said reaching into her wallet for a bunch of one dollar bills.

"I got it." he said as he handed the woman his debit card.

Ash smiled and rolled her eyes at him, stuffing the bills back into her wallet. "Thanks Conner."

"Of course Ash." he said as he grabbed the coffees from the counter. "Think you can get the coffee cake?"

"Sure." she answered as she grabbed the small paper box. "Do you want to stay here or..?"

"Nah, I wanna take you somewhere." he replied. "You said you wanted to participate in the game right?" he stated more than asked. "Well, I've found someone who can test if you can."

Ash's eyes widened. "You did that for me?" she asked him disbelievingly.

"Sure-if it's something you've got to do I want you to be as prepared as possible." he said simply.

'The Game' was somewhat of a mystery to most. It was almost an urban legend, but Ash knew it was real. All the rags to riches stories showing up every year and the impossible miracles that seemed to come with them were hard not to correlate. It was often spoken of, but not many knew how exactly to enter it. Ash had studied every text relating to the subject that she could and had come across a strange repeating ritual to do with lunar and solar eclipses. She knew it was stupid to walk blindly into something she didn't understand, but she needed to help Nigil. He was the only one she had left...

Ash mentally facepalmed. Of course he wasn't the only one- she still had Maia. And Conner. She looked up at him and realized she had been quietly lost in thought.

"Oh um- let's go then." she said smiling nervously.

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Sorry that it's such a slow introduction! I figure it's better to give you time to get to know about the characters before throwing anything at them. Stay safe everyone <3