The Parrot Predicament

Chapter 1

I had all my attention on my computer screen, focusing on the video game I was playing. Crash Bandicoot 3, to be exact. And I had to beat this level flawlessly. After all, there were two viewers watching. I could tell by the counter at the bottom of the screen. A third person tuned in. My highest view count yet! Pressure ran high. So high, I mistimed a jump and fell into a hole, dying instantly. My viewer count dropped back down to two.

I let out a loud groan. Thankfully I had my mic off so no one could hear anything going on on my end. Then again, maybe me playing in absolute silence had something to do with my low view count.

"Emma!" my mom called. "Dinner's ready."

"I'm not done playing for my two viewers," I called back, watching my view count go down to one. "My one viewer!"

My mom appeared at the doorway of my room. "Emma, you've been playing that game long enough. Did you even do your homework?"

"Yeah," I lied.

She shook her head. "Your dinner's going to be cold."

A cold dinner didn't matter, for I had made it to 3 viewers on Nemesis. It was a website that allowed people to stream themselves playing games, and other people could tune in to watch. Some users had a massive amount of followers, while others had a decent amount. I had a minuscule amount, but streaming myself playing games was a fun way to kill time. And even having a small number of people watching was satisfying. Validating even.

I realize how strange this all sounds to those out of the loop. Watching other people play video games probably sounds weird, but so is watching other people toss a ball around. Yet the latter is more socially acceptable than the former.

The next morning, I arrived at school several minutes early. I spotted my best friend at her locker. She was short, with black hair tied back in a ponytail. I couldn't help but brag about the three viewers I had.

"Three viewers! Can you believe that?" I said.

"Mmhmmm." Tiffany sounded disinterested, but like she had something else on her mind. Although she didn't care for video games, she usually showed more enthusiasm for my achievements.

"Is something bothering you?" I asked.

"No, it's nothing." Her voice sounded almost day-dreamy, except Tiffany wasn't much of a day-dreamer. "Nothing at all." She pulled out a Chemistry textbook, and shut her locker door.

I frowned as we headed towards our first class. We passed a blonde girl reading a copy of MacBeth. The sight of her caused me to frown harder. Lexy was a total and complete snob, and I hated everything about her.

"Lexy is a total and complete snob, and I hate everything about her," I said aloud.

Normally Tiffany would agree with me. But instead, she said something I never expected her to say.

"She's not that bad."

I let out a bark of laughter. "Not that bad?"

"I talked to her in English class yesterday. She let me borrow her stapler."

I scoffed. "She's blonde, Tiff. Of course she's mean. It was probably a fake act. After all, she is a theater kid."

Tiffany nodded, but I could tell her heart wasn't in it. What was up with her today?

"Hey, Emma." A boy with shaggy, dark hair appeared. Lars. We had English together, and were paired up for a project. One where had to create a podcast about Animal Farm. I had plans to work on it with him after school. Which was perfect, because I had to go to the school's art show in the evening. My younger sister had an exhibit there. Since it wasn't until 5, and school got out at 3:15, there would be plenty of time to kill.