Page 126 of Soul So Dark

“Dark Souls, the usual.”

I only tell him because I know he won’t be interested in that one. If Austin knew that I’ve been playingCall of Dutyfor the past two hours, then it would be a different story. I still think it’s boring, preferring RPGs over first person shooter games, but it’s easy…and popular.

Normally, I wouldn’t bat an eye if Austin wanted to play with me—it’s what we’ve done since high school—but I didn’t know he would be coming over tonight. Maybe Shelby’s comment about his latest breakup has something to do with that. Or the fact that everyone is still depressed that the basketball team was upset by the second lowest-ranked team in the conference and got knocked out of the tournament before it even began.

As soon as the microwave beeps, I empty the steaming bag into a bowl to take back into my room with me. I don’t bother taking any wine. The popcorn will be hard enough to eat as it is.

I trudge back upstairs to my room, where I make sure to lock the door behind me before heading to my dresser to grab some clothes. If I’d known that Austin was downstairs, I’d have changed first instead of coming down to get a snack. At least I had a robe on…

I pull a grey cami and a pair of sweatpants out of my drawers and then shed the robe. Pressing on my breast with one hand, I peel off the little strips of black athletic tape in quick, fluid movements. In a few seconds, they go from X’s over each of my nipples to sticky wads in the trash can. Finally, I turn off the purple neon light mounted across my headboard and head back to my desk. My second part-time job is done for the night and now I can play for fun, but there’s still a catch.

Shoving a handful of popcorn in my mouth, I take a seat in my leather chair and don the purple Purge mask again, ready to play. When I turn on my camera, I see a familiar face in the corner. Well, kind of. What I really see is a familiar mask, but I recognize him all the same.

A guy in a black t-shirt and black pants appears in the right-hand corner, swiveling back and forth in his chair while curling his fingers in a cutesy wave.

“Hi, AJ,” I respond with a cutesy tone to match.

“Riley Storm,” he says from behind his skull mask, “having a good night?”

Me deciding to go by my middle name, Riley, while streaming and AJ wearing aCall of DutyGhost mask was completely coincidental. However, it’s the main reason we became friends.

I,SilentStorm,found out quickly that I’d met my match [email protected], we embody the game.

“If this keeps up, I should be able to pay my last year of tuition and maybe even replace my car.”

I’m by no means a superstar, but my following is steadily climbing. I did the math, and I’m pretty confident that I’m correct. Colson’s Civic has gotten me this far, but it’s old and years of him pushing it to the max hasn’t done it any favors. I also hate driving a stick.

“Look at you,” he croons into his microphone. “Make sure to build yourself a fancy vacation in there somewhere.”

I know AJ is very successful. He has more subs than me, and that’s saying a lot. But we’ve never streamed while playing each other. It’s kind of like an unwritten rule. We’re friends, not competition.

“Where would I go?”

“The Maldives are nice. I went there last year.”

“I’ll get right on it. How about you put together an itinerary for me?”

“There’s not one. You get a drink, lay on a beach, and maybe get on a couple of boats here and there.”

One thing’s for sure, if I go on a vacation, itisgoing to be a fancy one. The only reason I still work at the pub on campus is to keep up appearances. I can’t have anyone, especially my closest friends, asking how I have money to do things when I’m not working, getting it from my parents, or taking out loans.

OK, fine, I’m technically still working, but this job is way more fun. I can sit at my desk, in front of my monitors, play games, and get paid.A lot.I just have to wear a lot less clothing while doing it. But now I can afford tuition, pay my bills, even go on spring break with my friends.

AndI don’t have to catfish my brother’s friends to do it.

I introduced AJ to the superiority of RPGs. He never even playedDark Soulsuntil I got him into it. And, now, he’s pretty fucking good at it—like me.

You’re welcome.

Maddie and Carter are at the library studying for exams, so I know they won’t be home until later. But after about an hour, when I hear a bang on the door, I know it’s Shelby and maybe Austin, too.

“Alright, I have to go,” I say with a wave.

“Quitter,” AJ responds with a wave of his own, which is usually how our games end.

“Come in!” I call as soon as I turn off my camera and stash my mask in my desk drawer.

I’m right, Shelby steps through the door, followed by Austin. She glances at my screen and then comes to an abrupt halt while Austin continues past her, collapsing onto my bed.