Halliday University - Dorms - Emmett Rodger's Room

[Hollywood Heidi]

Emmett Rodger's Dorm Room

Located in the dormitory residency of Halliday University, located in Columbus, Ohio.

[Hollywood Heidi]

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Thursday comes to an end.

It is now late afternoon on Friday, September 26th, 2070.

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[Hollywood Heidi]

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The weekend passes.

It is now the morning of Monday, September 29th, 2070.

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[Hollywood Heidi]

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The rest of the morning passes.

It is now late afternoon, Monday, September 29th, 2070.

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[Anduin]

*** outside the door ***


Trio Infernale had decided to continue their Mario World adventure today after school.
They just had written per messages on their cellphones. Ray had created an extra group including Emmett, Journey and himself to plan their group events in the OASIS from now on.
Of course, he had named it 'Trio Infernale'.

School was already out but there was still some time left.
Ray could have started with his homework but he didn't feel like he would be able to concentrate on it.
To be honest he hadn't even attend his last lessons as usual after his own 'little teenage movie'. He just hadn't been able to keep his mind off the scene from this midday...
"Get your head free, jerk!", he whispered to himself. "You've to act normal when you meet her again in a jiffy."

Finally he arrived at Emmett's door. He thought it would be the best to team up with him before and go to the Recreation centre together. He couldn't be bothered to meet Lennon there alone, just in case that this stupid dude had to work there today.
Ray knocked at the door. He used a special knocking so that Emmett might knew who was standing outside. And because he knew that his friend will have to grin like a happy child when he noticed the sound of this knocking. So his knuckles simulated the melody of Zelda as a homage to Emmett's OASIS avatar.

[Ariel]

Emmett had just hit the send button on a text update to his parents.
School was going great, his studies were going well, and all was great in the education world.
He didn't want to worry them about a certain distraction that was slightly hindering his projects being completed on time. Nor did he want them to worry about his anxious state. It was a need to know basis with them. As long as they knew he was doing good, then they were good. Emmett still felt the weight of the pressure that was being put on him from them. He wanted to do good for them, and yet he was still trying to figure himself out. What he really wanted and desired for his life. He let out a light sigh as he reread the text he had just sent.

Suddenly, he heard a familiar knock on his door. His glum expression changed as his pursed lips lit up in a bright smile at the Zelda melody coming from the fist wraps behind the door. Throwing his phone onto his bed, he jumped upwards and scooted towards his door to open it.

"Hey buddy! Long time no see," Emmett joked with a light chuckle, "Come on in! Make yourself at home," He insisted as he led Ray inside his dorm room.

[Anduin]

It wasn't long before Emmett opened the door.
"Hey buddy! Long time no see," "Come on in! Make yourself at home,"
"Thanx, bud," Ray said and entered the room. He directly headed to the bed to sit down because a dude's desk chair belongs to themself.
He noticed Emmett's phone on the bed.
"Hope I'm not disturbing you, pal. I know I'm a bit too early..."

Ray suddenly started to become a little nervous.
Normally he could act cool in most situations but it was the first time that he really tried to talk about Journey. During the past years he always had tried to avoid this topic.
His gaze was pointed at his toecaps, he leant his body back and propped up his hands on Emmett's blanket.
"Hey,... did Journey already tell you about her date?"

[Ariel]

"Hey,... did Journey already tell you about her date?"


"No not yet. Did she tell you?" Emmett asked, trying to appear as neutral as he possibly could. He had a feeling that Ray's feelings for their friend was a little more complex, so Emmett wanted to be as gentle with the delicate situation as possible. He felt bad in a way, wondering if Ray would ever strike up the courage to ask Journey out if she were to become single. Sure, friendship and their group could possibly be on the line if they ever did get together and break up. Emmett would hate to see his friend group become split. But he wanted Ray to be happy. He wanted both of his friends to be happy. 

[Anduin]

"No not yet. Did she tell you?"
For the first time Ray asked himself if Emmett sensed that he had feelings for Journey.
And, if he really did, how long since?
But his friend always had acted gentle and ever avoided to made him feel uncomfortable.
Besides Emmett would always be caught between two stools.

"Well,..." Ray tried to start but stopped himself again because he had to suppress a emotional rant dealing with Journey's apparently boyfriend. "Wait a sec... it's a bit... um, complicated."
He righted himself again, still sitting on Emmett's bed, and now also made eye contact with his friend.

"Journey and I had a pleasant talk during one of our recesses. We talked about different things - for example even how we could help you to help Mr. O'Neil. And I also asked her about her date. From that point on it became a little strange. She said it was okay but that she felt somehow uncomfortable. And suddenly Lennon appeared and acted like a crap bag. He grabbed her and... he even called her 'Babe'! As far as I know Journey I'm sure that's one of the last names she ever wants to be called by."
For the moment Ray didn't talk about the kiss and , of course, also didn't mention his own little real-talk. He was sure that his feelings would become too obvious then.
"Don't get me wrong, buddy," he said and became aware of his words at the same moment.
That phrase was the best way to indirectly say 'but you're right'.
Shit.
"I mean that he's obviously bad company for her. One of this posers who just wanted to adorn theirselves with their girl."
Ray knew that he sometimes could be a poser, too. But he had ever treated his girlfriends well, took them serious and cared for their personal needs.

[Ariel]

"Journey and I had a pleasant talk during one of our recesses. We talked about different things - for example even how we could help you to help Mr. O'Neil. And I also asked her about her date. From that point on it became a little strange. She said it was okay but that she felt somehow uncomfortable. And suddenly Lennon appeared and acted like a crap bag. He grabbed her and... he even called her 'Babe'! As far as I know Journey I'm sure that's one of the last names she ever wants to be called by."


"Oh yuck," Emmett expressed in slight disgust, "Journey absolutely loathes the name babe. Did this guy even take the time to get to know her?!" Emmett questioned, wondering what this guy's intentions truly were. He didn't like the sound of Journey growing uncomfortable and definitely not acting like her usual happy, bubbly self. If she really liked this guy, Emmett knew that she would be acting as if she were on cloud nine. This sounded like the absolute opposite.

"Don't get me wrong, buddy," "I mean that he's obviously bad company for her. One of this posers who just wanted to adorn theirselves with their girl."


Emmett nodded in agreement with Ray's stance on the situation. This new dude might not be a bad person, but Emmett had a feeling that he wasn't the right guy for their best friend, "Journey is smart, has a really good head on her shoulders. I wish only the best for her, but I definitely can't see them being long term. In the meantime, we can keep a close eye on them to make sure he stays in his lane." Emmett assured Ray, they couldn't do much but the most they could do was look out for their friend, "...'Babe'? Like really?!" Emmett started again on the distasteful pet name, rolling his eyes.

[Anduin]

Ray was glad that Emmett shared his opinion about Lennon.
It meant that his - admittedly borned of jealousy - doubts were justified.
"Journey is smart, has a really good head on her shoulders. I wish only the best for her, but I definitely can't see them being long term. In the meantime, we can keep a close eye on them to make sure he stays in his lane."
"...'Babe'? Like really?!"
Ray nodded and also rolled his eyes. "Yes, pal. Really!"

Then they stood in silence for a few moments.
Normally the silence between them didn't feel awkward.
But suddenly it did a little bit because there was something on his mind.
Maybe this was the best time to confess Emmett his feelings for Journey...
"Um, bud...," he nervously tried to start.
At first he felt like he couldn't look directly into his friend's eyes.
"There's something else I... ant to tell you... about..."
The pauses became longer and longer. At last he had to clear his throat to be able to speak clearly.
"Well, about..."
Shit! Suddenly he wasn't sure anymore if it had been a good idea to spoke it out loud.
Ray didn't notice that he clenched his hands to fists. He was mad at himself.
"Why the hell is this so difficult?! Fuck!"
He even didn't recognize at first that he swore out loud.
But just a moment later he got aware of it. And his head turned to Emmett, an apologizing look on his face. "I'm sorry, really - I mean, this wasn't because of you. I just got mad of myself. I don't know how to start to tell you that I've a huge crush on Journey!"

[Ariel]

"I'm sorry, really - I mean, this wasn't because of you. I just got mad of myself. I don't know how to start to tell you that I've a huge crush on Journey!"

"Oh buddy," Emmett shook his head with an amused grin resting upon his lips as he got upwards to pat Ray on the back, elongating his response. Maybe for suspense, but perhaps it was appropriate in this time. Nevertheless, Emmett knew how exactly his friend was feeling and was willing to tell him as such, "I know. I've known for a while actually. You really aren't that great at keeping secrets." Emmett stood back with a wide grin on his face, waiting for his friend's response.

[Anduin]

It felt good to feel his friends pat on the back. Emmett really was one of the most empathic beings Ray knew.
"I know. I've known for a while actually. You really aren't that great at keeping secrets."
"Wait... WHAT?" Ray suddenly turned his face directly towards his friend and starred at him wide-eyed.
"F@ck! Did you... did you think she... also knows that?"
Then he shooked his head immediately afterwards. "No. No, I don't think. I mean... She probably would have acted completely different if she had known..."
He sighed, put his head back and closed his eyes.
"Why the hell has my life to be such complicated?!"
It was no real question. It was just a sign of his inner frustration he tried to hide from others most of the times.
After a few seconds he opened his eyes and looked at Emmett again.
"Can we please talk about something else?"
There was something in his eyes that told his friend to not change the topic.
What he just said and what he inwardly wanted were not the same at this moment.
This might be the right time to deal with all the things he always kept for himself in the past.
He really needed someone to listen to him. And to be honest the only one Ray could imagine to be the one was Emmett.
Maybe there won't be a better chance to talk about this in the nearer future...

[Ariel]

"Why the hell has my life to be such complicated?!"
"Can we please talk about something else?"

"Uh, yeah man!" Emmett confirmed, a curious gaze within his eyes as he cautiously looked at Ray. Obviously there were some feelings that Ray was not comfortable addressing yet. And that was okay. As long as his friend was good, then he would pivot. Of course, Ray would have to face the music one day or another. But for now, they could just be bros in their bro universe, "So, check it out," Emmett changed the conversation as he pulled his OASiS headset out, "It automatically does this." And at that, Emmett displayed to Ray a visor that slides electronically up and down the front of the set, "Pretty neat, huh?"

[Anduin]

"Uh, yeah man!"
In the end Ray was glad that Emmett agreed.
This wasn't the right moment to talk about his feelings for their Journey.
There will be another - a better - chance now that it had become a topic for the first time.

"So, check it out,"
As always it was amazing how good his bro could change the topic without any feel of awkwardness.
"It automatically does this." "Pretty neat, huh?"
"Very cool, pal! I've to admit that I'm a bit jealous now," he answered with a grin. "Maybe I should check my savings and look out for some new great gadgets, too."
Suddenly he became serious. "I wonder if there's a gadget which would help you to find glitches and to avoid them... At least I hope it was just a glitch. But what if it wasn't? What if there's someone or a group of people who are able to change the OASiS and do their own... well, whatever they wanted to do?"

[Ariel]

"I wonder if there's a gadget which would help you to find glitches and to avoid them... At least I hope it was just a glitch. But what if it wasn't? What if there's someone or a group of people who are able to change the OASiS and do their own... well, whatever they wanted to do?"

Ray made some very valid claims. Emmett believed that just like the physical world that they lived in, that there was just as many good people as there were bad people. He was always a glass half full kind of guy, wanting to believe the best in everyone that crossed his path. He scratched his head as he turned slightly serious at Ray's statement, "Well if there is such a group that currently exists in the OASIS, I'm sure it's not the first. But I'm sure it was nothing more than some weirdos fooling around with codes and hacks. Sure, it was freaky when it happened in Mario Land, but it could have been worse. Whoever caused the glitch, if they really wanted to do something bad to us I'm sure it would have happened," Emmett tried to reassure his concerned friend. Emmett was familiar with the OASIS, though the technical side of things were more of Journey's forte than his. So in this case, even if someone was trying to do something bad to them, he would be rendered helpless.

[Anduin]

"Well if there is such a group that currently exists in the OASIS, I'm sure it's not the first. But I'm sure it was nothing more than some weirdos fooling around with codes and hacks. Sure, it was freaky when it happened in Mario Land, but it could have been worse. Whoever caused the glitch, if they really wanted to do something bad to us I'm sure it would have happened,"
Emmett tried to calm him down.
And like most of the times it worked.
"Okay, Pal, you're right. Maybe I'm becoming a bit paranoid. But there's so much happening at the moment... I mean that strange glitch... and the story about our new teacher's daughter... and... well,... uhm..."
'And Journey and her new boyfriend' was what he also could have said. But he stopped talking.
Nevertheless Emmett surely knew what he had wanted to say.
"I mean - I'm sorry. I probably read too much into ordinary things."
Suddenly he felt a bit ashamed.
Even if he would have been right there would be special people who care for such criminal groups.
It won't be the task of a group of teenager. (Not again.)
But what if...

Ray shook his head and tried to put this thought aside.
"Hey, shall we go and look for Journey? It's nearly time to team up, right?"
And it was time to change the topic.

[Ariel]

"Hey, shall we go and look for Journey? It's nearly time to team up, right?"

Emmett to the hint from Ray and nodded. He understood that it pained his friend to continue talking about the inevitable situation that he had found himself in the middle of. Fate would only be able to decide what remained between Ray and Journey, Emmett knew that. However, he was aware that the fact would not be able to offer much comfort to his friend. So instead, he followed suit and answered Ray's question, "Sure thing!" If she's not busy with her knight in shining armour, Emmett thought inwardly to himself with a bit of an amused grin on his lips. He was happy that his best friend was happy, it was just to bad that things were complicated for Ray, "Man, I feel like we've barely prepared for this mission. We'll consult with Journey before going back in, three minds put together will definitely be better than one, or two in our case." Emmett proclaimed as he began to stand upright from the bed, "Ready?" Emmett asked Ray.

*** Emmett and Ray exit to Halliday University - Food Court & Dining Hall ***