Chapter 2: The Weekend Walk
964 Words
Jimmy sat by the window in his dorm room at Simmons Hall.
Outside, the campus was alive. Students moving between buildings, the distant sound of a football match rising from the sports field below. The afternoon light cut softly through the glass, spilling across his desk.
But Jimmy wasn’t paying attention to any of it.
His focus was locked on his tablet.
On the screen, Bloodstrike: c*****e Protocol Squad Royale was in full motion.
“Focus,” he said into his headset. “We’re in a hot zone.”
His thumbs kept moving. The squad pushed through just as the zone closed behind them.
A knock at the door.
“Come in,” Jimmy said, not looking up.
Mike’s voice came through the wall before the door even opened.
“I’m taller than you, stop lying.”
“No, you’re not,” Timothy shot back. “Look at me properly. I’m literally looking down at you.”
“That’s because you’re standing on confidence,” Mike replied.
“Confidence? You’re short, bro.”
“I’m not short.”
“You really are.”
The door swung open. Mike walked in first and dropped into a chair like he owned it. Timothy followed, still laughing.
Jimmy’s fingers kept moving on the screen.
“Hey,” he said. “What’s up?”
Mike looked at him for a second. “Are you seriously going to spend the whole weekend in this room?”
Jimmy’s eyes stayed on the game. “Is there anything wrong with that?”
Mike leaned back with a sigh. “No. I’m just saying.”
Timothy pointed at Jimmy. “We need to figure out a way to get this nerd out into the world.” He looked at Mike. “What do you think?”
“He can’t stay locked up in here like he’s in prison,” Mike said.
Jimmy shifted slightly in his seat but kept his eyes on the screen. “I’m not locked up.”
“Then why does it feel like you are?”
“I prefer staying indoors. There’s nothing much for me to do outside this weekend anyway.”
Timothy scoffed. “So you’re choosing a game over real life?”
“I’m choosing what I enjoy.”
Mike crossed his arms. “Come on. It’s better outside than staying cooped up in here.”
“I’m having fun already. You guys go.”
“No, no.” Timothy shook his head. “I don’t like this nerd lifestyle. Come with us.”
Jimmy glanced up briefly. “I’m good.”
Mike narrowed his eyes. “No, you’re not.”
Jimmy looked back at the screen. “I am.”
Then Mike smiled. “Come on. We’re going out to get ice cream.”
Jimmy didn’t move. “You can get some for me.”
“I’m not getting you anything if you don’t come with us.”
That made Jimmy pause. His ranked match was still running. He looked at the screen. Then back toward them.
“Let me finish this match,” he said. “Then I’ll follow you guys.”
Mike pointed immediately. “That’s how they all start.”
Timothy nodded. “And then they say just one more game.”
Mike stood up. “I’m not waiting forever. Staying in this room is killing me.”
Jimmy exhaled once. “Fine. Just this one.”
Mike smiled.
The three of them walked through the campus pathway. Jimmy trailed slightly behind, a small bag of chips in his hand. He chewed quietly, eyes ahead, not saying anything.
Around them the campus was loud. Distant cheers from the sports field. A bicycle bell cutting sharply through the crowd before fading. Birds somewhere above the treeline, mixed into everything else.
They walked until the ice cream stand came into view. Just an open corner off the main path where students gathered. Already busy. A small line forming.
Mike stopped. “There it is.”
Timothy rubbed his hands together. “Finally.”
Jimmy joined the queue behind them, still working through his chips.
Timothy’s attention drifted. His eyes settled on a girl sitting on a bench nearby, talking with her friend. He looked a little longer than necessary.
Mike leaned toward him. “I see what you are doing. Looking at that girl over there.”
Timothy laughed quietly. “Ha ha, you caught me. Is there anything wrong with looking at a beautiful girl?”
The girl shifted on the bench. She looked toward Timothy.
Mike’s expression changed slightly. “She’s looking at you.”
Timothy turned. Their eyes met. She smiled at him. He smiled back. Then she turned away and returned to her friend. Her friend glanced briefly toward Timothy before leaning back in.
Mike let out a low breath. “Bro. What just happened?”
Timothy gave a small exhale. “I think she likes me.”
They stayed in the queue. Jimmy chewed slowly, eyes forward, occasional hand into the bag.
Mike leaned toward Timothy. “What are you taking?”
“Not sure yet.”
“Just don’t take forever. I’m not waiting here all day.”
Timothy scoffed lightly. “You’re not the one ordering anyway.”
Jimmy looked up. “Just pick something.”
Mike turned to him. “See? Even Jimmy is getting impatient.”
The line moved forward. The stand worker called for the next person. Mike stepped up.
“Finally,” he muttered.
Jimmy saw her first. The girl from the bench, walking toward them. Her friend close behind.
He leaned slightly toward Mike and Timothy. “The girl from earlier. She’s coming.”
Both of them looked up. Timothy’s shoulders pulled back. His hand found the edge of his pocket.
- Writer
