Love at First Game

Episode 25 A Match Made in Pixels and Reality

Whispers filled the air, carrying Vivian’s name and Daniel Thorne’s like a breeze stirring fallen leaves. Occasional glances in their direction turned into unabashed stares. Vivian, catching on to the murmurs surrounding her, decided to emulate Daniel Thorne’s composure. She fixed her gaze on the court and willed herself to focus on the game.

Her attention didn’t last long. A glance at the scoreboard made her sit upright in surprise. The game was nearly tied.

Daniel Thorne leaned in slightly, his voice low and calm amidst the buzz of the arena. "Don’t worry. When they stop looking at the audience, the score will widen again."

The words themselves didn’t catch Vivian off guard as much as his proximity. The arena’s noise made it necessary for him to lean closer, his breath grazing her ear. She tried to focus on what he said, but all she could think about was the subtle line of his lashes and the way the light danced on his face.

Vivian gave a faint acknowledgment, her thoughts spinning wildly. Around her, the whispers seemed to fade into silence once more.

The third quarter ended, and Mia snapped out of her daze, exclaiming, "How come our team is only leading by two points?"

Vivian took the opportunity to introduce her roommates to Daniel Thorne, although she hesitated about how to address him. Calling him "senior" felt too formal, but "Nathan" felt too personal in this setting. Eventually, she skipped over the issue and introduced them by name. "These are Elle, Mia, and Stella," she said, gesturing to each in turn.

Daniel Thorne’s gaze swept over them, and he offered a polite smile. "Hello to you all."

The three girls froze in stunned silence. Vivian felt a sense of balance restored—she wasn’t the only one left speechless by Daniel Thorne’s presence.

The fourth quarter began, and Daniel Thorne’s prediction proved accurate. The Computer Science team widened the lead, all but guaranteeing victory. Toward the end of the game, Daniel Thorne turned to Vivian. "George and Max are down there. Do you want to go say hi?"

"Are they numbers 10 and 11?" Vivian asked, recalling the two players who had greeted Daniel Thorne earlier.

Daniel Thorne nodded.

Vivian hesitated for a moment. "Do they know I’m Willow Vivian?"

"No."

Vivian’s curiosity deepened, but now wasn’t the time to ask questions. She nodded and stood. "I’ll go."

As the final whistle blew, signaling an 18-point victory, Vivian and Daniel Thorne descended the stands together. Behind them, Stella stared at the half-empty snack bag in her hands. "These snacks were bought by Daniel Thorne?"

Elle smacked Mia on the arm. "Mia, the world has gone surreal."

Mia, watching Vivian and Daniel Thorne’s retreating figures, muttered, "Anyone who says they’re mismatched clearly has no taste."

At the entrance to the court, George and Max were already waiting.

"Ha! Old buddy, you’ve finally..." George began, clapping Daniel Thorne on the shoulder.

Max chimed in with mock solemnity. "The eternal bachelor has settled down."

Vivian felt a flicker of familiarity at their teasing tone, recalling their online interactions.

Daniel Thorne ignored their remarks and introduced them. "This is Sam—number 10—and Hunter."

Vivian stepped forward and offered a polite smile. "Hello, senior brothers. I’m Vivian."

George stared for a moment before laughing. "Hello, hello."

Vivian continued, "I mean, I’m Willow Vivian."

The two froze, their expressions shifting to shock. Max looked as if he’d been struck by lightning, while George dropped the basketball he was holding.

Vivian couldn’t help but feel a surge of satisfaction. Seeing their reactions, she thought, So this is why Daniel Thorne enjoys shocking people.

But her victory was short-lived. Daniel Thorne’s teammates surrounded her, their teasing turning the encounter into a chaotic social event. Vivian quickly realized she was out of her depth. As the senior boys teased her about joining them for dinner, she decided to employ an old tactic: retreat.

"My friends are waiting for me," she said, nodding toward her roommates. "I need to go."

She turned to leave, but Daniel Thorne caught her wrist.

"What time do you usually go to self-study?" he asked.

"...7:30," she stammered, her attention entirely focused on his touch.

Daniel Thorne chuckled and released her wrist gently. "Got it. I’ll wait for you tomorrow. Remember to save me a spot."

Outside, Vivian walked with her roommates, her mind swirling with the day’s events. The silence among her friends felt heavy, and she realized she couldn’t delay their inevitable questions. Taking the initiative, she declared, "Interrogate me now. I’ll explain everything."

Mia immediately pounced. "You’ve been dating Daniel Thorne all this time and didn’t tell us?"

Vivian waved her hands defensively. "It’s not like that! I just found out too!"

Mia wasn’t convinced. "You expect us to believe that? The way you two were acting, it’s like you’ve been together for months."

"Months?!" Vivian cried. "It’s been half an hour!"

Her roommates demanded an explanation, and Vivian reluctantly recounted her story—how she met Daniel Thorne online, married him in the game, and only recently discovered his identity. She left out the more embarrassing details, unsure how to explain certain moments.

Mia crossed her arms. "So you met him in person for the first time today, and he won you over just like that?"

Vivian looked up at the sky, unable to deny it. "... Seems like it."

Elle grinned triumphantly. "I told you online relationships are real! But I never expected it to be Daniel Thorne."

Stella leaned in. "By the way, what’s this video you mentioned earlier?"

Vivian froze, suddenly remembering the forgotten deal with the video. She facepalmed, torn between frustration and amusement.

Mia sighed dramatically. "Daniel Thorne really is amazing. It’s like he blitzed his way into your heart."

Vivian, red-faced and flustered, could only nod. Amazing didn’t even begin to cover it.