Level 7

On getting home later that day, North got the scolding session worthy of two lifetimes. He was no longer grounded but he now had numerous chores he had to complete before a certain period, since his father thought that would be much more appropriate than to let him sit in his room all day.

At least they didn't confiscate his very useless phone.

Not like it would have mattered but it was his only means of communication to the outside world. Outside world being Mìgos and Bethany who just informed him that they would be going to Tollins's house.

He hated going there but Tollins always had the up-to-date games and consoles, not to mention the guy had practically devoted his life to studying gaming and gaming tournaments.

Tobias Tollins, aka Tols was North's best bet if he planned on getting through a gaming tournament. And the other wasn't too keen on letting North use his stuff to practice and he was actually about to kick the redhead's group out but when he found out the tournament was the GGT he relented.

"What exactly is your problem with me Tols?" North whined rubbing the spot on his back where the boy had kicked him.

Tollins made an annoyed huffing as he led the to his gaming room. "You just mooch off people too much, selfish bastard."

North forced a sad look, "I thought you loved me coming over? Are you angry cause I beat you every time? I can't really help myself y'know?"

"You're three seconds from been out on the streets again, Rivera." Tollins snarled, turning back to glare through whitish silver fringes.

Bethany put a hand over North's mouth, "Ignore him. So I take it that you're going to help us...for the duration of the tournament, that is."

"If I help and he loses in the first round what's in it for me?"

North pulled off Beth's hand, "I'll never come here for the rest of my life and you never have to se my selfish arse again."

"Sounds fine."

"Your relationship with anyone other than me is wierd." Migos stated with a tired sigh.

They arrived at their destination in the large mansion of a house and Tols threw open the door with a flourish revealing the advanced gaming system within. North struggled not to drool like he usually did when it came to entering thus gaming room. Tols pusher he back to prevent him from entering.

"The GGT is no ordinary gaming tournament, it's new, it's unpredictable and it's going to last a month which is far too suspicious. You need to be careful and well prepared, I'm willing to help because it'll earn me some good credit if you make it far."

"Such a team player." Beth said stiffly while looking around.

"You bet I am Sparks, North is the first in this town to enter a competition this big, he'll need all the help and I already got a plan." He seemed smug.

"And what's that?" Migos asked.

"You're good with computers and I'm good at game play we design the toughest shit we can to make him better."

North could practically see Migs's eyes light up, followed by a grin as he walked up to Tols and wrapped an arm around his shoulder, "We'll see how good he really hid, huh?"

The red-head thought they looked absolutely frightening together.

"Exactly." Tollins answered, "And lucky for him, the hint for the Test Phase was dropped today. It's going to be a racing game, not sure if it's going to be traditional or VR but we won't take any chances."

"Time to get serious buddy cause shot is just getting real." Migos smirked.

If North wasn't taking this as seriously before, he sure was now. This was just meant to be gaming, but with what Tollins had just said before they stepped into the room, he was no longer certain.

~Check point Reached!

Over the course the course of the next few days before the Test Phase, North played every racing game Tollins would give with every kind of controller available.

He also had to share his time between school work, errands and training and he was beginning to feel worn. But with each time his parents yelled at him on getting home late, he grew more determined. He wasn't talentless, he wasn't a disappointment, not the way they wanted him to be. He wanted to follow his dreams and be able to make money from it like his siblings. He urged his body to get used to things because he wasn't giving up anytime soon.

On Wednesday, he and the others left the school early so they could get to the Complex a good two hours before time. On stepping in, North felt the anxiety he had been holding back pour forth in full force. This was practically his debut into the world of Pro-Gaming. Whether he won or lost would define him for the rest of his life. This thought unlocked a hidden ability North never knew he possessed; over thinking.

"You've trained as best you could, buddy, you're ready." Migos gave him an encouraging pat on the back.

"What if I get overwhelmed and forget how to play?"

Migos turned unamused, "I think that's a stretch."

"You've played in front of crowds before, you'll be fine." Bethany said simply, she portrayed her outward calm so North would be encouraged by her belief in him, because she really did have trust in his abilities. But there other people like him playing. Some better, some worse but North had to stand out.

Tollins was just looking around with a cool expression resting on his face, looking around. Not to anyone's surprise, his parents had been able to get him a tag. North wished he could be just as calm. He had to relax so he wouldn't slip up and make any embarrassing mistakes.

"I want to walk around a bit to calm my nerves." He announced to his friends.

"Sure not like we got anything else to do." Beth said with a bored expression as she scrolled through her phone.

"I could play some games." Tollins said simply, a little light coming to his eyes.

"I'll catch up, I've got to get something at the gift shop." Migos said, "I'll call when I'm done and you'll text me where you are so we'll meet up."

North nodded and proceeded to let Tollins choose where they would game since the guy was obviously down playing his excitement for the sake of looking cool. Several minutes later, they were laughing and having so much fun North almost didn't remember he was nervous.

'The Test Phase for the Glitches Game Trails will commence in an hour, all players are advised to report to the Glitch Gauntlet before that time.' A voice sounded over the speakers.

North sighed, the nervous jitters slowly coming back, but he could handle them this time. The four made they made their way up the stairs with the flow of bodies also struggling to get in. The line dwindled quickly till it was just them.

"Tags please." The guard grunted.

Everyone pulled out theirs and North reached into his pockets since he had taken it off due to it chaffing his neck. After a minute or two of searching he turned nervous and faced his group, "Um guys..."

"Don't tell me you-" Migos began but the redhead didn't let him finish.

"We've gotta find that thing before time's up!"

"No duh!" Tollins said dragging him towards the stairs, "Split up and check everywhere we visited."

Bethany nodded and followed Migos, "We meet back in forty five minutes."

~Check point Reached!

~Flip page to proceed to next level.