Page 3 of Unbearable Player
“Don’t hate the player, hate the game,” Brianne shot back, executing a perfect 360 spin while tossing a grenade.
Not to be outdone, UnbearableBeast’s character whipped out what looked like a digital fishing rod, using it to grapple onto Brianne’s hoverboard and yank himself up.
“Okay, now you’re just making stuff up,” Brianne laughed incredulously. “What’s next, a cyber-unicycle?”
“Don’t tempt me,” he growled playfully as their characters engaged in what could only be described as the world’s most dangerous and physically impossible surf competition.
As the hour drew to a close, Brianne found herself both exhausted and exhilarated. Her cheeks hurt from grinning, her fingers were cramped from the intense gameplay, and she couldn’t remember the last time she’d had this much fun.
UnbearableBeast was good - scratch that, he was exceptional. Every time she thought she had him cornered, he’d pull out some new, ridiculous move that had her both groaning and grudgingly impressed. But Brianne wasn’t a pushover either. For every cyber-fishing rod, she had a pixel surfboard. For every impossible parkour sequence, she had a gravity-defying counter.
It was like playing chess with pieces that occasionally decided to break the laws of physics, all while exchanging quips that would make even the cheesiest action hero proud.
As they entered the final minutes of their epic showdown, Brianne realized something that both thrilled and terrified her: for the first time in months, maybe even years, she wasn’t sure if she was going to win. And strangely, she found she didn’t really care. The sheer joy of the challenge, the back-and-forth banter, the creative one-upmanship - it was all so much more satisfying than any easy victory had ever been.
But Brianne Ellis didn’t get to be PixelQueen by backing down from a challenge. With a determined grin, she cracked her knuckles and leaned forward in her chair.
“All right, UnbearableBeast,” she muttered, “let’s see who’s really the king of this cyber jungle.”
As the final seconds ticked down, Brianne executed a move she’d been saving - a risky maneuver that involved using her grappling hook to swing around a skyscraper and drop down on her opponent from above. It worked perfectly. UnbearableBeast’s character crumpled, and the victory screen flashed.
“Yes!” Brianne cheered, throwing her arms up in triumph. “That’s game, set, and match!”
“Well played,” UnbearableBeast conceded, his deep voice tinged with respect. “I have to admit, that last move was... impressive.”
Brianne grinned, feeling a warmth in her chest that had nothing to do with victory. “Thanks. You weren’t so bad yourself. For a beginner, I mean,” she added teasingly.
He laughed, a rich sound that sent an unexpected shiver down her spine. “A beginner, am I? I suppose I’ll have to step up my game next time.”
“Next time?” Brianne raised an eyebrow, even though he couldn’t see her. “Pretty confident for someone who just got their cyber-butt handed to them.”
“What can I say? I’m a glutton for punishment,” he replied, the smile evident in his voice. “How about a rematch? Unless you’re afraid you can’t replicate that win.”
Brianne snorted. “Please. I could beat you with one hand tied behind my back. But...” she glanced at the clock, wincing at the late hour, “it’ll have to wait. Some of us have day jobs to get to in the morning.”
“Ah, the curse of responsible adulthood.” UnbearableBeast sighed dramatically. “All right, PixelQueen. But don’t think this is over. I’ll be waiting for that rematch.”
“Looking forward to it, Beast,” Brianne said, surprised to find she meant it. “Try to come up with some new moves in the meantime, yeah? Wouldn’t want you to embarrass yourself again.”
As she logged off, Brianne found herself still smiling. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d enjoyed a gaming session that much. UnbearableBeast had been a worthy opponent, and their banter had been... fun. Different.
“Get a grip, Bri,” she muttered to herself, shaking her head as she stood and stretched. “It’s just a game.”
But as she got ready for bed, she couldn’t help but wonder when she might find time for that rematch. After all, it was only polite to give the guy a chance to redeem himself. And if she happened to enjoy their witty exchanges in the process... well, that was just a bonus.
TWO
Brianne’s fingers flew across the keyboard, her blue eyes fixed on the screen as lines of code scrolled by. The soft glow of her monitor illuminated her face in the dim apartment, casting shadows that danced across her features. Her blonde hair, pulled back in a messy bun, had a few stray strands falling around her face.
“Come on, come on,” she muttered, biting her lower lip as she worked through a particularly tricky bit of programming. The clock on her desk blinked 2:47 a.m., but Brianne barely noticed. Time seemed to disappear when she was deep in the world of Shadow Realms, her latest video game project.
An unexpected ping from her phone startled her out of her coding trance. Brianne blinked, her eyes adjusting as she looked away from the screen. She grabbed her phone, squinting at the bright display.
Mom: Don’t forget dinner tomorrow night. 6 PM sharp. No excuses about work!
Brianne groaned, flopping back in her chair. She’d completely forgotten about the family dinner. Her mom’s reminders were becoming more frequent lately, always peppered with not-so-subtle hints about her social life—or lack thereof.
She typed out a quick reply: I’ll be there. Promise.