My feet slowed to a stop just inside the lobby and I took in all the changes they’d made since my unannounced visit yesterday. Four large projector screens had been set up on the far side of the club, with rows of chairs, couches, and recliners behind it for the observers. Ten desks with computer monitors had been set up in a long row to the side. I could only assume that was for the competitors. At least two dozen people already milled about the room, the noise of their excited chatter making the anxious pit in my stomach turn over.
But that was nothing compared to the anxiety that flared when I spotted Gabriel standing off in the corner, leaning against the wall. He wore a navy sweatshirt with the hood pulled up, his hands tucked into his pockets. A determined expression haunted his face. He was watching his brother chat with a couple girls only a few feet away. His dark eyes never left his brother’s back.
It was now or never.
I marched toward him and desperately grasped at the confidence I could feel leaking out of me. Another girl might have ignored him. Might have ghosted him after that humiliation in anatomy class yesterday. But that wasn’t me. He deserved a solid apology. It wouldn’t fix what I’d done, but it was the right thing to do.
The weight of that responsibility doubled when Gabriel’s gaze flicked to mine as I approached. His eyes widened in shock and then he stood up straight and ran a hand over his hair. “I didn’t know if you’d come.”
I ran a tongue over my lips, praying I wouldn’t babble nonsense at him. “Honestly, I almost didn’t. But then I realized that would mean that Michael wins and I can’t give up that easily.”
His frown deepened. “That’s understandable.”
It was so hard to look at him. To see those lips that had once smiled at me as if I were the best thing to happen to him. It broke my heart. I tore my eyes away from his face and stared down at the ground. With the toe of my shoe, I scrubbed at a rubber mark on the tile floor. I could feel him studying my face, waiting silently for my next move, but the thickening in my throat had choked out my carefully planned response.
He cleared his throat. “I sent you a message last night. On the Battlegrounds app. Did you get it?”
I glanced briefly up at him. His dark blue eyes were boring into mine. With a shake of my head, I looked back down at the floor. “I deleted the app from my phone.”
It didn’t take a genius to figure out what that message contained. Probably a list of all the reasons why he could no longer take a girl like me to the dance. I didn’t blame him. I probably would’ve cut loose and ran in the opposite direction, if I were him.
“Beth...” he started.
I took a deep breath and forced myself to make eye contact with him again. “Listen, Gabriel, I’m really sorry for what happened. I know that it doesn’t excuse me lying to you. Or using you. Or pretending to be someone I wasn’t. But if there’s one thing my mom has taught me, it’s to take responsibility for my actions. It was wrong to catfish you and I should’ve told you the truth days ago, instead of pushing it off to the last minute.”
A muscle in his jaw twitched and he took a step toward me, pausing to inhale deeply. “Is that what you planned to tell me on the stage after class?”
I nodded as my eyes filled up with tears. “Yeah, basically. So there’s no hard feelings if you don’t want to go to the dance with me anymore. I understand. I’d probably do the same.”
His eyes searched mine as I did my best to keep myself together, but every moment spent in such a close radius to Gabriel was like having my insides scrambled. Everything inside of me still wanted him. But I wasn’t a fool. I could see the doubt in his expression. The damage had been done.
“All right folks, the final round of the tournament begins in a few minutes,” a voice called out behind me. I glanced over my shoulder to see Fred standing in front of the projectors, wearing a black Battlegrounds tee and a pair of torn skinny jeans. She looked so cool. I could only hope to be half as awesome as her some day.
“Time for the king to be crowned,” Michael yelled as he took a seat at the first computer desk. A few people laughed and cheered for him. But I doubted anyone saw the superior smirk he shot my way or the nasty hand sign he flashed my way behind the monitor.
My body didn’t even react to him. I was pretty sure that by now, I’d figured out internally that he was always going to be a jerk. He’d done his worst by dropping that bomb on Gabriel and me in the middle of class and he obviously had no remorse. Charlotte had said that after I ran out of class Mr. Hart was the angriest she’d ever seen him. But I had no idea if he’d actually punish him. Michael had a way of getting away scot-free on those kinds of things. And in the end, it didn’t matter. Not nearly as much as the terrible way I’d manipulated Gabriel—a guy who didn’t deserve any of that.
There was a scuffle as people rushed to find their seats. Turning back to Gabriel, I gave him a pained smile. “Guess that’s our cue. Thanks for listening.”
I got one step away before he coughed loudly, causing me to pause and look over at him. There was hesitation in his eyes. He coughed again and squinted at me.
“Actually, there’s something else I need to...” There was a hesitation in his eyes as he reached toward me, but then he dropped his hand to his side. I stood there, frozen, wondering if I wanted him to finish what he was going to say. I’d have died if he’d told me he never wanted to see me again. I wasn’t sure my heart could take it. Working his jaw, he grimaced and let out a defeated sigh. “Good luck, Beth.”
“Thanks, you, too.”
I would’ve preferred if he’d said he would wipe the slate clean and given me another shot. But it wasn’t a total rejection, so I could be happy enough about that. I smiled at him and then walked toward one of the free computer desks. My bruised soul felt sore. Here I was, apologizing to him for lying and misleading him, and he still had the heart to wish me good luck. Gabriel Corrigan was too sweet for this world.
I sat at my desk and brought up the Battlegrounds App. There was a message notification from Gabriel’s name on my home screen. A huge part of me wanted to click on it and read it before the battle, but now wasn’t the time. My computer screen was already projected up on the massive projector screens. It was surreal to see my profile name appear up there, with so many people watching.
I scanned the crowd and found Lexi and Charlotte sitting with their boyfriends in the middle of the crowd. Lexi had her phone poised and ready to record the battle on video. My mom had requested it since she and dad were both MIA due to work. She and Charlotte waved at me and flashed me thumbs-up signs. They all looked so cozy. Zane had his arm wrapped over Lexi’s shoulders. Charlotte clasped Hunter’s hand tight in her lap. It was a sharp reminder of everything I’d just lost.
Still, I returned their wave and then faced my monitor again. Now was not the time to be feeling sorry for myself. I was certain I’d be mourning that loss for a while, but for the next hour, it was on hold. I had a war to win and a mortal enemy to vanquish. When I looked down the row of computers, it was proof enough that what I might accomplish here could change the face of gaming at Rock Valley High. Nine other guys sat at the computers. They came from all different segments of the high school. A couple chess club members, a few athletes, a debate champion, a musician, and even an artist. But they were all guys.
“This is the final round of the annual gaming tournament for the Rock Valley After-School Club,” Fred said with a smile. She waved up at the screens. “You’ll see each player’s screen on screen. I got the honor of designing the final battleground in which the battle will take place. Each player gets one life. When he or she is eliminated, their screen will go black and it’ll be game over for that player. Our first-place winner will receive the grand prize of $5,000 and their name will be placed on a placard devoted to our yearly winners.”
“Did they hire emotional support for the losers?” Michael asked from two seats over, his voice only loud enough for us players to hear. “I’d hate to see the little girl cry after she gets wiped all over the floor.”
There were snickers from a couple of the players. Still, I didn’t let it get to me. Rolling my eyes, I shot him a glare.