Reaching Stars [Central Series #1]

Chapter 1

Sitting at my study desk, my hand moved rhythmically with the dancing pen on my notebook scrambling numbers against numbers. 

Calculus can be a very interesting topic but it gets tiring to some extent especially when it’s been given to you as an assignment. 

I’ve been on this assignment for close to 2 hours now which has caused the muscles in my forearms to spasm. With my eyes heavy, I decided to take a break. 

I left the books opened on the desk as I went to grasp my phone from the dresser. I laid down on my bed with my back leaning my head against the pillow then I turned on my connection as I came online. 

I shuffled through F******k viewing posts and comments.

None of my friends are online so what do you expect me to do? 

I was now engrossed in my phone until a text popped into my phone. 

It was from some random user who of course I don’t. 

Curious to see what he or she sent? I clicked on the message. 

‘Hi’ came the brief greeting. 

I’m not the type who usually talks with strangers online but since I’m less busy and my friends aren’t online to keep me company, I decided to strike up a conversation so I started typing... 

“Hi” I sent and almost immediately my phone droned in my palms. He had replied back. 

“How are you doing tonight?” Considering the length of the text,it was quite weird how he had replied with the speed of light. 

Anyways, maybe he’s some fast fingers. 

“Who are you?” I texted back, I hope I didn’t sound rude but At least before anything I should know who Is behind my screen. 

Right? 

“Does it matter?” Came his skeptical reply. 

“Excuse me, what?” I technically snapped at him. 

“Yeah, is it really necessary to know who I am?” And he obtusely elaborated on the inane question. 

“Hell yeah. For someone who just barged into my dm out of the blue, courtesy demands I know you first before any other thing” 

“We could talk about that later then, I’ve got something interesting for you.” 

“We aren’t skipping the terms and conditions are we? Again who are you?” I had literally screamed at his face. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not usually rude to strangers but I hate it when someone is just sorta equivocating. You could just tell me the goddamn name, your location and we are good. 

Seconds passed and the weirdo didn’t send any message. I checked his status and it was still online and my last message is even showing ‘seen’ 

He isn’t even showing a signal that he’s typing. 

Who the hell zones out of conversation like this? I had wanted to drop my phone but as the realization stroke me that there’s no one to keep me company I started typing again 

‘Why are you so eager to know me?” Came his sudden reply. 

I froze for a while trying to comprehend how he wrote those texts without me getting any signal of him typing. 

“Why don’t you want to tell me or wait, are you some creepy old man?” Honestly I’m blocking this folk if he turns out to be one. I don’t hate old men but I hate creepy ones, sexting and asking for nudes and stuff. 

“Nah far from that. Btw like I said I’ve got something for you.” 

He didn’t even let me reply back before he sent another text. 

“Let’s play a game, it will be fun.’ This particular text caught me off guard. My finger froze on the screen. If it was before now or any other normal day I wouldn’t read meaning into it. My brain starts reverberating the buzzes about a certain online game that’s now on trends. The game is said to be very horrible and deadly. It's claiming the lives of many people in numbers yet people are still engaging in the game. But the mysterious part of it is that there’s no record of reductions of people, I mean with the vast majority of people playing this so-called game. 

There should have been such news. Which only means it’s all false. The game might be real but those rumors following it are simply rumors. 

“Wait... you are one of those spreading the rumor about that stupid game that probably doesn’t even exist in place right?” 

“Correction It does exist and yes I’m an agent in this newly invested game. Would you love to give this game a try.” 

My answer is no of course. . Cause one, I don’t see any benefits in the game. According to the rumor, the nature of the game is that if you fail, you die. Like Seriously. 

“If the game does exist and everything said about the game is true, then do you guys derive joy in killing people?” I finally got the chance to ask someone that very question that has been lingering in my lips. 

“The game was set to impact a sense of unflagging and Tenacious spirit that will help you never to give up when faced with parlor situations in general so you really don’t have to die if you can strive to win.” I burst into a fit of laughter after reading this text. I mean if this is one tactical way they lure people into playing the game that’s if it exists, then they are yet to know me, clarrisa monroe. 

“Well to hell with you I’m not interested”. I simply replied and expected the discussion to end here but No, he persisted, trying all means to coax me into playing the game. 

He points out some certain reasons why I shouldn’t be scared of the game but if only he knew better. I don't even believe all the rumors about the game so what’s there to be scared about? 

I really am not interested and that is What I tried making him understand but he wouldn’t stop. 

The creaking sound of my door made me jolt up withdrawing my attention from my phone. 

My head snapped to the door and I was met with my kid brother, clad in a tan pajamas, his messed up viking gold hair slightly radiating in my dingy room. 

“And what did I tell you about barging into my room without knocking?” I snapped, casting him a glare as I shut off my phone, throwing it across the bed. 

He crumpled his face into a cute puppy into a cute puppy face revealing his adorable chocolate brown eyes which we both inherited from mum. 

“Uh..well, Obviously you aren’t naked?” He shrugged dramatically. I rolled my eyes and climbed down the bed. 

“What do you want?” I scraped the strands of hair away from my jelly face, filing them into my hair. 

“Dad says you should come down for dinner.” He said with his tiny voice. 

“Alright be down in a minute.” And with that, he walked out. 

As I arrived at the living room, the sweet smell of macaroni and terrible odor of garlic welcomed me. 

God the mixture isn’t a good one. It could make me puke out my entire intestines at a go. 

If there’s anything I hate in this world, it should be garlic. But mum and Dad wouldn’t stop preparing meals without adding garlic all in the name of being healthy. 

“Hey Clarissa, what's with the face?” Dad inquires as he sets the table looking like a professional chef. He hung a big pink apron on his neck, crowning his head with the kitchen cap which made him look so funny. I bit my lip to hold back my laughter as I’m not even in the mood. 

“You already know I don’t like garlic” I gave him an eye roll, pulled out a chair and sat opposite zayn. 

“I guess we don’t have a choice..'' Zayn's face was not different from mine. Honestly I don’t know what parent enjoys in some stupid spices that makes like herbs. Yuck! 

“Well I guess you'll have to get used to it.” Dad says taking off his apron before coming to join the table. 

He had prepared macaroni and cheese. With the sight of the food I know it’s gonna be delicious. 

We had settled at the dining table before I realized something. 

“Dad Where’s mum?” I asked, reaching out for a fork. 

“Uh she called, she said she had a double schedule at work so she might not come home tonight.” Dad explained and shoved a spoonful of cheese into his mouth. 

I just nodded as I had expected that already. 

Silence reigned for a while as we were all eating our food quietly. 

Not until zayn decides to break the silence with one very silly question. 

“Dad, what would you get for me as my birthday gift?” He asks out of the blue, making dad raise an eyebrow. 

“Why the question, I mean your birthday is still four months from now.” 

“I know I’m just curious to know what you are getting for me.” Zayn whines. 

Earth to my six year old brother who is always coming up with different episodes of the day. 

“What would you want me to get for you?” Dad asked, grinning. 

“A laptop” he shrieks, making my dad lower his brows, quite as bewildered as I am. “And if possible please I want it now or tomorrow and I won’t ask for anything on my birthday” 

“Why do you suddenly need a laptop zayn, you wouldn’t even be able to operate it.” Dad states, candidly. 

“Of course I can handle a laptop, I swear. All my friends in school have laptops, they use it to watch videos and play games and guess they are going to be playing a certain online game that’s now on trend. I don’t want to be left out..” he rambles on and on. 

Dad pulled an oblivious look on his face while I was simply shocked. If I say I don’t know what he’s talking about then I’m lying but I’m surprised that even kids are aware of this world spreading game.

“What game is that?” Dad asked, completely clueless. 

“Umm... the... what’s it called What’s called...” 

“Can you keep a secret?’” I hacked in. 

Yeah according to the rumor that's the theme of the game. Dad was simply puzzled while zayn shrieked in surprise. 

“Yes...yes.. that’s what they call it? Wait, you know about the game too?” Zayn cast a surprise stare on me, lacing it with a hint of exhilaration. 

“I should be asking that. You are too little to be listening to rumors.” I riposted, giving him a warning glare. 

“But everyone is talking about it.” 

He pouts. 

“I understand but it’s not true okay. It's just some superstitious dumbass rumor.” I know arguing with my little brother can be pointless but I just don’t want his little mind to be thrilled with fake stuff. 

“I don’t believe that because some of my classmates say they are playing it.” I scoffed. That alone is another proof to show that this goddamn girl is not really true. 

“Okay.,you guys are making me lose brain cells over here. What are you talking about?” Dad chopped him feigning annoyance and I just watched as Zayn took it upon himself to explain the game trilogy to dad from scratch to finish. While dad keeps nodding, topping it with ‘oh, yeah, hmm. Seriously.’ Till Zayn was some. 

“That is huge.” Dad finally commented after listening to zayn. 

“You aren’t believing that are you?” I inquired from dad and he just chuckled. 

“If you so believe that it’s fake why don’t you try doing some research on it and try playing the game?” Zayn suggested now getting upset and I don’t like where this discussion is leading to. 

“And why will I play the game when I’ve got a lot better things to do?” 

“Just admit it, you are a sissy.” He stuck his tongue out for him and I raised my hand about spanking him when dad raised an alarm. 

“Alright kids enough, table manners. let’s eat.” 

I ate my food and went back to bed, not bothering to check the unread messages I saw on my phone from that mr creep.