Counting Stars

Chapter 18

➹ Chapter 18➹

Alex

            I'm sitting on my bed, staring at Scarlet's mask in hands. I had made it myself, only three years ago when I attended my first Myth-o-magic gathering. I'm already dressed in my Scarlet outfit, but I don't feel like acting like her. She's not the same person who's facing two big choices. She's not the same as me.

            The gathering tonight starts earlier than the usual, considering it's not exactly an official one. It's a small get-together, more like a party, for players in San Francisco thrown by one of the rich kids. I had to attend it because I always felt like I really had to, like an obligation. Calvin's not going, though. He only comes when there are practice matches. Plus, it's a requirement to wear your avatar's costume.

            I remember two days ago, Liam asked me if I'd go to the party. Of course, he thinks I'm going as Aven. I stupidly told him I'll go, just for him. He smiled at that. Now, I feel guilty, but I'm going to feel guiltier if I break my promise to my brother and go as Aven. I confidently told Calvin I'm going as Scarlet and that's final. I don't have time to make or buy an Aven costume.

            My insides churn as I think about Liam.

            "You're sulking," Calvin appears by my room's doorway, his arms crossed. He looks worn out, too, from playing Myth-o-magic for hours.

            "Do you think I should wear it down? My hair, I mean." I run my fingers through my red wig. Scarlet always has it in a ponytail to avoid distractions in fighting, but I'm ready for some change. I had always pinned my wig tightly so it wouldn't fall off and I made sure there were no traces of my black hair.

            Calvin only looks at me. He knows I'm trying to avoid the topics I don't want to talk about. I glance down at my outfit. Instead of the vest, I wear a red leather jacket over the black shirt because it's chilly tonight. In the game, Scarlet wears a jacket when she needs to. I kept the belt, shorts and boots. My sword lies next to me.

            "I'm keeping it down," I toss my hair over my shoulder.

            "Here, take this," Calvin throws some kind of small peanut-shaped container at me. I catch it easily in my hands.

            "What's this?" I don't wait for him to answer. I open it and see two red circular objects.

            "Contact lens?" I hold up one of them.

            "Will you really let Vade recognize your eyes? And the color matches your jacket, Scarlet Witch."

            I carefully place the lenses on my eyes. "You're always prepared, aren't you?" I toss the container back to him.

            "I'm praying Vade won't recognize your face even with the mask, or your body." His lip curls, "You know what, stay away from him during the party."

            "What if he comes to me?" I shrug, recalling the last encounter with Vade as Scarlet. He made me blush that night, and it shouldn't happen again.

            Calvin scowls, "Then, avoid him. He's your enemy; that should be easy."

            I look back down at my mask, fiddling it in my hands. Liam's nice — too nice — to Alex, but he totally hates Scarlet. Little does he know, they're the same person.

            "I won't screw this up," I tell Calvin. Stay away from Vade the whole time. That should be easy, right?

            Calvin snorts, "As if you haven't screwed it up already."