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New Save File: Meeting the Party

The summer was crawling, but somehow August was already almost gone.

Jace stood in the park with his backpack slung over one shoulder, fidgeting with the frayed strap. The sky was grey and lazy above the trees, and the scent of grass and warm concrete mixed with the distant sound of skateboard wheels slamming into pavement.

His group was already gathered by the picnic table near the basketball court–Leo, Ezra, Sky, and Maya–half eating snacks, half arguing about which game had the worst UI in history.

"Massive Fantasy V," Sky said flatly. "That menu system was evil."

"Blasphemy," Leo said, pointing his juice box at her like a weapon.

Ezra snorted. "You're both wrong. It's any mobile game that makes you watch three ads to equip a pair of shoes."

Jace arrived just in time to laugh quietly, sliding onto the bench beside Maya. She smiled and nudged his arm.

"There you are. Thought you'd chickened out."

"I almost did," he admitted.

They were all used to that. Jace flaked sometimes–not because he didn't care, but because his brain did this thing where the idea of leaving the house felt too heavy. His friends didn't guilt-trip him for it. They just checked in, waited, and made space when he showed up.

"We were talking about the college thing," Maya said, unwrapping a protein bar. "You ready for Game Design?"

"No," Jace said, then paused. "But... kin of excited?"

"Progress," Ezra said, tossing him a bag of crisps. "You gonna try talking to people this time?"

"Don't jinx it."

"I'm manifesting, actually. For both of us."

Leo leaned forward, animated. "I heard they've got like, industry guests coming in to give talks. Actual game devs. Maybe even someone from Pixel-Forge?"

Sky perked up. "That's who made Dream-fall. I still haven't finished the last chapter."

"Too busy writing a thousand-page lore doc," Ezra teased.

Sky just smirked.

Jace stayed quiet, but the rhythm of the conversation was comforting. Safe. This group was like a glitchy, weirdly functioning co-op party–every class different, no clear leader, but somehow always getting through the level together.

He looked around at them. Leo, always bouncing with energy. Maya, calm and grounded. Ezra, sharp and emotionally aware beneath the sarcasm. Sky, quietly intense. Each of them had their own stuff going on–none of them perfect–but that made Jace feel less alone.

"I want to meet people," Jace said suddenly. "When the course starts. Like–new people. Try, at least."

Maya blinked, then smiled. "That's awesome."

"Yeah," he said. "Just... I don't want to be the quiet kid in the corner forever."

"Dude, we met in the quiet corner," Leo said. "It's tradition."

They all laughed.

Later, walking home, Jace replayed the conversations in his head, analyzing every word he's said, every pause. Was he too awkward? Too quiet? Did they really get him, or just put up with him?

But then his phone buzzed.

Ezra: you did good today

Ezra: you always think you're weirder than you are

Ezra: but you're just jace. And that's solid.

He stared at the screen for a long moment before typing:

Jace: thanks

Jace: I'm trying

Ezra: I know. We all are