Book 1 The Beginning Part 1 Section 7

7

Mason opened up the door too his room and looked inside finding it empty, shrugging he closed the door and started back down the hall. The thought of being alone didn't appeal to him, he knew that if left alone he would dwell on what had happened and that was the last thing he wanted to do, he wanted to get on with his life and dwelling on the unchangeable past didn't accomplish that. When he reached the main quad he heard laughter and it drew him towards the door of one of the largest buildings in the Academy grounds. As he had done before entering the classroom earlier that day Mason hesitated at the doorway but the sounds of people having fun soon pushed him through the door.

The scene that greeted Mason as he entered the building was chaotic, hundreds of boys of all ages milling around all the latest VR games. The huge front room was filled to the brim with people and it made him hesitate, he hadn't wanted to be alone but to be surrounded by so many strangers suddenly felt a whole lot worse and he made to leave. Just as he made the first step back to the door he heard his name called by a familiar voice and he turned around to see JT. Happy to see a familiar face he made his way to over to the older boy. "Hey, nice to see you again," JT said. "Care to join us?" he asked and Mason sighed inwardly in relief, he didn't have to be alone after all.

"Sure," Mason said keeping the sheer relief that he felt out of his voice. "This isn't what I expected."

"Cool huh?" JT said. "Only the best for the future cannon fodder," he said turning suddenly serious, this was his last year in the Academy and although he understood the reason he was required to serve regretted the need and the thought gave him a bitter taste in his mouth but he pushed the feeling away and focussed on the present. "Anyways, these two are Pacey and Jonesy," he said introducing his two companions as a way to change the subject.

"We're in the same class, but we haven't been introduced til now, I'm Jonesy" Jonesy said. "You can tell because I'm the better looking one."

"Mason," Mason said holding out his hand which Jonesy took.

"Pacey," Pacey said taking Mason's hand. "Don't believe him; he's just jealous 'cause not only am I more good looking I'm older."

"Wrong on both counts brother mine," Jonesy said.

"You're mistaken," Pacey said rolling his eyes as if to say ‘See what I have to put up with’.

"Guys, we don't care," JT said and then turned to Mason. "They've been arguing about that since I met them, you'd think that a couple of minutes wouldn't matter all that much."

"You know what they say about small things," Mason said smiling slightly, it was the first time he had since the time he woke up an orphan and it made him feel warm inside. "What’re we going to do, there's so much here."

"We're waiting for Awakening to be free, we're also looking for the fifth player," JT said.

"Is Peter anywhere around," Mason asked. "What about him?"

"You've got to be kidding," Pacey said snorting and Mason scowled at him, he hadn't expected that kind of attitude and it made him want to leave.

"What he meant was that you wouldn't find Peter here, this many people would give him a heart attack, he keeps to himself, and you’d probably find him in the gardens somewhere," JT said.

"Most likely huddled up staring into space," Jonesy said. "The boy's not much for the social scene."

"Looks like we're on but we've got to get another man," JT said.

"What about Darth," Mason said as he saw his former opponent walking close by.

"Good idea," JT said before turning and calling out Darth's name. Darth looked over at them before making his way over, when he reached them he looked Mason up and down and Mason followed suit. "Mason here wants to know if you want to play," JT said and Darth grinned slightly. "I guess that's a yes."

"Sure is," Darth said. "Lets see if you're as good in VR as you are in real life," he said to his former opponent.

"You're on," Mason said and the five of them made their way to the game. They spent the rest of the break going from game to game and by the time they had to leave for dinner Mason had sampled probably a fifth of the games available on the first floor and he couldn't wait to have a go at the rest.