The Gamer's Guide to Getting the Girl Page 15

  “Don’t you see? I really liked you. I didn’t want that to change your opinion of me! I was worried that you wouldn’t want to be with someone whose family was so messed up.”

  “I’m into you. Your family is pretty secondary to that.”

  “You don’t know my family,” Samara says, raising her eyebrows. “It’s not that easy.”

  “I know all I need to know to figure out whether or not I want to be with you,” I reply.

  “Then in the stairwell … you comfort me and almost kiss me and then run off?!”

  “I thought you were into Cooper.”

  “I didn’t pull away!” Samara raises her voice.

  “I thought Cooper was into you, too. When he came in, I couldn’t do that to him.” I may be totally into Samara but I’m not going to sacrifice a ten-year friendship for some girl I just met, no matter how cool she seems.

  “But you could do it to me?”

  “Cooper’s been my best friend forever,” I say. “It’s different. I had just met you.”

  “And what about when we were sitting by ourselves on the bench? You made it pretty clear that we were just friends.”

  “You were the one who pulled away that time. I said it because that’s what I thought you wanted.”

  “Well, you thought wrong.” Samara shakes her head. “I feel like every time I got close, you pushed me away.” Tears build in Samara’s eyes. It makes me feel awful. She was trying to tell me and I was too wrapped up in myself and her and Cooper’s suspected romance that I couldn’t see things for what they were.

  “So, you’re saying you feel the same way about me?”

  In my dream Samara turns and runs out of the stairwell. The metal door slams so loudly I jump. I never get the answer.

  TIP #17

  Tell her how you feel about her

  My eyelids flutter open. At first, I notice the stark white walls of the inside of the stairwell. We’re still in the mall. My insides churn with anxiety. How can we still be in the same spot? I blink a few times to try to get my bearings. Maybe I’m mistaken.

  I try to move but my legs won’t stretch. I flail them outward but they hit something hard.

  “Zach, stay still,” I hear Cooper say.

  “What’s going on?” I ask. “Where are we?”

  “We’re still beside the stairwell.”

  “Is everyone here?”

  “No. Most of them are back in the food court. We’re waiting things out.”

  “Waiting what out? I thought the storm had moved on.”

  “It did, but it’s not that simple.”

  I want so badly to uncurl my legs, but they meet the wall instead. I flex them out again, clumsily.

  “Zach, try to hold still.”

  “Why?”

  “You took a hard hit.”

  At first, I don’t feel anything at all. My hands go to my head and pat my face and hair. My right hand comes up bright with blood again.

  “This? It’s nothing,” I say.

  “No, it’s something,” Cooper says. “You’ve been doing all sorts of weird things since it happened.”

  “How long was I out for?”

  “I’m not quite sure. An hour? Maybe more?”

  “Serious?”

  “Yeah. You need to stay still.” Cooper presses on my shoulder gently to keep me from rising. I push against him. Then my back and head ache — a steady throb that makes me wince. I shut my eyes again.

  “He’s awake?” It’s Rory. I open my eyes and see that he and Erwin are standing over me.

  “Yes. He wants to get up but I told him he has to stay put.”

  Concern is etched on everybody’s face.

  “Zach?!” I recognize the soft voice. She leans over me, her mane-like ponytail cascading over her shoulder and dangling onto my face. It tickles my cheek.

  “Hi, Samara,” I whisper. My voice has gone hoarse on me. I don’t know if it’s because of my injury or because she’s so close to me.

  “Glad you’re awake,” she says. In this moment, the freckles that dot her nose and cheeks are what I notice most when she smiles at me. Then I see her eyes — they’re green and sparkling. I do a double-take; it almost looks as though she has tears. Her face is creased with worry. Her concern for me sends a thrill through me that I can’t quite explain. It’s excitement, anticipation, caring, desire, relief, gratitude — everything I feel about the thought of us being together.

  “You’re here,” I manage.

  “I never left,” she says softly.

  “You’ve been here the whole time?”

  “As soon as I found out you were hurt.” I feel her hand close around mine.

  “Look, I’m sorry.”

  “No need to apologize, Zach.”

  “I didn’t tell you how I felt about you.”

  “I wasn’t exactly honest with you either,” Samara admits. My eyelids get heavy again and I fight the urge to close them. Samara squeezes my hand and I drift off.

  TIP #18

  Kiss her like you mean it

  The next time I open my eyes, I’m being loaded onto a stretcher. At first the figures around me are blurry, but I blink a few times and things come into focus.

  “You’re awake!” It’s Matt, the paramedic, again.

  I manage a weak smile. “I’m trying,” I say. Cooper, Samara, Rory, and Erwin all stand nearby. “George?”

  “He’s stable,” Matt says. I nod gratefully. “I’m told your parents are waiting for you at the hospital.”

  “Really?! They’re not hurt?” I ask.

  “Safe and sound. Your brother is fine, too.”

  I think of them sitting there waiting for my arrival and my heart leaps. I can’t wait to see them.

  “Got a little crazy while I was gone, did you?” Matt chuckles as he straps me into the stretcher.

  “Ha. A piece of metal tried to take me out,” I tell him.

  “We’ll all breathe a little easier once you guys are all out of here,” Matt says. “This building is pretty beat up, too.”

  People start stepping forward to wish me well. The sales women, Olivia, and Nancy each give me a hug.

  “You helped keep us safe,” Nancy says. “And you saved George’s life.”

  I blush. “I don’t know about that.”

  Brandon takes his turn. “You sure did. You gotta stop selling yourself short, Zach. You’re stronger than you think. I heard that from someone once. It turned out it was great advice.” He winks at me.

  I look around for Peter and Mildred. Mildred is being tended to by another paramedic. Peter watches over her lovingly.

  Cooper pats me on the chest. “We’ll try to get to the hospital as soon as we can. My parents took a grid road around the city.” Oh good. Cooper’s parents are safe, too.

  “Okay, thanks, Coop.”

  He steps out of the way so that Samara can get closer. She squeezes my hand again.

  “I’m so glad you’re still here,” I tell her. “Are you okay?”

  “Of course, I am. I’m not the one lying on a stretcher.”

  “I don’t want anything to happen to you,” I say. The paramedics whistle, teasing me for being lovey-dovey.

  “It’s your turn for a helicopter ride,” Matt says. “We’ve got to get going.”

  “How will I see you?” My voice cracks as I study Samara. I don’t want to leave without her.

  “I’ll bring her with me,” Cooper says. He looks back and forth between the two of us.

  “Will you? That would be great. Thanks, Cooper!” Samara says. I nod at him gratefully. She gives me one last squeeze before letting go of my hand.

  Matt tightens the five-point harness around my chest. “Say goodbye!”

  I hear “Bye, Zach!” in several voices as Matt wheels me toward the food court doors. The sun warms my face. I squint from the sudden light and the swift wind generated by the helicopter blades. After the brutality of the storm, it’s actually shaping up to be a beautifu
l day.

  The paramedics lift my stretcher into the helicopter and the door clicks behind us.

  As I’m being wheeled into the emergency room, I hear my mom’s voice. “Zach!!” She runs toward me and cups my cheeks in her hands, leaning over me.

  Part of me wants to throw my arms around her because I’m so happy to see her, but I decide to play it cool. “It’s okay, Mom. I’m fine.”

  “This doesn’t look fine.”

  “No, really. I’m okay.” My dad and Marshall step forward from behind my mom. They look so relieved to see me that my eyes immediately pool with tears.

  They follow as Matt wheels me toward a room. Nurses immediately join us.

  “Zach!” I hear. I try to turn my head but it’s hard to do with this plastic collar around my neck. A wheelchair comes into view. It’s Chris. His face is stitched up and he’s got a lot of scratches, but he’s grinning from ear to ear. Then I see he’s holding a baby, bundled up tightly in blankets.

  “It’s a girl!” he yells. I give him a thumbs-up. I don’t know how he got here, but I’m sure happy he did. Chris is wheeled away.

  Again, my eyelids start to feel heavy. The emergency room is loud, bright, and chaotic, but it can’t compete with the exhaustion I feel. I try to stay awake but my eyes close and make the decision for me.

  When I open my eyes, I’m greeted by Cooper and his parents.

  Cooper steps in and holds out his hand. We do our special handshake and he pats my shoulder.

  “Thanks,” I say. “Where’s Samara?” I hear two women’s voices laughing. My mom is obviously having a good time visiting with someone. Samara steps out from behind my dad and Marshall. She was the one laughing with my mom.

  She’s smiling broadly.

  “Are you okay?” I ask again.

  “Why do you keep asking if I’m okay?” Samara laughs. “I’m perfectly fine.”

  “Did the doctors check your cuts?”

  Samara waves me off as though the cuts on her legs are nothing.

  “Look. I’m not some Princess Peach you need to rescue,” she says. “I can take care of myself just fine.” Her face remains serious. “And if you’re going to typecast me as anyone, at least make it better than Peach. I think I’m far more badass than that.”

  “Lara Croft?” I suggest.

  “Better be the newer version. Not the half-naked, big-boobed, unrealistic-body-proportions one.” Samara smiles. “You’re getting closer.”

  “Good, because I don’t want to be Mario,” I say with a smile. A short, stout, pudgy plumber with a giant black moustache. Not exactly my idea of a hot date.

  “You’re my Link,” Samara decides.

  I like that. Link is one of the most beloved characters in video game history; he’s from the Legend of Zelda. Link and Princess Zelda are young adults who continually face the challenges of both adulthood and having to save the world before they’re ready for it. I think it sums up nicely what we’ve just been through.

  Link’s a brave hero who is both capable and humble. He lives to defeat bad guys and evil forces. But he’s also the strong, silent type. Link doesn’t say much.

  “But I can talk, right?” I ask.

  “Yes.” Samara smiles.

  “What about kiss?”

  “Definitely!” Samara giggles. She places her hands on my shoulders and draws her face close to mine. Our noses brush together. I feel her warm breath on my lips. My entire body tingles with her so close to me. My dad clears his throat, and I’m hit with the image of Toad rushing into the room to tell me that my princess is in another castle.

  A hero has to do everything he can until his last breath. He must do what he’s been sent to do and complete his mission.

  Even though the room is filled with people, I can’t imagine a better moment. It’s the moment I’ve been hoping for, waiting for … and it’s as incredible as I imagined it would be. Samara’s lips touch mine — so gently and softly I press for more. Her kiss makes me dizzy with joy. No matter how many times I’ve imagined being the hero in the gaming world, there’s one thing I can say: reality is always better. I wrap my arms around her as best I can and pull her closer.

  And that is how the gamer gets the girl.

  ACKS

  [Acknowledgements]

  I’d like to send a huge thank you to the staff at Dundurn Press who work tirelessly for the love of all things reading. Your passion for your work is evident in the books you craft. Thank you to Kirk Howard, Sheila Douglas, Kathryn Lane, Kathryn Bassett, Heather McLeod, Tabassum Siddiqui, Synora Van Drine, Michelle Melski, Kendra Martin, Laura Boyle, and the rest of the Dundurn Press team. Laura, this cover is boss!

  A special thanks to Jess Shulman for her editing expertise; I love working with you, Jess! You are incredible at what you do. I am fortunate to have had two of my books placed in your more-than-capable hands.

  A good sounding board is invaluable, and I thank Bev Theriault, Susan McMillan, Danielle Mase, and Maria Deutscher for letting me run ideas by you as the book was crafted and for your coveted advice.

  To Matt Hogan, I promised that Paramedic Matt would appear as a character in one of my books someday. Thank you for all you do. Thanks again for your help with The 11th Hour.

  To Danielle Mase, a special thank you for the numerous pep talks, late-night text messages, and heart-to-hearts we had during the writing of this book. You are a wonderful cheerleader!

  To my co-workers at the hospital, especially Marlessa and Lisa, you dazzle me with your talents and your ability to bring joy and comfort to the people we encounter every day. I learn so much from you. You are pure magic!

  To Ethan and Kale, for all of the gaming advice and for teaching Mom the ins and outs of what gaming’s really about. There’s no way I could have written a book like this one without you. To Gracelyn, for always finding ways to carve out the time for me to write somehow.

  To Ben — the past couple of years have been the most challenging for us for so many reasons, but there’s no one I’d rather do life with. To still love each other after all of these years as fiercely as we do is a blessing and a gift. You’ll always have this girl.

  To my readers, thank you for taking the time from your busy lives to read my books. Your feedback, support, and reviews mean the world to me. Feel free to get in touch — nothing makes me happier than getting to connect with you!

  Book Credits

  Project Editor: Jenny McWha

  Editorial Assistant: Melissa Kawaguchi

  Editor: Jess Shulman

  Proofreader: Tara Quigley

  Cover Designer: Laura Boyle

  Interior Designer: Rudi Garcia

  Publicist: Elham Ali