Awakening

It was now the 8th of January, school would be starting again.

"Eli, are you up yet? School will be starting soon you gotta go!" Samantha, his mother yelled from the kitchen.

Elijah walked out of his room.

"Yes mom, I've been awake since an hour ago, how did you not notice until now?" Eli joked.

Getting ready for school wasn't something Elijah liked doing. 

He had to think about what classes he would have and how it was going to be boring.

At least he would see his friends today.

Their friend group hadn't met up during the vacation because everybody was busy celebrating with their families, some even went to a different country. 

Elijah said his goodbyes to his little brother and mother as he stepped outside into the cold, snowy NYC.

His school wasn't that far off his apartment, so taking the bus was all he had to do.

Packed in warm clothes, Elijah didn't get as many stares as usual.

Being 186 cm (6ft1) he was taller than average, and with his sharp jawline with blue eyes and blond hair, he was someone a lot of girls would like to have as a potential lover.

Elijah usually ignored these girls or kept them at a distance since he felt that it didn't matter what he looked like. 

What mattered most is what he would achieve in life.

Once the bus arrived near his school, Eli got off and started walking.

'First period is English, how typical, how boring.' Eli thought.

'I'm speaking English perfectly fine right now, what am I even learning during class.'

Eli was complaining about boring subjects in school when he arrived and saw one of his friends, Andrew.

Andrew was one of the more quiet friends Elijah had.

Andrew, having brown eyes and brown hair, and being about 5'11 was quite timid.

Elijah felt that if Andrew tried his best, he could get a girlfriend like he always said he wanted.

Nevertheless, he was too scared to go and actually talk to a girl, which Eli found quite funny.

"Yo, Elijah, how you been?" Andrew greeted him.

Elijah shrugged.

"Just the same as usual, nothing special." He answered.

Andrew had already expected this answer as he asked another question.

"Have you heard about Rich yet?" 

Elijah gave him a weird look.

"Did something happen to Rich? He's usually at home all the time, what can happen to that guy?" 

Andrew gave a knowing look.

"Yes, I know, but I saw him last Wednesday by chance."

"He said he awakened, and not just as any Player, but as a combat Player!" He said enthusiastically.

Elijah had a surprised look on his face.

Richard was another friend of theirs, he was usually one of the less active ones in the group.

Hearing that he had somehow awakened as a Player confused Eli a bit.

'The universe must be feeling pretty funny right now, huh.' He thought.

Andrew patted him on the shoulder.

"Hey man, if that guy can do it, so can we."

"Maybe you'll be the one to awaken tomorrow, mysteries like awakening can happen anytime.

Elijah knew he said that just to make him feel better.

Everyone wanted to awaken, it was the dream of all common people.

"What's gonna happen now though, you think he'll keep being our friend or do you think he's gonna swap to a Player school and ditch us?" Eli asked.

Andrew didn't know.

Richard had always been the friend that was there just because he didn't have any other friends.

He didn't really go out with the rest, and wasn't very focused on them either.

Eli could already guess what was going to happen.

"He's definitely gonna go, man." Eli said.

Andrew nodded, he agreed with that deduction.

"I don't blame him though, it's a once in a lifetime chance for him."

"Hanging out with us isn't going to help him level up from now on." Andrew said.

While the two were talking about Richard's future, the last remaining friend arrived.

"Wasup Eli, Andrew, how you been?" Aaron asked.

Aaron was a shorter guy.

He was mixed Asian and white.

He was someone that really held the group of four together as he was the chatty and funny one in the group.

"Hey Aaron." Andrew said as Eli nodded towards the approaching friend as well.

Aaron, being a very direct person didn't waste any time.

"So Richard's gone, huh?" He said.

Eli laughed slightly because of that directness.

"Probably yes, he might not even show up today."

While the three were talking the bell rang, indicating that first period was about to start.

Aaron and Eli would be in the same class, Andrew had a different subject up first so he was going to be away for a bit.

Eli entered the class and sat down at the back, he had already made up his mind that he was going to try and get some extra sleep in.

Aaron sat next to him and focused on the teacher.

While Eli didn't care that much about his grade, Aaron was a straight-A student who's dream job was to be an agent for Players later in his life.

This was one of the best paid jobs for unawakened people as they were paid in a small percentage of their total earnings. 

A couple of people gave their greetings to Elijah, even the most popular girl in their class, Rose.

Elijah spoke to Rose sometimes, but that was it.

He didn't feel like Rose was trying to initiate anything so he thought they could be friends.

As they were getting ready for class and the teacher finally entered, silence entered the room.

The teacher started talking about some stupid literature bullcrap as suddenly a bright light shined at the back of the classroom, right at the spot where Elijah sat.

Everyone immediately got their phones out not caring about the teacher as they started recording.

Aaron looked over and was surprised.

"Eli... Did you just awaken?"

Elijah looked in front of him with shock obvious on his face.

"I think I did."