Pepper and Wilson returned home and Pepper was happy that the two split ways. Wilson insisted that he needed to rush to his computer to update his card library and inform his followers regarding his latest pulls. Though Pepper didn’t necessarily have the desire to inform anyone on his progress with crafting Nightmare Mala, he certainly was motivated to get back to work.

  He first went about tackling the copper mesh compression cable wraps. The task was tedious and time consuming, but the opportunity presented a chance for him to properly apply some better cable management. Though his body told him to take a break, his mind and spirit urged him on.

  As soon as he was done with the cabling, he went straight on towards modifying his rune cards to pair with the celestial enchantment rune. The time had escaped him and by the time he had finished it was dark out. It wasn’t his lack of drive that caused him to pause. Rather his stomach churning with its warning that it wanted nutrition.

  He was about to make himself a quick dinner. A peanut butter and jelly sandwich, a few potato chips, but he paused. A quick glance towards Wilson’s room and he instinctively knew that his roommate had probably not thought of food either.

  Pepper added an additional paper plate to the counter and prepared an additional meal alongside his. He retrieved a soda from the fridge and proceeded towards Wilson’s door. He firmly knocked on the door and waited, but rolled his eyes when he heard Wilson’s voice talking a mile a minute.

  Though he normally wouldn’t have proceeded into one of their rooms without permission. He felt it would be okay, given the circumstances. The door slowly opened and his suspicions were confirmed when he saw Wilson sitting at his computer. His voice continued to spew a million words a minute as he continued to talk into the camera feed.

  “Exactly SlickWilly213… The Astral Energy card is a great addition to any deck.” Wilson barely wasted time in taking a breath. “Thanks KrillaZilla, I was really happy with my pulls today also.”

  Pepper slowly shook his head and chuckled under his breath. He walked up and placed the meal on the edge of Wilon’s desk. A quick turn and Pepper headed out just as fast as he entered. His roommate appeared to be completely oblivious to his entry, that was until the door was on the verge of being closed.

  “Thanks Pepper!”

  He couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re welcome.”

  Pepper quickly stopped in the laundry room and grabbed a Big D Energy and then retrieved his own plate. He headed back to the workshop and wolfed down the meal. A loud belch after he polished off the energy drink.

  “Alright… let’s get to it.”

  Pepper looked over at his Dark Matter power core. He could feel his nerves awaken as he grabbed hold of it and looked over it again. We’ve done tons of repairs on power cores back at Rhino’s. This will be nothing different. You got this. He told himself.

  He grabbed the hexidrive cross-relay tubing and started to measure out exactly how much he would need. He wrote down the measurement on a small sketch pad just off to the side, then flipped the card 180 degrees. A quick re-measurement and was happy when both numbers matched. Measure twice, cut once.

  There was a slight second of doubt as he was unsure which type of blade he should use to cut the tubing. His finger tapped his holodex up and after a minute of quick searching through the forums, he found the answer. Yamakax Blade is the best option when cutting cross-relay tubing.

  He turned over and looked towards the multitude of tool chests he had still not sifted through. There’s got to be one in one of those drawers. He soon got his answer as he opened the drawer labeled Cutting Tools and saw the small handsaw laying within the drawer.

  The forum posts he had skimmed over mentioned a fine-toothed file. A few gentle strokes along the edge to ensure there were no rough spots or notches left from the process. Though his zeal urged him to accomplish the task as fast as possible, he forced himself to take deep breaths and remain focused and disciplined to not rush the process. He quickly found his foot tapping and leg shaking and had to admit. Yeah… that energy drink was not really the best thing to take before a delicate install.

  He finished his cuts and had even finished the installation of the tubing. Everything was lined up, secure, and was ready for testing. Pepper had hooked up his portable test module. A small device that had a multi-input feature which allowed him to either start, or add 2% power to cards which could run an initial diagnostic.

  His thumb was just about to push down on the power button when he stopped and took notice of the incoming call on his holodex. He set the tester down and pulled the stool over to the counter where he was working. A quick decompression from his wrist and he then placed his holodex down on the counter in front of him.

  To his surprise, it wasn’t just Summer who was video calling him, but Jackson was also seated right beside her. All three of them were smiling and the two groups greeted each other with a wave. “Hey guys.”

  “Hey Pep!” Summer replied and her smile widened even further.

  Jackson was more reserved and he lifted his hand in a less than enthusiastic wave. “Hi Pepper.”

  “Ha, hey Jackson. What are you two up to?”

  Summer looked over to Jackson and then back to the camera. “Well… the university has certain weeks on the calendar when friends and family can come visit. They get to take a tour of the campus, sit in on a few classes, eat at the cafeteria, checkout the dorms. Kind of a whole, college experience weekend. Well… I thought it would be fun for Jackson to come visit, and was able to coordinate with my mom for him to come and stay with me.”

  “Well, that sounds like fun.” Pepper replied.

  Jackson didn’t even hesitate to respond. “It sucks.”

  Summer pressed her lips together and showed a slight sign of embarrassment. “Well… I mean, It’s been a learning curve for both of us, and the school… in some ways that we, wont discuss.” She paused and let out a long sigh. “But… we were talking and we thought it would be fun to call and check-in, you know? Catch up and see what all you’ve been up to.”

  Summer had not even ended her statement and Jackson had already raised a finger in front of him. “To be clear, I had no desire to call you. That was all her.”

  Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

  Pepper chuckled, “Well okay then. Thanks for clarifying Jackson.”

  Jackson nodded, “You’re welcome.”

  Summer raised his shoulders and then started to ask. “So, what’s new with…”

  She didn’t get a chance to finish her question as Jackson cut her off. “Pepper, why do I see your ugly face everywhere I go?”

  Summers jaw dropped and she nudged Jackson. “Jackson Miller! That is not nice. Pepper is not ugly, he is very handsome and attractive.”

  “Maybe in your opinion.”

  “It’s not a matter of my opinion. You don’t say mean things like that.”

  “But I am also not supposed to lie, and it’s Pepper’s face. Let’s be honest, he isn’t being cast in a movie any time soon.”

  “Jackson Miller, that is enough.”

  Pepper couldn’t help but chuckle. “So, there’s that… thanks for at least being honest Jackson.”

  Jackson returned to his firm nod and replied. “You’re welcome.”

  Pepper shook his head and then started. “Well, things for me are good, I guess. My sponsorship with Ryan and Big Duck Energy has been going good. Hence the, seeing my face all over. But… I will admit, I wouldn’t be upset if they took my face down either, Jackson. It is a little much.”

  “I mean… I don’t mind it.” Summer seemed to light up and her smiled re-appeared. “It’s kind of nice getting to see you all over the place and I am secretly saying. Hey I know that guy.”

  Jackson didn’t even hesitate. “Gross.” Summer gave another firm nudge which caused Jackson to rub his shoulder. “Sorry.”

  “Well, besides that. Georgia has been good. A few bumps along the road, but it’s been kinda cool. My one roommate and I have started to become close. His name is Wilson and he plays the Golem League Trading Card Game. He’s pretty good at it and is…”

  Jackson leaned forward and cut in. “Did you say, Wilson?”

  “Yeah…”

  “Wilson Bolten?”

  Pepper had to pause and refresh his memory to confirm the guess. “Yeah…”

  Jackson leaned closer to the camera. His glasses distorting his eyes so they looked as if they were on the verge of popping out of his head. “Wilson Bolten… or as the rest of the world knows him. Silver Slayer Prime?!”

  Pepper raised an eyebrow and didn’t really know where Jackson was going. “I guess so?”

  It was now Jackson’s turn to drop his jaw and he slowly sat back upright. The look of shocked disbelief clear as day and both Pepper and Summer looked at each other in confusion. Jackson then closed his mouth and looked as if he was about to say something, but then paused. He brought his finger up and began to tap on his lips as if confirming whatever he thought he was mulling over.

  Jackson then nodded and looked at the camera. “Pepper… I am happy to say that you are now the 11th coolest person I know.”

  Summer covered her mouth and worked to contain her laughter. Her cheeks flushed and she looked like she was more embarrassed than anything. She lowered her hand and mouth, “I’m sorry.”

  Pepper gave her a reassuring nod, but then turned to Jackson. “Well, thanks. I didn’t know there was a ranking, but… I’m glad to know I improved from where I was, I guess.”

  “Well… I mean, Silver Slayer Prime is in my opinion the best TCG player ever. It’s just too bad you’ll never be able to be as cool as him.”

  “Ouch…” Pepper muttered.

  Summer tried to scold Jackson, but he continued on and ignored her correction. “I mean seriously Pepper… you are not even in the same league as compared to Sir Wilson the Great. He is passionate, fearless, strategic to the point of brilliance. All the things you are not.”

  Pepper pressed his lips together and did his best to just bite his tongue. Summer was now covering her face with a throw pillow. Though Jackson had taken a pause, it was clear that he still had more to say.

  “The fact that Wilson has allowed you to be his roommate, shows that you may actually be a halfway decent guy. Therefore…” Jackson paused and lifted his finger, as if he was about to make a final decision and proclamation to the world. “If you’re good enough for Silver Slayer Prime, then you’re good enough for me. I shall cheer for you during your regional invitation matches Pepper. Even if that means I still have to see your ugly face all over the place.”

  “Gee… thanks Jackson.”

  Jackson leaned back, crossed his arms and gave a confirming nod. “You’re welcome.”

  The whole conversation had now left Pepper on the verge of being speechless. He didn’t know where to go or what else to say that this point. “Well, I feel honored. It’s always nice knowing I have your support Jackson.”

  “That’s understandable, but you should feel honored. I don’t just give my support to random bums out there you know.”

  Pepper continued to press his lips together and endured the harassment. “Well… if you want, I was about to test my power core. I just modified it with a fae crystal so it will turn purple. You guys want to watch as I test it?”

  Jackson shook his head no but added. “Wow… you made your power core purple… do something cool for once Pepper.”

  Summer finally flung the pillow across and knocked Jackson in the chest. “Enough Jackson! My god…”

  Jackson rolled his eyes and sighed. “Fine… this conversation is boring anyway. I’m going to go tell all my friends that I have a chance to meet Silver Slayer Prime. Even if it is through Pepper and not from my epic card skills.”

  “Okay… just… go into the other room, and remember.” Summer pointed a strong parental finger at him. “You have to be quieter or we’ll get in trouble with the dorm master again.”

  “Whatever.” Jackson’s muttered voice could just be heard from the other side of the screen.

  There was a firm shutter from the door to the room being closed. Summer covered her face with her hands and looked like she wanted to erase the last couple of minutes. “I am so… so sorry Pepper.”

  “Well… there is nothing really to be said. It’s just Jackson. At least I never have to worry about him lying to my face.”

  She lifted a reassuring hand towards him. “He really is a fan of you and loves cheering for you. Don’t let his bad mood get to you. It’s been a long week for us. I think he is just taking it out on you.”

  “It’s okay. Really. You don’t have to worry.” Pepper smiled to try and reassure her. “How have you been?”

  Summer smiled but Pepper could have sworn he almost saw tears about to rush down her face. She took in a deep breath, “I’m okay… hanging in there.” She paused and looked off to the side while quickly adjusting her sweatshirt cuffs to cover her hands. The nervous adjustment too great to hide.

  “It’s just a lot, you know. There is so much being thrown at us in every class, and granted I knew it would be a lot, but like. My mom is constantly calling me and messaging me. Things she struggling with in regards to Jackson and the house, and the bills, and just… all of it. It’s… it’s a lot right now.”

  She leaned towards the camera and then pointed towards the door that Pepper guessed Jackson had departed through. “I didn’t want Jackson to even come visit, but my mom basically pleaded with me. So I of course felt guilty and obligated to help somehow, or in some way. He got here and was hyper one minute, then super reserved and wanting to go home. Just a roller coaster that I was totally not ready for, but there is nothing that I can do except try and survive.”

  Her hand then waved in front of her and there was no sign of stopping. “Then on top of that I have like two papers to write. A test coming up in another class. Oh and by the way students, you are also required to volunteer 24 hours a month at a local medical center as part of your curriculum.” Summer said in a sarcastic tone which was clearly her mocking whoever informed her of the information.

  “So here I am, trying to look up local places and find one that will work with my schedule and be flexible. The fact that I sometimes need to answer my holodex when my mom calls. Oh and I dunno, trying to find just an hour here and there to rest so I don’t loose my damn mind!” Summer ended by falling backwards on the tiny couch they had been sitting on and letting out a long exhausted exhale.

  “Wait I’m confused. Last I recall, I thought you were going to rent out a room with Rebecca? Your mom was upset that you weren’t doing the college dorm thing.”

  “That all fell through. I was so stressed out about that as well, I should have called you back then. But then I rolled right into classes and just tried to adapt to the change of plans.”

  “Well, is there anything you need? Something I can do at least to help?”

  “I need a warm bath, a giant fluffy blanket, an ungodly amount of chocolate and 48 hours of quiet.”

  He raised an eyebrow and tried to be reassuring. “I’ll… get right on that. Just as soon as I am done with the power core testing.”

  “You’re a peach.” Summer replied. He could see she reached her hand up and was wiping away the few tears that tried to escape. She took a moment to recompose herself and then sat back up. “Thanks Pepper. I didn’t mean to unload on you like that, but I…”

  “You needed to.” He said.

  She smiled briefly. “I needed to.” She slowly blinked and took in a deep breath. “Thanks.”

  Pepper chuckled and nodded. “You’re welcome.”