by Anthea Sharp
The rest of the World Gaming Championships were pretty much torture. Her ticket home wasn’t for two days, and in the meantime she had to smile and shake hands, congratulate an oh-so-smug Jae-jin, deal with the inevitable griefers gloating over the fact that “girls can’t compete at this level.”
Most her fans were great, though, and super supportive. They even started a petition to name Spark the winner, since she’d found some bonus end-content—namely, saving the elf queen—that Jae-jin had missed.
The commission was firm, though. Even if they gave Spark those extra few seconds, the Korean still came out ahead by a slim margin. He’d won the solo championship.
The worst was the VirtuMax ceremony, and seeing her dreams for the future slip away. It was more than winning the money and sponsorship, Spark realized. She’d wanted to be the one representing the company, to prove to kids all over the world that being a kickass gamer wasn’t just for boys.
Sure, there were female sim-stars, but the visibility of the VirtuMax spotlight was huge. Especially in places where gamer girls were still fighting to be taken seriously.
At least she wasn’t going home empty-handed. The second-place purse was decent. Not mind-bogglingly huge, but enough to help with tuition costs for all three kids in her family. So that was one goal achieved. More or less.
“Good luck next year,” her supporters called as she made her farewells. “We know you can do it. Go, Spark!”
Possibly. But without dropping out of school to play all the time, it wasn’t going to be easy. And her parents had already made it clear that wasn’t an option.
She’d had her shot. And missed.
Her mom picked her up at the airport, and kindly didn’t say much. Even Rosie was nice—at least for a few days.
“You could spend the credits yourself,” her little sister said as Spark unpacked. “Ooh, I know! Buy a grav-car.”
“It’s for the family.”
“But the family totally could use a new car! Think how prime that’d be.” Rosie used her hand to mimic a gliding motion.
Spark shook her head. “Mom and Dad are putting it in a fund for all of us kids to use for university. End of conversation.”
Guilt over using Papa’s silver dollar to go to Worlds kept her quiet. If only she’d won! Then she’d be able to confess to her family what she’d done. Instead, she was only second-best, and filled with twisty guilt.
With a twinge, she folded away her bright gaming uniforms, sponsors’ names emblazoned on the sides. Maybe there’d be another tournament. But probably not.
Three days after she’d gotten home and was resigning herself to her homework, a priority vidcall came through on her tablet.
Spark glanced at the ID and drew in a breath of surprise.
“Who’s it from?” Rosie asked, glancing up wide-eyed from her spot on the couch.
“Um.” Spark cleared her throat. “VirtuMax.”
“Are you sure? It’s not a spoof?” Her little sister bounced up and came to hover over Spark’s shoulder.
“Looks legit,” Spark said. Maybe? Her heart squeezed tight in her chest.
“Then answer it!”
Fingers trembling, Spark slid her vidscreen on. An unsmiling woman stared back at her, the VirtuMax logo prominently displayed on the wall behind her. Spark’s heart squeezed tight as she recognized Mrs. Lassiter—CEO of the company.
“Spark Jaxley?” The woman’s voice was no-nonsense.
“Yes, that’s me.”
“Are either of your parents available at this time to take this call with you?”
“My mom is, I think.”
Spark shot a look at Rosie, who immediately scooted out of the room to find Mom.
“What’s this about?” Spark asked, trying not to hope. “Has something happened to Jae-jin?”
The CEO’s expression pinched tight, but she simply shook her head. “As soon as your mother is present, I’ll explain.”
The next few seconds felt like the longest hours of Spark’s life. Finally, her mom came into the living room, drying her hands on a towel. Spark scooted over, making room at the table, and her mother sat.
“I’m Mrs. Jaxley,” she said. “Is there a problem?”
The CEO gave them a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Not necessarily. There is a problem for the champion, however. It’s been discovered that Jae-jin accepted cheats and advance information about the challenge from a VirtuMax employee. Former employee,” she corrected herself.
“Why would Jae-jin do something like that?” Spark blinked. It was crazy to risk his title by cheating—not to mention compromising the whole spirit of the competition. “He could have won on his own.”
“It seems he chose to cheat for a very, very large number of credits.” The CEO’s voice was dry. “I’m sure you’re aware there were high stakes bets on the outcome of the World Championships. Some parties wanted to absolutely ensure his victory.”
“What does this mean?” Spark’s mom leaned forward. “I assume you’re calling to do more than just tell us the champion cheated.”
“He’s not the champion any longer,” the CEO said. “Your daughter is.”
Spark felt like she was on a simulation flight and the bottom had just dropped out—terrifying and exhilarating all at once. Adrenaline flooded her body as the words penetrated. In the background, she could hear Rosie squealing with delight.
“We’d like to offer her the VirtuMax sponsorship,” the CEO continued. “However, since she’s a minor, we require parental permission.”
“Please, Mom,” Spark said, barely breathing.
Her mother firmed her lips and didn’t say anything.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity,” the CEO said. “And of course, we have the best tutors available to make sure Spark’s education remains top notch.”
“And it pays well,” Spark reminded her mom.
“No more potatoes for dinner,” Rosie chanted, dancing around the room.
“Sh.” Spark sent her sister a narrow-eyed glance. Mom hadn’t said yes yet.
“I need to discuss this with my husband.” Her mom folded her hands in her lap. “He’ll be home later this evening.”
“I’ll give you my private number,” the CEO said. “Let me know as soon as you make up your minds. And I urge you not to deprive your daughter of this chance.”
Mom only nodded, her expression thoughtful.
“Thank you, Mrs. Lassiter,” Spark said. “We’ll contact you soon.”
“Good.” The CEO ended the call and the screen went dark.
Spark stared at her reflection in the black glass. She wanted to beg Mom to say yes, but she knew better. Her parents would discuss it at length, and whatever they chose would be final. It was crucial she show she was mature enough to abide by their decision—and that meant no hysterical pleading.
Even though this was the one thing she wanted most in the world.
“Well?” Rosie demanded, fetching up against the edge of the table and staring at their mom. “You’re gonna say yes, right?”
“She has to talk it over with Dad.” Spark pulled in a deep breath and turned toward her mother. “Also, Mom, there’s something I need to tell you.”
Her mother’s eyebrows rose, but she didn’t say anything. Just waited.
“Before Papa…” Spark cleared her throat. “Before he died, he told me to take his silver dollar collection and sell it in order to get to Worlds. I lied to you when I told you the school had a donor who gave the money for me to go.”
Mom nodded slowly, her expression patient. And maybe a little approving?
“Wait.” Spark stared at her mom. “You knew?”
“Don’t forget.” Mom gave her a tiny, sad smile. “Your credit account is linked to ours. We saw the deposit from the auction site, and figured it out.”
“And you didn’t say anything?” Shame washed hotly across Spark’s cheeks.
“Your dad wanted to. But I said wait and see. I arg
ued you were responsible enough to tell us on your own.” Mom smiled, and it was beautiful. “Thanks for proving me right.”
“Wow.” Spark let out a shaky breath. “If I hadn’t confessed, would you have let me take the VirtuMax sponsorship?”
Mom shook her head. “But you did. And I think that’s proof enough that you’re ready—that you can handle the consequences of your actions responsibly and maturely. Even if you’re just sixteen.”
Spark slumped back in the chair, tears of relief tightening her throat. She’d almost messed up severely. “This was an even harder challenge than winning the World Championship.”
“Trust your gut, honey. It always knows what’s right.” Mom stood up. “Now give me a hug, and go pack.”
The press conference lights were blinding, but Spark smiled at where she knew the vidcams were. She couldn’t stop smiling, in fact.
Ever since the VirtuMax grav-car had picked her up, she’d been in a whirlwind dream: getting fitted for her new gaming suits, getting set up in a condo of her own, getting her magenta hair brightened…
“It’s your signature look, darling,” the hair and makeup specialist had said. “We have to emphasize it. And, oh, what it does for your eyes!”
“Miss Jaxley,” one of the interviewers said. “We hear that VirtuMax has big plans. Care to elaborate?”
“I can’t say much.” Spark grinned at the man. “But I can tell you that VirtuMax is working on pushing the limits of sim gaming with their new FullD prototype. From what I’ve seen so far, it’ll be like nothing you’ve ever experienced.”
At least, according to the advance prep she’d had. The system was still a year out from prototype, but viewing the mockups and hearing what the developers had planned, the FullD was going to transform simulation games. If they could pull it off.
Which, judging by the resources VirtuMax was throwing into the project, they would.
And Spark would be there on the forefront, playing the prototype, going all over the world to demonstrate the new system.
Keeping up with her schoolwork, a little voice reminded her.
Okay, yes. But that was only a part of the adventure. The rest was going to be amazing.
She could hardly wait.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Anthea Sharp is the author of the USA Today bestselling Feyland series, where faerie magic and high-tech gaming collide (inspired by way too much /played in Vanilla WoW - but hey, it was all research!) Her award-winning short stories have appeared in DAW anthologies, Chronicle Worlds, Fiction River, and more. Find out more about her other books, including Victorian Spacepunk and Dark Elf fantasy at antheasharp.com and join her mailing list for a free story!
