Locking In With My Life System

Chapter 34: On-Board

For a while, Theo remained silent, seemingly contemplating over what to say in response to Aiden’s question.

The coal-haired youth on the other hand, simply rested his chin on the ridge of his chair, his expression markedly curious.

That said, it wasn’t as if Aiden didn’t have a clue as to why Theo chose to be secretive about the game he was building.

For one, he may have believed people would bully him for it, though Aiden was pretty sure his peers were now far above that mindset.

On the other hand, it might’ve just been as simple as him being introverted and being unwilling to share it with people given it might just be a passion project for him.

Still, Aiden figured it was better to ask than assume wrongly.

That said, he probably would’ve never expected Theo’s answer;

"I’m not exactly hiding..."

"Well, maybe I am hiding a bit..." he admitted immediately after while scratching his head.

"But that’s because I suck at drawing things I can’t exactly imagine...? Aphantasia, remember?" he gestured to Aiden who simply nodded, patiently waiting as kept listening for the actual reason.

Seeing that, another sheepish smile touched Theo’s lips. Then, letting out an uncomfortable sigh a few seconds after, he spoke, gesturing with an air quote;

"The actual reason I’m ’hiding’..."

"...is because the computer lab is the only place where I can actually build the game..." he quietly let out as his voice reached its possible lowest decibel.

In fact, it wasn’t an exaggeration to say that his words had trailed off at the very end... enough that most of what he said came out in a low whisper.

Yet, Aiden had heard it. Perfectly.

Because he had, his pupils slowly dilated, the realization dawning on him.

Then, cautiously choosing his words, Aiden asked;

"How bad?"

In response, Theo picked up his phone and said while gesturing to its screen in an unsure tone;

"This... bad?"

Truly, the device looked like it had been put through the wringer. Its screen was cracked in so many places, it was a miracle it was still functioning.

However, wondering if that was truly enough to point out the scope of things, Theo uncomfortably shifted in his seat as he added;

"Our family survives on food stamps..."

Visibly wincing to himself as he spoke, one of his eyes closed, the curly-haired youth watched as Aiden’s visage morphed into genuine concern in real-time as he finally remarked in response;

"That’s... really bad."

"Yeah. But we’ve sort of managed to get by all this while, one way or another." Theo said, a wry smile touching his lips.

"I started building this game so I can... help out at home, I guess." he gestured at the screen briefly as he expatiated;

"My mum won’t let me take on a part-time job because she believes I should focus on my studies and try to snag a scholarship for college so, even if I do want to help, I have to keep it away from her."

"That’s the other reason why I hide away. It’s why I try to do as much as I can when I’m in school. It’s why I’m always here, whenever I get a chance." he vaguely gestured at the computer room, his hands dropping to his laps as his fingers nervously twiddled.

Heavy.

It all felt very heavy for Aiden to hear that.

Yet, at the same time, he could resonate so much with Theo.

He himself was more or less in the same boat. He wanted to retire his Pops as soon as he possibly could and build a stress-free life for the man.

Unfortunately, where he had been lucky enough to get a good starting point, Theo had been given the short end of the stick.

And even then, unlike him whom had been chanced to run into a kindly stranger who happened to bestow a system upon him before he finally shook awake, Theo on the other hand had made do with the cards he was dealt.

As a result, within just a couple minutes of actually getting to know the youth, Aiden’s respect for him had skyrocketed to brand new heights.

It was also why, after a brief moment of silence between them, the youth then spoke;

"I’m gonna be upfront with you, Theo. You and I, we have a shared goal."

"To give our loved ones a far better life than the ones they currently have," he continued, much to the surprise of the brown-haired youth.

"This game of yours, I believe it has a lot of potential." Aiden the gestured to the monitor’s screen with a finger.

"And luckily for you," the youth pointed to Theo with the very same finger, his words coming out in a measured, selective approach;

"I have some capital, a growing audience and a repertoire of skills, alongside some equally skilled idiots to polish it up and push the envelope of what it could truly be."

"All you’ll just need to do, is be on-board." he gestured to which he then asked, his tone hopeful yet inspiring;

"So, what do you say? Are you on-board?"

For a while, Theo said nothing, still contemplating the offer. By all accounts, this was a dream come true. The kind he’d been hoping for since he’d began working on the game.

Yet, now that he was actually faced with said opportunity, doubts upon doubts began to run through his mind. And with those doubts, came the inescapable pressure and the possibility of not just failing to live up to expectations, but failing in general.

If he was the sole individual working on the game, he probably wouldn’t have been as remotely bothered as he was.

However, if other people joined the mix, it was another ball game entirely. That thought process alone, was what was preventing Theo from making a decision in the spur of the moment.

Seemingly realizing this too, Aiden then placed a hand on the youth’s shoulder and said;

"Listen, Theo. I know what it’s like to feel pressured or consider the prospect of failure. Hell, I know how crippling that feeling can be."

"I still do, in fact. I still struggle with it from time to time. Which is why I’m going to ask you this," Aiden’s olive-green irises held the youth’s ambers.

"If there’s the slightest sliver of chance that you could turn things around for not just your mum, but also yourself, wouldn’t you want to take it?" he asked of him.

"In fact," Aiden then smiled at him as he added;

"Haven’t you already taken it?"

No sooner had Theo heard that, all the fog of thoughts in his head slowly began to part.

And though he was still wary about jumping on Aiden’s offer for the fear that things might ultimately not pan out as he... no, they were intending, Aiden was right.

The slightest sliver of a chance to turn things around... that was truly all he needed.

To that shift in mindset;

"Yeah. Yeah, I’m on board." Theo finally said, his voice quiet yet full of resolve... one that had Aiden grinning in proud delight as he gently shook the youth’s shoulder.

...

...

...

"That’s all, I guess." Aiden concluded as he informed his father about Theo and his plans to make a videogame with him.

Currently on the sofa with Richard as they watched the highlights of a football game, their home-made non-alcoholic brandy in the glass cup in their hands, the man nodded in understanding.

Then, after taking a small sip, he said to his kid in a supportive tone;

"Champ, if you believe it’s a worthwhile venture to invest your hard-earned money into, then I’m more than assured that you’ll make something worthwhile out of it."

"I just hope you won’t be overwhelmed at this rate," Richard turned to face him, a fatherly concern on his features as he said;

"Your side hustles, the added course load of your AP classes, all those extracurricular activities you recently signed up for... it’s a lot to juggle, you know. Especially for a kid your age."

To that, Aiden simply nodded, understanding perfectly where his father was coming from. He had to admit... he was starting to become a bit of a workaholic.

However, considering he couldn’t tell the man he had a literal system that could even things out for him, he opted to smile and say instead, his tone assured;

"I understand, Pops. And don’t worry. If things get overwhelming, I’ll take a necessary breather. I promise."

To that, Richard ruffled his hair and said with a proud smile;

"That’s good enough for me."

Chuckling in response to that, Aiden simply said, his smile warm;

"Thanks, Pops."

"Don’t mention it, champ." Richard reciprocated with a smile of his own.

Following that, both individuals kept watching the game in shared comfort.

A minute after though, Aiden broke the silence as he requested;

"Pops. Could you get me somewhere early tomorrow?"

"On a weekday?" Richard remarked, knowing fully well his son was bound to be a bit tardy if he did that.

Still,

"Where?" he curiously asked.

"The Micro Center on Sunset Park." Aiden casually replied.

Without needing to be told, Richard immediately picked up on his kid’s thought process.

Which was why;

"Yeah, sure. Why not." he casually replied with a little bob of his head.