I don’t recall ever visiting Oasis Springs before, and I quickly see why. It’s not very far from Chestnut Ridge, but it’s hot. An awful heat that makes me feel like I just entered the depths of hell. Why would anyone choose to live here?
Kisha and I don’t linger outside very long. The Cyber Gaming Café, a big, colorful building with bright flashing lights, looks extra inviting as a way to escape the heat.
We step inside the air-conditioned building, and I immediately look around for Marvel. Unlike most cafés I’ve visited, desks, computers, tables, and arcade machines line the inner walls. In the middle are standard café tables for eating and drinking.
Kisha: So, who are you looking for?
Tambara: No one. I just wanted to see the place.
Kisha: We’ve seen it. I’m going to grab something to drink.
I’m glad when Kisha steps away; now I can continue my secret mission without her asking a ton of questions.
There are two sets of stairs right in front of me. Marvel has to be up there. I choose the stairs to the right and head up, my anticipation building with each step. There’s a big TV, more desks and computers, but not him. I release a disappointed sigh, give up, and head back down to find Kisha.
She’s sitting at a table, looking flustered.
Kisha: Oh, there you are! Are you ready to go yet? We can go to my apartment, and you can meet Carl.
Tambara: Where’s your drink?
Kisha: This place is too crowded. There’s a ten‑minute wait. I can go home and make coffee.
Although Kisha is over it, I haven’t quite given up on the place yet.
Tambara: I’ll visit your apartment next time. You can go — I’m going to stay and at least grab something to eat.
Kisha gets up from the table quickly.
Kisha: Good luck with that. See you later?
Tambara: Yeah, thanks for coming.
Kisha leaves, and the crowd eventually thins out. I walk to the counter to order food. It’s the least I can do since I basically wasted my time coming out here.
As I’m standing there waiting for my order, a slightly familiar voice speaks up behind me.
Marvel: Looking for me?
I’m a little startled when I turn to see him. I had given up on him ever showing up. The audacity of him strolling in late and then assuming I’m here for him pisses me off a little.
He still thinks he knows me. I play it off and walk right past him.
Tambara: No! Why would I be looking for you?
I grab my food and sit down at the nearest table. He stands at the counter as if to order, but seems to change his mind and follows me to the table instead to answer my question.
Marvel: Because I’ve never seen you here before, and I’m here all the time.
I never considered that.
I come up with a quick response.
Tambara: I was in town visiting a friend, and I wanted some coffee.
Marvel doesn’t look convinced, especially because I’m obviously here alone and I don’t have any coffee. I can see the shift in his face when he decides to drop the subject.
Marvel: Well, you’re here now. Let me show you what I do.
I’m still mad at him, although I can’t remember why. So now he’s assuming that I care about anything he can show me. I shake my head at that.
Tambara: Why would I want to do that?
Once again, my tone doesn’t faze him.
Marvel: Maybe you don’t want to, but you’re here at a gaming café, and I’m a professional gamer, so it all seems to fit together, don’t you think?
He really gets on my last nerve. I level him with a flat stare and take an unnecessarily aggressive bite of my cannoli.
My food is gone, and Marvel still sits there as if waiting for my answer. I can no longer use a full mouth to ignore him, so I pull out my phone instead.
Tambara: It’s a little late. I should probably head home.
Marvel: Okay, I’m going upstairs. Good seeing you again.
He gets up from the table and walks away slowly. I came here to see him — that much is obvious. He knows that, and I know that. But I’m not quite ready to let go of the charade.
Tambara: It was good to see you again.
He continues his stride, and I stand up, trying to decide. I can keep the game going and go home. Or face the fact that this guy intrigues me and follow him up the stairs.
The confidence in his steps and the way he keeps looking back at me knowingly, but yet completely unbothered, decides for me. I absolutely want to see what he has to show me. Instead of heading out the door, I turn and go up the stairs behind him.
Marvel sits down in one of the big, comfy chairs in front of the TV. I sit beside him, and without asking, he hands me a gaming controller before grabbing one for himself. I look down at the controller a little helplessly.
Tambara: I don’t really know what to do.
Marvel: This game is simple. The only buttons you need are the X and the circle. The X shoots the ball, and the circle helps you aim. You ready?
Before I can respond, Marvel chooses a basketball game. I balance my thumb between the X and the circle on the controller, and a second later I’m thrown into a competition with him on the big screen. There’s a rhythm to the game, and it doesn’t take long for me to get the hang of it, but it’s obvious, based on the way his fingers fly between the buttons, that Marvel isn’t new to it.
Tambara: So this is what you do all day?
Marvel: Kind of. I’m a professional video game streamer.
Tambara: Like on SimTube?
Marvel: There, but I also stream gaming tutorials for the company I work for.
Tambara: My dad is a SimTuber too.
Marvel: Cool.
Playing against a professional gamer isn’t easy, but I hold my own. I’m enjoying the challenge and the fast pace. My heart is beating in my chest as if I’m in a race. Watching my score increase is addictive. I can see why he’s into this.
It would take hours to match his skill and focus. He doesn’t let my inexperience with the game change the way he plays, and he unapologetically beats me in several rounds.
As the game calculates his high score, I put my controller down, and he does the same.
Tambara: So you said you’re here all the time?
Marvel: Yeah, when I’m not working.
Tambara: Why?
Marvel: What better way to escape the desert heat?
Tambara: I can think of several ways, like moving away from this fiery hellhole.
Marvel: Perhaps I will, when I find some place else I’d rather be. Where do you live?
Tambara: Chestnut Ridge.
Marvel: Hmm, never been there. But isn’t that basically a desert too?
Tambara: Some parts, but it also gets cold and snows too.
Marvel: Might be worth a visit.
Is he just saying that, or does he actually mean it?
Tambara: I found you on Social Bunny, but you didn’t accept my friend request.
Marvel pulls out his phone as if it never occurred to him. I watch as he goes to his profile and looks for my follow request. He clicks allow and promptly follows me back.
Marvel: Nice to meet you, Tambara Banks.
So he finally knows my name. Why didn’t he ask before?
Marvel: Now we can actually run into each other on purpose.
He winks knowingly.
Marvel: I’m just saying.
I’m glad I no longer have to pretend, so I let him enjoy his moment.
Tambara: I guess we can.
Marvel: I have to leave for work, but how about tomorrow?
This is completely unexpected.
Tambara: Tomorrow? What do you have in mind?
Marvel: Let me think about it and DM you on Social Bunny. Cool?
Tambara: Yeah, okay.
Marvel gets up from his seat.
Marvel: Cool.
And with that, he walks away.
I stare after him, my interest in him growing with each step. He doesn’t look back as he descends the stairs. I sit there a moment, trying to process the entire exchange.
Once he’s out of sight, I get up and head down myself, glad that we can now see each other on purpose. I smile at the possibilities.
(Generation 5 Chapter Summaries)
