“Hey Sweetie,” Gavin watched his mother eye his switch in his hand. “Oh, is that the game where you rescue the princess?” she asked, taking a seat next to him, instantly rubbing his back in a comforting motion. He instantly relaxed as he sat up, knowing she only did that because she thought he was always feeling like a failure as they watched his dad play football for a career. He had to give her props though, she couldn’t name the game ever, despite him telling her each time, but she at least knew by just looking at what the screen.

Gavin smiled, glad at last one parent didn’t hate the idea of him being more into video games and studying over, throwing a ball to someone and hearing your name cheered on by the crowds. “Yes, its Legend of Zelda, so the princess is in need of saving.” He’d think it’d be a miracle if she could remember just the series name, but that wasn’t because she was a bad parent. He always wondered here his smarts came from, but he sadly knew, it wasn’t from his mom.

“You hungry? Need fuel to fight the bad guy? I know you avoid the buffet for certain reasons.” She chuckled as she stood up, ready to do what Gavin hated doing. She was the social butterfly, she could usually keep the other guests that his father would invite to watch from bothering him too much. Before Gavin could reply, the crowd grew louder, the announcer’s tone higher, and everyone turned their attention to the big screen as his father threw the perfect throw to his teammate. Even Gavin turned his attention, feeling awe, jealousy, and guilt all at once.

His father was talented, he’d give him that, and he was always floored by what he could do in the sport.

The fact that he was so good, feeling like he never would be.

Gavin’s small smile faded a little at the thought he wouldn’t be able to give his father what he wanted. A great football player just like him. He felt a hand on his shoulder as one of his father’s old high school football teammates pointed to the screen. “That’ll be you one day too kid.” The guy chuckled, squeezed his shoulder, and his mother soon swept the guy back to the table for another beer. He watched his mother take on the crowd he hated being around, but what kind of son would be if he didn’t show up to his dad’s game for support?

He turned his attention back to the playfield down below him, picking out his father immediately. He didn’t want to be down on the field, crowd cheering or booing, all eyes on him. College, he could end it all with college. Gavin went back to playing as Link, a plate of nachos and a coke placed on the table next to him. “At least Mountain Ridge is in a different state.” He muttered, though didn’t feel like it was far enough.