The Ru Effect

Chapter twenty three

River's pov

Flashback

The glow of the television screen flickered around the room as Derrick and I sat cross-legged on the floor, controllers in hand, lost in our latest gaming obsession. We were deep into a virtual battlefield, and I could feel the familiar rush of adrenaline coursing through me. Derrick, always the jokester, had just made a ridiculous move in the game, and I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Dude, what was that?” I teased, shaking my head. “You’re supposed to cover me, not lead me to slaughter!”

He shot me a smirk, his dark hair falling into his eyes. “Hey, it’s called strategy, bro. You wouldn’t understand.”

I rolled my eyes, but the playful banter felt good, like the kind of moments that could last forever.

Eventually, the game shifted to a lull, and we both flopped back against the carpet, the game paused on the screen as we caught our breath.

“So, what are you thinking about studying in the university?” Derrick asked, still catching his breath.

“Honestly? I was thinking about accounting. I mean, I’m pretty good with numbers, you know?” I shrugged, a casual grin stretching across my face. “Could be a solid career.”

Derrick burst out laughing, a sound that always made me feel lighter. “Accounting? Really? What’s next, being a tax collector?”

I shrugged, trying to suppress a smile. “Hey, it pays the bills. Besides, it’s not like you’re going to become a millionaire studying...whatever it is you want to study.”

He propped himself up on his elbows, a glint of mischief in his eyes. “I want to study literature, man. It’s beautiful! Words have power. They can change the world.”

I froze, my hands gripping the controller tightly. Literature? The thought made my stomach turn. “Literature? Seriously?” I scoffed, the tone of my voice sharper than I intended. “You’re just stupid. You won’t get a job with that! You’ll just be living off Mom and Dad’s money.”

Derrick frowned, his expression shifting from amusement to annoyance. “You don’t get it, do you? It’s not just about the job. It’s about passion, about love for the written word.”

“Love doesn’t pay rent, Derrick!” I snapped back, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. “You think writing poetry is going to put food on the table? You’ll be that guy who’s always crashing at home, living off their parents’ generosity.”

He sat up straight, a flash of anger crossing his face. “And what about you? You think being an accountant is the only way to be successful? You’re just being narrow-minded.”

The room felt charged with tension, our earlier camaraderie slipping away like sand through my fingers.

I didn’t want to fight with him, but the thought of him wasting his potential on something I saw as frivolous made my blood boil.

The air crackled with tension after Derrick's retort. I couldn't believe he thought I was the narrow-minded one. My heart raced, fueled by a mix of frustration and indignation.

“Oh, I’m the narrow-minded one?” I shot back, disbelief lacing my voice. I stood up, my fists clenching at my sides.

Derrick nodded, his expression a blend of anger and stubbornness. The sight only pushed me further.

“Let me break it to you, then, you dumbass,” I said, a sharp grin spreading across my face. “Rachel is in love with you, and your narrow-minded ass doesn’t even know it.”