It was Saturday morning, day six since the game's release, and Flappy Bird was already showing 40,000 downloads. Every time I refreshed the dashboard, the number ticked higher. I could feel the momentum building, like I was riding the crest of a wave that was about to break. If things kept going at this pace, it was only a matter of days before it exploded into a full-blown viral sensation. I was already picturing what it would look like to hit 50,000 downloads, then 100,000, and then the quest target of 1 million downloads.
The stories about the original Flappy Bird blowing up overnight were running through my mind. Dong Nguyen's little game went from obscure to 50 million downloads in a matter of weeks, topping charts in 53 countries and raking in $50,000 a day in ad revenue. It was wild to think that something so simple could take over the world. I couldn't help but hope I was on the same trajectory.
Money was on my mind, too. Google Play pays out every 15th of the month, but App Store money takes forever-45 days after the end of the month, which meant I wouldn't see a cent from Apple for at least two and a half months. That was a long wait, especially when I had so many ideas and things I wanted to buy. Everything runs on money, and I wanted to buy skill books, upgrade my setup, maybe even get a new laptop. It was exactly a week before payday, so I was hoping the game would rack up as many downloads as possible before then.
Today was a good day for another reason, too: I was supposed to go to Alex's house for our biology project, due before next Tuesday. Honestly, I couldn't wait to see the cast of Modern Family in real life. It still felt surreal sometimes.
I had breakfast with my parents, and over the table, I told them about the download numbers and my plans for the next game. Dad's eyes widened. "Forty thousand downloads? That's incredible, son!"
Mom smiled, pouring more coffee. "We're so proud of you, Lucas. Maybe you'll be the next big thing in gaming world."
I grinned. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves. But yeah, if it keeps going like this, who knows?"
We sat around the table, everyone in a good mood, joking and chatting about random things. Then Dad smiled and said, "I've got something for you," as he slid a box across the table. I opened it up and found a pair of brand-new Jordan basketball shoes-AIR JORDAN 29 Black. I couldn't help but grin like a little kid.
"Hope you like them. We can always return it and go for whatever you want," Dad said, his eyes twinkling. "I asked my buddy at work about popular shoes and he recommended these."
"They're perfect," I said, and meant it. "Thanks, Dad."
Mom and Dad both smiled at me, and for a moment, everything just felt right. I promised myself again that I'd make sure my parents would live comfortably one day-they'd never have to worry about money once I made it big. Then I'd be the one buying gifts.
After breakfast, my parents started talking about mundane work stuff, but I was only half-listening, already itching to try out my new shoes. I called up Josh. He picked up on the second ring.
"Hey man, what's up?" Josh's voice came through, easy and familiar.
"Come over. I got new Jordans and I need to break them in. Let's hit the park."
Josh was at my place in record time. I grabbed my basketball, feeling the leather under my hand, and was ready with my buddy.
We walked over to the nearby basketball court, the one where all the neighborhood kids hung out. Today, there was a group already playing-mostly older guys, a few of them black, all of them looking like they took their game seriously. Josh seemed to know them and greeted them with a flawless dap. That must be a skill because that dap's sound was perfect.
"Yo, Lucas, these are my guys." Josh grinned, introducing me.
"You up for a game, whiteboy?" one of them said in a joking tone, standing a couple inches taller than me.
I smiled back. "Let's do it."
Teams were picked-me, Josh, and a guy named Toby versus three others. Toby introduced himself with a handshake and a grin. "You ready?"
"I was born ready," I shot back, lacing up my new shoes and feeling the bounce in my step.
The court was buzzing as we stepped onto the half-court for 3v3. The rules were simple-first to 21 points. I decided to open the interface showing all my basketball skills and the hard work I'd put in over summer vacation.
BASKETBALL
Offense
Shooting
Mid-range: 68
3-point: 72
Free throws: 77
Finishing
Layups: 74
Dunks: 70
Floaters: 65
Ball Handling
Dribbling: 78
Crossovers: 75
Ankle Breakers: 60
Passing
Vision: 72
Accuracy: 70
Creativity: 66
Defense
On-Ball Defense: 45
Help Defense: 40
Stealing: 30
Shot Blocking: 50
IQ&Awareness
Court Vision: 72
Decision Making: 68
Positioning: 65
Pattern Recognition: 69
Time management: 79
There were many more skills but they were too low-leveled to be worth anything and still all my basketball skills were high enough to beat college players. Yes, I was able to grow so fast in just two months of vacation because of my 'cheat'. Offense, finishing and ball handling skills were all so highly leveled because of the grind but Awareness and IQ skills were increased just from watching the games. That surprised me.
I have to realise that my skill level grows exponentially and the first 50 levels are easiest to grind but after that it takes real hard work.
Josh helped me train my defense skills after vacation but they were still not up there. But I was not worried because I will have plenty of time to practice after joining the team.
Anyways, coming back to reality from my inner monologues. I focussed on the game
We started with the ball after a coin flip. I dribbled out behind the arc, feeling the grip of my new Jordans. The defender squared up, but I could see he was underestimating me. I gave a quick head fake, drove right, then stopped on a dime. He bit hard. I stepped back behind the arc and drained a two-pointer-nothing but net.
Josh whooped, "Let's fooking go!"
On defense, I used my height and reach to contest every shot. The other team tried to drive, but I cut them off, forcing a bad shot. Toby grabbed the rebound and kicked it back out to me. I didn't hesitate-one dribble, a quick spin, and a soft floater off the glass. 3-0.
The other team started playing more physical, trying to body me up in the paint. They scored a few points but were still behind us. Every time I jumped, it felt like time slowed down. My shots were on target-mid-range, layups, even a couple more from deep. I wasn't missing.
Josh and Toby fed off the energy. Josh hit a couple of tough layups after I drew defenders and dished it out. Toby set solid screens, letting me get open for more jumpers. We moved the ball fast, always looking for the best shot. The other team got frustrated, started forcing shots, and we capitalized on every mistake.
At one point, the score was 17-8. The crowd around the court started paying attention, watching as I hit another step-back jumper from just behind the arc-two more points.
"Man, you are killing them!" one of the guys on the sideline called out.
I just smiled, feeling the rush. Next play, I cut baseline, caught a pass from Josh, and finished with a reverse layup. Game point. The ball came back to me after a missed shot from the other team. I dribbled behind my back, crossed over, and pulled up for one last jumper. Swish. Game, set, match-21-8.
The crowd went wild. These guys surely knew how to hype up.
Everyone came over, dapping me up and patting my back. It was a great experience for me knowing my hard work is recognised.
"I knew you were good but that was insane," Josh grinned, patting my back and shaking his head.
"Thanks, man," I said, grinning.
"Dude, we crushed them," Toby high-fived.
"I will beat you next time."
"Do you play on any team?"
"Good game."
My opponent team also complimented me and we made quick friends. One of the guys offered me a drink which I happily accepted. I played a few rebounds with them till 1 o'clock.
Then I went home alone since Josh was still hanging out with those guys. They were chill people. We decided to play again next week.
After reaching home I showered, ate lunch and then ironed my shirt for the day. Today I was going to Alex's house in the evening. We decided to do the project at her home.
I looked at myself in the mirror and damn-I am a 'hunk' now. I have 'almost' visible six packs. I looked like one of those high school models who supposedly 'natty'.
I slung my backpack over my shoulders and started walking to her house. It was only a 20-minute walk. I was standing outside her house and rang the doorbell. A moment later, she opened the door, smiling.
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A/N: Bonus chapter if we reach 1000 power stones before the week ends. If you like the story then donate PS.
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