One Number.

Chap. 7

I sat there with Clay, showing him how I played. He was impressed at the fact that I knew how to land crits, even more impressed when I faced off 5 zombies and an enderman all at once and managed to kill them all while still having the majority of my health left.

I was just about to kill another skeleton while we explored a cave, when Clay heard the familiar hiss of a creeper come from behind me.

"Oh shit, Vivian- shield! Shield!" He said, leaning forwards.

I yelped and turned around as quick as I could, not being able to get my shield up in time. I still managed to live, albeit with only one heart left, and I was about to start celebrating my luck when the sound of an arrow releasing from behind me caught my attention.

I couldn't react quick enough, the arrow hitting my character and I watched as my stuff exploded everywhere that familiar red screen popped up.

My jaw dropped open, and I sat there in disbelief. I looked at Clay, his eyes wide. "Well, that's... unfortunate." He said, his eyes meeting mine.

I dropped my head into my hands, letting out an annoyed groan.

This was the third time we had started a new world, Clay critiquing me along the way with helpful little tips. I died twice, and now it was up to three.

I sighed, lifting my head, propping my elbows on the table and held my head in my hands that way. "How am I supposed to become a pvp master if I can't even survive in a world for more than half an hour?" I said, frowning.

Clay shrugged and sighed, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms. "You are getting better, though. At fighting. You've improved a lot and we've only been playing for what-" He looked at the time on my monitor, "Two hours? It usually takes a really long time for people to adapt their playing style that much. I'd say you're doing pretty damn good."

I nodded, letting out a big sigh. "I'm no Technoblade, but I guess I have improved." I said, not truly thinking before I spoke. His head snapped to look at me, eyes wide.

"What?" He said, looking at me in disbelief.

I looked right back at him, eyebrows furrowed, confused as to why he had such a visceral reaction to that. "Is something the matter?" I asked.

He opened his mouth to say something, but snapped it shut and just shook his head. "It's nothing." He finished, looking down.

"Uh, okay then." I raised my eyebrow and stood up, getting out of my chair to stretch. I looked over to the empty plate of cookies, grabbing it and saying, "I'll be right back. Stay here."

Clay nodded, turning his attention back to my screen and taking a sip of his tea.

I quietly grabbed a plate, serving up some of the cobbler now that it was cool enough to eat. I had covered it to make sure it still retained some warmth, but not enough to burn your tongue off when you tried to eat it.

I snuck back into the room, plate in hand. Once again using my hip to hit the door shut.

Clay turned to look at me, instead his eyes went straight to the plate. I set the cobbler down in front of him, his eyes following my every move.

I motioned for him to dig in while I sat, and watched as he grabbed the spoon I had given him and slowly took a bite of it.

I waited for his reaction, wanting to make sure it was as good as he made it out to be last night.

As soon as the spoon entered his mouth, his head fell back and hit the headrest behind him with a sigh. He stared at the ceiling while I nervously fidgeted with my fingers.

"Vivian?" He said, his eyes still locked on the ceiling.

"Yes, Clay?" I answered.

He lowered his head back down, looking me dead in the eyes.

"You," He started, pointing the spoon at me, "are a baking goddess." He said, already taking another bite.

I clapped and grinned, happiness flooding through my body. "God, I was so worried that you hated it or something." I said, leaning back in my chair.

He shook his head, shoveling the cobbler into his mouth like he hadn't eaten in days. "If it's made by you, I know it's good. G & Q has some of the best baked goods in town, and it's all because of you."

I flushed, smiling and turning my head away.

He scooped up the final bite onto his spoon, wiggling it in front of me in a silent question.

"Are you sure? I did make it for you, I don't want to take it if you want it." I said, folding my hands in my lap.

He shrugged, simply saying, "It'd be a shame for you to not eat something this good." He wiggled the spoon again, and I sighed and playfully rolled my eyes before leaning in and taking the spoon in my mouth.

He watched my every move, from when I leaned back, to me swallowing it, and finally when I licked my lips. I nodded, saying, "It's good. Some of the best I've ever made, actually."

He silently agreed, nodding his head before setting the plate and spoon down beside him and taking a long drink of his tea.

He nodded to my monitor, still on that death screen. "You wanna keep playing?" He said.

I nodded, about to press respawn when I paused and instead clicked to go to the main menu. Clay furrowed his brows in question, but didn't say anything as I clicked onto the multi-player tab and joined the Hypixel server.

He watched as I spawned in and went straight to the duels.

I joined one, being put against a random person. The duel began, and I lost. The other person only had one heart left, and that just added salt to the wound.

We both said nothing after I joined another duel, and another. Clay was giving me small tips as I went, with me nodding and following what he said. By the fourth duel, I was ready.

I became laser focused, fingers moving on my keyboard and mouse out of instinct. Clay also focused in, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees and hands clasped in front of him.

He didn't say anything other than small praises as I landed crit after crit on the person, running away and regaining health only to dive right back in.

The person got me down to 2 hearts, but I kept going. I dodged their attacks, and landed 2 final crits on them and watched as their character died with a puff of smoke particles.

I sat there in shock, eyes blown wide.

Clay clapped and pumped his fist in the air, and I grinned like an idiot while he was shaking my chair in excitement. "Hell yeah, Vivian! Now that's what I'm talking about! You did so well! God, I could kiss you right now-" He cut himself off as my eyes flew to his, and he stared right back.

"I-" He started, but I cut him off.

The adrenaline was still coursing through my veins, giving me a confidence boost.

"Then do it."