In The Spotlight

Coiny- Better Than One

Cold.

It's too cold in here. The AC is on full blast and I'm freezing cold.

I felt a slight shiver in my bones, packed in with so many people. I hoped that I didn't shake too hard and touch somebody. I didn't want to answer any questions. Whatever I said would be ammo that crazies could fire back at me.

Aside from that, I was on a talk show. A real-life talk show that real-life people watch. Not just some small, dedicated group. My mom loves these things and prefers them over the news. Everyone will see this.

But, they had to get through two whole teams' worth of questions before me. The only one who was asked a fan question was Firey. So, there was the rest of the Champions and all of-

"Coiny, you're up next. Thought we'd mix it up a little." Oh.

Well, shit.

"Okay, hit me," I said, immediately regretting it. Who says 'hit me' anyway?

"Here it is: Does gender play any major role in your team dynamics since you are the only man? Interesting one!" No matter what I say to that, somebody will find a way to get mad. I thought hard about how to answer.

"To be honest, I don't think it changes all that much. I try to lead well, it doesn't matter who I'm leading. Women are perfectly capable to do everything men do, and vice versa." My team nodded, telling me I approached the question right.

I was really grateful for my team, especially right now. I was cold, and in them was the warmth.

Buzz. Buzz. Buzz. My phone was vibrating, and making me very angry. It was the second time that night that happened.

The first was the interruption text from the talk show, which I couldn't be bothered to deal with. Again, now, my phone buzzed. What could possibly be this important at this hour?

I grabbed my phone from my pocket and cringed at the name on the screen. "Hey, mom."

I love my mother. I love my family in general, actually. But, nowadays, when they call, it's because they want something.

"Hi! I wanted to ask you something," she said, muffled through the speaker.

"What's up?" Do you want money? Do I need to watch a distant cousin? Do you need to borrow my clothes for one of Nickel's job interviews?

"Here, I've got your father here too," she said, then called for my dad.

"Hello," he said as if he didn't really want to be there.

"Anyway, the thing is, this show, it's at a major studio, hon!" She's complimenting me, here it comes. "We were wondering if you have connections that could get us a text from Loser. Or Winner, of course! Just for your uncle's birthday. You know he's a huge fan."

"Guys, Loser probably gets asked that like 200 times a day," I told them, as kindly as possible. "I don't mean to be rude, but I'd have to actually know Loser for that to happen." I rubbed my forehead, preparing for their disappointment.

"Oh, okay. I'll just keep emailing then. Try and get an autograph," she said, less perky than before.

"It was nice to talk to you though."

"Always."

"I love you, Mom," I said, gritting my teeth.

"Love you too, baby. Bye." With that, she hung up, and the only thing I had left to do was think. Think, write what I thought, think some more.

I grabbed my laptop out of its bag, created a Word document, and moved my plan from Notes into it. Then I added all the details of when and how. I read through it and smiled. I was about to be a leader big time.