The Good War

by Todd Strasser

  “You psyched to play on those Providias?” Caleb asked.

  “I’m psyched to play on a fast connection,” Emma said. “The joke in our house is that our internet’s so slow that…”

  They walked a few more steps. Caleb glanced at her. “So slow that what?”

  “We don’t know,” Emma said. “We’re still waiting for it to load.”

  A laugh burst out of Caleb’s chest. “Good one!”

  Emma felt herself glow inside.

  When they got to the computer lab, the only other people there were Ms. B and that new boy, Nathan. Caleb and Emma sat at the near end of the long table where the new PCs had been set up. Ms. B stood by the door, waiting to see who’d arrive next.

  “Know anyone else who’s coming?” Caleb whispered to Emma. She shook her head, but she was thrilled that Caleb kept asking her questions.

  When the computer lab door opened and Gavin and Crosby came in, the smile on Ms. B’s lips shrank to a thin flat line. Emma doubted that either of the boys noticed. Crosby immediately went over to one of the Providia X-Masters. He looked at the big screen and then ducked down to check out the tower under the table. “Sick,” he said loudly.

  Meanwhile, Gavin gave Emma and Caleb an impassive look. Then he and Crosby sat down at the far end of the table and stashed their backpacks under their chairs. Maybe it was just her imagination, but Emma got the feeling that battle lines were being drawn.

  * * *

  So far it had been a good day for Caleb. He helped stop Crosby from cheating on the geometry test, and the eSports club, which he had worked so hard on, had become a reality. Of course, he couldn’t have done it without Ms. B’s help, and he felt he owed her something for that. So if Zach actually showed up for the club, Caleb would feel like he’d paid her back.

  Each time the computer lab door opened, Caleb watched Ms. B turn her head with an expectant look, but so far, the person they really wanted to see hadn’t arrived. When Mackenzie and Isabella came in, Caleb felt himself wince inwardly. When he’d pictured what the club would be like, he hadn’t imagined the mean girls, or guys like Gavin and Crosby, joining. Caleb’s afternoons were already packed. Almost every day after school he had an activity. Yearbook, debate club, piano lessons, Chinese club. For an instant, he wondered if he wanted to be in the eSports club with kids like that. But he quickly pushed the thought out of his mind. The club was his idea, and it was about gaming, not about personalities. He was well aware that Crosby and Mackenzie were the kinds of kids who called him Extra Credit Caleb behind his back, but maybe, if they all gamed together, it would change.

  Meanwhile, Ms. B still kept glancing at the door. Caleb found himself feeling disappointed that Zach hadn’t shown up. And it wasn’t just about paying Ms. B back for helping him create the eSports club. Caleb had been surprised that afternoon while hanging out with Zach in the library. Zach might have been full of fidgets and tics, but there was also something clever and sincere about him. He didn’t try to act cool. He didn’t pretend to be anything except himself. Caleb found that interesting. In a way, he and Zach were opposites.

  The door opened again, and a kid named Tyler Phillips came in. All Caleb knew of Tyler was that he was a practical joker who tended to fool around a lot. When Tyler saw the new computers, he widened his eyes like a prospector who’d just found gold. “Man, this is amazing!” he gushed. “I’ve never seen one of these things in real life.”

  Ms. B pushed open the computer lab door and glanced out into the hall. Caleb sensed she couldn’t wait much longer to begin the meeting. The kids were getting restless. Ms. B let the door close and faced the group. She worked a smile onto her lips. “I’m so glad you all decided to come. I really think we’re going—”

  She stopped and turned her head. Zach was peeking in the window. Ms. B went to the door and opened it. Zach stuck his nose in like a wary mouse sniffing cheese in a mousetrap.

  “Come in, Zach,” Ms. B said. Wearing a backpack and carrying his skateboard, Zach took a tentative step, then stopped. His eyes darted around as if he was trying to assess the possible level of danger in the room. From somewhere on Gavin’s side of the table came a loud snort. Zach stiffened.

  “Just take a seat, Zach.” Ms. B put a hand on his shoulder and guided him deeper into the room as if she was worried that at any second he would change his mind and scamper away.

  Caleb watched Zach take a seat in a corner, about as far from Gavin and Crosby as he could get. There had been a time when Caleb would have been satisfied that Zach showed up, because it would mean he’d paid Ms. B back. But with Gavin and his pals there, Caleb felt a different sensation. An unexpected one that made him uncomfortable. He was worried that all he’d done was help feed Zach to the wolves.

  * * *

  When Mackenzie and Isabella entered the computer lab, Emma cringed. They were the last people on earth she wanted to be in a club with. But the more she thought about it, the more she wanted to game with Caleb. And besides, now it was too late to leave. Ms. B began the informational meeting by saying she hoped that someday they’d join the Middle School eSports League and play against other schools, but Ironville didn’t have the funds, so for now, they would just have two teams play each other at one game.

  “Think of this semester as the beta test for the club,” she said. “Today we can figure out how we want to organize, what the teams will be, and what game you’ll play. Does anyone have a suggestion?”

  The new kid, Nathan, raised his hand. “Can we pick a game rated M?”

  Play an M-rated game in school? Emma thought. It was the kind of question only a new kid would ask. The district web filter would never permit it. She expected Ms. B to shoot the idea down.

  But Ms. B said, “Which one?”

  “The Good War!” Tyler blurted before anyone else had time to react.

  “Yeah!” Crosby agreed with a fist pump.

  The Good War was one of the hottest games out. Emma had played it several times. It was easy to learn and the action was fast-paced and fun. But it was rated M for violence and animated blood.

  “So is that okay, Ms. B?” Tyler asked hopefully.

  Not in a million years, Emma thought. And yet the others seemed to be holding their breaths while Ms. B googled some reviews of the game.

  Waiting for the inevitable “no way,” Emma watched Nathan press his lips together and slide down in his chair. She got the feeling that TGW wasn’t the game he’d wanted to suggest when he’d asked about the M rating. But being new at school, he probably thought it best not to argue. He was a nice-looking boy with longish brown hair and a thin, straight nose. He held himself erect when he walked, like a soldier marching.

  Meanwhile, at her desk, Ms. B appeared to be lost in thought. Then she nodded. “It doesn’t sound like anything you probably haven’t played before. So yes, why not?”

  “What about the district web filter?” Emma asked.

  “This is a club, not school,” Ms. B said.

  “All right!” Tyler and Crosby cheered in unison and high-fived. Emma was truly amazed.

  Next they discussed the format of play and settled on nine rounds per match, with the first team to win five rounds considered that day’s winner. The same would go for the semester. They’d meet for nine weeks. The first team to win five matches would be the semester champions.

  Just then, Emma felt something press against her thigh. She looked down. Caleb was slipping her a note…made of paper. How retro! she thought as she unfolded it. On it Caleb had written: NOT ME. YOU.

  Huh? Emma had no idea what that meant. She scowled at him. Caleb nodded back as if the answer would be clear soon enough.

  When Ms. B suggested that they choose captains, Crosby said, “Gavin.”

  Gavin’s forehead bunched doubtfully, but Tyler and Mackenzie gave thumbs up to show they agreed. Next, Ms
. B turned to Emma and Caleb’s end of the table. Now Emma understood the note Caleb had given her. He wanted her to be the captain of their side. But how could he already know what the teams would be? And when had she ever been the captain of anything?

  Ms. B’s eyes settled on Caleb as if she expected him to be captain. Emma suspected that Caleb wanted to keep a low profile. Still, being captain meant Emma would stand out and be in charge, things she always tried to avoid. She was the kind of person who wouldn’t even post a selfie for fear of not getting any likes. She could already imagine the nasty “Who Does She Think She Is?” comments Mackenzie and Isabella would post. But Caleb had asked her to do it, and he was probably already disappointed in her because he thought she hadn’t saved him a seat in the assembly. Did she really want to disappoint him twice in the same day?

  Emma raised her hand. For an instant, Ms. B couldn’t hide the look of surprise on her face, but she quickly recovered. “All right, Emma. You’ll be the other captain. Now go ahead and pick your squads.”

  * * *

  In Caleb’s mind, there was no doubt that Gavin, Crosby, Tyler, Mackenzie, and Isabella would be one squad because they were all sort of in the same social crowd. And he, Emma, Zach, and that new kid, Nathan, would be the other squad because they weren’t in that crowd.

  The problem was that for most of the meeting Zach kept his hoodie pulled so low over his head that his face was mostly hidden. His feet were tapping nonstop, and his knees bounced rapidly. His hands were jammed as deep as they could go into his pockets, and he kept sniffing loudly. It was obvious to Caleb that Zach didn’t want to be there and that once he left, he wasn’t coming back.

  Ms. B had everyone set up gaming accounts, and then the meeting ended. The first match would be the following week. Now kids were leaving to catch the late bus. Caleb expected Zach to blast out of the computer lab, but instead he dawdled in the back of the room. Was it because Zach didn’t want to go out into the hallway while Crosby was around?

  Caleb gathered his things. He’d just pulled on his backpack when he heard Ms. B clear her throat. Her eyes darted at Zach and then back to Caleb. She gave him a look that said Try to get Zach to join.

  * * *

  No sooner did Emma volunteer to be captain than she regretted it. Especially with Mackenzie and Isabella on the opposite squad. She decided that she would talk to Caleb on the late bus, but when she left to catch it, he was still hanging around the computer lab.

  On the late bus, Gavin, Crosby, Makenzie, and Isabella were sitting in the back. The only open seats were right in front of them. When Mackenzie saw Emma, she narrowed her eyes as if she’d already thought of the meanest thing she could possibly say and couldn’t wait to deliver it.

  Emma felt a shiver, then chastised herself for being afraid. If I already know that Mackenzie doesn’t like me, why do I care so much about what she thinks and says? she asked herself. Was it because snarky remarks hurt no matter who said them? Meanwhile, she’d been the last to get on the bus, and the driver was watching her in the rearview mirror, waiting for her to find a seat so that they could go. Emma reluctantly went down the aisle. Mackenzie looked like a viper coiling to strike. She reminded Emma of a young Excella Gionne from Resident Evil. Emma felt her stomach begin to knot. But then she saw Gavin sitting across the aisle from Mackenzie. His eyes met hers, but unlike Mackenzie’s, his looked sort of sad. Emma’s and Gavin’s parents had known each other since before she and Gavin were born. Their fathers had been best friends in high school and then worked in the steel mill together. When she and Gavin were little, they had been playmates. They’d even shared a playpen at times. But in fifth grade they’d drifted apart. It had been years since they’d said more than hi to each other.

  Gavin’s father hurt his back a few months ago and had been on disability ever since. Emma’s father said Mr. Morgenstern’s recovery was going slowly because he could get to physical therapy in Franklin only once a week. Was that why Gavin looked sad?

  “How’s your dad doing?” she asked him.

  Gavin had just unwrapped a piece of candy and popped it into his mouth. With his cheek bulging, he blinked at her in surprise. Probably because these days he and Emma barely acknowledged each other at school. “Oh, uh…not so good.”

  “Sorry to hear that, Gavin,” Emma said, and sat down. As the bus pulled away from the curb, she waited for Mackenzie’s comment, but it never came. Was it because whatever mean thing Mackenzie was planning to say would sound stupid now that Emma had been friendly to Gavin? A smile crept across Emma’s face. In the never-ending battle against the Mistress of Microaggressions, she felt like she’d scored a small victory.

  * * *

  “I’m not doing this for Ms. B,” Caleb said. He and Zach had just left school and Zach asked if Ms. B told Caleb to walk home with him. Zach knew that Caleb didn’t live in that direction. He lived over near Cardinal Lake, the “nice” part of town. As if any part of Ironville were actually “nice.”

  “So why are you going this way?” Zach asked.

  “It’s hard to explain,” Caleb said.

  Zach doubted that. He suspected that Caleb was lying about not being asked by Ms. B. Or maybe Caleb’s parents had told him to be friendly to Zach. It wouldn’t be the first time a kid from school had suddenly decided to be Zach’s friend. Out of the blue, someone would invite Zach over to their house. The playdate would feel awkward. Zach almost always got the feeling that the kid didn’t really want him there. The date would always include a snack in the kitchen with the kid’s mother hovering close by, pretending not to listen in. Zach would feel like he was under a microscope with everything he said and did being scrutinized. He always suspected that his own mother had asked the other boy’s mother if she’d arrange the get-together.

  Zach doubted it was any different with Extra Credit Caleb. He was pretty sure this was all about scoring brownie points with Ms. B. But that was about to end. They’d gotten to the old stone wall. This was as far as Zach wanted Caleb to go. He dropped his skateboard to the street, implying that he planned to skateboard the rest of the way home.

  “So really, Zach, what do you think about the club?” Caleb asked.

  There it is, Zach thought. There was no reason why Caleb would give a hoot what he thought of the club. No reason why he should care if Zach joined or not.

  “Listen, Zach,” Caleb went on. “You have as much right to be in that club as anyone else. I mean, if those idiots Crosby and Gavin are keeping you from joining…”

  Zach was about to get on the skateboard but he stopped. Was it that obvious that the reason he wasn’t going to join the eSports club was because of Ratface Crosby and that crowd?

  “Just think about it tonight, okay?” Caleb said.

  A chipmunk scurried along the stone wall and vanished into a crevice. Zach was baffled. He didn’t know what to make of Caleb’s suggestion.

  “See you tomorrow,” Caleb said, and turned away. Zach stepped onto the deck of his board and pushed off, but after a dozen yards, he did a frontside slide and looked back. Caleb was walking briskly, as if he was in a hurry. As if he’d just taken care of one task but still had others to complete. Zach thought about what he’d just said. The truth was, playing The Good War on a Providia X-Master with a fast connection was super tempting. Gaming without lags or screen stuttering would be awesome. And more importantly, did he really want to live the rest of his life in fear?

  * * *

  Dinner that night was boneless, skinless, tasteless free-range chicken, kale and quinoa salad, and sweet potatoes. Just once Caleb wished he could sink his teeth into a bacon cheeseburger. But his parents would rather starve than eat anything tasty and unhealthy, and they expected the same of him. Also expected of him tonight was his daily report. In addition to doing the dinner dishes, recycling, flossing, practicing piano, walking Cooper, and picking up her poop, Caleb was
expected to recount for his parents what happened at school each day.

  “Have you found a photographer for the yearbook?” his mother asked.

  Caleb was the yearbook photo editor. If he did well, he could look forward to being the managing editor next year. For the past few weeks he’d been interviewing photographers for the student portraits. “I think so. He’s new and way less expensive than the others.”

  Caleb’s father took off his thick black-framed glasses and cleaned them with a napkin. “Less expensive isn’t always better. How do you know he’ll do a good job?”

  “I thought his portfolio looked cool,” Caleb said. “Besides, Ms. Dean, the yearbook advisor, says there isn’t enough money in the budget for the photographer they used last year.”

  “And how was the first meeting of the eSports club?” his mother asked. The meeting had only been announced that morning, but his mother already knew about it. Caleb wasn’t surprised. Both his mother and father were plugged into what he called the Parental Hovernet. The Hovernet was an aggregation of school announcements, teacher-parent emails, texts, rumors…anything that helped helicopter parents like his keep tabs on what their kids were doing on a daily, if not minute-to-minute, basis.

  Caleb said that the meeting had gone well.

  “I think it’s wonderful that you did that for the school,” his mother said. “But I hope it doesn’t mean that you’re just going to play video games from now on.”

  “Hey, don’t knock it,” Mr. Arnett said. “If he gets good enough, he could get a college scholarship.”

  “The top players make millions,” Caleb added.

  “Are you really thinking about becoming a professional gamer?” his mother asked with a frown.