What should have been a moment of magnificence, a moment to celebrate and a moment be proud of the accumulation of our efforts over the last year, was instead a sad whimper. The university board had cancelled the graduation ceremony due to fear of violent student protests over large tuition increases for the next year. Granted, they were right to be afraid considering the money was certainly not going to the quality of our education. I digress though, whether I believe in the protests or not doesn't change the fact that we're sitting at a shitty bar in a shady part of town. It could be worse though considering I'm in good company.

I look over to my right and I see the usual suspect, a guy named Tomas, patrolling the bar. I say patrolling, but he could also be described as prowling considering the somewhat suspicious vibe he gives off. I might be imagining it though considering he's been striking up conversations all over the place. "I guess having a pretty face and muscles really does do wonders for how people treat you", I say dissapointed as I turn back to my left. Theo doesn't even need to turn his head for me to feel the oozing disapointment coming from his signature side eye death stare. The target of this psychological warfare method seems to be the previously described blond haired prowler.

"Dude, chill", I say to Theo. "Let him have a bit of fun, he worked hard just like the rest of us."

"Worked hard? The bastard graduated cum laude and as the valedictorian while he spent 90% of our student years chasing women with shitty pickup lines."

"Well I agree that I find it hard to believe, but after that Christmas you and I both know there is more to him than he lets other people see."

"Please don't remind me. I don't want to think about that right now."

"Fair enough."

Theo turns away from me and tries to get back to death staring Tomas. However, Tomas has already ceased his prowling of the bar to come back to us.

"Back already, Tomas?", Theo says with a taunting grin on his face "I guess the patrons of this bar are a little smarter than most."

"Nah, I already got a guy's number. Don't want him thinking all I do is run around begging people for attention."

 "Even though it's the truth", I say jokingly.

"If it's meant to be he'll see that part of me and accept it. Or, you know, we have the type of relationship where that doesn't matter."

"Whatever you say T. I'll pick up the tab this time so you guys can continue annoying each other!"

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As I say this I quickly stand up and run to the bar to pay for our table. I can still hear Theo and Tomas arguing, but I kind of zone it out while I stand in line. Behind the bar is an absolute giant of a man quietly serving people, Bernard. We had only exchanged a few words with him during our entire time studying, but apparently that is more than most can say. No one ever explained to me why he speaks so little, just that he only speaks occasionally to people who he respects. Apparently the three of us had earned it.

"The beers were on the house."

"Oh really? Thanks old man. Have a good night."

With that short exchange I turned around and headed for the door. Seeing this, Theo and Tomas stand up to join me, although they continue to make fun of each other with immense vigour. We say goodbye to some of the other people at the bar and then start walking together to the point where we normally part ways in suspicious silence. Tomas is the first to break the silence.

"Have you guys reconside-"

Theo cuts him off.

"Have you? We've told you again and again that the technology is unregulated and irresponsible at best!"

Tomas' response sounds somewhat offended.

"Yeah I know it's unregulated, but from what I've seen it's almost completely safe! The only way it could go wrong is if someone at OROS intentionally sabotaged the technology and all of the quality control people fell asleep."

This kinda pissed me off.

"OROS has been incredibly secretive about the technology, they have managed to evade regulation and government oversight through suspicious financial activity and any early reviews of their products seem to be going out to some of the shadiest review channels. There is absolutely something that they're hiding."

"Dude the launch went fine, half of the people normally in the bar were probably only. You guys' paranoia will rob you of experiencing something incredible in human history! I'll be logging in tomorrow if you guys want to join, just call me. It would mean a lot to me considering we don't know where the three of us will end up after this."

With that Tomas quickly turned around and started walking in the direction of his place. I can see Theo's blood pressure rising quickly as he opens his mouth.

"Valedictorians can be idiots too apparently. Why does he have to make it emotional at the end though?"

"Yeah, he's being way too relaxed about this, especially when he's normally on the same page as us on things like this."

"Something is up with him and I think it might be more than FOMO this time."

I contemplate what Theo just said for a while in silence while we both just stand there. It doesn't matter how long I think though, I can't think of what is different about this situation that has Tomas chomping at the bit to get on this game. I get that actually genuinely controlling a virtual body like it's your own is exciting, but is that really it? Whatever the case, Theo and I need to be on the same page about how we handle this.

"I can't think of why he wants to play so desperately and I don't think you can either. However, I think it's clear he wants us to join him. He wouldn't have skipped launch day otherwise when he's been hyping this game up for almost a year."

"You really want to risk injury with that shady tech?", Theo says exasperated

"We've done dumber shit than that and you know it.", I retort

"Fine, I'll see you online at noon."

With that Theo turns away and starts walking too. He obviously doesn't feel great about this, but we have a mutual understanding with each other when it comes to the stupid decisions we make. Unfortunately, this time neither me nor Theo can tell whether it's just a regular stunt by Tomas. We're not leaving him to fend for himself, but something about this doesn't sit right with me.