Chapter 91

“I’m telling you Danny boy, I’ll be fine.” Peter said between bites of pizza. Even though the senior had a tennis match that afternoon, he wasn’t eating like it mattered. He had pizza, a couple cans of soda, and breadsticks in front of him. All of which he’d apparently ordered between classes to be delivered during lunch time. Peter continued to flaunt what it was to be him.

“Seriously? Like, I get you’re you and all. But even I know eating like that before a match is ill advised.” If it had been a single slice or such, sure. But Peter was currently on his sixth slice, and third soda. Furthermore, while Dan couldn’t admit it, he could see that Peter’s stats seemed lower than normal. While he couldn’t see the exact numbers yet, given his powers hadn’t reached that level, the descriptions on them had changed.

Normally, Peter’s Health was listed in the excellent range along with his stamina and dexterity. However, for some reason, Peter’s health was currently sitting in the Great range, which, as far as Dan could tell, meant something was off about the Senior. What though, he wasn’t sure. Nor did he know what those ranges meant when it came to the Health stat. On a 1 to 100 scale, Excellent meant 81-100. If it was percentages than for health, something had knocked the senior’s health from being in the 81percent and above range, to the 61-80 percent range. Sure, an 80 percent on health was nothing to bat an eye at, especially when it was a stat that changed quite frequently.

However, in Peter’s situation, it was alarming. As long as Dan had known Peter, he’d never seen the Senior’s health stat drop below Excellent. And, along with it, Peter’s Mental Health stat had dropped similarly. Yet, here he was, smiling at Dan and eating an unhealthy amount of food. If Dan had to guess, something was up with Peter, but the senior wasn’t telling him. And that, was even more concerning. Because after the talks they’d had together, Dan had thought Peter trusted him deeply. So if something was bothering Peter, it meant one of two things.

Either Peter didn’t realize there was something wrong with himself, or he didn’t trust Dan enough to mention it to him. Dan, honestly, wasn’t sure which one bothered him more. Regardless, he couldn’t just press the issue. After all, by the way Peter was acting, there were no signs that anything was wrong with him. And Dan couldn’t just up and admit to having the ability to see a status bar regarding Peter’s health.

“You worry too much.” Peter said, pushing the box of pizza towards Dan. “Have a slice and relax man. I told you, I’m okay.”

Dan opened his mouth to speak but closed it. He really wanted to make sure Peter was okay. But even though the stats wouldn’t lie, he figured Peter knew his body well enough to know if something was going on with it. He would just have to trust Peter. That was, after all, all he could do right now.

“If you throw up mid match, I’m not going to let you live that down.” Dan said halfheartedly as he grabbed the slice. He’d been excited about the upcoming matches today, keen to watch Peter and the rest of the team play. But the moment he’d noticed the decrease in Peter’s stats, all he’d felt was worried.

“You act like they’re actually going to have someone who can make me work.” Peter said with a chuckle. “How much you want to bet I can win the Match without losing a single game?”

Dan shook his head. “I may be new to the sport, but I’m not stupid. If they win a game against you, I’ll know for sure somethings wrong with you.”

For a brief second, Dan was certain he saw a slight shift in Peter’s demeanor. It was over so quickly though, that he couldn’t be certain. If there was one thing Peter was better at than playing tennis, it had to be in his ability to mask his thoughts and emotions behind that cocky, self-sure smile.

“My health aside,” Peter said, “you’re not pushing yourself too much are you Danny? I swear you’ve been hitting at the ball machine like a demon possessed. I’m starting to wonder if you’re not secretly a robot. Because seriously, the way you’ve been throwing yourself into practice, and your stamina alone, are ridiculous.”

Dan couldn’t help but laugh at that statement. “Coming from you that’s rich.”

“Just saying man. I’ve seen you get hit by a truck, work yourself to the point of exhaustion multiple times, and I swear, that shoulder injury of yours should have been torn muscles. However, you’re still out there, every day, giving a hundred and ten percent. It’s crazy.”

“Eh, I’ve always had good endurance from soccer.” Dan lied. “Probably helps with the tennis practice. Plus, you know my dad’s a Marine, so physical fitness is practically part of my bones. Pain is weakness leaving the body, my dad always says.”

“Just, make sure you don’t push yourself too much, yeah?” Peter’s eyes softened for a moment. “Really, if you feel like anything is wrong, make sure you take a break. I can’t have my all-star prodigy breaking himself before I’m done training him, now can I?” Peter reached over to ruffle Dan’s hair, a smile on his face. “Seriously, make sure you take care of yourself Dan.”

Dan’s smile faltered at that. There was something in Peter’s tone. Something in that action, that didn’t sit right with Dan. Furthermore, considering the drop in Peter’s stats, Dan knew something was amiss. Those words, and the decreased stats, along with the extremely out of character eating binge Peter was doing, bothered Dan. He couldn’t help but feel, in his very core, that something was really wrong with Peter.

“Only if you promise to do the same.” Dan tried his best to return the smile to his face as he said those words, but there was a pit forming in his stomach, which was pulling the sides of his smile down.

“Trust me buddy,” Peter replied, standing, and brushing crumbs off his pants as he did. “I’m literally a shining example of perfect health.” Those words echoed with how hollow they were to Dan’s ears, but at the same time, he couldn’t bring himself to push the matter. Surely, Peter had a reason to be acting the way he was. Surely, if something was bothering him to a degree that required worry, Peter would mention it to Dan. Right?

Dan watched as Peter grabbed the empty cans, stacking them expertly atop the empty pizza box before he made his way towards the trash can to dispose of the garbage. As Peter walked, Dan watched him closely. Nothing about the way he moved, said he wasn’t feeling well. And honestly, if he could put that much food away and still be smiling, normally, that would be a sign of health, yeah?

However, there was something there, and Dan hoped it would reveal itself sooner rather than later in a way that he could address with Peter. Otherwise, he didn’t know what he would do about the whole situation.

Then again, he wondered if he was overreacting. Perhaps the drop in health simply meant Peter had pulled a muscle or something? Maybe the decreased mental health stat came from anger over the fact he’d injured himself, or because of the upcoming match? That, Dan realized, made more sense. After all, when he’d torn his muscles, his health had dropped by quite a bit. A pulled muscle, or a strain, could certainly drop Peter’s health stat. And Peter, and his god complex, would definitely be bothered by that fact. Not so much worried, but more so frustrated and angry at himself.

The lunch bell rang, pulling Dan from his musings just as Peter returned. Whatever it was, Dan couldn’t do anything about the situation here and now. He just had to believe in Peter. And after everything Peter had shared with him, after all their time spent together, that was really what he should be doing. Yet, as they left the lunchroom, leaving to head to their respective classes, Dan couldn’t help but notice the sinking feeling in his stomach growing. He was worried for Peter. He was worried about his best friend.