He and Caleb were feeling giddy after their squad’s second straight win over Gavin’s squad.

“Xtra Cred also competes in tournaments around the world and has numerous endorsement deals,” Caleb added.

“Right!” Zach cried. “Xtra Cred’s reach is staggering. More than twelve million followers on Twitch, almost twenty million on Instagram, and nearly four million on Twitter.”

“He’s been featured on the cover of ESPN The Magazine. Wherever he goes, he is mobbed by adoring fans,” Caleb added. “Rumor has it that Nike will name its newest eSports shoe the Xtra.”

“Xtra Cred for Nike!” Zach guffawed. “The complete clothing line.”

“The gaming jacket,” Caleb suggested.

“The athletic briefs!”

They both cracked up.

When they got to the old stone wall, Zach didn’t want Caleb to leave. They’d had so much fun pretending to be casters. Part of Zach wished they could keep going, all the way back to his place. But another part of him was uncertain. It was true that Caleb had been nicer to him for the past month than practically any kid Zach had ever known. Not only had Caleb picked Zach first for capture the flag today, but when Tyler and Ratface Crosby had ganged up on him, Caleb had come over and told them to lay off.

But it was still hard for Zach to accept Caleb as a true friend. He’d had too many bad experiences. As a result, Zach had learned to be extra careful.

The boys stood beside the stone wall without speaking for a few moments. Then Caleb said, “Sorry about what happened in gym today. Tyler and Crosby are total jerks.”

Zach shrugged. It wasn’t that he’d gotten used to being picked on. Getting picked on was something no one ever got used to. But he had gotten to the point where it was just another burden like vaccinations and the dentist, another fact of life, and something he preferred not to be reminded of. Zach changed the subject. “What’s it like having them do a TV show about you?”

“Not just me,” Caleb said. “About the eSports club.”

“But they spent a lot of time talking to you,” Zach said.

“Guess we’ll see when it’s on TV,” Caleb said. Then he glanced off in the direction he usually went when they parted. Zach didn’t want Caleb to go, but he figured the kid probably had other things to do. But then Caleb said, “I saw what you did today in the last round. With the smoke grenades.”

Zach was surprised and pleased. He hadn’t been sure anyone had noticed. “Yeah, after last week, I figured we needed to do something a little different.”

“Control the ground,” Caleb said.

“When Gavin’s squad watches the match tonight, they’ll figure it out,” Zach said. “So we’ll need to come up with something else for next week.”

Caleb studied him for a moment. Feeling Caleb’s eyes on him made Zach nervous. He began to blink and fidget.

“You really think about this stuff a lot, don’t you?” Caleb said.