The Gamer's Guide to Getting the Girl

The Gamer's Guide to Getting the Girl

Saskatchewan Book Award ―Shortlisted Strategy is everything when it comes to gaming ― and girls. Zach is used to living in a world of legendary battles, epic journeys, and life-or-death situations. As a gamer, he is hard-wired for adventure, even though it’s from the comfort of his parents’ couch. But nothing has prepared him for battling the biggest storm in Saskatchewan’s history while trapped in the local mall. On top of everything, Zach has finally met the girl of his dreams, but he finds himself helping everyone else stay safe while his best friend spends time with her. What Zach doesn’t realize is that love always finds its way when you’ve found the right person and are ready to risk it all to save the day. [As] quick and intense as a Saskatchewan summer storm... Recommended ― CM: Canadian Review of Materials Kristine Scarrow is the author of young adult novels The 11th Hour , If This Is Home , and Throwaway Girl . She is currently the writer-in-residence at St. Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon, where she teaches writing as a healing art in the community. Kristine lives in Saskatoon. Tip #1 Be brave in difficult circumstances Geeky, pubescent boys aren’t the only patrons at Gamer’s Haven on this Saturday, and that is a rarity. The only females we usually see in the place are middle-aged moms looking for gifts for their sons at Christmastime or their birthdays. Otherwise, the clientele is all about the same. There isn’t a dress code for the store, at least not one that we are aware of, but the standard gamer’s outfit is usually the same: a comic-inspired T-shirt, loose-fitting jeans that have to be continually hiked up because gamers don’t believe in belts apparently, and some Converse sneakers ― well-worn and dirty. Most of us have shaggy hair that may or may not have been washed or combed, and we all look like we’re chronically tired; if one were to take a poll to see how many customers had purchased Monster Hunter: World on its release day, the tired eyes would be explained. It’s Cooper who tips me off to the girl in the store. Because Gamer’s Haven isn’t known as the place to find girls, no one usually pays much attention to who comes in. I’m in the zone playing Sea of Thieves when Cooper starts elbowing me. “Mess off, Coop. You’ll get your turn.” I shake him off with my hand in between plays. “Your loss, Zach.” Cooper turns on his heel and strides away. I whip my head around quickly to see what he’s so excited about, and then I see her. She’s wearing a denim skirt, purple suede knee-high boots, a bright orange T-shirt, and a rainbow-coloured scarf around her neck. Her auburn hair is pulled into a high ponytail, and the bottom of it almost reaches the base of her spine. Her arms are bare and pale. I can’t help but stare at her profile. I abandon the game and rush after Cooper, hoping to catch a better glimpse of the girl. She’s standing in front of the Zelda display. I could pretend that I’m buying it and make small talk with her. But what would I say? “Come here often?” “You like this game?” “Ever play this before?” All of it sounds lame. But I decide I have to rush in before Cooper does. I pick up my pace, but Cooper detours to the Okami HD display instead. He isn’t trying to show me the girl? His eyes were on something else instead? Was he crazy? I’m happy that he’s distracted by something else, but now I have to try to play it cool and get closer without her thinking I’m a total stalker. I move one display over and turn my head as casually as I can. She’s reading the back of a Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild case. Stray locks of her hair curl around her face. She’s wearing soft makeup, and when she looks back up toward the display, I can see her bright green eyes. She’s even more beautiful than I thought. I have a stunning burst of courage and decide to act on it before I never see her again. “Need any help?” I ask. She doesn’t even look up at me. “You work here?” “Uh, no. But I happen to know a lot about video games. Like the one you’re holding ― it’s been popular in the gaming world for a couple of years now.” Maybe I can help with her decision-making. “But is it as good as Ocarina of Time or Twilight Princess ?” I don’t mean for my jaw to hang open, but it does. “Because it seems to me that this interface is a lot less sophisticated than the one in Twilight Princess .” She finally looks up at me, just in time for me to close my mouth again. “You’re a gamer?” I ask. “If that’s what you want to call me,” she responds. “Is that allowed? Or are you going to tell me it’s a guy thing and I should move on to something a little more girly?” Her voice is bitter. “No, not at all!” I say, putting my hands up in front of my chest like I’m being arrested. “I think that’s awesome!” She steps closer, her long ponytail swishing toward me, and I can smell her shampoo, a combination of honey and coconut. I want to drink it all in